It's Not All About The Mouse

Orlando is NOT the happiest place on Earth. That would be Fort Knox and only if I had the keys. Anyway, Orlando ! First of all, traffic can be a
nightmare, especially I-4 and 17/192, both being major thoroughfares to the various big name attractions ( WDW, Seaworld, Universal, MGM, etc ).
Hotels can be very competitive, unless it is high tourist season, Spring Break or Bike Week in Daytona ( and Orlando gets alot of the hotel action when DB fills up ) and they can pretty raise the roof, so to speak. The trend now is to rent a serviced apartment, condo or house in the area, some with pools and hot tubs for about the same price, if not cheaper. You can hit a grocery store, buy food and pretty much ease off the restaurant scene after a day at the parks and the fast food usually offered. If, however, going on vacation AND cooking doesn't appeal to you, there are several hotel chains who offer decent breakfast
with the room rates and you can wing the rest of it. The infamous I Drive, aka International Drive, has a variety of accomodations and dining establishments to offer, but it can be very crowded. Most hotels offer transportation to and from the area attractions, which is always nice. Check Trip Advisor for real people reviews of hotels and restaurants. They stay fairly current. If you are in Orlando just for the pools, you should come away with money left in your pocket. If you
hit the attractions often, it can get very expensive. Disney now offers
less expensive accomodations, as well as the more exclusive hotels. Like most tourist meccas, check the front desk or restaurants for coupon books for money saving deals.