Where to stay for family of 5 in Orlando?

[ranman1973]

Yeah, this question has probably been asked before but it's good to keep things fresh, right?

So, for a family of 5, what are the desired placed to stay? I'm mostly interested in the placed in Florida / Orlando that come up on Hotwire or Priceline because I can save so much money?

What do people think about AirBnb for Orlando and other parts of Florida.

 

[Fantasmiss]

Yeah, this question has probably been asked before but it's good to keep things fresh, right?

So, for a family of 5, what are the desired placed to stay? I'm mostly interested in the placed in Florida / Orlando that come up on Hotwire or Priceline because I can save so much money?

What do people think about AirBnb for Orlando and other parts of Florida.

Sorry, I know this isn't answering your question, but if at all possible, I'd recommend staying on property. I'd rather stay anywhere on property than anywhere off property.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Missytara]

Yeah, this question has probably been asked before but it's good to keep things fresh, right?

So, for a family of 5, what are the desired placed to stay? I'm mostly interested in the placed in Florida / Orlando that come up on Hotwire or Priceline because I can save so much money?

What do people think about AirBnb for Orlando and other parts of Florida.

You will want to post on the Orlando hotels board; this board is for on-site resorts.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Yeah, this question has probably been asked before but it's good to keep things fresh, right?

So, for a family of 5, what are the desired placed to stay? I'm mostly interested in the placed in Florida / Orlando that come up on Hotwire or Priceline because I can save so much money?

What do people think about AirBnb for Orlando and other parts of Florida.

Hello! Here is a link to the Orlando hotel message board: http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=15

 

[Lynne M]

I'll move this over to the Orlando Hotels board...

 

[ranman1973]

I'll move this over to the Orlando Hotels board...

Thanks everyone. I didn't notice the subtle distinction between boards when I posted.

 

[Upatnoon]

Yeah, this question has probably been asked before but it's good to keep things fresh, right?

So, for a family of 5, what are the desired placed to stay? I'm mostly interested in the placed in Florida / Orlando that come up on Hotwire or Priceline because I can save so much money?

What do people think about AirBnb for Orlando and other parts of Florida.

The best deals for a family of 5? Renting timeshares. There are a ton of great ones in Orlando. Start your research by looking at wyndham bonnet creek, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.

 

[DawnM]

It might be better to start with asking what you are looking for?

1. What is your budget, or what price range are you looking for?
2. What size do you want? 2 bedroom? 3 bedroom?
3. House? Condo? Does it matter to you?

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm mostly interested in the placed in Florida / Orlando that come up on Hotwire or Priceline because I can save so much money?

Unlike many other areas of the US, the best deals in Orlando aren't really hotels. Instead, it might be worth looking into either (a) privately owned condos, townhomes, or pool homes that are zoned for short-term rental, or (b) a timeshare condo, rented from an owner. Option A is like staying in your uncle's (usually very nice) home that happens to be a stone's throw from WDW property---lots of privacy, very quiet, but not necessarily a "resort" in nature. Option B will be a little more "in the action", but will also have more common resort amenities---pools, food service, maybe mini-golf, etc.

The most commonly-mentioned neighborhood for private rentals is Windsor Hills. The most commonly-mentioned timeshare is Bonnet Creek. But, there are many (many!) others.

 

[baler31]

Where to stay depends upon what you are doing in the area, family dynamics and what sort of service you desire. Other than that keep in mind Priceline only prices for a 1 bed room does not guarantee occupancy for anything over 2.

 

[DawnM]

Since you say you are interested in Hotwire/Priceline (both of which do not guarantee a room for 5 by the way) I will offer another alternative, SkyAuction.com

I will go back and find some posts I have made about it in the past to explain how it works, but we travel to Orlando this way and it has been fantastic, with only one place I will never visit again (Westgate!) and repost them here.

Right now we are leaving Sunday to stay at Polynesian Isles for $229/wk including taxes for a 2 bedroom with a full kitchen. That is $32.71/night.

Dawn

 

[DawnM]

Here is my "method:"

1. Go to SkyAuction.com and buy resort certificates. (type in Resort Certificates in the Keyword Search bar)
2. Go to ResortCerts.com and see what is available.
3. If it is a resort I haven't stayed in yet, I check it out on TripAdvisor.com.
4. If I am still not thrilled with the choices, I keep coming back and checking. New resorts are added all the time.
5. Just remember, once you book, it is YOURS, so don't book until you are sure that is the week and location you want to have.

For example: This trip I needed 2 weeks. I found one of my weeks at a place I was willing to book. I then waited about a week more and the 2nd week I needed showed up at that same resort. So, we will not be able to stay in the same local the entire time.

Typically the best selection is closer to the travel date. I booked last week for our trip that starts Oct. 28.

The other thing to note is that you have the condo for the full 7 nights. You can call to check in a day or two later if you need to or you can leave a day or two early if you wish. Just make sure that if you are checking in LATE that you CALL and let them know so they don't assume you aren't coming at all.

 

[Brian Noble]

Also, pay *very* close attention to the extra fees on some sky auction certificates. What looks like a good deal on the surface sometimes isn't at all.

 

[DawnM]

If you buy the certificates you aren't bidding. Once you purchase them, that is the final price.

Of course it is always a good idea to read the fine print.

I have never found hotels to be a good deal and the auctions vary wildly in price......same place can range from $1-$300 plus a $299 weekly fee on top of that.

That is why I don't mess around with the auctions, I haven't found them to be the best deal.

Also, pay *very* close attention to the extra fees on some sky auction certificates. What looks like a good deal on the surface sometimes isn't at all.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I'm in the same boat so I'm eager to read the suggestions. Staying onsite is usually my preference as a solo or two-person trip. But now that I am marrying into a family with three kids, staying onsite just isn't practical. The only cost-effective option is staying at POR with the trundle but I cannot imagine having 2 adults, one 16 year old, a 9 year old and a 6 year old in one small hotel room. So we're looking offsite too and the options are too expansive. We are probably looking at a suite somewhere, at the very least.

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

There are plenty of options in Orlando. I have been looking for what feels like forever and finally booked this morning. There are 5 of us going in March for Spring Break and Easter. I love, love, love staying on site but the money I would need for the peak holiday rates is more than I want to spend so I had to look off site.

I ended up booking The Barefoot Suites for $600 for 7 nights, it has excellent reviews. http://www.thebarefootsuites.com/ They have 2 bedrooms, one with a king, one with a queen and a sleeper sofa along with a kitchen.

Another hotel I found highly recommended on this site was the Comfort Suites Maingate East by Old Town. www.comfortsuitesfl.com/ Two queen beds and a sleeper sofa along with a mini kitchen.

Homewood Suites on Marabella, two queen beds and a sleeper sofa along with a full kitchen and free breakfast. http://homewoodsuites3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/homewood-suites-by-hilton-lake-buena-vista-orlando-MCOVSHW/maps-directions/index.html

Holiday Inn on 535 has KidSuites, 2 bunk beds (4 single beds) and a king along with a mini kitchen. They do charge a resort fee of $11.95/day. http://www.hiresortlbv.com/

Buena Vista Suites on World Center Dr. has two queens, a sleeper sofa and mini kitchen. http://www.buenavistasuites.com/

There are also seemingly endless possibilities to rent a townhouse, condo or vacation home in the area. Prices are reasonable.

Hope that helps someone. We were looking for a place with a kitchen/mini kitchen (micro & fridge) to help cut down on food costs, along with enough beds for all 5 of us. These are the places that had decent reviews and fit my criteria.