I'm looking for a hotel in Orlando near Disney that has a balcony or patio outside the rooms. This is because my husband is a smoker and he is nice enough to go outside and smoke so he doesn't bother me and the kids. Also, another question, where is a good place to stay that is near shops so my teenage daughter and I can walk to the shops while my husband and younger child are at the pool? Thanks in advance

Topping

You could check into Park Plaza Gardens in Winter Park (or maybe it's called just Park Plaza). They have fabulous balconies, New Orleans style. The only time I stayed there my room was not huge so check first to see if they have larger rooms for the three of you. This is also a great place to shop. Winter Park is a ten minute drive from Disney, just east of downtown Orlando.

Here's a link with info:

http://funandsun.com/1tocf/allgosf/o...interpark.html

I have stayed at the Dolphin (it has a hotel across the lagoon and over a small bridge from it, The Swan) which are Starwood properties and are a short boat ride away from Epcot. Our room (and all the ones on the side of the hotel that faces the lagoon) had a small balcony. Not sure what the smoking restriction or permission is on the balconies, you'd have to check that. Pretty nice hotel. If you can afford it, the club level w/free breakfast and evening drinks and appetizers is definitely worth it. The hotel has a shuttle that takes you to the monorail and other parts of Disney so you could hop on that to go to DisneyMarketplace to shop (check to be sure their shuttle stops there).