Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Visit Orlando (
visitorlando.com
)
is the way to go when it comes to shopping
for time-shares (click “Places to Stay” on the home page), because you can bypass
these developments' notoriously high-pressure sales pitches. The site also lists hotels
and vacation homes.
We frequently receive letters from readers extolling the virtues of renting a condo
or vacation home. This endorsement from a New Jersey family of five is typical:
I cannot stress enough how important it is if you have a large family (more
than two kids) to rent a house for your stay! … We stayed at Windsor Hills
Resort, which I booked through
globalresorthomes.com
… It took us about
10 minutes to drive there in the a.m., and we had no traffic issues at all. We
had a brand-new four-bedroom, four-bathroom house with our own pool….
All for $215 a night! This was in October, but rates never climb above $300,
even in the high season. We loved getting away from the hubbub of Disney
and relaxing back at the house in “our” pool
.
HOW
to
CHILDPROOF
a
HOTEL
ROOM
SMALL CHILDREN UP TO 3 YEARS OLD (and sometimes older) can wreak may-
hem—if not outright disaster—in a hotel room. Chances are you're pretty experien-
ced when it comes to spotting potential dangers, but just in case you need a refresher
course, here's what to look for.
Begin by checking for hazards that you can't fix yourself: balconies, chipping
paint, cracked walls, sharp surfaces, shag carpeting, and windows that can't be se-
cured shut. If you encounter anything that you don't like or is too much of a hassle to
fix, ask for another room.
If you use a crib supplied by the hotel, make sure that the mattress is firm and
covers the entire bottom of the crib. The mattress cover, if there is one, should fit
tightly. Slats should be 2½ inches (about the width of a soda can) or less apart. Test
the drop sides to ensure that they work properly. Check for sharp edges, along with
chipping paint and other potentially toxic substances. Wipe down surfaces with disin-
