Tooth Fairy,
We just returned from 8 nights at the Hampton Inn Maingate West last week! I hope to write a trip report in a day or so when I get rested up- my job in the 'real world' had me bogged down from the moment we returned last Tuesday night : (
ANYway, I digress ...
We could not have been happier with lodging. It literally is 1.5 miles from the WDW exit. EASY to get to all the parks from there. It took us 7 minutes from the time we left the hotel to get through the 'toll booth' at MK, the Studios, and Epcot. (Didn't do AK). Some construction is still going on on Hwy 192, but NOTHING like last year. DW and I agreed that if it progresses accordingly, the roads LOOK as if construction should be completed by this time next year. It's much easier this year than last to navigate.
Amenities: Hair dryer, coffee maker (6 cup), iron and ironing board, microwave and 'Microfridge' refrigerator all in-room. Don't let the name fool you- the 'frig is larger than most I've seen ... still, the freezer section is tiny. Plenty of room for lots of snacks, cheese dip, salsa, cokes, water bottles, etc.
Also a clock-radio and great TV (if you even have time to watch it!!)
There is a full continental breakfast served every morning in the lobby/dining area. It consists of 4 cereals:Raisin-Bran, Frosted Flakes, Cheerios, and a Fruity Pebbles-like cereal. Also, flavored yogurt in the plastic containers, bananas, oranges, apples, and Krispy-Kreme donuts of ALL kinds. (I saw the lady with the donut box in-hand place them on the bar!) If THAT'S not enough, there are about 4 other types of pastries plus that instant oatmeal in the self-serve single packages. Drinks include coffee, apple juice, orange juice, and grapefruit juice
The rate I was quoted (online) was $79/night. I've seen others on this board get lower rates, but that may have been during off-peak season. We were there June 11-19. One word of caution if you book online: be CAREFUL! In an earlier post several weeks ago (under "Online Booking Woes") I chronicled a lengthy story about how I'd booked the hotel several months ago, reconfirmed 2 weeks before I left and they showed NO record of the reservation!) Short solution to that problem - CALL them directly to book!
My wife told me as we were leaving the parking lot for the last time that she would definitely stay there again, and so would I!
Enjoy your trip!