Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
112
3000 Maingate Lane, Kissimmee, FL 34747.
&
800/391-7909
or 407/396-6300. Fax 407/396-8989. www.
galleriapalmsorlando.com. 118 units. $69-$129 double. Extra person $10. Rates include continental
breakfast. Children 17 and younger stay free in parent's room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Self-parking free.
Amenities:
Concierge; outdoor heated pool; free shuttle to Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld parks.
In
room:
A/C, TV, fridge, hair dryer, Internet (free), microwave.
Seralago Hotel & Suites Main Gate East
Kids
Value
Location (it's just
down the road from Disney) and price are just some of the perks at this former Holiday
Inn. The revamped hotel is bright and colorful, but still features themed Kid Suites with
separate sleeping areas for your tots, as well as standard rooms and regular two-room
suites. The rooms provide a reasonable amount of space for a family of five, with the
two-room unit sleeping up to eight. There are plenty of family recreational activities,
from swimming to tennis, and the hotel's movie theater shows free family films nightly.
There's a family-friendly food court, and kids 12 and younger eat breakfast for free in the
hotel's cafe.
5678 Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy. (U.S. 192), Kissimmee, FL 34746.
&
800/411-3457
or 407/396-4488.
Fax 407/396-8915. www.seralagohotel.com. 614 units. $59-$109 double. Extra person $10. Children 18
and younger stay free in parent's room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Self-parking free.
Amenities:
Restaurant;
food court; lounge; Kids Eat Free program; exercise room; Jacuzzi; 2 outdoor heated pools; kids' pool;
room service; 2 tennis courts; free shuttle to Disney parks; transportation to non-Disney parks for a fee;.
In room:
A/C, TV, CD players (select rooms), fridge, game system, hair dryer, microwave, Wi-Fi (select
rooms, free).
7
PLACES TO STAY IN THE INTERNATIONAL
DRIVE AREA
4
The hotels and resorts listed here are 7 to 10 miles north of Walt Disney World (via I-4)
and 1 to 5 miles from Universal Orlando and SeaWorld. The advantages of staying on
I-Drive: It's a destination unto itself, filled with accommodations, restaurants, and small
attractions; it has its own inexpensive trolley service (see “Getting Around” in chapter 3);
and it's centrally located for those who want to visit Disney, Universal, SeaWorld,
and
the
downtown area. The disadvantages: The north end of I-Drive is badly congested; the
shops, motels, eateries, and attractions along this stretch can be tacky; and some of the
motels and hotels don't offer free transportation to the parks (the going rate is $6-$15
round-trip).
You'll find these places located on the map “International Drive Area Accommoda-
tions” in this section.
VERY EXPENSIVE
The Peabody Orlando
Moments
The five mallards that march into a lobby
fountain every morning at 11am and then back out at 5pm, accompanied by John Philip
Sousa's
King Cotton March,
are just part of the appeal of this luxury hotel, famous for its
friendly (and not stuffy) service. Primarily a business and convention destination, the
Peabody also appeals to adults looking for a classy hotel that provides top-of-the-line ser-
vice, amenities, and atmosphere. If your budget allows the splurge, you won't be disap-
pointed. Rooms sleep up to five and are tastefully decorated and very well appointed.
Those on the west side (sixth floor and higher) offer a distant view of Disney and its fire-
works displays. The Peabody's
B-Line Diner
is reviewed on p. 167.
Tip:
Your best chance
at getting bargain rates is in July and August; that's when the convention trade falls flat,
