A few thoughts, I've been to a few conventions in Orlando over the years. Unless you can wake up and walk to or take a boat to MK, HS or Epcot, WDW hotels aren't worth much anymore.
The Gaylord Palms is beautiful. The rooms are comfortable, great dining choices, nice pool and grounds. The rates are similar to a WDW value, only a much nicer hotel. Maybe $175/night for a standard room without discounts in the height of spring break season.
Rosen Shingle Creek is also lovely. The rooms are pretty and comfortable, wonderful dining options, great pool, nice grounds. Even better rates than the Gaylord at about $167/night for a standard room during spring break.
Even more upsetting is how you can get a reasonably nice, enormous timeshare condo for basically pennies. My parents belong to Diamond Resorts. They love it. Because of their experience, I've stayed in Diamond resorts in Virginia Beach and Williamsburg. They are really solid for an inexpensive family getaway. Plenty of room to just hangout, cook dinner, play games, watch TV and really relax as a family. Some of the resorts even have restaurants and cafes. Anyway, a couple of years ago, my parents stayed at Polynesian Isles by Diamond while we stayed at Caribbean Beach. I was shocked by how we could drive to their resort in about 10 minutes. Okay, Caribbean Beach has amazing grounds and that awesome pool, but otherwise it's a tarted up motel with garbage beds. At Polynesian Isles my parents had a two bedroom, two bath condo with a full kitchen, large living/dining area and a lanai. It runs about $160/night during spring break. The grounds are nice enough, the beds are always good, there are palm trees, a playground, pool, hot tub, etc.
Sometimes, I'm just like "why am I staying at the Disney resort? I'm an idiot."
