TownePlace Suites Flamingo Crossings is one of my favorite go-to hotels in the whole area — but I'll be straight with you, it's not the right pick for every trip. After 47 trips and 36 hotels, I've learned that the "best" hotel depends entirely on what your family actually needs.

It's the first hotel on the right as you come into Flamingo Crossings, and the thing most people don't realize before booking is that it shares all its amenities with the SpringHill Suites built right next door. The pool, the gym, the bar, and the shuttle stop all serve both hotels. One shuttle picks up from both. That matters more than it sounds.

What I love: the kitchenette is real. You get an almost full-size refrigerator — call it three-quarter size — plus two burners, a dishwasher, and silverware. I actually cook here sometimes, which saves real money on a Disney trip. The staff has always been great too.

What might not work for your trip: because TownePlace and SpringHill are both built for large groups — there's bus parking in the back — youth sports teams, school bands, and family gatherings show up often. Even with separate breakfast areas, when a big group is in house you need to budget extra time to eat or catch the shuttle before the parks. The pool is one of the largest in Flamingo Crossings, but it still gets crowded. And the bathrooms have tub-showers, not the upgraded walk-in glass kind — though if you've got little kids, a tub might be exactly what you want.

So it depends on you.

I love TownePlace Suites, but it's not an automatic lock. Flamingo Crossings is a great area full of solid hotels — just make sure you book the right one for your trip.

One more thing before you book:

if you want the full picture on how all six Flamingo Crossings hotels actually compare, read my complete guide to Flamingo Crossings hotels before you lock anything in. And grab the free Disney Hotels Hidden Fees Guide so you know the real nightly cost before you book.

Don't book the wrong hotel. Stop guessing. ddadbudget.com