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Hotels Overview

Once upon a time, simply being in the midst of the world's largest concentration of theme parks was enough of a selling point to make most Orlando hotels thrive. But somewhere along the way, as the room inventory topped 120,000 (more hotel rooms than New York City), the competition became so intense that hotels needed to become attractions in themselves. Hoteliers learned that you've got to have a bit of showbiz to draw the crowds, so the choices here are anything but ordinary. Orlando may not be Las Vegas, but its hotels are definitely big, fancy, and, in some cases, leaning toward gaudy.

Do We Stay On-site or Off-site?

Your first big decision when it comes to your vacation will probably be whether to stay within Walt Disney World. The on-site hotels were built with families in mind. Older children can use the transportation system on their own without inviting trouble. (Disney property is quite safe, day or night.) And younger children get a thrill from knowing that they're actually staying in Walt Disney World.

If you're planning to visit other attractions, then staying off-site holds a number of advantages. You enjoy more peace and quiet and may have easier access to Orlando, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios, and you're likely to save money.

Reservations

Reserve your hotel several months in advance if you want to snag the best rooms during high season. All on-site accommodations owned by Disney may be booked through the WDW Central Reservations Office (Box 10100, Suite 300, Lake Buena Vista, 32830. 407/934-7639. www.disneyworld.com). People with disabilities can call WDW Special Request Reservations (407/939-7807) to get information or book rooms at any of the on-site Disney properties.

Discount Reservations

To save money, look into discount reservations services with Web sites and toll-free numbers, which use their buying power to get a better price on hotels, airline tickets, even car rentals. When booking a room, always call the hotel's local toll-free number (if one is available) rather than the central reservations number -- you'll often get a better price. Always ask about special packages or corporate rates.