We are going to WDW in August it’s our first time but we are trying to keep prices as low as possible if we choose disney hotels there are 3 that are value ones which are town palace, spring hill by marriott flamingo and doubletree, firstly does anyone know what these hotels are like and if they provide shuttles to all parks, is it actually more cost effective to stay in a disney hotel that has shuttles than a separate accommodation with a hire car and parking? thankyou
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Hotels on a budget
- Thread starter EmLC30
- Start date
TrainsOfDisney
Well-Known Member
will you have a vehicle with you?
The prices for hotels can vary quite a bit - check all the prices and add up all the costs.
Hotel shuttles other than the Disney resorts are often pretty limiting with set schedules. So even if a “shuttle is provided” it may not be very convenient.
The prices for hotels can vary quite a bit - check all the prices and add up all the costs.
Hotel shuttles other than the Disney resorts are often pretty limiting with set schedules. So even if a “shuttle is provided” it may not be very convenient.
Skibum1970
Well-Known Member
This is very true. Some hotels charge $20 or more per day for you to park a car. With all the other fees, I found that staying at All Star Sports was very similar in price to those mentioned. Plus, using Disney's shuttle buses are so much easier and more timely.
esskay
Well-Known Member
Yep check all the other costs, some (most) have resort fees on top, parking, etc.
It's gone up a bit in price now but the Drury Plaza down at Disney Springs was one of the exceptions in that it has no resort fees. If you book with most providers they do charge for parking, but if you go via one of a few select partners parking is free (British Airways is one of them).
For first timers on a budget wanting to do WDW it's got to be on the shortlist really as it ticks most of the boxes. It's a partner hotel so you get early park entry. It's got a free breakfast buffer, and every night they have a free light-meal buffet and 3 alcoholic drinks per adult (plus unlimited fountain drinks, coffee, popcorn, etc. Their free park shuttles are decent as well, they own a few former disney busses and come pretty often.
Failing that check the pricing on some of the other Hotel Blvd resorts as they are all within walking distance of Disney Springs. That also makes getting back from parks a bit easier as you can get a Disney bus back to Saratoga and walk back to your resort (fair warning its still a bit of a walk but if you don't mind that its an option).
It's gone up a bit in price now but the Drury Plaza down at Disney Springs was one of the exceptions in that it has no resort fees. If you book with most providers they do charge for parking, but if you go via one of a few select partners parking is free (British Airways is one of them).
For first timers on a budget wanting to do WDW it's got to be on the shortlist really as it ticks most of the boxes. It's a partner hotel so you get early park entry. It's got a free breakfast buffer, and every night they have a free light-meal buffet and 3 alcoholic drinks per adult (plus unlimited fountain drinks, coffee, popcorn, etc. Their free park shuttles are decent as well, they own a few former disney busses and come pretty often.
Failing that check the pricing on some of the other Hotel Blvd resorts as they are all within walking distance of Disney Springs. That also makes getting back from parks a bit easier as you can get a Disney bus back to Saratoga and walk back to your resort (fair warning its still a bit of a walk but if you don't mind that its an option).
MickeyLuv'r
Well-Known Member
First, when it comes to WDW, IMO, some upcharges are worthwhile, and some are not worthwhile. Always, time=$ I don't mean that to criticize your low-budget approach, more to comment that Disney knows people try to keep costs low, and they try hard to make some upcharges worthwhile. You are up against Disney marketing, so to speak. I joined this forum to try to find WDW budget tips.
I really like the Marriott branded Flamingo Crossing hotels. Most are very new, and very clean. There are multiple hotels in that area. (Fairfield, Residence Inn, Homewood suites, Townplace, spring Hill suites) The Townplace Suites FC is a little less fancy than some of the others, but still nice. It is one of the older hotels over that way, but still only about 8 years old, I think. It opened before the pandemic. The Residence Inn is the newest one over that way, and probably about 5 years old at this point. Both are suite style.
I must add: in the general area of WDW there are a number of doubletree and marriott properties, this post is ONLY about the Flamingo Crossings area. Beyond that area, some Marriotts and doubletrees are great, some are not as great.
I can't speak to the quality of the shuttles. I've always had my own car. I think one is now offered, but it is better to have your own transportation, IMO, or else hire a taxi or rideshare. If you have your own car, then getting to the parks is easy from there.
You will have to figure out transportation and maybe parking fees. The hotels do charge parking fees. I think most FC ones are now $20/night. WDW also charges a daily parking fee. I think it is $30. So what I do is I spend my first night at a FlamingoCrossings hotel, then move to an onsight WDW hotel. that saves some money, and we get the perks of being onsite.
A big plus of the FC area is that you can get decent food, plus some groceries/essentials ate either Target or Walgreen's. I think there might also now be a grocery store nearby. Much of the options are quick serve, but I really like the food at Lime and recently had decent pizza at Pieology. (though I also like Blaze pizza at Disney Springs for a low cost dinner.) There's also some fast food places like Wendy's.
So on my arrival day, I take care of picking up groceries, and eat over that way, then I am up early enough to drop bags at WDW hotel and still make rope drop. That approach is not for everyone though.
MickeyLuv'r
Well-Known Member
One plus of the WDW hotels is they have fun theming. a big plus of the Flamingo Crossing hotels is having a big room, if you opt for a suite. Some also have pluses like outdoor grills. For myself, I don't like to cook at WDW. We just get drinks, snacks, fresh fruit, and water. But that still saves quite a bit of money.
Eating a quick breakfast in the hotel room is easy, but eating dinner and lunch outside the parks will cost you time. IMO, it isn't worthwhile to drive back to an offsite hotel to make dinner, because that costs considerable time. I'm also not a fan of lugging around a huge backpack all day. Just a few tangerines, granola bars, and a water/drink for each person. In the hotel room, breakfast is often like a yogurt, some fruit, and coffee. Sometimes we eat on the way over.
Having a car makes getting around within WDW faster, and if you are staying onsite, you don't pay extra for parking.
Eating a quick breakfast in the hotel room is easy, but eating dinner and lunch outside the parks will cost you time. IMO, it isn't worthwhile to drive back to an offsite hotel to make dinner, because that costs considerable time. I'm also not a fan of lugging around a huge backpack all day. Just a few tangerines, granola bars, and a water/drink for each person. In the hotel room, breakfast is often like a yogurt, some fruit, and coffee. Sometimes we eat on the way over.
Having a car makes getting around within WDW faster, and if you are staying onsite, you don't pay extra for parking.
MickeyLuv'r
Well-Known Member
Oh - and I would not book any of those hotels through WDW's website. You can do better going to like Marriott's own website, or doubletree's, etc.
Look at cancelation terms! Make sure you book a rate w free cancelation. If you have AAA, you can book the AAA rate. Look carefully, there should be a AAA rate that has free cancelation and saves money at non WDW hotels.
If you do not have AAA, you might want to look into it, as it can sometimes easily pay for itself via hotel discounts.
Look at cancelation terms! Make sure you book a rate w free cancelation. If you have AAA, you can book the AAA rate. Look carefully, there should be a AAA rate that has free cancelation and saves money at non WDW hotels.
If you do not have AAA, you might want to look into it, as it can sometimes easily pay for itself via hotel discounts.
MickeyLuv'r
Well-Known Member
All that said, if you do not have a car, staying onsite might be easier. You will still need transportation from the airport if you plan to fly. If you plan to stay at a WDW value hotel, then look for a discounted offer on the Disney website.
That Target is so small that I doubt you'd find more than the bare minimum. You need a proper Target (accessible only by a vehicle) for anything better than that. Of which there are a few that suffice relatively nearby but not close.
monorail81
Well-Known Member
That Target should barely even be classified as a convenience store. It’s terrible!
Was apparently supposed to, reasonably, be one of the largest in the country when it was being planned... Instead we got, what? A supersized 7-11 with Target branding? Horrible.That Target should barely even be classified as a convenience store. It’s terrible!
MickeyLuv'r
Well-Known Member
It is a smaller Target, but I've been happy with the selection of groceries they carry!
We usually place a pick-up order. If you choose the Flamingo Crossings location, you can see what they have in stock.
Oddly enough, one time we stopped at a bigger Target closer to MCO. We forgot to do an online order, and even though that one was physically bigger, they had fewer groceries.
It is worth noting, the prices at FC do run about 5% high on some grocery items.
The1000thHappyHaunt
Member
Haven't stayed at any of these yet, but I am staying one night at SpringHill Suites Flamingo Crossings in May before I check into my Disney College Program because it is right across the street from the apartment complex. I have watched YouTube videos of the hotel, and it looks very nice for what it is, nothing fancy, which if you just need a place to sleep these will fit the bill. I would recommend a car if you can swing it, so you are not tied to the limited shuttle schedule.