[skwak]

undefined We just had the most bizarre 1st night in Orlando. We got in late so I booked a room for my DW and I at a really cheap ($30/night w/ tax) Howard Johnsons. I figured hey, it's HOJOs, how bad can it be? We get there about 10:45 and the lobby is taped off as a crime scene (not kidding) with two Sheriff cars there. Since we prepaid for the hotel and had no kids this trip, we figured what the heck. Let's drive around a while until it's cleaned up. We drive down the road past the adult book store and the strip club and another adult book store (which proudly proclaimed a large selection of "toys") and I knew we were in the wrong spot. So we see a bowling alley and figure what the heck let's bowl a game. The neighborhood was so bad that you had to pre-pay for your games (again, not kidding). We finish bowling and head back to HOJOs. The lobby is now open and people are trying to check in. The grumpy Manager is checking people in while muttering that she doesn't get paid for all this s**t (again, again, no kidding). We slept and left in the morning (they can keep the free buffet). We never did ask what happened in the lobby.

Moral of the story... stay onsite always!

[Dana]

Crime scence? Holy cow!!! Sorry for your experience and thrilled you didn't have kids with you. Lesson learned for you and message told for me...not that I would ever stray from the WDW property anyway

[BDavis932]

OMGoodness!!!!! How scary. I'm sure you were happy to hear "welcome home" when you drove in at SSR....

[lawwin]

I cannot even imagine staying at a hotel that had a crime scene in the lobby. So, I guess you were really happy when you got to SSR the next day, right??? I would have to say that was definitely the bad section of town. So, nobody needs to stay at the HOJOs. Got that one...Bet you were so glad to see the house of mouse, you probably kissed the pavement... between that and national rent-a-car... a least you didn't lose any more magic.

[Pooh Fan]

Originally Posted by skwak

undefined We just had the most bizarre 1st night in Orlando. We got in late so I booked a room for my DW and I at a really cheap ($30/night w/ tax) Howard Johnsons. I figured hey, it's HOJOs, how bad can it be? We get there about 10:45 and the lobby is taped off as a crime scene (not kidding) with two Sheriff cars there. Since we prepaid for the hotel and had no kids this trip, we figured what the heck. Let's drive around a while until it's cleaned up. We drive down the road past the adult book store and the strip club and another adult book store (which proudly proclaimed a large selection of "toys") and I knew we were in the wrong spot. So we see a bowling alley and figure what the heck let's bowl a game. The neighborhood was so bad that you had to pre-pay for your games (again, not kidding). We finish bowling and head back to HOJOs. The lobby is now open and people are trying to check in. The grumpy Manager is checking people in while muttering that she doesn't get paid for all this s**t (again, again, no kidding). We slept and left in the morning (they can keep the free buffet). We never did ask what happened in the lobby.

Moral of the story... stay onsite always!

How scarry! I think that even if I had already prepaid for the room, I would haveleft and found another hotel that was nicer. Even if it would have cost more, but I am a chicken like that. I would rather feel safe because I would have worried the entire time that something might happen and my kids would be left without one or both of their parents! Can you say worry wort. At least your vacation went better once you got to WDW!

[15 mins to wdw]

By chance was that hotel on Orange Blossom Trail?

[JM0318]

15 mins to wdw, I was going to ask the same question... that is the area it sounds like to me... LOL... I will say that you can find some very reasonable hotels on 192 just out side of Disney for a one night stay that would not have been so bad... Orange Blossom Trail is really bad on most all of it... We lived 15 mins away for several months not long after our daughter passed... but we decided that we like the area we live in and move back although it is about 2 &1/2 hours away now... but we learned the areas not to go in when we stayed there...ºoºJudy

[skwak]

Originally Posted by 15 mins to wdw

By chance was that hotel on Orange Blossom Trail?

You guessed it! Wow, you really know the Orlando area! Actually, having driven through the Bronx, NYC many times I would say that they area by Orange Blossom Trail was not really that bad. Just not that nice either.

My DW and I laughed the whole time. Mostly because it was ridiculous that we were staying there despite the crime scene. Actually, it make for great conversation at the wedding we attended on Saturday!

[chiasgirl]

Originally Posted by skwak

My DW and I laughed the whole time. Mostly because it was ridiculous that we were staying there despite the crime scene. Actually, it make for great conversation at the wedding we attended on Saturday!

I'm glad you added this. I was sitting here giggling at your first post and feeling incredibly ashamed for laughing at your experience! But really - it is too bizarre for words!

[15 mins to wdw]

Originally Posted by skwak

You guessed it! Wow, you really know the Orlando area! Actually, having driven through the Bronx, NYC many times I would say that they area by Orange Blossom Trail was not really that bad. Just not that nice either.

My DW and I laughed the whole time. Mostly because it was ridiculous that we were staying there despite the crime scene. Actually, it make for great conversation at the wedding we attended on Saturday!

I actually work about 5 to 10 miles north of there, the area gets worse the farther north you go, one of the worst area's on OBT is around the citrus Bowl, I work 3 blocks from the citrus bowl and work nights so I won't say I've seen it all in that area but I have seen alot that will make you wonder.

Its not as bad as it was from what I understand, and it is one of the bad sections of Orlando but due to a heavy police presence in the area from 3 different depts, crime isn't very violent in the area anymore. there are sections of Orlando that are not as bad but I don't feel as safe in those area's due to the normal level of law enforcement.

[chris5568]

Originally Posted by skwak

undefined So we see a bowling alley and figure what the heck let's bowl a game. The neighborhood was so bad that you had to pre-pay for your games (again, not kidding). We finish bowling and head back to HOJOs.
Moral of the story... stay onsite always!

Most bowling alleys are pre-pay now. Though it sounds like I definately don't want to go to this neighborhood. What bowling alley was it, it isn't the one on 192 in Kissimmee is it?

[llama]

I love your attitude!! I would have been whining and crying for my husband to get me out of there. A lesson to learn is that you can't always trust hotel "chains" that have a supposedly good reputation. We chose a Clarion for one night before our cruise and it was the filthiest place I've ever been in. Hope we're going to get a detailed report on Saratoga Springs, though.

[15 mins to wdw]

Originally Posted by chris5568

Most bowling alleys are pre-pay now. Though it sounds like I definately don't want to go to this neighborhood. What bowling alley was it, it isn't the one on 192 in Kissimmee is it?

this area is in orlando about 30 mins north of 192, on Orange blossom trail. the area being talked about would be close to the FL mall that can be seen off the beeline expressway heading to and from the airport.

[MaulerDude72]

Originally Posted by skwak

undefined We just had the most bizarre 1st night in Orlando. We got in late so I booked a room for my DW and I at a really cheap ($30/night w/ tax) Howard Johnsons. I figured hey, it's HOJOs, how bad can it be? We get there about 10:45 and the lobby is taped off as a crime scene (not kidding) with two Sheriff cars there. Since we prepaid for the hotel and had no kids this trip, we figured what the heck. Let's drive around a while until it's cleaned up. We drive down the road past the adult book store and the strip club and another adult book store (which proudly proclaimed a large selection of "toys") and I knew we were in the wrong spot. So we see a bowling alley and figure what the heck let's bowl a game. The neighborhood was so bad that you had to pre-pay for your games (again, not kidding). We finish bowling and head back to HOJOs. The lobby is now open and people are trying to check in. The grumpy Manager is checking people in while muttering that she doesn't get paid for all this s**t (again, again, no kidding). We slept and left in the morning (they can keep the free buffet). We never did ask what happened in the lobby.

Moral of the story... stay onsite always!

I feel for you and agree 100% with the moral of your story. We had a similar experience with an off site hotel (using the term hotel loosely) We were at WDW in October and stayed at the Carribean Beach Resort for six days. Wonderful experience and would stay there again. Our last night in Orlando was spent at the Days Inn-Airport because our flight was scheduled to depart Orlando Int'l at 5:50am. Just like you, I was thinking how bad could it be? It's a Days Inn!

We stopped by the hotel to check in and informed the desk clerk that I needed to return the rental car to the airport and asked if the shuttle would return me to the hotel. She said yes, but I would have to pay $7 to use the shuttle if it wasn't being used for an arrival or departure. And as Casey Kasem would have put it, the hits just kept on coming! I drove my family up to the room to stow our stuff only to hear a car alarm go off as I parked the car. Some seedy looking guy gave my family and I the evil eye as we told him that we did not set off his alarm. After that initial scare, we threw our stuff into the room and quickly ventured out to find a place to eat.

When we came back from dinner, I dropped the family off at the room and took the car back to the car rental place toting my bag with me so I wouldn't have to pay the $7 fee for the shuttle. After waiting for the shuttle forn over 2 hours (I think it was close to 3) after I called the hotel, I finally made it back to the hotel when my wife told me about the mold growing in the bathroom and the uncleaned bedspreads. On top of that, my daughter was running a small fever and we did not have any medicine with us. I ventured out to a 7-11 type store to pick up some cough syrup for her and in the process was approached by a couple of "working girls" hanging out in the Days Inn parking lot. When I came back, I realized that we did not have a plastic spoon with us. Luckily there was an IHOP attached to the Days Inn and thought they would give us a spoon for free. Wrong! Tell us what we won Don Pardo! They wanted to charge my wife (who went to get the spoon) 50 cents for a plastic spoon. She stood her ground and said I am not paying 50 cents for a spoon, I'll take a real one and bring it back to you. The waitress relented and let us have the plastic spoon for free.

When we came back to Minneapolis, we called Scott at Mouseketrips and told him about the Days Inn-Airport and to make sure no one has to experience that rat trap like we did. It wasn't his fault! The management there needs to do something about that specific property (like improve it or just take some TNT and implode the entire waste of real estate altogether). I don't think I slept much that night there due to the fact that I did not know if someone was going to break in our room and shoot us. And to think we spent six magical days at the Caribbean Beach Resort where I felt a lot more comfortable and secure with the staff and clientele there.

So to add to the moral of staying on site, I leave you dear readers with this. Whatever bad experience you may have had at a Disney resort will pale in comparison to what lurks outside the Magic Kingdom. Unless your staying near the MainGate, it doesn't pay to stay off site. And those refillable mugs at the resorts for $12. GOOD VALUE!!!!

[skwak]

MaulerDude72,

Wow, that is some night. I agree with you. We have actually changed our standard operating procedure because of our experience. Now we spend that extra night at one of the Disney value resorts. Mickey of DC fame turned me onto this.

Take care.