The Orlando Vista Hotel

The hotel itself was ok, we picked it to save money so we could spend our vacation going to all the parks. It's a place to sleep and shower after spending all day out at the parks. Location was right outside entrance to Disney so it was also convenient. It's also, surrounded by a lot of places to eat. Once we got off the elevator we got hit by a heavy stench of cigarette smell. Horrible! There is no smoking anywhere indoors in CA so I was very grossed out. We also had to wait to check into our room because they claimed that I requested a balcony room which I didn't. We went to Disney in the meantime and our room was ready by the time we got back around 11PM.

I just got back from a week long stay there and I have one major complaint. I left some souvenirs from Discovery Cove on a chair in the room. We spent the whole day out at Disney the next day and went to bed. The next morning I notice that my souvenirs were gone! I went to the front desk and reported it and talked to the housekeeping manager. She said she would get back to me after an investigation. After a couple days of checking back I got several messages. The first message was the manager saying that I had left the items next to the garbage can so it was my fault that the items were missing. They even admitted that this has happened in the past!! I left an angry note stating the exact location of my items and that I did not appreciate being accused of this. After that note their entire tone changed and the office manager called and left a message apologizing for the incident and that they would replace my items.

I just received the items in the mail today but one of the items was the wrong color. Wrong color is fine; at least they made the effort to replace the items. They also included a letter apologizing about the incident and concluded that the bag was thrown away on accident and they are now having their workers check with management before discarding bags that looked like gifts. I feel that this is a huge excuse. There were other things on the chair that looked a lot more like trash than the souvenirs still in the discovery cove bag. I still stand by my suspicion that my items were stolen. The incident definitely dampened the mood of my vacation.

I'm glad my items were replaced but I recommend spending a little more money and staying inside Disneyworld if that is why you are vacationing there. I will be doing this in the future out of convenience and piece of mind.

I just returned from a trip to Orlando, FL. It was our first time to Disney and we were looking for the best deal on a hotel. Through my research, I decided upon the Orlando Vista Hotel because of the price, but also it looked like a great location: close to everything and a shuttle to the parks. I arrived with my best friend of 12 years. We had been traveling all day and night and just wanted to get to our beds. The man at the front desk, who checked us in, was extremely inappropriate and made very inappropriate comments to us regarding our looks. It made us double-think our stay within the first 5 minutes of being there.

For the next couple of days, we went to the parks so we were gone from early morning until late at night. For the rest of our week, we hungout by the pool and tried to get a tan. Although there are several restaurants within walking distance, the hotel is on a major highway and it is a real challenge to cross the street. I would not want to cross this street with children. Other than the restaurants, there is really nothing else to do within walking distance, and a cab would be required to go anywhere else. We went to the shopping outlets which are only a half mile away, and tha cab fare cost us $15 per way.

At the hotel, there were hardly any people that spoke clear english working at the hotel, so it was very difficult to ask any questions. The beds are not very comfortable at all, and the bedding is rough and scratchy. The worst of our experience came upon checking out, where they tried to charge us several unexpected charges. The local calls are not free (like they usually are at hotels), they are in fact $.50 plus tax a piece and beware: they will try to charge you for the safe that is already in your room. They tried charging us an extra $12 upon checking out for "the safe fees" and I questioned that since we didn't even touch the safe. Once I questioned her, she said "oh well I can take that off." But, she did not share with me before my questioning that it was a fee that I could take off. After being in Orlando for a week, we realized that there are many, many other hotels that are closer to the park for the same price as this one. This one is Shady, Shady, Shady! I would not recommend.

This must be Orlando's best kept secret. For the price and location you just can't beat this hotel! We stayed during March 30 to April 1st, with husband and two girls 5 and 7.

This is the first time we stayed off Disney property and were a little leary, but were very happy with the vacation. This has a fun theme with the bright colors and is a really nice hotel. (So the outside paint may be a little faded from the sun and the hallway walls a little scratced from cleaning carts, who cares?) The girls were in heaven with their Junior Suite bunkbeds. For $83 this is a great hotel and in a good location, it was a steal!

Very easy to find right next to the entrance to Downtown Disney. The U-turn was not hard at all to make at the light. They let us check in at noon since our room was available and they were very friendly at the front desk. The girls were thrilled with their stickers and cookies.

The bellboy was very sweet, right away showing us how to work lights and remote channels for the girls. When you change a channel with the one remote it also changes the bunk area's as well. You have to cover it just right so it wouldn't happen.

The junior suite was huge, well decorated, maintained and cleaned. The girls got a thrill out of the fan towels/bathroom tissue. We were in room 506, with a pool view that was nice.

At night, we slept good, forgot we were on the main road. Couldn't hear the traffic until we heard a couple of sirens, but I guess that could happen anywhere. The bed was soft and comfortable along with down pillows and blanket.

The pool was well kept. Girls loved the kiddie pool, good temp for March/April. Plenty of chairs and sun, not very crowded. No cabana bar, but my husband came prepared with a cooler. There was a Market K right next door, along with several restaurants and a cheap gift shop.

The only complaint would be the coffee shop/restaurant, but you can walk anywhere to get a reasonable meal. They had funky hours, closed between 2 and 4 pm? The pizza and barbecue chicken sandwich tasted like frozen, microwaved burned food.

The ladies didn't speak much english and couldn't describe the menu items, "Chicken and rice with sauce, don't know what kind". But the subs came on good fresh bread and were fine. Frank, the manager was eager to talk and give the girls a cookie (only saw him in the morning).

The bar/lounge area was also never crowded. Lucy, the bartender is a character, very friendly and fun to talk to. She was eager to give you a good deal on the specials of the day and free munchies, peanuts and somekind of chex mix.

All in all, this is a great deal. We stayed at Pop Century, Coranado Springs, and Port Orleans at Disney and hated how everything was so spread out. Our favorite was Disney Wilderness Lodge because it was convenient. But this is only an 8 minute ride to the Magic Kingdom. Well worth it to drive if you can. For a fraction of the price this place is definitely worth it! Thank you Orlando Vista for a marvelous vacation!!!

After reading over 100+ reviews, we were treated very well as soon as we walked in the door. The front desk, bar, restaurant, and housekeeping staff were all very helpful. The walls in on the way to your room do show wear, but the cleaning carts must hit it. The pool area was clean and there was a kiddie pool & whirlpool. I never had to wait long for anything. There are cab drivers 24hrs out front to take you anywhere you want to go. They will also come a get you whenever you call them. I would like a fridge, free internet in the room and more channels on the t.v. to watch. We would stay there again.

Very tired décor. Hallways are dark, wallpaper is worn and ceiling needs a fresh coat of paint. The hotel will try to gouge you every time you turn around. When checking in they will charge you $1.60 + tax for the hotel safe. It is mandatory the property provide you safe, it's like charging you extra for a bed. The pricing matrix I reviewed before booking the room allows you to select a room that includes wireless internet or not. I selected with internet services agreeing up front to pay more for this room. Once checked in the I discovered the wireless service was around $11.00 per (includes tax) 24-hours and not free. I contacted the front desk who said the all of the in-room wireless services have a fee. They told me the café is wireless at no charge. I gathered my items and went to the café area where I log-on to the internet. I completed my business and then pulled up the matrix of room prices that shows my price includes wireless in room service. I was able to show the front desk this screen on my computer. They responded that all of those rooms are already occupied, they did not offer a refund. I was to stay at the property for three nights with another party joining me the next night. I explained I will cancel my stay and leave the next morning. To add to the complexity the front desk person told me that I would have to go back to Southwest Airlines (where I made the reservation) and cancel through them. I called Southwest Airlines on my cell phone, they pulled up the information and said they could not provide me with a cancellation confirmation number and I would have to have the hotel cancel the reservations. While Southwest Airlines was on my cell I called the front desk on the room phone. The front desk put me on hold for five minutes. I hung up and called back to confirm this cancellation. They discounted service to my room phone. I was forced to go to the front desk to get this addresses, and of course then the front desk could issue a cancellation number. Please tell everyone you know do not stay here!