My family and I booked a holiday with Thomas Cook and went on the 20'th June 2008 and stayed at the holiday inn international on international drive Orlando Florida. The hotel was rated a 4* which was more like a 1* in my opinion. On our arrival at our hotel we checked in and was given a room that wasn't to our standards. The room looked to us like it hadn't been painted in 10 years it was very out of date and very tacky in my view. We didn't think the door to our room was secure and we asked to be moved. We were then given another room which had a gap on the bottom of the door and we noticed lizards crawling into our room. We were then moved again to another room which had dripping taps that wouldn't stop. We weren't going to complain for a third time so we just kept the room. On the brochure it showed a larger pool, but when we got there it looked like it had shrunk half the size. The rooms on the brochure looked to us nothing like the room we were given. The hotel reception nor the holiday rep told us about the free shuttle bus that ran from the hotel to the Disney parks- it was only after 5 days that another guest staying at the hotel told us about it. Before we found out about the free shuttle bus we were using the hotels taxi service which charged us nearly $50 a fare. We would not recommend the holiday inn to any of my family or friends. In all the years we been taken package holidays this is the only bad review that I have ever had to write about a hotel we stayed in. I hope this information about the hotel would be helpful to others.

We've stayed at the Orlando Holiday Inn hotel twice. On our last visit we stayed for 5 weeks! We have always been impressed with how clean the hotel is, and also the shuttle service to the Disney parks. Our room was cleaned on a daily basis, and they did a very good job! Having stayed there on my own with 2 small children, I can honestly say it's a kid friendly hotel.

The only small gripe I had was that the breakfast was expensive, but with so many restaurants within walking distance, this wasn't a problem. The shuttle to the Universal parks was a nightmare. It was more like a mini bus, and we normally had to stand. It was much easier to get cabs, which only cost 5 dollars to Universal!

I've always really enjoyed my stays at the Holiday Inn. Wet and Wild is a short walk away, and all the attractions on I DRIVE are just a short walk or trolley ride away, which is fantastic, as I don't drive. The shuttle service is frequent both to and from the parks, and it used to be free. I believe there's a 2 dollars charge now. The kids ate free from a special menu. There wasn't much choice for them, and it was mainly fries, pizza, burgers and sandwiches. They loved it, but I think maybe a healthy option would have been good. I've stayed in both the tower and resort, and I found staying in the tower a bit of a struggle; having to drag kids and pushchairs in and out of lifts didn't do it for me! We are planning to go for a month soon, and we are thinking about staying in the Best Western Lakeside Kissimmee; formally La Quinta Inn. If anyone could give me some information on what's in walking distance and how often the shuttles are I would be extremely grateful!

I've just come back from Florida. 21st April 2005. Overall I thought the hotel was very nice. The Staff were excellent, greeting everyone when they walked past. They were also extremely helpful. The location is gorgeous. Everywhere is surrounded by palm trees. When walking out of Holiday Inn, walk to your left for about 10-15 mins and you will come across a supermarket called "Walgreens" which soon became my mum's favourite nearby shop. It is very cheap in there (mostly) A good place for milk, eggs. In the hotel room there is a microwave, TV, fridge, game boys. The only bad thing is the green colour scheme in the conference area. Also the lifts are getting very dodgy. I think it's because they are getting old! So beware!
In order to get the shuttle bus to the different parks, you will need to get a shuttle sheet from reception. If you have Bob (white hair) then he is a very good bus driver! He has the same story every time and talks to you when on the bus! It will take at about 1-2 days to complete one park e.g. Magic Kingdom. It is huge! Make sure you go to Blizzard beach and Animal Kingdom where it will take you on a wonderful safari. I also went to Discovery Cove which was brilliant! (Swim with the dolphins)

The Holiday Inn on International drive was nice, pleasant and the staff were excellent. It did not look anything like the pictures but then who believes them. The Americans were very nice and offered a friendly service and I really enjoyed the whole American welcome. As a note if you do not like rides do not go to Universal or Bush Gardens as they are very rides orientated also I have issues with Bush Gardens homes for animals (having worked at a zoo). Disney is massive and will take from 5 to 14 days to visit all there depending on tastes. Also if you have time take a tour with gatour tours and make sure you get Thomas as a driver as he is very funny and well worth any amount of money for fun tour (by the way I am not employed by them) I really mean it. If you do get Thomas ask for Shrek as the movie one of his favourites.