Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
78
On a slightly smaller scale than Disney,
Universal Orlando
offers several travel pack-
ages that can include resort stays (both on and off property), VIP access to the parks,
discounts to other Orlando attractions, and cruises. Airfare and car rentals are also avail-
able. You can book a package by calling
&
800/711-0800
or 877/801-9720. On the
Internet, visit
www.univacations.com
or
www.universalorlando.com
.
SeaWorld
also
offers vacation packages that include stays at nearby resorts and park tickets. These can
be booked by calling
&
800/423-8368,
or visiting www.seaworld.com.
3
WHERE TO STAY IN WALT DISNEY WORLD
The resorts in this section are either Disney-owned or “official” Disney hotels that offer
many of the same perks. All are on the Disney Transportation System, which means those
of you who don't want to venture too far (and are okay with the occasional scheduling
inconvenience) will be able to do without a car. If you do decide to bring or rent a car,
you'll get free self-parking at your hotel and at the Disney parks.
If you decide that Disney is your destination, come up with a short list of preferred
places to stay, and then call CRO (
&
407/934-7639
) for up-to-the-minute rates. Web
surfers can get information at
www.disneyworld.com
.
Those who come by auto will find large signs along all of the major roads on Disney
property pointing the way to the various resorts. You'll find these hotels listed on the
map, “Walt Disney World & Lake Buena Vista Accommodations,” on p. 80.
Individual resorts don't have their own
golf courses,
but WDW has 99 holes situated
along the northern end of the property (see “Hitting the Links” in chapter 7). The same
goes for kennels; resort guests can board their pets during the day or overnight at all
Disney kennels. (The Transportation & Ticket Center on Seven Seas Drive, near Disney's
Polynesian Resort; Epcot; and Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground locations include
two walks and two feedings. Locations at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's
Animal Kingdom require guests to walk their pets.) An additional luxury pet facility,
catering to the pampered-pet set (offering a wide range of services, the most basic of
which include day care, grooming, and overnight boarding) is scheduled to open on the
Bonnet Creek Parkway later this year.
Prices in the following listings reflect the range available at each resort when this guide
was published. Rates vary depending on season and room location, but the numbers
should help you determine which places fit your budget.
Note:
Most hotels and resorts, Disney or otherwise, have cribs (or portable cribs) avail-
able (though limited in number) at no extra charge. Rollaway beds or cots are usually
available as well; however, many resorts will charge around $10 to $25 per night to use
them. Refrigerators (mini ones, anyway) are sometimes available, though some hotels
may charge up to $15 per night for the privilege. All Orlando hotels also offer at least
some nonsmoking rooms, and
all of Disney's hotels went smoke-free
(except for some
designated outdoor areas) on June 1, 2007.
4
VERY EXPENSIVE
Disney's Beach Club Resort
This property re-creates the grand turn-of-
the-20th-century Victorian seaside resorts of Cape Cod but sports a more casual ambi-
ence than its sister, the Yacht Club (detailed later in this chapter), with which it shares
restaurants, shops, and numerous recreational activities. Striped and floral wicker fur-
nishings, seashells, and beach umbrellas adorn the hotel's casual beach house-inspired
