THE GOOD:
-Across the board, the staff is friendly and helpful.
-The food is quite good.
-The property is very clean.
-Good location -- 2 miles from Downtown Disney; less than a mile from numerous affordable restaurants, Walgreens, a grocery store, etc.

THE BAD:
-The pool is just a big rectangle. It doesn't feel at all "resorty" to me.
-The pool is a long walk from the rooms -- 5 minutes of brisk walking.
-A true resort style adult and kiddie pool is under contruction. Unfortunately, however, it's being constructed within spitting distance of the current pool, which makes it unsuitable for relaxation until it's finished.
-I flat would not take a toddler to this hotel. The property is huge, there are escalators and stairs everywhere, water all over the place, and a lot of very windy paths in the atrium where small children can quickly become lost.
-The food is expensive. $46 for a caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, and coke from room service. $11 for an Italian sub at the Java Cafe.
-Mandatory $15 per day resort fee.
-Unless you valet, you are going to have a 100 yard walk to the hotel entrance.

THE SUBJECTIVE:
-The atrium gives some people the feeling of being in a lush resort, while others feel like they are trapped in one of those science fiction biospheres that all humanity is forced to live in when humans have destroyed the planet.
-Some find the humidity of the atrium tropical. It gives others the feel of heavy, recycled air.
-Some find the atrium interesting. Others, as someone told me yesterday, find it "tacky" and "poorly done."

CONCLUSION:
The Gaylord is a convention hotel that has made some concessions to attract leisure travelers. IMO, the hotel is a good choice for conventions and likely not the best choice for leisure travelers in this price range.

Expansive resort with an indoor/outdoor feeling - no need to leave resort for anything except visit theme parks.

This is how it happened. We wanted to make a quick trip to Florida while we had some free time. We looked up a trip and up came this AMAZING package that included plane hotel and car rental for an insane price but it was a hotel I never heard of. We took a leap of faith and booked it. When we pulled up to the hotel, correction when we saw the hotel from three exits away because it is so huge , we were cheering in the car. When we pulled up we felt like royalty. The hotel was astonishingly beautiful a 5 star hotel. When the door man came to get our bags we were sold. At check in I followed the advice of a girl I spoke to on the phone and asked for a free upgrade to a suite they happily said sure thing and upgraded us. It was December and off season so it was no big deal for them. When we proceeded to check into our room we nearly passed out. The design of the hotel is a covered dome. Imagine a square covered but a dome. the dome provides shelter to a city Literally a city the hotel has created and when you have an inside room with a balcony you can sit and watch all that goes on on the "city streets" from resturants to shopping to a man made lake with a BOAT in it that you can dine on and has night time kareoke. This is just the most amazing place we have ever stayed. Each section of the Hotel is named and decorated after a famous beach in florida. At the time we were staying there they had "ICE" a really cool christmas show featured in the attatched convention center and there was free shows going on everynight as well. We have since looked up that amazing suite we got and cant afford it unless offered in a package agian. It runs anywhere from $300-$500 a night . But if you can This is an A.M.A.Z.I.N.G place to stay

We picked this hotel because it was associated with a car auction we attended in the Kissimmee area. Staff were super friendly. Room was spotless. Had a nice 'Florida' view room (less expensive) for the first 4 nights. Upgraded to an 'atrium' view at the end of our holiday which had a balcony where you had a great view of the atrium. I enjoyed sitting out there having my morning coffee from 5 floors up and people watching. Hotel restaurants are expensive! Valet parking was also expensive but only $7 or so more than self park per night. Don't forget about the daily 'resort' fee. Overall we would stay there again but it's no Holiday Inn. Don't look for a free breakfast here!