So, I'm taking the family to Disney Orlando in the weekend 23-26th of May.
We want to stay insider the park and RC recommended a hotel close to the trainsystem.

It's pretty expensive, so getting all the tips, tricks and ideas for discounts and general recommendations are highly appreciated

Ping drcool in case he's not checked in here lately, he at least used to be an expert on the parks.

Thanks Dras. That's right, I remember him and James being the ones that made it all happen last time in FL

Been many years since I have gone to Orlando. That was a fun trip.

Going with the family I would stay at one of the Disney hotels in the park. Makes for a much easier trip, especially with some young ones. Much easier to head back for nap during the day (for you and for them) and some of the all inclusive packages are a pretty good deal.

I honestly didn't do anything but show up.   I remember Epcot being a huge bust (my fault, but wasn't it fun walking around in the rain?)  FWIW, if you haven't looked yet, I've always found Trip Advisor to be a pretty good tool for finding the type of lodging I am looking for:  http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g1954828-Disney_World_Florida-Hotels.html

I remember really enjoying Universal Studios - that Spider Man ride was a blast.

I haven't personally visited Disney W in about 10 years so some things have changed, I'm sure. I believe the Contemporary was expanded. 

Over the years, I've stayed pretty much everywhere (except the individual cabins).  My favorite was the Contemporary ...the original one that the monorail runs through.  That was the flagship hotel and some of the services like the character breakfast were hosted there.  But mostly, I just liked to see the monorail gliding through the atrium.

That said, particularly when traveling with small kids and your visit revolves around the Magic Kingdom, the Wilderness Lodge has  a ferry landing nearby that shuttles directly between the hotel and the Magic Kingdom.  Stay late then take a nice 20-minute ferry ride over to the hotel, the kids usually sleep ...much easier than the monorail and a nice ride to boot.  The ferry ride is handy during the day, too, if the kids crash and *need* to go back to the room for a nap.  All-in-all, we just found that the Wilderness Lodge allowed for more time on the ground in the Magic Kingdom, which is really what we came to do.


http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/wilderness-lodge-resort/transportation/

Note that in May, the monorail shouldn't be overly crowded so the time-to-hotel should be about the same versus the ferry.