Orlando hotels are known for having impressive amenities, thanks mainly to it being home to Walt Disney World, which boasts 24 hotels on its own. Add that to the competing resorts around Orlando, and you have a great selection of amenities to choose from. Determine your budget, and then follow some simple steps to choose your amenities.
Organize a family meeting to decide what you want in a hotel booking. Designate one family member to take notes regarding what is said during the meeting, and have someone else ready with a computer to view various hotel options and maps of Orlando on a website such as Hotels.orlandovacation.com.
Determine whether you are going to rent a car. Many hotels offer shuttles to popular attractions, which is one amenity you may want to include in your list of needs. However, if you plan to venture far from the hotel, you may want to look for a hotel that offers car rental discounts or has a rental business attached to it for convenience.
Ask family members what they want to do most while in Orlando. Figure out ticket prices for a straight purchase, and then compare these to discounted ones offered at various hotels. Do the same thing for restaurants, souvenirs and other special expenses. Once you have determined a base cost total per person without discounts, you can begin to explore various hotel offers for everything from Disney World tickets to massages, since you'll know how much you have to spend on a hotel each night you are there.
Determine how much time you will spend in your hotel. If you won't be there much, you may be able to skip some amenities that were originally on your list. Next, pick your top three hotel options and give them a call. Ask if they offer any discounts or packages for your vacation dates not listed on their websites, and also see what is included and what costs extra in terms of amenities. This may include gym and spa use, room service, extra bedding, and pretty much anything else you may think you'll want to take advantage of when you're there.
Consult the experts. Disney offers a huge array of hotel packages for couples, families and large groups. While they may not originally seem to be the most economical, their amenities cannot be beat and they offer some affordable packages throughout the year. Check in with them through their hotel booking website at Disneyworld.disney.go.com/hotels, to custom-pick your options and see if you can afford to splurge a bit on a Disney-designed hotel stay.
