I know there a tons of hotels in this area.
We want something economical (no more than 80/night), clean with a heated pool, if possible.
Any suggestions? Any DO NOT STAY heres?

Thanks!

There's a Motel 6 in Kissimee (sp?) that we stayed in one night-it was very clean, very basic but close to the parks.

Sorry - but are you asking about Disneyland or Disneyworld?

Near Disneyworld
Sorry
swalter--do you remember the rate of MOtel 6? did it have a pool?
thanks

check the Orlando board of www.disboards.com for lots of feedback

You can get a fine motel, with pool, clean, for ~$35 and up. Most of the Kissimee motels are just fine--great rates because there are so many of them!
Try hotels.com or hotelkingdom, or one of the myriad sites. (We got a great condo near SEaworld for $59 last year.)

We are going over to POP CENTURY this weekend with the grandkids. This is a new Disney Value hotel for $77 per night. They advertise $59 specials occasionally, but they were gone when I called. This is a wonderful, exciting place for families. They have 3 heated pools, bedtime stories on the phone from Disney Characters, a wake-up call from Mickey, etc. You can make a reservation through the toll free number of 877-939-3732. We have stayed at many other motels in Kissimee, on Hwy 192, etc. and they are OK, but there is nothing like immersing yourselves in the Disney experience now and then. Go to Disneyworld.com and scroll across the Pop Century site. You will catch the fever! If you are adults who like a quieter environment, there are lots of surrounding hotels. My husband had a conference in Lake Buena Vista (Disney is actually in LB rather than Orlando) and he picked up a Travel Saver book at our local MacDonalds here in Florida, and was able to get a lovely Radisson for $55 per night using the coupon in the book. He was even able to make advance reservations, which isn't always the case with the toursaver hotels. This Radisson was only a 1/2 mile from DownTown Disney and he loved it.
Don't stay in Orlando. Interstate 4 traffic is awful. We avoid it at all costs! Have fun.

When are you going?
Don't rule out *on - Site*
Disney Resorts.
If you're going off season their
rates are very economical.
Check them out before you book.
JMO but we've been fortunate to
find excellent rates off season,
sometimes less than those on
International Drive.

Rates vary with time of year, etc, but the Best Western Lakeside is terrific...if you want to check reviews, it was just recently taken over by Best Western. Formerly it was the La Quinta Inn Lakeside and before that it was the Sheraton Lakeside.

www.bestwesternlakeside.com

We are thinking mid to late January. Not sure how realistic a pool might be. I know that in the past we have been in Central Fla that time of the year and it was 70 and sunny (ok for sunning and maybe a heated pool) and other times when it was 35 (or so it felt) and raining. Hoping for the first!
Would also like a refirg and possibly a microwave (gotta love the Spagettio's for a quick meal for the little one!)
From what I have seen, on site resorts are about 89 /day (budget) without a special.
Keep sending any possiblities and of course, I'd like to know of any places you wouldn't want to visit again.
Thanks

anyone else have any suggestions?
Really interested in your opinions.
thanks!

I had points, so stayed at the Holiday Inn Nikkibird over Labor Day weekend. The room was dated, but clean, and there were several pools on the property. It is VERY close to the main gate, and kids eat free in the DR. Also, it had a mini-fridge and microwave and room safe. They had a shuttle to the theme parks, but they didn't run very often. My 11 and 15 yr old girls were happy with the hotel- and they had good movies in the room.

Hiya

I would (personally) steer clear of the Knights Inn Maingate, we stayed there and it was shabby and the pool way too close to the actual road (192).

I agree to check the hotels on-site, we have booked 9 nights at the Disney All Stars for just $79.00 including tax... that's in December, but rates seem good throughout the year.

Hope you have a great time!

Rachel

I would also look on site. I was just on the disney site and since you're going during value season, the rooms are $77.00 a night. Staying on site makes everything so much easier for getting to the parks. You have the shuttle service right at the hotel. It's also more of a disney feel for your children.