Looking offsite this time... Ramada Maingate West

[abe_bb]

Good morning all!

Once again we are travelling to the World! This time is our 2 year olds first trip (decided to get one pre-3 trip in for her), and for the first time down there our older daughter is considered an 'adult' by Disney standards!

Having an extra little bundle with, we are looking at saving some money. Cheesy, I know, but it's a necessity. We are even considering driving from Wisconsin to save about $700 on airfare. Driving... 21 hours... with a 2 year old and 10 year old lol.

With our early research, we have found that our most likely offsite hotel is the Ramada Maingate West. Price, Location, Amenities, Indoor Pool, and middle of the road reviews. Unfortunately, the negative reviews that concern us the most is bugs / cleanliness. But a lot of those reviews look 'staged' due to the timing, reviewer names and locations, etc. Just as some of the positive ones also look staged (gotta love the new age of media).

So, fellow WDWMagic goers... Anyone have any recent experience with this hotel? Ya'll have never steered us wrong in the past

 

[FireChiefGoofy]

DW and I stayed here on the first night of our honeymoon before checking into Disney. WE had a horrible experience. After driving 20+ hours through a tropical storm on the east coast, the front desk was extremely slow, the room we booked and paid for was not available (put into a smoking room which was horrible), and the building was dark and dated.

Not sure what the prices are like, but I would definately avoid this property. You can do much better at a Downtown Disney hotel or a Comfort Inn on 192.

 

[Nemo14]

Have you considered renting a condo or vacation home in the area? There are some very nice ones at reasonable prices close to WDW if you check on VRBO.

 

[fireworkz]

I haven't stayed there, but from the pictures on their website the hotel looks fairly dated. If it's well maintained it might be fine, but if it's not... well...

I would suggest the hotel I stayed at in May, it's near the Ramada, Comfort Suites Maingate (west). That hotel had extensive renovations recently, looks great and is well maintained. Standard rooms have two queens and a pull-out couch, microwave and fridge. Also has a free breakfast, big money saver for a family. At first glance it might be more money than the Ramada, but they do have a 4th night free offer on right now. So when you check out the rates on their site (http://www.kisscomfortsuite.com/) make sure you click the "4th night free" link otherwise the rate will not include the free night.

 

[Susan Savia]

We stay at the Ramada Gateway, one mile to the gates of the Disney Parks. This hotel has decent security, quick check-in, fridge and micro in the room, at the door parking and its clean and comfortable for a great price. We always come in the winter and get an excellent rate. We like that its situated close to family restaurants

 

[DreaminO'Disney]

We stayed there on the last night of our trip last year. It was about $30 and the pics looked ok but when we got there I thought it was kind of icky (you get what you pay for right?).

I was looking for a place to stay on the last night of our trip this year and when I was looking on Priceline I came across the Ramada Maingate again so I read the reviews. About the 3rd of 4th review down said: BEDBUGS So I just kept looking.... Not to mention I didn't really feel very safe while we were there.

There are so many good deals for on property out there....I would really do your homework!

 

[yensid67]

Good morning all!

Once again we are travelling to the World! This time is our 2 year olds first trip (decided to get one pre-3 trip in for her), and for the first time down there our older daughter is considered an 'adult' by Disney standards!

Having an extra little bundle with, we are looking at saving some money. Cheesy, I know, but it's a necessity. We are even considering driving from Wisconsin to save about $700 on airfare. Driving... 21 hours... with a 2 year old and 10 year old lol.

With our early research, we have found that our most likely offsite hotel is the Ramada Maingate West. Price, Location, Amenities, Indoor Pool, and middle of the road reviews. Unfortunately, the negative reviews that concern us the most is bugs / cleanliness. But a lot of those reviews look 'staged' due to the timing, reviewer names and locations, etc. Just as some of the positive ones also look staged (gotta love the new age of media).

So, fellow WDWMagic goers... Anyone have any recent experience with this hotel? Ya'll have never steered us wrong in the past

Abe:

Here are a few suggestions...

-Rodeway Inn International Drive (rodewatinnorlando.com)
-CoCo Key Resort AND Waterpark International Drive )great for the kids)
-Comfort Inn LBV Palm Parkway (This is a great hotel and the one I will be staying at on my trip. It is LITERALLY right out the back gate near Downtown Disney with plenty of food and shopping nearby!) comfortinnlbv.com

Also, if Air Tran airlines are near you try them for flights. for 2 of us flying out of BWI, its only $494.00 round trip, includes taxes, etc.!

Your best bet is to research hotels on travelocity and go from there. I trust TRACELOCITY more than anyone of all the travel sites. If you need a Rental Car, make sure you go to mousesavers.com and find some discount coupons for ALAMO! or AVIS!

Hope you and the family have a magical time!

Will
:wave: from PA!

 

[vegasnikki]

I didn't see any such great suggestions here to stay at WDW :shrug:...Can anyone tell really some reasonable ones..:veryconfu

 

[PryncessLace]

We rent condo's at a place called Windsor Hills. The prices are amazing & so is the property. There is also someone at gate security 24/7.

 

[wm49rs]

We rent condo's at a place called Windsor Hills. The prices are amazing & so is the property. There is also someone at gate security 24/7.

I can echo both the quality and security found at Windsor Hills, along with its close proximity to WDW....

 

[DisneyDrama]

We stayed at the Ramada Maingate West in December. We, like you, were a bit skeptical about staying there when we started reading some of the reviews, but the room was already booked so we decided it was too late to worry about. Our stay was less than pleasant. We booked our room in May. The night we went to check in, we were told that they did not have a room ready for us but that we could wait in the lobby but that they weren't sure how long of a wait it would be. Finally they decided to put us in a family suite. The room was large but was nothing exceptional. The king size bed was fine but the couch bed was very uncomfortable and left a lot to be desired. The hotel was not necessarily dirty but it certainly could have been cleaner. The hotel staff was very unfriendly and unhelpful. They have karaoke some nights and it is quite loud. The chlorine smell is extremely overpowering, especially in the lobby and by the elevators. We will not be staying here again.

 

[PalisadesPkteer]

Have stayed offsite at the Comfort Inn LBV (now the Clarion Inn LBV).
Located on Palm Parkway

Rooms, beds and bathrooms all upgraded. Clean, comfortable and secure hotel.

Has microwave and mini refrigerator in room. Close to many restaurants and shopping center with grocery store.

Recommend it highly. Shuttle is pretty good for an off site hotel.

 

[sk7533]

Can you plz let me know

How did you book a condo at windsor hills. Did you rent it from a owner? Please provide details. We are trying to rent for a week when we are at disney in the last week of this month.

I can echo both the quality and security found at Windsor Hills, along with its close proximity to WDW....

 

[sk7533]

Can you plz let me know

How did you book a condo at windsor hills. Did you rent it from a owner? Please provide details. We are trying to rent for a week when we are at disney in the last week of this month.

We rent condo's at a place called Windsor Hills. The prices are amazing & so is the property. There is also someone at gate security 24/7.

 

[Nemo14]

How did you book a condo at windsor hills. Did you rent it from a owner? Please provide details. We are trying to rent for a week when we are at disney in the last week of this month.

Check with the VRBO website.