Vacation on a budget...HELP

[RLMickey]

Hey Guys! I am new to the board. I have been reading the messages for months and finally decided to join.

Ok so here is my problem...

I have been to Disney World 3 times. I always want to stay at a different hotel every time. I am a college student now to pretty much value and downtown disney resorts are in my budget for next summer. I have stayed at All Star Movies, and if I had to would again. But I would like to know if the Downtown Disney Resorts are affordable and worth it? If so which one(s) are better? I am planning on going next summer, probably August. Thanks, I look forward to everyones help. :wave:

 

[disneydudette]

well the DTD WDW resorts are...

Port Orleans Resort (Riverside and French quater)
Old Key West Resort (DVC resort)

non-WDW owened are-

Courtyard by Marriott
Hotel Royal Plaza
Doubletree Guest Suites Resort
The Hilton Resort
Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa

I can't say much about the non-WDW ones...but I've stayed at Port Orleans...its a moderate resort...so slightly expensive....the rooms are spacious....and theres a boat to DTD.....

for the other resorts I'm stumped....heres a site where u can read reviews on them about them....

www.eopinions.com

my thing is that all the resort are prop equal...but u'd get more bennifits with staying at a disney resort....

but if all ur intrested in is DTD than maybe an off-site resort is what u need.....

hope this helps....

 

[DDPGambit]

Welcome to the boards!
I'm a college student too, so I know what it's like to go to Disney on a budget. The DTD resorts are going to cost you about what the Moderate resorts will, between 120-300 dollars depending on the hotel, room view, ect.
Your best bet will be a Disney value resort, either the All-Stars or Pop Century. Closer to the time of you vacation, check http://www.mousesavers.com , they have lots of coupon codes to use! For example, you may be able to get a room at an All-Star resort for $59 bucks a night. Not too shabby!
On that same token, you might be able to book a room at a moderate resort for $79-99 dollars a night.

 

[RLMickey]

Yeah I was figuring that I would have to stay at Value resort, which I don't mind. People complain about them but I don't see what the big deal is. I am hoping that PopCentury might be open by next August. They keep postponing the opening date, so who knows!

I have heard a lot about www.mousesavers.com. I have been there once. So how does it work. They just post coupons and you can use them?

BTW, DDP what college you go to?

 

[MattsCath]

USA Today has been posting ads with some of the same codes listed on the mousesavers website.
What about going through a college travel service?
They must have packages for your age group.
My bf said he used to go on singles vacations to WDW... won't be a need to do that anymore!

 

[Michael C]

My two-cents, for what it's worth: When I went on my honeymoon in July, we had a split vacation, three days at WDW, 2 days to see the Red Sox at Tampa Bay, and 5 more days at WDW. I wanted to do All-Star Music for the first part, and then go to Port Orleans, French Quarter for the rest. It just looks so nice!

We could only afford the All-Star Music, but I'm very glad we stayed there. You probably noticed when you were there that the All-Star hotels seem to get awesome bus service. I really don't think you can underestimate the convenience of that. Some of the unofficial guides talk about how the bus service tends to be better for the All-Stars.

So, if it's financial better to stay at an All-Star, even though you've been there, remember that there may be some benefits. I'm sure you knew all of this, but some perspective never hurts.

Good luck to you, and have loads of fun!!! :wave:

 

[raven]

I stayed at the Grosvenor Resort (a Downtown Disney hotel) many times and loved it. Each room has a microwave, fridge, coffee maker with coffee, safe and each moring there is a local newspaper outside of your door when you get up.

If you have AAA, you can stay pretty cheap. As cheep as the All Stars resorts. The rooms are much bigger and the hotel have their own transportation to the parks which reliable. Ask for a courtyard view for the best price.

 

[RLMickey]

Thanks a lot guys! I think, if it ends up that I can afford to go. We will stay in the All-Star Movies or Music. I really enjoyed those last time and they really were worth the money. They really get a bad repuatation. Yes they have more kids and families, but HELLO it is a family resort. :hammer:

But I know I will enjoy it no matter what, it is Disney World, come on what is there not to love! :slurp:

 

[cymbaldiva]

Originally posted by RLMickey
Yes they have more kids and families, but HELLO it is a family resort. :hammer:

But I know I will enjoy it no matter what, it is Disney World, come on what is there not to love! :slurp: [/B]

Hon - I used to think the same thing ..."It's Disney, how bad could it be?" Then I stayed there! This has all been discussed in another thread ....But anyway, for me it had nothing to do with all of the families and little ones at the All Stars. For me it was about the condition of the rooms....I really did expect rooms at Disney to be at least well-maintained!

That's just my .02 though - hope you have a fab time! At least you'll be there - that puts you one up on me! :lol:

 

[gjpjtj]

We have stayed at the All Stars each visit, and do so again in 2 weeks. We have never had a problem.

Cymbaldiva, what kind of maintenance problem did you have? Which resort All Star resort were you at?

 

[Atlaslaw]

Definitely look for the discount codes on Mousesaver.com. Also, as somebody else mentioned, talk to AAA if you're a member. For that matter get a AAA membership, it's worth it for the discounts they can offer for Disney alone.

My recommendation is don't buy a package though. Book room reservations separate and buy your park passes separate. It works out cheaper in the long run, or at least it has for us.

Good luck!

 

[DMC-12]

Originally posted by Atlaslaw
My recommendation is don't buy a package though. Book room reservations separate and buy your park passes separate. It works out cheaper in the long run, or at least it has for us.

You are right...you want to steer clear of the packages. I was going to book a package..thru disney...but then I was doing the research on my own...and I joined the disney club (40bucks..well worth it..I saved that alone on the discount on park hoppers)..
and in the long run..I am saving ALOT of money...from buying everything seperate (off the rack room rate only, park hoppers, meals) and looking for the best deal.

 

[Married@WDW]

Originally posted by gjpjtj
We have stayed at the All Stars each visit, and do so again in 2 weeks. We have never had a problem.

Cymbaldiva, what kind of maintenance problem did you have? Which resort All Star resort were you at?

I'm not Cymbaldiva, but I can tell you I was very disappointed with the room the two nights I stayed at the All-Star sports. The rooms seemed very dark and smaller than what I was used to at other Disney resorts. The pizza menu was scribbled all over, the dining table had a big chip in it and one of the bed spreads was ripped. I was not pleased at all, especially given that it was the two nights before my wedding and many of my guests were staying there too!

HOWEVER, none of my guests complained at all (though I got several complaints about Coronado Springs) and they all said the bus service and maid staff at the All-Stars was fantastic. Also, needing some gifts and gift wrapping help, the staff at the gift shop at the All Stars was AMAZING, finding me 4 different autograph books (they only had two different ones in the store, but called around for me so each child would have a different one), a huge box to put all the wrapped gifts in, and loaning me tape and scizzors so I wouldn't have to go off property to buy them (which I had totally built time in my day to do). I got an hour long nap that day because I had so much free time thanks to them, that I was bright-eyed and rested on my wedding day!

So for as sad as I was about the state of the room, in the end, I'm happy I stayed there.

 

[gjpjtj]

Originally posted by Married@WDW


I'm not Cymbaldiva, but I can tell you I was very disappointed with the room the two nights I stayed at the All-Star sports. The rooms seemed very dark and smaller than what I was used to at other Disney resorts. The pizza menu was scribbled all over, the dining table had a big chip in it and one of the bed spreads was ripped. I was not pleased at all, especially given that it was the two nights before my wedding and many of my guests were staying there too!

HOWEVER, none of my guests complained at all (though I got several complaints about Coronado Springs) and they all said the bus service and maid staff at the All-Stars was fantastic. Also, needing some gifts and gift wrapping help, the staff at the gift shop at the All Stars was AMAZING, finding me 4 different autograph books (they only had two different ones in the store, but called around for me so each child would have a different one), a huge box to put all the wrapped gifts in, and loaning me tape and scizzors so I wouldn't have to go off property to buy them (which I had totally built time in my day to do). I got an hour long nap that day because I had so much free time thanks to them, that I was bright-eyed and rested on my wedding day!

So for as sad as I was about the state of the room, in the end, I'm happy I stayed there.

Well as for the room size, etc. I don't think you can compare it to other on site hotels, I mean you are at a value resort. As for the bedspread, menu, etc. that is definitely unacceptable.

 

[cymbaldiva]

Originally posted by gjpjtj
We have stayed at the All Stars each visit, and do so again in 2 weeks. We have never had a problem.

Cymbaldiva, what kind of maintenance problem did you have? Which resort All Star resort were you at?

Hi! This is cymbaldiva ...There were holes in the walls and stains on the carpets - I was prepared for the fact that the room would be smaller than I was accustomed to, but I did expect it to be well kept up...it is Disney.

We were in ASMusic ....

 

[Talsonic]

Don't settle for less!

Originally posted by cymbaldiva


Hi! This is cymbaldiva ...There were holes in the walls and stains on the carpets - I was prepared for the fact that the room would be smaller than I was accustomed to, but I did expect it to be well kept up...it is Disney.

We were in ASMusic ....

I have visited AS Music on several occasions and have never had the problem(s) you describe. Logically, if you are dissatisfied with your room then it is your responsibility to request the desk clerk to move you to another room or fix the problem. If you accepted and tolerated a room that did not meet proper standards, then you are to blame, not the resort. I have found WDW resorts to be excellent in providing quality service. I was once upgraded from the All-Stars to the Contemporary for no extra charge because of a reservation error. It would seem that you allowed yourself to be "pushed around".

 

[cymbaldiva]

Re: Don't settle for less!

Originally posted by Talsonic


I have visited AS Music on several occasions and have never had the problem(s) you describe. Logically, if you are dissatisfied with your room then it is your responsibility to request the desk clerk to move you to another room or fix the problem. If you accepted and tolerated a room that did not meet proper standards, then you are to blame, not the resort. I have found WDW resorts to be excellent in providing quality service. I was once upgraded from the All-Stars to the Contemporary for no extra charge because of a reservation error. It would seem that you allowed yourself to be "pushed around".

Gee, this must be from the time before I became the Diva that I now am...

Now all that comes to mind is something my Mom always says "If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all " So...

:zipit:

 

[Talsonic]

Don't let them bully you!

Originally posted by cymbaldiva


Gee, this must be from the time before I became the Diva that I now am...

Now all that comes to mind is something my Mom always says "If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all " So...

:zipit:

That's nice to hear! I have always found the CM's in the resorts to be very accommodating. I've had my share of complaints over the years but they have always been resolved to my satisfaction by the staff. WDW resorts must live up to a very high expectation and in my experience they have always met my high standards. Just let the desk clerk know if your expectations are not met and you might be surprised with the response. The CM's at WDW are very willing to help. You just have to tell them if you have a problem!:wave:

 

[Married@WDW]

Re: Don't settle for less!

Originally posted by Talsonic

It would seem that you allowed yourself to be "pushed around".

Try getting a room change at 8 p.m. on December 26th (we got married on December 28th) -- the place was mobbed and I was just relieved they had a room for me at that point. I DID complain about the room, but they told me there really wasn't another room they could put me in unless I was willing to move to a smoking room, which I was not (didn't want my wedding dress to stink). Sometimes the fights aren't worth ruining the vacation over.

 

[swimcoachkevin]

ok, i am a college student from florida.. i've done it probably the cheapest i can imagine, all the way to not ever paying for parking while staying off site... Your best bet is to stay at one of the hotels on International Drive (I know, it's off site, but the comfort inn is like $40 a night).. then drive to the far end of the parking lot at downtown disney (behind the christmas shop) and park there.. then walk (it's like 3 blocks) to the first bus stop inside the disney institute and hop on the bus.. you'll get to the park way faster than any hotel shuttle and sure beats paying $10 for parking, and you can always get a bus back to downtown disney late at night from anywhere on site...