I cannot say enough about the Holiday Inn Family Suites Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL. This resort is literally minutes away from the main gates of Disney and is well worth the tiny travel time.

From the moment you pull up to check in, you know you are somewhere VERY kid friendly. As with all my epinions, you will find that this is the single most important factor in my decision making and I classify it as more important than cost! But I am quite happy to report that this is such a reasonably priced hotel that cost wasn't even a factor for us.

When you enter the main lobby, there is a separate check in for the kids. They receive a special check in gift and are treated as special guests. There is a giant train setup in the lobby as well, with buttons galore to push, smartly placed to keep the kiddies busy while the grownups check in.

Oh, big big disclaimer here.... do NOT NOT NOT stay here if you are not in the family way. There are more kids here than a summer camp and they scurry around under everyone's feet but no one cares because they know THEIR kids are under YOUR feet as well!

Back to the facts... there is also a game room, a bar, a dining room, and a fast food joint in the main building. Additionally there is a gift shop which is amply supplied with things you would need for your trip to the parks.


THE ROOMS

The whole reason you should book the Holiday Inn Family Suites Resort is for their unique styled rooms called KIDSUITES. These are not standard hotel rooms. They are suites that have a kitchenette, a separate parent's bedroom AND a separate children's sleeping area (it's a bedroom but there is no door, only a curtain, due to safety regulations). These kids' rooms are equipped with bunk beds, an additional pull out bed, a table and chairs (kid sized), their OWN television, their own phone, AND A NINTENDO PLAYER! You can play your own games or rent them in the lobby. UNBELIEVABLE! By the way, their phone is specially connected to a machine that when they dial, it reads them a bedtime story or tells them the rules of the pool, etc. Very cute. Each KIDSUITE is themed for the children. There is a jungle theme, Coca Cola theme, Disney theme, and a few others. All brightly colored and clean.

These KIDSUITES are roomy and comfortable and CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN. And there are rooms that are not Kidsuites too. For my inlaws, we got the Residential suite which has a full kitchen (with dishwasher... that's where I washed my sippy cups). There are 6 different types of rooms. You can learn more about the rooms from their website: http://www.hifamilysuites.com/

Additionally, the bed in our room was amazingly comfortable. We had a great night's sleep in it. Our room rate was $109. a night and all rates include a buffet breakfast daily. Being from NY, I found this to be a fabulous rate. And the buffet is satisfying!

Along with this fabulous rate comes full access to the resort itself. The pool area is one of the greatest I have seen. The pool has a zero depth entry so there is no falling in for the young'uns. ANd it is heated. There are spinklers in the pool for added fun. And there is a completely separated kiddie pool area with its own spinkler fun and clubhouses as well as a giant climbing apparatus. Beautifully done and FUN FUN FUN.


THE RESTAURANT

Know from the start that you will be sitting amongst many families so be prepared for your child's noises to blend! This is not a top notch restaurant in terms of food but it is good and simple. I ordered the grilled chicken breast and it was good. The mushrooms and onions were an additional cost which surprised me but otherwise it was tasty. And ample. I split it with my sister in law. The kid's menu was as expected with chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, grilled cheese, etc. My husband had a steak which he said was good.

The most important note here is that KIDS EAT FREE. Yup, KIDS EAT FREE. Everything on the kid's menu is free when an adult meal is ordered. This is another outstanding value for your money. Trust me, I know... my son can EAT!!

Now, what's unique about the restaurant is that is not confined to a specific room. It encompasses the entire main building. That means that once you exit the lobby area and proceed to the main area, there are literally tables everywhere. And they are all used, especially during breakfast. There is one primary restaurant area with a seating podium and entranceway but you can also sit your party down outside the restaurant (it's all indoors) in the lounge areas and you will get served from there. Keep in mind that many families choose the restaurant because the kids eat free.

And about breakfast, did I mention it's included with the room? That means, literally, that EVERYONE STAYING IN THE HOTEL will be eating down there in the morning. Around 7 - 8 am it is the emptiest and 8-9:30 is the busiest. However, I will say that they open up at least 3 or 4 different buffet areas around the main building so that wherever you can get seating, you WILL be near a buffet. And the buffet was good. Standard breakfast fare including bisquits, bagels, bacon, and everything else. The hardest part about breakfast is managing to eat all together with your big party (we were 10 people).


THE HOTEL

The hotel offers free shuttle service to Disney. I advise you to take it! It is STILL such a pain to drive yourself to Disney and park. We did it and we regretted it.

In front of the lobby outside, there is a child's train that loops around the property for the kids. It is a free ride and the kids love it!

The hotel consists of many building that are all somewhat connected by walkways. Our building was only two away from the lobby but the far off ones are probably a pain to get to and from. Parking around the buildings is ample all day EXCEPT (BIG GIANT NOTE HERE) at night. We went to Downtown Disney one evening and upon return to the Holiday Inn Family Suites Resort we could not find a single spot! Most of the families are in for the night at around 9 or 10 so when we returned (we left the kids with the inlaws at the hotel), we had to park a long way from our room!

The hotel staff are also quite accommodating. When my husband stopped up the toilet (my HUSBAND, not ME!!) they had a maintenance man to our room within 10 minutes. I was impressed.

Checkout is also easy. It's done on the phone. What more can you ask for?


ADDITIONAL NOTES OF INTEREST

For years, I've been a Priority Club member of Holiday Inn. What does that mean exactly? I never knew but I knew it was free to sign up and I did that about 5 years ago. We always stay at Holiday Inns and I never saw any benefit to being a Priority Club member before. Well, at the Holiday Inn Family Suites Resort, they ask you if you are a Priority Club member when you check in and if so, you get free local calls from your hotel room (very good when you need to call to confirm your character dinner at Disney), free USA Today, and a coupon for a free large popcorn and two 20 ounce Cokes from the Lobby Deli. Hey, that could add up to a $10 savings....LOL.... but it was nice getting something back for a change!

Lastly, try to get a low floor if possible. The elevators are so slow and there aren't really enough of them during high traffic times. We were on the second floor and were able to walk up and down the stairs at the busy times. Just ask, you never know!


FINAL THOUGHTS

We are DEFINITELY staying here whenever we go to the Orlando area. If the kids are tired of park hopping, the Holiday Inn Family Suites Resort is a fabulous place to play and relax, if you call listening to millions of fun loving, splashing, laughing kids relaxation!!

Check out their website: http://www.hifamilysuites.com/ and enjoy this unique place.


Recommended: Yes