We had a great experience in April of 2006, and twenty months later, the hotel is still fabulous. Come to the Ritz for the personnel-- they are fabulous. No employee ever passes the buck, and our stay this time was no exception.
It's Orlando, which means that this Ritz is as kid friendly as any on the planet. There's a kiddie pool and small playground, and of course a giant kids menu. Children are given either crayons or a sticker activity at the restaurant table. Kid entrees run between $7 and $9 generally. The room service menu (for kids and adults) is outstanding.
The only trouble we had was with billing-- we had 3 rooms under one name, and somehow a day before we were to leave, one of them was bizzarely "checked out" ahead of time. It took awhile to straighten out, but they got it right, with many apologies.
Whoever wrote in another review that the pool was "small and cold" is nuts! We swam on a cool rainy 72 degree day and the pool was, as promised, heated to 84 degrees. The only trouble was getting out!
Combine that with the extensive JW Marriott on the same property-- you can use that pool too-- and you'll never want to leave.

Attention Theme Park Patrons: Forget the overpriced, below average Holiday Inn knock-off rooms offered by Disney. Spend your money on the beautiful Ritz at Grande Lakes and drive (yes, drive) the 15 minutes to the parks. This property is beautiful, the Spa is the best in Orlando, the food outsanding, and the service is true to Ritz Carlton tradition--superb. I can't understand why people pay $300 or more to stay in those shaby rooms at crowded Disney resorts. If you want to stay at a Deluxe Disney resort, be prepared to shell out at least $300, and prepare to be disappointed. Our room at the Ritz Grande Lakes the weekend before Christmas was $235, and was luxuriously appointed with a huge bathroom stocked with Bulgari products. As far as being family friendly, the hotel offers a special "Kids Check-in" at reception, had a Teddy Bear Tea, Tuck-ins by Santa, a Gingerbread Village and train in the lobby, a kids playground and pool, and even kids spa treatments! My kids loved the Ritz Grand Lakes so much my daughter wrote out on the hotel stationay, "I love Ritz Carlton. This place is fun." She knows the deal--and she's only 6! They do offer town car service to the parks, and will give you all the brochures you want at the Concierge desk.

We stayed in The Ritz Grande lakes Orlando in November 2007 for four nights at the end of a three week vacation in Orlando incorporating a west coast tour.

I shall hold my hand up and say I had a mind set against this hotel before I even got there. Reasons being; I had previously stayed at the magnificent Disney Grand Floridian which was faultless in every respect, I was at the end of my vacation and had the "back to England blues" and I had just driven hundreds of miles up from a dreadful stay in Captiva, so I was moody, to say the least.

We were greeted warmly on arrival by very efficient valets and baggage boys who escorted us to the check in desk. Despite our obvious moods the staff were so upbeat about their hotel and the facilities it offered we were very quickly overpowered by a sense of calm and hospitality.

The lobby and piano bar area were magnificent in decor and the evening menu, which I glanced at as were were whisked away to our room, looked inviting and interesting. The baggage boy explained all the room gadgets and gizmos and had no air of haste about him, I dont mean that in a critical sense, quite the contrary. The bathroom was vast with Bvlgari toiletries a plenty, cloud soft white towels and the whole bathroom sparkled. The main room had a small but useable balcony and the pleasant view was over the pool and on to the golf course. The main room itself was a good size and the attention to detail was first class. On the turn down service each evening the staff dim the lights, put chocolates on your pillow and put the CD player on with romantic piano music especially recorded for the Ritz. Ah...........Bliss !

We had dinner in the restaurant on several occasions and not only was the food superb, but the service to boot. Quite often we would retire to the lounge for coffee after dinner and listen to live music, be it piano or a jazz trio.

We had the pleasure of being at the hotel for Thanksgiving, our first ever experience of this holiday celebration. We watched Macy's Parade on NBC (something I have wanted to do since I was a child) and then had lunch. The hotel produced a gala buffet lunch which was quite staggering in presentation and quality and they are to be commended.

We were given the welcome option of a late checkout, which meant we were not sat in an airport lounge for several hours prior to departure.

This is without doubt the best Ritz hotel I have stayed at to date and if I can't get in The Floridian, or it faulters on its standards, then I would stay here without a second thought. To use a comparable; this hotel is like a 1982 Mouton, superb, but having stayed at The Floridian, I have tasted the 1961 Petrus.

My wife and I recently stayed at the Ritz Orlando for a quick two night getaway. I travel frequently for business and pleasure and found this to be one of the more pleasant experiences that I can remember. First and foremost, the staff was outstanding. We never wanted for anything and were treated at all times, by all hotel personnel with the utmost respect and attention. The property itself is beautiful. At first, I thought that sharing the property with the Marriott was unfortunate, but sharing facilities actually allows each hotel to offer a continguous and beautifully manicured outdoor lawn and pool area. It also has resulted in a spectacular spa. We took the golf and spa package. The Norman course was attractive to me because it has no buildings on it. While it's not the most dramatic or challenging course, it is very well kept. For 2 days, I had the course and the impressive practice area to myself (literally, it's not as busy during this down season). You are assigned a caddie for the entire round and it ends up being an 18 hole lesson. Ask for Caddie Nick, a good guy who provides solid instruction. I've played many better courses, but I've had few golf experiences that were as pleasant.

There were a few drawbacks that, in fairness, might affect someone more sensitive. While the food on the patio is excellent (and accompanied by great service), there is the typical price gouging you'll see at a 5 star resort. I'm not sure if this is a seasonal thing, but it also seemed as if the Ritz was punting some of its facilities to the Marriott. The Ritz outdoor jacuzzi was cooler than desirable, and the otherwise stunning, "heated" pool was ... not so much. Again, could be a seasonal thing during a down time. I would definitely return to this hotel, particularly for a short getaway because of the staff and the convenience and quality of the hotel, spa and golf facilities.