Help Needed...Accomadations

[WayneMan117]

:wave:
Just wanted to say Hello to everyone first off,and yes.This is my very 1st
posting on this site.So hope everyone is doing well.

Let me start by saying I am planning a WDW vacation (1st time) for April
of 2011 with the wife and 2 kids,8 and 5.We are in the early stages of
planning our trip and will probably be on a limited budget.We wanna start
by deciding where we want to stay. I wanted to stay INSIDE the WDW
resort,but are finding that might be alittle hard to do and still meet our
budget. Sooo....now we're looking at some of the hotels near by.I would
very much like a free shuttle to the parks and at least 3 mi. or less to
WDW. Does anyone have any recommendation? Also I have listed a few
below that I have found online. If any of you have stayed at one of the
ones I have mentioned, or know of anyone who has. I would greatly
appreciate any info....
-Marrott-fairfield inn & suites near Universal
-Baymont Inn and suites (Celebration)
-Holiday Inn Int. drive Orlando
-Hawthorn Suites Wyndam Universal

those are the ones under early consideration,but we will consider others
too.Thanks 4 any help! :wave:

 

[Nemo14]

I can't vouch for any of those, but I caution you about use of the free shuttles. There are many horror stories out there about some of the shuttle services (most service more than one hotel). You might want to check with a Kingdom Konsultant agent and see what kinds of discounts might be available to you before you decide about not staying on property.

 

[CaptainJackNO]

Check the hotels on hotel plaza boulevard. More specifically Hotel Royal Plaza, Best Western Lake Buena Vista, and Regal Sun. These hotels usually have excellent rates compared to Disney, and it is on property with shuttle. Did you check the value resorts? Pop Century and the All Stars?
The website is www.downtowndisneyhotels.com

 

[Mammymouse]

Have you checked out any of the Disney Value Hotels for price yet like the 3 different All Stars? They do offer discount pricing from time to time, so that might be a better option. You would be on property being immersed in the Disney magical atmosphere and get free transportation anytime.

 

[daliseurat]

You REALLY need to check out the free shuttles. Usually they only operate at specific times that may not be in line with your plans.

Also, you need to figure in your airport transportation.

We did some math and found that staying at the value resorts on property was as inexpensive or less expensive than staying off property. Staying off property frequently means you need to rent a car to be able to have the schedule you desire.

So to repeat...REALLY find out how those free shuttles work.

And if you've got a great option, let us all know!

Good luck!

 

[Master Yoda]

:wave:
Just wanted to say Hello to everyone first off,and yes.This is my very 1st
posting on this site.So hope everyone is doing well.

Let me start by saying I am planning a WDW vacation (1st time) for April
of 2011 with the wife and 2 kids,8 and 5.We are in the early stages of
planning our trip and will probably be on a limited budget.We wanna start
by deciding where we want to stay. I wanted to stay INSIDE the WDW
resort,but are finding that might be alittle hard to do and still meet our
budget. Sooo....now we're looking at some of the hotels near by.I would
very much like a free shuttle to the parks and at least 3 mi. or less to
WDW. Does anyone have any recommendation? Also I have listed a few
below that I have found online. If any of you have stayed at one of the
ones I have mentioned, or know of anyone who has. I would greatly
appreciate any info....
-Marrott-fairfield inn & suites near Universal
-Baymont Inn and suites (Celebration)
-Holiday Inn Int. drive Orlando
-Hawthorn Suites Wyndam Universal

those are the ones under early consideration,but we will consider others
too.Thanks 4 any help! :wave:

Hi WayneMan...I am Richard and I am an agent with Kingdom Konsultants. If you like you can PM me with your travel dates and your budget and we will see what we can work out. Most people are quite surprised how affordable the Disney resorts can be when you look at the big picture. We do not charge for our services and if you ask around you will find that we have a very good reputation here.

I look forward to hearing from you!

 

[dreamfinder]

I would very much like a free shuttle to the parks and at least 3 mi. or less to WDW.

I don't have any off site recommendations, but something to keep in mind when looking at off site hotels. Many will list their distance/travel time to the nearest edge of the property. It can still be another 10-20 minutes from that point depending on where you are going.

I do strongly advise working with one of the travel agents that specialize in WDW travel, like Kingdom Konsultants as they tend to do a much better job than many regular travel agents do.

Between the perks of staying onsite, such as Extra Magic Hours, to the hassles of dealing with off site transporation, I can't recommend staying on property enough. If you plan well, it can be affordable.

If you can't then I would stick with the downtowndisneyhotels listed earlier. They seem to have a higher and more consistent quality. You can find cheaper ones further away, but then your quality can vary wildly.

 

[Pooh'sBuddy]

Hi, WayneMan. Not knowing how you are getting to the World, I can only add my two cents about horror stories of outside shuttles (bad service, waiting for shuttles...the next one's full...waiting for shuttles, bad hours, etc.), the little amenities of staying onsite that can add up (EMH, free parking, Magical Express to/from airport [if you're flying], etc.) and utilizing Kingdom Konsultant sohappy.

I totally empathize the staying within a budget. Have a great trip.

 

[Monty]

An important consideration at this point is to make any restaurant reservations for sit-down meals ASAP. The really popular retaurants will likely already be booked solid for April and you may be hard-pressed to get popular times at those restaurants that aren't already fully booked.

A sad reality at modern-day WDW is that restaurants need to be booked at or as close to 180 days before you show up at the restaurant.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/reservations/dining/ is the on-line reservations site. It will be closed for maintenance on 16 November at 5PM EST and should be fully restored to operations by 6AM on the 17th.

 

[WayneMan117]

Mastor YODA

Hi WayneMan...I am Richard and I am an agent with Kingdom Konsultants. If you like you can PM me with your travel dates and your budget and we will see what we can work out. Most people are quite surprised how affordable the Disney resorts can be when you look at the big picture. We do not charge for our services and if you ask around you will find that we have a very good reputation here.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Sent you a private message.

Won't need a rental car,we're driving...Wow,I see the Admin.s moved
my posting.

 

[SAV]

One suggestion I have for you is to buy an 'Entertainment Book' and look at the hotels they have deals with. We have stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott @ Vista Place and the Sheraton Safari right down from Hotel Plaza blvd. Both are in the "book" and are affordable. We were able to use the discount and get the Marriott for $60 per night. We are Marriott members and got upgraded to a 1br Suite. The Sheraton was a bit more per night, but did have a nicer pool area. Marriott had a fridge in the room, Sheraton didn't. Both were minutes from the parks. Super easy to get to the parks if you have a GPS. You will have to pay the $15 per day for parking, so figure that in too.

See what Richard can do for you, but deals during spring break may be hard to find.

 

[ddbowdoin]

Ok, I can vouch for Baymon Inn Celebration. It's a pretty amazing hotel for the price and value. It's super close to the parks (a mile) to the Disney highway stretch. The rooms are clean and the free breakfast is a nice money saver. I would avoid the shuttle, it's a joint venture that services several hotels and is slow. I rented a car so all of this was from overhearing comments by other guests who relied on the service. It's a catch 22, sure.. my rental was fast but ended up costing me 14 bucks a day in parking.

 

[Susan Savia]

We have stayed at the Ramada Gateway, one mile to the parks and for a place to lay our heads and shower, its absolutely perfect for us. We park at our door and there is a mini fridge in our room and free internet service. Theres several restaurants onsite and a pool and many activities. We drive and it takes a very few minutes. We also like that there are many family restaurants in the area. Disney food can be expensive.

 

[yensid67]

:wave:
Just wanted to say Hello to everyone first off,and yes.This is my very 1st
posting on this site.So hope everyone is doing well.

Let me start by saying I am planning a WDW vacation (1st time) for April
of 2011 with the wife and 2 kids,8 and 5.We are in the early stages of
planning our trip and will probably be on a limited budget.We wanna start
by deciding where we want to stay. I wanted to stay INSIDE the WDW
resort,but are finding that might be alittle hard to do and still meet our
budget.

Wayne:
I am planning a trip in 2012 for 3 Adults. We have 2 hotels in mind...Clarion Lake Buena Vista and The Rosen. The Clarion is right outside the gate off Hotel Plaza, less than a 5 minute drive! So its like you are still on property. The Rosen is across from Wet'nWild water park on I drive, and is very nice and decent! Each hotel has just come through a multi-mllion dollar renovation! You will need a rental car to get to either of them, but I found that most rates are cheapest a few weeks before your arrival! Also, try using Expedia bundle packages. This is the cheapest I have found online to use. or try clarionlbv.com or roseninn6327.com they have hotel packages too!
I hope this helps!

 

[daks]

DO NOT stay at Baymont Inn Celebration.

I went a couple of months ago and the man who checked me in did not put me in the system. As a result, they gave someone else my room, and other guests opened our door while my party was sleeping in the middle of the night. When I told the receptionist, she couldn't care less.

 

[harrysmum1976]

Hawthorn suites Lake Beuna Vista

We stayed at The Hawthorns Suite Lake Beauna Vista in May 2008, it was an excellent place to stay, very affordable, complimentory breakfast everyday, your own kitchen, huge fridge, microwave, lounge and laundry facilites and was only 4 minutes away from the main gates of disney at Downtown Disney, would recommend this hotel anytime. Not too noisy even when at high season.

Claire

P.s we are staying at the Sun Regal this time around which is in Downtown Disney area, but still has some Disney comps.... transportation, walkable to the village etc...
Have posted a new thread under - off site hotels forum.

:xmas::xmas::xmas::xmas: :xmas::xmas::xmas::xmas: :xmas::xmas:

 

[yensid67]

clarionlbv.com

Try this hotel...it's really close to Downtown Disney area and Hotel Plaza Blvd...its right behind the Crossroads Shopping Center across from the Hotel Plaza entrance in Palm Parkway...they have some good deals, we are actually staying here in December 2012.
Also, you may want to try going thru Expedia.com for the clarionlbv...in the hotel name box type in ROSEN, as this is owned by Rosen Hotels. all of the Rosen hotels have just gone thru a multi-million dollar reno as you can see on the site...all the hotel rooms in all the Rosen proeries are the same! micro and frig in all rooms! For tickets youmay want to try theofficialticketcenter.com a 3 day+2 days free! is only $237.00 for adults and $214.00 for children. I hope you find a great deal and Have a magical time!

P.S.
WELCOME TO THE SITE, WHERE WE ALL PASS AROUND HINTS AND TIPS AS A FAMILY! WE ARE ALL FRIENDS ON HERE:wave:

 

[WayneMan117]

My Package

Since I started this post, heres what I have come up with.Please let
me know what some of your thoughts are,and if U think I can still do
better.(haven't booked yet)
I have a off site hotel at the Holiday Inn 1/2 mi. from WDW.
7 nights....I have a 5 day Magic your way pass for 2 adults
and 2 kids with Park hopper/water parks.And this is during what
most consider,PEAK SEASON or black out dates-Easter weekend.

All this for $2200....thoughts?

 

[yensid67]

Since I started this post, heres what I have come up with.Please let
me know what some of your thoughts are,and if U think I can still do
better.(haven't booked yet)
I have a off site hotel at the Holiday Inn 1/2 mi. from WDW.
7 nights....I have a 5 day Magic your way pass for 2 adults
and 2 kids with Park hopper/water parks.And this is during what
most consider,PEAK SEASON or black out dates-Easter weekend.

All this for $2200....thoughts?

I did a little searching with your info above and the deal you have for $2200 is the best of what I can find! Good Luck! and hope you have a MAgical Trip!

 

[LeafsFanNL]

HI There,

There are very few absolutes when planning a Disney vacation. The most important one is that if you are offsite you must have a car. I have a horror story from a 2008 stay at the Sheraton Vistana. I'll never stay offsite again.