Help with Planning my July/Aug Vacation!

[lakersfreak]

Hello! I am thinking of taking my family to WDW late July through early August for about 12 days next summer, and need some help. We will be going to all of the Disney theme parks (no water parks), and the two Universal parks during our stay. We will be staying at WDW the entire time we're there and just commute to Universal the days we will be going there.

Thoughts on the moderate hotels? looking at staying at Caribbean Beach Resort or Port Orleans. I'd like to stay in a resort that has the room to the doors inside, not outside like a motel.
Planning on getting 5 theme park tickets with 1 park per day; assuming 1 park per day will be enough to see everything, and 1 extra day if one of the parks is too large for 1 day. Thoughts?
Would it be better to also get the hopper on the tickets?
Is there car rental on the WDW property or nearby? We need to be able to drive to Universal and around the city the days we are not going to WDW parks.
I read online that on average it rains 14 days per month in Orlando during July and August. Will the parks still be open? Is the rainy season usually heavy rain, or will we be able to manage?
This is all I can think of for now....I will add more questions as things come up.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!!

 

[VaderTron]

How about 10% and you have yourself a deal!

After all the booking I've done over the years it would be easy money. To be honest, I actually like doing it.

 

[KRW101]

Or if you did read beyond the title then you clearly didn't want to contribute anything besides sarcasm. Well done.

I enjoyed the sarcasm...........

 

[yensid67]

LAKERSFREAK...
I am assuming you will be flying into Orlando International? You can rent a car there...I would suggest ALAMO because the price you PREPAY is all that is required(or use to be) Other car rentals charge you the rental PLUS a deposit of the same amount. Alamo at the most will charge $100 CREDIT HOLD on your card, then releases it at the end of your rental upon payment(if paying at counter) I don't think they place a hold on your card if you PREPAY, since they would have your credit card info if anything happens to the car! SOMEONE PLEASE CORRECT IF WRONG!

 

[nickys]

LAKERSFREAK...
I am assuming you will be flying into Orlando International? You can rent a car there...I would suggest ALAMO because the price you PREPAY is all that is required(or use to be) Other car rentals charge you the rental PLUS a deposit of the same amount. Alamo at the most will charge $100 CREDIT HOLD on your card, then releases it at the end of your rental upon payment(if paying at counter) I don't think they place a hold on your card if you PREPAY, since they would have your credit card info if anything happens to the car! SOMEONE PLEASE CORRECT IF WRONG!

Not sure if you’re correct or not.

But Alamo terms are exactly the same if you rent from the Swan/Dolphin as they are at the Airport. And when we book we have always found the price to be the same too.

With the jet lag, we prefer to use DME to get to Disney, and then collect the car a day or two later.

@lakersfreak, if you’re only wanting the car to drive to Universal I would consider just using Uber instead. It would probably work out cheaper than renting a car. On the other hand, if you plan to drive to the parks each day then obviously rent a car.

 

[yensid67]

Not sure if you’re correct or not.

But Alamo terms are exactly the same if you rent from the Swan/Dolphin as they are at the Airport. And when we book we have always found the price to be the same too.

With the jet lag, we prefer to use DME to get to Disney, and then collect the car a day or two later.

@lakersfreak, if you’re only wanting the car to drive to Universal I would consider just using Uber instead. It would probably work out cheaper than renting a car. On the other hand, if you plan to drive to the parks each day then obviously rent a car.

I WOULD JUST CALL ALAMO AND FIND OUT THE PRICE AND ALL THE HIDDEN FEES SUCH AS DEPOSITS. The prices will be the same from place to place, but if you are using a car for other things then I would just rent at the airport. Reminder that vehicles are $13+ PER NIGHT for resort guests. Personally I stay off property because of vehicle fee and prices of hotel rooms. I can save $100's by staying nearby off property...those savings can be added to cash for purchases. Disney is still getting the money, but you are getting something in return!

 

[larryz]

All Disney moderate and value resorts have “motel style” exterior room doors. Only deluxe resorts have corridors with interior room doors.

With the opening of the Gran Destino, that's changed -- the tower rooms open off a corridor. The Riviera is a DVC resort, so I wouldn't count it as a Mod, even tho' it's co-located with a Moderate resort.

 

[lakersfreak]

Is it more convenient to rent a car and save $ by staying at a nearby non-Disney hotel and drive to theme parks each day, or no car, stay in a Disney hotel and take the trams/skyways/boats?

 

[lakersfreak]

cost is

It is more convenient to stay in a Disney hotel and use Disney transportation, although some people prefer Uber/Lyft even from non Disney hotels. You can even take Disney transportation from the airport at no additional cost (Disney Magical Express). Disney transportation will drop you off at the entrance to the park. If you drive, you will probably have to take a parking tram from your car, and at Magic Kingdom also switch to monorail or boat. You also have to pay for parking and the cost of the rental car. In my experience, Alamo has been no different than other rental companies so not sure where that came from.

This is very different from Disneyland where there are only three Disney hotels and a ton of good neighbors. In Florida there are a ton of Disney hotels and you can't walk to any park from the non Disney ones (other than Swan or Dolphin).

The exception is if cost is the primary factor, it may make sense to sacrifice convenience and stay off site. But make sure you factor in the cost of car rental and parking.

cost is a not as big as a factor as convenience. I want the bet possible experience for my family. I am only really worried about the weather at this point....not sure how we would do in the rain, assuming it rained most of the time we were there.