Off-property hotels

Top Disney Orlando moderate hotels

Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista

Embassy Suite hotels have always been a favorite of our family. Their 'all suite' layouts provide a great option for families who like a little extra space, and for moms and dads that need a break from the kids once in a while! The kids enjoy having their own space too!

The Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista hotel is a very popular choice for families visiting the Orlando area. The suites are well maintained and include kitchenettes. Best of all, a full HOT breakfast including made-to-order pancakes and omelets is included in the price! For a family like ours, this is a perk worth more than $50 per day.

Of the four Embassy Suites hotels in the Orlando area, the Lake Buena Vista location is the closest to the major theme parks of Walt Disney World. Universal Orlando and SeaWorld are nearby too. Having a kitchenette in your room is a nice little perk that can also save you money. There's a nearby grocery store so you can stock up on snacks and lunch foods and pack a sandwich for lunch at Walt Disney World. Considering the prices at some of the Disney restaurants, this can be a great benefit!

There's a nice indoor-outdoor pool at the hotel, and also a gym, tennis courts, basketball and volleyball. There's also a nightly Manager's Reception offering free drinks and snacks to help you unwind from your busy day at Walt Disney World. Rooms at the Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista run about $150 and up.

Nickelodeon Holiday Inn Family Suites

The Nickelodeon Holiday Inn is probably the most kid-friendly off-property resort in the Orlando area. The bright green and orange exterior of the building make it hard to miss! The Nick hotel is chock full of Nickelodeon-themed activities ranging from live stage shows to poolside games. There's even a SpongeBob SquarePants character breakfast!

With two separate pools and lots of water park fun, the pool area is one of the highlights of the Nickelodeon Holiday Inn. One pool is geared toward younger kids with kid-sized slides, games, and climbing areas. The other pool (where everything is bigger) is geared toward older kids. This will help keep your tiny tots from getting trampled by 'tweens and teens.

The Nickelodeon Holiday Inn also has a huge arcade to keep the kids busy, as well as basketball and miniature golf. There's even a kids' spa for manicures, braids, airbrush tattoos, etc. Dining options at the hotel are pretty much limited to fast food. You'll be hard-pressed to eat healthy if you stay at this hotel. Be forewarned though- if you're looking for peace and quiet, a brief respite from the frenetic Disney vacation pace, you won't find it here!

Like the Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista hotel, rooms at the Nickelodeon Holiday Inn Family Suites start around $150.