Any recommended Orlando hotels + car hire?

Options at present are:

Book VA flight + hotels separately.
or
Book through Virgin Holidays.

They've got a number of hotels on I-Drive etc and some of the prices aren't that bad compared to booking separately.
But are there any hotels that should be avoided or ones that are recommended? Looking at sites like Trip Advisor, some get great reviews whereas others say the completely opposite.

Also, how reliable are VH should a problem occur? Have used them once before (in 1999) and didn't have any problems as far as I can remember, but you never know about messed up bookings etc that need a rep to be dealt with.

Also, car hire. Whilst dummy booking a random holiday, didn't see anything mentioning car hire - just 'free transport to the hotel' and 2 other options where you say you're getting there youself (unless one of these is it?).
Looking at some other bits, Alamo seem to deal with Virgin now. Are they reliable or are there other firms that don't try to rip you off with '$200 for that invisible scratch' that suddenly appears etc?

I've only ever booked my flights + hotel seperately. For many years, I had access to cheap timeshare exchanges, which made the accommodation a bargain. Since we got rid of our timeshares, I've still booked both parts of the holiday seperately.

I have booked accommodation only once through Virgin Holidays - had no problems, apart from having to chase them up for the accommodation voucher a few days prior to departure. I'd tagged the VH booking onto the end of a timeshare week, so they thought I was leaving the UK a week later. Fair game to VH, I had an email with the PDF of the voucher within 5mins of the phone call.

I've stayed at the Sheraton Vistana Village on [South] International Drive a few times (both as a timeshare & paying guest). I highly recommend the place - I've only ever had spotlessly clean units & the site in general is maintained to a high standard. The only two negatives about this place have been a >45min check-in queue on a Saturday afternoon & a bit hit and miss service in the onsite dining establishment (next to the main pool). To put the >45min check-in queue into context, I'd been out of Orlando airport & in my hire car in little over 30mins from stepping off the aircraft (had been in UC, so was off fast + hit an empty immigration hall). Sheraton Vistana Village only had 3 of about 8 check-in desks open, on a Saturday afternoon.

I've only ever rented cars in Florida from Alamo and they have never tried any of the 'invisible scratch' tricks on me. I've never damaged any of their cars either & have always returned them to the rental station when it was staffed (pretty much 24/7 I think). They always do a walk-round of the car and give you a receipt there and then stating what the final charge is - always $0.00 in my case as I pre-pay in the UK. On my last Alamo rental, I incurred a toll violation - they paid the $0.75 toll for me, but charged me $10 for the letter advising me of this + inviting me to pay the total. I have no doubt that this was all in the rental agreement, so I gave them my card details - I was in the wrong, after all.

[buns]

Xenole

What you intend doing determines where you should stay in Orlando.

I drive is 'central' insofar as a you have Universal at one end and Disney at the other, but it is mighty long and dependency on any free transport does limit your options.

Mrs Buns & I now tend to go to either the Lake Buena Vista area or the end of I Drive closest to Disney - this has the newer hotel, but is less developed so the hire car is essential.

Don't ask me why, but I remain loyal to Dollar (I suppose it has something to do with the current Triple Miles Offer) and if you are picking up a car after getting off the flight at MCO anywhere but the designated VH car rental car company would be my advice.

If you are set on the established middle section of I Drive than my advice is to go for the best you can afford.

buns

quote:Originally posted by Kraken
I've only ever booked my flights + hotel seperately. For many years, I had access to cheap timeshare exchanges, which made the accommodation a bargain. Since we got rid of our timeshares, I've still booked both parts of the holiday seperately.

I have booked accommodation only once through Virgin Holidays - had no problems, apart from having to chase them up for the accommodation voucher a few days prior to departure. I'd tagged the VH booking onto the end of a timeshare week, so they thought I was leaving the UK a week later. Fair game to VH, I had an email with the PDF of the voucher within 5mins of the phone call.

I've stayed at the Sheraton Vistana Village on [South] International Drive a few times (both as a timeshare & paying guest). I highly recommend the place - I've only ever had spotlessly clean units & the site in general is maintained to a high standard. The only two negatives about this place have been a >45min check-in queue on a Saturday afternoon & a bit hit and miss service in the onsite dining establishment (next to the main pool). To put the >45min check-in queue into context, I'd been out of Orlando airport & in my hire car in little over 30mins from stepping off the aircraft (had been in UC, so was off fast + hit an empty immigration hall). Sheraton Vistana Village only had 3 of about 8 check-in desks open, on a Saturday afternoon.

I've only ever rented cars in Florida from Alamo and they have never tried any of the 'invisible scratch' tricks on me. I've never damaged any of their cars either & have always returned them to the rental station when it was staffed (pretty much 24/7 I think). They always do a walk-round of the car and give you a receipt there and then stating what the final charge is - always $0.00 in my case as I pre-pay in the UK. On my last Alamo rental, I incurred a toll violation - they paid the $0.75 toll for me, but charged me $10 for the letter advising me of this + inviting me to pay the total. I have no doubt that this was all in the rental agreement, so I gave them my card details - I was in the wrong, after all.


Similarly Vistana Resort- the other to the 'villages', we access through owned timeshare, although believe VH do have access, however exactly which unit styles unsure. the newer 2 bed apartments (especially recent upgrades are very good), The place is HUGE & onsite amenities are vast. Location is good, and if you have a car- its nice to be off the main international drive area, which we find a bit 'Tacky'.

The south end (nearer Downtown Disney/ Seaworld), we also find the most convenient.

Used Alamo this yr (no problems) and Avis 08, again no probs- so don't have lean either-way, depends on deals.

NH

Don't discount some of the great deals with Disney at the moment. I have seen a room at Disneys Allstars which sleeps 4 (2 adults, 2 young children) for around 50 a night for the room- there are also deals at the moment that include upgrades to tickets ie 14 nights for 7 and free dining plans.

The advantage with Disney is magical express - when you enter Orlando airport, your bags are picked up and you are transported to your disney hotel free of charge where your bags are reunited at your room.

Once there, if staying on disney property, all transportation within disney is free, so no need to hire a car.

Taxis are readily available for transport outwith the parks.

And then of course the reverse is true when its time to go home.

You can book these room only deals with waltdisneyworld.co.uk

I would personally stay away from the main part of idrive.

David

Hi

we stayed recently at the Marriott Cypress Harbour Resort, again this is a timeshare but I can highly recommend it. The resort is lovely, and very close to Seaworld. The rooms are large with a full kitchen and on site amenities are excellent. Not sure how much it is to stay there as a paying guest though.

There is a lovely JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton at Lakeshore Reserve, it is very impressive but perhaps a bit out of the action areas, depends what you are looking for I guess.

I'm with Northern Henry and find parts of I Drive to be very tacky, I would not want to stay there at all but then as my sons are always telling me I am a snob and don't know about having fun. Just don't see the point in flying for 9 hours to stay somewhere that could be Blackpool.

I used Hertz and their service both on pick up and drop off was excellent.



There's so much choice in Orlando, I'm sure you'll find something!

Lynne

To be honest, I can't remember the exact layout of I-Drive, but the hotel I stayed at last time was near the large McDonalds (is it still there?). Did walk up to Wet n' Wild and Universal one day and caught a bus to Seaworld rather than drive.

Have looked at Disney and did fancy the All Star Sports complex but that seems to be full now (on the Disney site). Very handy location wise as the primary reason for being there is to run the Goofy Challenge and that requires being on site at Epcot for around 4am on the 9/10th Jan plus 6-7am on the 8th. A rental car would be needed for sure if off site as I'm sure taxis would cost loads to get there from I-Drive.

Not really wanting to pay loads for a hotel as from experience, we were out the door by around 9am and not getting back until 11pm, so hardly there.

Added:
Just been comparing the VH and Disney websites.
At present, booking the All Star Movies hotel for 12 nights costs:
VH = 1306.60 inc economy flight.
Disney = 828 (+355 for present sale far flight) = 1183

So 123.60 cheaper booking the hotel and flight separately in this case.

quote:Originally posted by David
Don't discount some of the great deals with Disney at the moment. I have seen a room at Disneys Allstars which sleeps 4 (2 adults, 2 young children) for around 50 a night for the room- there are also deals at the moment that include upgrades to tickets ie 14 nights for 7 and free dining plans.


Did look at that but it only goes up to 31st Dec and I'm travelling the following week. The dining plans seem a bit overpriced at 25+ a day - fine if you know you're going to be somewhere and regularly eating at the hotel. Seems a bit too much like being a student in a halls of residence where you pay for food, sleep till 10am and never see one of the 200 breakfasts you've paid for!

[honey lamb]

quote: which we find a bit 'blackpooly'-Tacky.

quote: as my sons are always telling me I am a snob and don't know about having fun. Just don't see the point in flying for 9 hours to stay somewhere that could be Blackpool.

Guys, be careful what you post. I was born and spent many of my early years there [V]

Mind you I do agree about the tackiness [ii]

well as someone who was born and brought up in Hull, I guess I thought there were no restrictions on this site about offending people.

Or does Hull not count?

Lynne

[RichardMannion]

I think I'd do the homework and check on prices for both options nowadays.

I've stayed at a number of the timeshare resorts in the Orlando area, and they are all of a muchness to be honest: Marriott Grande Vista, Marriott Horizons, Marriott Cypress Harbour, Sheraton Vistana. A lot of them can be booked online for not that much money now - they are useful if there are a few of you or you plan to cook your own meals at times. It's worth looking at private villas too nowadays as the market is saturated and I've seen 3/4 bed places with private pools for as little as $75 a night.

We stayed at the Sheraton Safari resort last year when we did a flying visit, and the 4 night stay for a large suite inc tax was $300. Stayed at the Crowne Plaza on I-Drive before when it just opened and that was very nice but that was a about 8 years ago now.

For car hire, it varies as again its a competitive market. I get a good rate at AVIS, Hertz and HolidayAutos so will check all of them - but then to be honest I'm not that fussed about having a huge 4x4. All American hire vehicles are like boats anyway.

Thanks,
Richard

quote:Originally posted by billybob

Or does Hull not count?

Lynne


It does Lynne and I find all the negatove comments about hull posted on this forum Hull racist to be honest. (I was born very near to there)

HG

quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
quote:Originally posted by billybob

Or does Hull not count?

Lynne


It does Lynne and I find all the negatove comments about hull posted on this forum Hull racist to be honest. (I was born very near to there)

HG

Although I find it quite hard to believe sometimes, I'm pretty sure that people from Hull aren't classed as a separate race...

quote:Originally posted by mdvipond
quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
quote:Originally posted by billybob

Or does Hull not count?

Lynne


It does Lynne and I find all the negatove comments about hull posted on this forum Hull racist to be honest. (I was born very near to there)

HG

Although I find it quite hard to believe sometimes, I'm pretty sure that people from Hull aren't classed as a separate race...





Racism also covers discrimination and or offensive remarks about a person(s) place of origin or abode.

This is a subject I work very closely with EHRC to eradicate within the UK.

If such comments are needed to be made perhaps they are best placed in Bar chat rather than the forums where they offend.

Dictionary definition:
racism
n.
1. The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race.

No mention of Hull whatsoever.

I think the 'R' word is bandied about far too often nowadays and that inaccurate accusations of racism can be pretty offensive in themselves. I cannot and will not accept that any of the regular contributors to these venerable fora could ever be branded as 'a rascist'...

Back to topic, I can highly recommend the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes in Orlando. Beautiful hotel, but worth shopping around for a decent rate.

[honey lamb]

quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy

If such comments are needed to be made perhaps they are best placed in Bar chat rather than the forums where they offend.

I have to agree with hackneyguy on this. Bringing in-jokes from places like the Bar Chat and Off Topic forum can be very off-putting and unwelcoming to newcomers. As my granny was wont to say - a place for everything and everything in its place.

Have stayed at the Vistana Resort many times and have a timeshare there and would recommend it. Another place that we tried this time was Silver Lake which is right next to sherbeth road in fact nearly on Disney property if you are looking at just Disney this is perfect litrally 2 minutes away. We used Alamo and ended up with a Volvo C70 convertible. 7000 miles and very clean. Quick at the desk too![y]

I never cease to be impressed by this site. Over the weekend my son and daughter said they would like to go on another family holiday to Disney World with their partners and Justin and i (guess who will be paying!). Suddenly all the info I need is in this thread. Amazing timing - just need to find a car big enough for 6 people and my luggage!

[RichardMannion]

quote:Originally posted by Jacki
I never cease to be impressed by this site. Over the weekend my son and daughter said they would like to go on another family holiday to Disney World with their partners and Justin and i (guess who will be paying!). Suddenly all the info I need is in this thread. Amazing timing - just need to find a car big enough for 6 people and my luggage!


How old are your children Jacki, old enough to drive? I'd be tempted to get 2 vehicles if they are. Failing that, you should have no issues getting a large enough vehicle to carry 6 people and the luggage!

Thanks,
Richard

Good point Richard, they are 27 and 25 so two cars would work just not so much fun. It's a while off so I will take notes from the Vflyer experts and shop around. I hadn't thought past Disney hotels but reading the thread I now realise there are a host of other options and a three bedroomed apartment close by could work too.

quote:Originally posted by honey lamb
quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy

If such comments are needed to be made perhaps they are best placed in Bar chat rather than the forums where they offend.

I have to agree with hackneyguy on this. Bringing in-jokes from places like the Bar Chat and Off Topic forum can be very off-putting and unwelcoming to newcomers. As my granny was wont to say - a place for everything and everything in its place.


Thanks HL

I live in hope that others MODs and educated posters agress with us and err on the side of being polite.

Regards,

HG

quote:Originally posted by Jacki
I never cease to be impressed by this site. Over the weekend my son and daughter said they would like to go on another family holiday to Disney World with their partners and Justin and i (guess who will be paying!). Suddenly all the info I need is in this thread. Amazing timing - just need to find a car big enough for 6 people and my luggage!


A work colleague of mine currently out there in MCO, he picked up a superb Villa & Pool at a stupidly low rate. will advise on his return if any good. There are some great offers out there- but guess depends on the time of yr..

talk to you about it in York [y]


NH

quote:Originally posted by Jacki
Good point Richard, they are 27 and 25 so two cars would work just not so much fun. It's a while off so I will take notes from the Vflyer experts and shop around. I hadn't thought past Disney hotels but reading the thread I now realise there are a host of other options and a three bedroomed apartment close by could work too.

How about a large SUV for the luggage plus 2 pax AND a compact to get to your accomodation ? Also solves the ongoing problem of people wanting to do different things [:)]. We usually hire an eight seater luxury SUV for three in the USA (4 passengers on this last trip) plus luggage. Anything bigger (as in our road trip with the DL Elders last year) is a nightmare. Much better to have two vehicles as we did at the end of last years trip.

Thank you this makes sense and much more practical for shopping trips. I still dream of renting a huge Winnebago with all the bells and whistles on board. I saw one on the TV that was so big it had an Aston Martin garaged underneath!
Apologies if this has gone slightly off thread.

quote:Originally posted by Jacki
I never cease to be impressed by this site. Over the weekend my son and daughter said they would like to go on another family holiday to Disney World with their partners and Justin and i (guess who will be paying!). Suddenly all the info I need is in this thread. Amazing timing - just need to find a car big enough for 6 people and my luggage!


Just remember that to ensure that if you go for one vehicle you have enough space for luggage. A seven seater van doesn't have space for seven people's luggage. I've seen numerous groups in the car parks trying to shoehorn all of their luggage into a very tiny space.

quote:Originally posted by honey lamb
quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy

If such comments are needed to be made perhaps they are best placed in Bar chat rather than the forums where they offend.

I have to agree with hackneyguy on this. Bringing in-jokes from places like the Bar Chat and Off Topic forum can be very off-putting and unwelcoming to newcomers. As my granny was wont to say - a place for everything and everything in its place.

Absolutely; couldn't agree more HL. Politeness is the cornerstone of this forum (head and shoulders above some of the horribly abusive, unwelcoming and rude fora that are out there). Just hope we can also nip any unfounded accusations of racism in the bud, as this could be equally off putting to newcomers.