Here's an inane comment: I've never been to Orlando and I hope I never have to. It seems like a dreadful place. Any time of the year. IMHO.

Karens, I'm also not a huge fan of Vegas, I wouldn't probably choose to go there on vacation (I would be much more likely to go to Orlando on vacation) but I've enjoyed meetings there a bit more. Taxi ride is short into town, you aren't isolated, you can walk out the door and do and see all sorts of things easily. I probably enjoy meetings in Palm Springs the most (but then I have never been to a meeting in Cancun!).

Karens, the blame I'm talking about is mentioning and seemingly indicating that Orlando was a bad choice because your four days in February happened to be only 55 and rainy. (Which frankly I'm still trying to figure out why that is so bad in February for the bulk of business travelers). Does that mean that because four particular days in one February were rainy, that's a good reason NOT to hold a business meeting ever in Orlando? That's the kind of logic (or suggested logic) I'm talking about here. Aren't some people actually thrilled to leave -10 degree weather and to where it is 55? Especially when it is supposedly just for business to begin with -- not a resort vacation? I keep losing track here of whether we're talking about a place to hold a stricly business meeting or whether we're talking about where to send a family for vacation. When someone says they are too tired from meetings to drive a mile to a restaurant, then what is all this nonsense about more pleasure activities being available? And honestly what difference does the weather even make in that case?

There are lots of reasons many businesses wouldn't have a meeting outside the country though! Especially all those businesses who promote "100% American". Think about that.

Hersey is so dramatic! Again, many people on this forum need to read "don't sweat the small stuff."

That is an amusing comment coming from someone having so much angst about a hotel in Paris.

That comment doesn't make any sense since I am not complaining about anything, just planning my hotels in Paris.

I agree with those who would prefer to have a conference in a more metropolitan atmosphere. Having to rent cars or pay costly cab fares when one doesn't have much extra time seems like a pain.

I also like the idea of walking to a place that's rather known for interesting food that can be had in a relaxed atmosphere or a place where your not trapped with other convention goers.
In my mind it's all about convenience and finding a place that offers various amenities in the hotel or very close by. One can't do that in the middle of no where.

"many people on this forum need to read "don't sweat the small stuff.""

The fact you keep coming here and rebutting what people say suggests you need to read the book yourself.

I just wish the economy would pick up so companies can go back to having the meetings they used to have. I would be THRILLED to be planning a meeting at the Portofino in Orlando right now.

Mike - deep breaths.....you are going to be okay.

Starrs - I love the Portofino!

I wouldn't mind having a conference in Vegas or Hawaii!!

"Mike - deep breaths.....you are going to be okay."

I'm fine. You are the Orlando real estate agent who insists on rebutting every criticism of your home town and then chastising people "not to sweat the small stuff." Take your own advice, my dear. You don't have to be right all the time, as painful as that may be for you.

Don't sweat the small stuff. Read the book. You'd learn a world of lessons in it.

Might I bring some perspective - IT'S CALLED WORK for a reason. If it was meant to be all fun, it wouldn't be called work.

There are times when the two can overlap. There are times when they don't. When they don't probably best in an environment where we have extremely bright Ivy League MBA's sitting on the sideline looking for a job to keep in mind that having a conference to go to damn well beats not having one to go to.

I interviewed a guy a few weeks that had his firm close down. West Point grad, former paratrooper with combat experience in the Gulf War, 5 years at Goldman Sachs, MBA, CFA, and just a really good, decent guy. He's been looking for a year.

Suck it up and deal with it.

I rarely agree with Ryan but completely agree with him on this one.

I never gave it a second thought whether or not our meeting locations were "fun" or not. We were in meetings. We went to dinner together. We came back and spent the night. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat - as many days as necessary.

Award trips for doing a good job? Now, THAT'S another story. But work meetings? It's a WORK meeting at a location that can host the group. Period.

I was so thrilled to fly to City X last month for one company's first off-site meeting in 30 months. Get real people.

Be happy you have a job and the company is making enough money to fly people in for a meeting. That's not the case for so many people, companies, industries.

As Ryan so aptly put it - Suck it up and deal with it.

IT'S CALLED WORK for a reason. If it was meant to be all fun, it wouldn't be called work.

Well, this is a travel website. And people were talking about travel, in this case work travel. I realize it's not meant to be fun and that it's work. But from a travel perspective, what business travellers and want and need is important.

Arguably, obsessing over whether an apartment has A/C/ or which Disney meal plan is better isn't about leisure, and leisure travel is supposed to be about fun. Yet Ryan and Starrs aren't likely to go chastise people upset about A/C and meal plans with a "you should be glad you can afford fun, so shut up about it."

I don't always enjoy work travel, but I'm glad I have a job and get to do some traveling. I just prefer not to do that in Orlando for the reasons that have been outlined by many.

If people didn't voice frustrations or concens about travel, then Fodors Forums would just become one big aimless Fodorites Lounge discussion of your favorite ice cream.

MikeT - I'm referring to the OP.

You can chase your tail with someone else.

My message to the OP is to be thankful he/she has a job and resign and let someone else have it if having a meeting at a Disney hotel is so awful. Many, many people would be happy to have that "problem".

Enjoy your day.

At the risk of earning Jill's wrath, I'm with Hershey. I have been, once, and have no interest in returning -- I certainly can't imagine choosing Orlando as a vacation spot (1 theme park day on a vacation is enough for me, and I can't imagine what would draw me there, as opposed to all the other places in the world I can go that have cobblestone streets and good restaurants), and as a business conference location, well, ok, if I must, but then yes, I hope to have good weather so I can spend my down-time outside. If it's going to be bad weather, I'd much rather be in NY or Chicago or San Francisco. It's great that Jill loves Orlando so much, doesn't mean it's everyone's cup of tea.

No worries everyone! I value everyone's opinion and it is honestly nice to hear different perspectives. Believe me, there are much better places to go - like Europe! Good point SF7307!

I guess the only problem is when someone throws out ignorant comments. Most people on this forum have sounded very educated in their responses and I agree that a conference in Cancun sounds much better than Orlando!

Ryan and Starrs - well put!! If everyone thought like that and stopped complaining then the world would be a less angry place.

We've had meeting for 5 to 500 in all corners of Florida.

If there is ONE thing I've learned from experience, SOMEONE is going to complain no matter where you go.

That got old 5 to 20 years ago.

THIS year? I have no patience for it. Obviously.

Starrs - your dog is so darn cute!