Residence inn Flamingo Crossing?

[raddisneyfan]

Anyone stay at this Residence Inn at Flamingo Crossing? I'll save $2K staying here in a one bed suite with full kitchen Dec 7 to 14 as opposed to on property. I think it is about 4 minutes drive to MK and then 10-15 for the other WDW parks. I have an Annual Pass, so no paying for theme park parking and tickets on this trip. Let me know what your thoughts are if you've stayed. Also, let me know what Flaming Crossing in general is like.

 

[Kerry1957]

I have stayed at almost all of the Marriot properties at Flaming Crossings and like them. I personally believe you need a car to make it work out. Traffic has increased over the past two years but it is still an easy quick drive to the parks if you have a car. They do charge a parking fee so you should add that into your calculations. You will also not be able to take advantage of the early openings.

Even with those cautions, we stay there at least once a year. rotating between Disney property and Flamingo Crossings.

 

[georgina]

I like the Flamingo Crossings area to stay. (I have done it without a car, using rideshare). The Fairfield Inn and Residence Inn are newer than the Springhill Suites and TownePlace suites. (I have stayed at each of them except the Residence Inn) More stores have opened in the area over the years - Target, some fast food places and casual restaurants. I like the drive along western way - it is more than 4 minutes to MK though, allow 10-15 for all the parks, maybe a bit more at busy times.

 

[PetePanMan]

Is there one hotel in this area that is viewed as nicer than others?

 

[georgina]

Is there one hotel in this area that is viewed as nicer than others?

Not sure. We started staying there when the Springhill Suites and TownPlace suites were the only hotels there. They were somewhat dated last time I was there. I like the Fairfield Inn, but there are a couple of Hilton properties also. I would look up recent reviews to see what they say. (I have Marriott loyalties so haven't tried the Hilton properties.) Free breakfast plus an extra yogurt for lunch are my happy hotel experience!

 

[dreamer17555]

We have stayed there and the Fairfield Inn and enjoy them both. Its a cute area with a mini target (like a normal target but tiny) and some cute places to eat. With a car and free AP parking it makes a ton of sense. It is close to the apartments for the Disney College Program so you will see CPs around. Residence Inn and Fairfield have a small parking fee but their breakfast is good and they are newer construction and nice

 

[rdaky]

Flamingo is nice, safe, closer to residential areas. I would absolutely recommend a car for convenience. There are a variety of restaurants there, mini Target, Walgreens. An Advent Health ER is in Flamingo, too. Gas station is almost finished. You can easily get to any park or hop on 429 if you want to go anywhere else in Orlando. There is enough to meet your needs and pick up supplies if you're visiting and not as congested as some of the other off property areas.

Flamingo is actually on Disney property and Disney collects ground rent from most if not all of the businesses there. College Program apartments are across the street from the hotels and you will see college program students walking around, shopping, eating. It's a safe place to walk at night.

 

[HopperFan]

We have stayed there once, have car and AP. I think if you are only doing Disney it is a great option. A quieter, less traffic area only minutes to the parks. Plenty of dining & shopping options should you need. We were in the Home2Suites, and thought the kitchen, large space and amenities were great.

Flamingo is actually on Disney property and Disney collects ground rent from most if not all of the businesses there. College Program apartments are across the street from the hotels and you will see college program students walking around, shopping, eating. It's a safe place to walk at night.

Actually Disney began selling some of that land to very select owners years ago knowing they were within the Reedy Creek District and they would still have complete control of the development.

Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn, Homewood, Home2Suites are all owned by the same Hotel Group, who are the registered owners of the properties. Springhill Suites and Townplace Suites is owned by JL-FX Hotel also registered owners of property. I believe one of the very first lots they sold was to Walgreens back in 2011 when the plan evolved but it didn't get built at that time.

Disney created an "independent" LLC called Flamingo Crossings LLC who would be the landholder and controller of development. Retail land is held by the FCLLC which would be normal retail operation. It has definitely been developed slowly with thought.

 

[rdaky]

Actually Disney began selling some of that land to very select owners years ago knowing they were within the Reedy Creek District and they would still have complete control of the development.

Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn, Homewood, Home2Suites are all owned by the same Hotel Group, who are the registered owners of the properties. Springhill Suites and Townplace Suites is owned by JL-FX Hotel also registered owners of property. I believe one of the very first lots they sold was to Walgreens back in 2011 when the plan evolved but it didn't get built at that time.

Disney created an "independent" LLC called Flamingo Crossings LLC who would be the landholder and controller of development. Retail land is held by the FCLLC which would be normal retail operation. It has definitely been developed slowly with thought.

I think it's kind of a weird situation. You are correct that the hotels and Walgreens are owned by their companies. Target, Wendy's, most of the restaurants and other shops are all on land owned by Disney/Flamingo/Reedy creek which is all basically the same and those companies have to pay ground rent to Flamingo/Disney. We know an owner of one of the restaurants over there and they pay a pretty high fee to Disney, which is also probably why a couple of restaurants have either gone out of business or are struggling to stay opened, as well as why it it taking FOREVER for them to fill it with retail. Disney has expensive fees and the price point has to cater to College program and budget minded tourists and families in order to stay in business.