Budget Resort worth it now???

[RogueHabit]

In the past we have stayed at Moderate resorts when staying on property. Our main drivers for being on property were the following.

• Inclusive length of stay pass
• Good size room
• Theming

• Passes: With the new system for passes we can get a 14 day inclusive pass no matter where we stay.
• Room Size: I here that the rooms in Budget aren't as big as those in moderate. We can stay on I-Drive and get a comparable sized room for much less.
• Theme: So, we don't get the theming, but we don't spend that much time at the hotel anyway.

And as we will probably spend about half of out time doing Universal, Seaworld and other non-disney stuff, any views.

 

[PixiePower]

I would say that staying off site is ok if you don't mind missing the evening magic hours...extra 3 hours in the parks and so far the # of people at night has been very nice...especially the later it gets!


You also miss the "little things"-Mickey (and Stitch!) wake up call, bed time stories, Disney TV, Mickey soap and towel animals! They all add up to making the trip a happy one...especially if you are traveling with kids.

If you spend a lot of time at Universal it may be worth it to split your trip and spend a little extra to stay on site at Universal to get their front of the line option for hotel guests. Its very nice, especially if it is crowded.

 

[Debbie]

I was quite pleased with Pop Century this past February; and part of it was the price, $49.00. It was my first time staying in Value. I had been used to the Poly and POR; and this also was a nice place. The rooms are smaller; imagine Port Orleans minus the extra space between the bed and the front door. In Pop Century, I can lay in bed and open the door.
If you can get a deluxe type room on International Drive for this price; I'd say definitely consider it. The current passholders discount for the Values was $74.00, and this is until 7/4.

 

[Edeyore]

My family & I stayed a the All Star Sport last February. The rooms are a little smaller, and the pools are not spectacular, but the pricing is great, you are
on property and get all the extras that includes and the fact of the matter is that you spend most of your vacation in the parks and at other attractions.
They are definitely worth it.

 

[shoppingnut]

The transportation back and forth from the hotels on property is much better than most off property resorts. The off property ones tend to be limited, so if you want to come back mid-day to the hotel, it may be difficult.

If you are going after May 5, you can use the Disney Magical express to/from the airport to the disney resort for free. And if you want to rent a car you can do it through the disney hotel and it would be less costly to rent for a couple days as opposed to the entire time you are there.

Missing out on extra magic hours can make a difference of being able to do everything in the parks. If seaworld closes at say 8p and one of the other disney parks have EMH that night and are open to 11 or 12, you can go to that park too that day if you are on property.

I've stayed at Pop Century twice and think it is fine, liked it very much. I've stayed at Caribbean Beach, Contemporary, PO French Quarter & Riverside and Grand Floridian. I'd be very careful of the hotels on I-drive, some of them are very very old and run down. Make sure that whoever recommends the hotel has stayed there before recently and that the type of hotel they would stay at is the same type you would find acceptable. Remember not everyone's requirements for a hotel may meet yours.

 

[RogueHabit]

Thanks for the input everyone.

Currently we're looking at either August or October.

As we're coming from the UK, probably through Virgin Holidays some of the options you mentioned don't actually work out for us, either because they're not cost effective or simply aren't available.

i.e. A car is part of the package deal, and I absolutely hate the buses, just because I don't like buses fullstop, nothing in particualr about Disney buses.

Can't get pass discounts. The 14 day magic pass costs the same whether you stay in a WDW hotel or the cheapest hotel on I-drive. So that's not a factor.

Magic hours won't really work for us either as our youngest is 4 and she won't last that late normally.

I think if we could stump up the extra for PO or CBR then we'd be on property, but as we can't we'd rather go for a little bit of extra luxury offsite, that compromise onsite.

And there's always next year....

 

[AEfx]

Personally, you couldn't pay me to stay off-site. I don't want to worry about transportation, I want access to all the possible perks (from Magical Express to room charging to the all important EMH)...Plus, with the discount I get at value resorts with my AP, I'd be hard pressed to find anything other than a Motel 6 any cheaper.

However, it's whatever works for your family. If you won't miss staying on property, then do whatever feels best.

AEfx

 

[shoppingnut]

I wouldn't stay off property either, we used to way back when there weren't many hotels on property as there are today. Also, a value resort price equivalent off property, isn't going to be "luxury" level. I've seen what is off site on I-drive and in the area generally and what I would consider luxury is the Orlando World Center Marriott on route 536 and that hotel is about $199 a night. Lots of the hotels on I-drive they make look so fantastic in the photos on line, you'd never recognize them in person as the same hotel. Also, another tip is to find out when the hotel was built or last refurbished especially if it is a lower end one like an Econolodge or Raddison.

 

[Yellow Shoes]

I think if we could stump up the extra for PO or CBR then we'd be on property, but as we can't we'd rather go for a little bit of extra luxury offsite, that compromise onsite.

Keep the faith--exchange rates are super for you folks now, and not expected to change much in the near future.

Believe me--I've been watching them. I'm sending DS to England this summer, and it really hurts me to see the exchange rate at .54

And to answer your question (how novel an idea is THAT???)

You have addressed all of the concrete reasons to stay on-property--transportation, EMH, etc. And you have stayed in a Disney resort before, so you know what they're like.

Although I don't usually recommend this, I think you should check out the off-site places, then go with the wallet.

You might check epinions.com for hotel reviews.

 

[AEfx]

Actually, *if* for some reason I was staying off-site, I'd look into one of the many condo rentals out there. You can be 1-3 miles from WDW in a house with bedrooms and bathrooms and a kitchen, etc., for $600-700/week if you find good deals.

AEfx

 

[gboiler1]

While the Moderates and up are nicer and roomier, you certainly don't lose out on themeing, especially if you have children, but we like it too!

The rooms are smaller, but you have to determine how much time you plan to spend in the room.

We have always done the buses and have always been satisfied with getting around.

 

[Ducky_Love]

Actually, *if* for some reason I was staying off-site, I'd look into one of the many condo rentals out there. You can be 1-3 miles from WDW in a house with bedrooms and bathrooms and a kitchen, etc., for $600-700/week if you find good deals.

AEfx

But if they are booking with Virgin Holidays, they are limited to the hotels Virgin has wholesale booking contracts with. I know that Virgin has fiercely competitive rates in the I-drive area.. so even with their commission added the prices are still very low. Be aware if you haven't stayed on I-drive before.. it is NOTHING like Disney. The traffic can be an absolute nightmare.

My advice:
I would at least LOOK into your options outside of booking with Virgin. If you are willing to organize your own trip there are bargains to be had... also I would contact Disney directly and other wholesalers (Holiday House, Thomas Cook, New World Travel ect.) it pays to shop around!

If you still decide to stay off-site PLEASE try to actually talk to someone that has stayed in that hotel recently. There are so many hotels in this area that sometimes ads are misleading or information is outdated. Drop me a PM if I can help~ I know the area pretty well! :wave:

Ducky!