Holiday Inn Downtown Disney Resort Area

Originally a Howard Johnson's, this was one of the original four hotels of Hotel Plaza at Lake Buena Vista (at the Downtown Disney entrance to Walt Disney World). Stripped and rebuilt anew, this smart and even stylish value hotel is a good deal for families. Brand-new meeting space and wired in-room Internet access make it accessible for business travelers as well.

Low rates score guests a lot of extras: parking, high-speed wired internet and kids' meals (with Kids Eat Free) are all included. For families, there is a refrigerator in each room, rooms with two queen-sized beds (not doubles) or a king with a pull-out sofa, an arcade and a brand-new zero-entry swimming pool.

Guest rooms all open to interior corridors, and most have balconies. Guests rooms with king-sized beds (except in the wing section) have glassed-in showers; double queen guest rooms have shower/tub combos. Rooms have complimentary wired Internet access. Views are of Downtown Disney or the "resort" (which may be the highway, although extra-thick windows block the noise).

A restaurant in the main atrium serves delicious and filling food that is a definite departure from burgers-and-fries; I loved the shrimp and avocado tempura. A buffet that lets you choose how much food you need awaits guests in the morning. Kids twelve and under eat free at the hotel. A quick service counter sells soft drinks and sandwiches, and a small bar overlooks the swimming pool, which has been rebuilt with a zero-entry and fountains. A inviting lounge area adjacent to the pool with South Beach-style furnishings will soon serve tapas and cocktails.

A Disney store was soon to open off the atrium; guests will be able to send Disney theme park purchased directly to the hotel once it does.

The resort is walking distance to Downtown Disney, which has free admission and plenty to see and do, including a 24-screen movie theater, a hot-air balloon attraction which gives a panoramic view, an interactive fountain and tons of family-friendly restaurants. A free shuttle from the hotel (every half hour) connects you with the rest of Disney's theme parks.