When you’re deciding where to stay during your trip to Disney World, there are SO many resorts to choose from!
And, you can even stay off Disney property at various locations before taking a trip into the parks each day. However, one hotel just outside of Disney World had a very unexpected incident this past week.
On April 1st, Champions World Resort located in Kissimmee abruptly closed and booted out its guests with no refunds, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The 100 affected guests were told that the resort had been sold, so all the buildings had to be vacated. The following day, cones were set up in the parking, and security turned people away with the same story.
As of this time, the website for Champions World Resort has been shut down and phones aren’t being answered. The 26-acre resort had 435 rooms, a conference center, multiple pools, sports fields, and a full-service restaurant. It has been reported that the employees had been fired, but no layoff notices were filed with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity yet.
A deed filed in Osceola County on April 1st, the same day the guests were removed, stated that the property had been sold for $16.4 million. Another company, Champions Village Kissimmee, would be taking over the area. No details were confirmed by representatives of the company.
There is speculation that the hotels could be converted into an apartment complex. Paul Sexton, an HREC Orlando broker, said that this wouldn’t be a surprise. He noted, “There is a significant amount of interest in the marketplace to do these types of conversion.”
This is certainly a strange situation and a HUGE obstacle to face during a vacation. Check back with us for more travel news.
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Do you stay off property when you visit Disney World? Tell us in the comments!
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Yes we always stay at club Wyndham bonnet creek resort. Hands down top resort in the area. If you’ve tried the rest you should try the best. Even my friends that work at other resorts that come to visit say its immaculate
We’ve been happy owners of one of the first, very basic timeshares that was right outside the Main Gate to the Magic Kingdom when there was only the Magic Kingdom. It’s two adjoining one bedroom units that together sleep 10. It’s got everything you need for a relaxing sleep, nourishing breakfast and before bedtime snack. We have a leisurely lunch in a full-service restaurant. Maintenance fees run $500 a year for a Sat to Sat week. We’ve had much better vacations by staying there, especially compared to the week in a Disney property hotel at Disney prices for a medical professionals’ conference when suddenly the whole place was filled up with attendees of a national chess tournament. Think of four middle schoolers per room filling every square inch of hallway as they practiced their game and tried to get served at the food court.
Stayed here last year and thought it was a decent place, but was very quiet (this was a few weeks before Covid became a Pandemic). Kind of sad the way tge handled it. Was thinking of staying here next year, but guess I’ll have to find a different place. Honestly I think the vacation homes sound more appealing.
So sad and unjust. We do live in a world where people feel like they can perpetrate unjust actions such as this. How can you rightfully pay for a place stay & they kick you out with no refund? Or notice? Or substitute lodging? Accountability anyone????
This blog is very interesting.
You know, I’ve owned across the street at Orange Lake Resort/Country Club for over 30 years, and I never knew that place ever existed. I mean, I’ve seen their sign, but that’s it. Never knew what it was. Thought it was a trailer park or something. Gotta wonder how people found it (or more likely didn’t, based on them closing).
Yes, we almost always stay at a hotel on Hotel Plaza Blvd. Better options for dining you can walk to and you avoid Disney food that strikes out on several levels. Also fewer children, a respite from the “all Disney, all the time” cult thing, better connections to other Orlando areas such as Lake Eola area, restaurent row in Dr Phillips, Winter Park etc. Of course these options increase in value if you are staying two of three weeks.