Mom & I travelling alone, need avg $50 a night hotel near parks

[blackberrybunny]

Hi,
My mom and I are travelling alone. Just the 2 of us, our first trip to Disney/Epcot/Disney Hollywood Studios.
We are pulling our hair out using tripadvisor, google earth, hotels.com, etc., trying to find a DECENT hotel near the parks, for around $50 or so a night.
Looking for a place that is safe, has a pool or two, and has decent ratings. Mom is handicapped, so a place with multiple floors is okay as long as there is an elevator. We're not spring chickens anymore, hahah! So we are two older ladies travelling alone, hoping to find a good rate at a safe hotel.
We'll be staying a week or so. Multiple nights, that is.
Can anyone give us some guidance?

 

[Lewisc]

Are you driving to Orlando? If you're flying will you be renting a car?

Many hotels either charge a resort fee, charge for parking or charge for shuttle buses. Disney charges $14 /day for theme parking.

You're going to have a hard time finding a decent place for $50 including those fees.

 

[blackberrybunny]

We are driving our own car. We are FL residents.

I know it's hard to find a place for that price, maybe we could bump it up a bit to around $60 a night?

What about those travel discount mags---are they any good? Are there deals in those? I am ready to scream in frustration!! HELLLPPPP! LOL!


***I should add that we are planning to leave THIS Monday, the 11th! Time is running out.... our schedule is somewhat flexible, but we want to go while the weather is still tolerable. From Monday 11, checkout on Friday, the 15th.***

 

[mrzrich]

Cut you trip shorter and stay on site, or save up until you can save enough money to stay on site. Anyplace you stay for $50 a night will be a dump. You will have to pay for parking at the theme parks so now you are up to $64 a day. If you stay on site, Disney buses will take you to and from the parks or if you prefer to drive yourself, parking is free to onsite guests.

 

[blackberrybunny]

What do you mean by 'on-site'? A Disney resort? Can you tell me which one would be good?

Okay, here's a crazy thing to say, but my mom is older, and she was hoping to find a 'quiet' hotel with a pool that isn't brimming and overflowing with kids! It's a minor thing, but we talked about staying at a disney resort and we both agreed that it would be full of screaming kids---something neither of us want to deal with. I know Disney is KID-LAND, and this sounds nuts, our request, but surely some older travellers can sympathize with us?? Please don't bash me!!

 

[mrzrich]

I just went on the WDW site and got a FL resident rate of $63 a night for Monday, Tues, Wed, and then $101 on Thursday night at All Star Music or Sports. Total $331

Free parking and less hassle.

 

[Lewisc]

Cheap places are definitely going to appeal to budget oriented families. $$$ resorts might have, slightly, fewer kids.

I think your best bet is the All Star Music Resort with a FL resident discount. Y You can save a few dollars if you book an offiste, or DTD, hotel but your resort fees and parking fees will take back much of your savings.

I'd call now and see what's available with the FL resident rate. All Star Music has the lowest rack rate.

The feature pool at any resort, any star level, will be full of kids. Best bet is one of the quiet pools. The pool without the slide.

 

[blackberrybunny]

We looked into the Music place, but mom was afraid there would be so many kids there... can anyone tell me, ARE there a ton of kids at these Disney resorts?

We've compared bits and pieces and the only advantage we could see to stay there was that they'd pay for Disney parking, saving us $14 a day...... there were no other perks for us to staying at the Music resort.......

Still looking for a deal-- looking into Country Inns and Suites, rates are under $50 a night, 3 pools, free breakfast, free shuttle service. Any ideas on this place?

 

[Lewisc]

We looked into the Music place, but mom was afraid there would be so many kids there... can anyone tell me, ARE there a ton of kids at these Disney resorts?

We've compared bits and pieces and the only advantage we could see to stay there was that they'd pay for Disney parking, saving us $14 a day...... there were no other perks for us to staying at the Music resort.......

Still looking for a deal-- looking into Country Inns and Suites, rates are under $50 a night, 3 pools, free breakfast, free shuttle service. Any ideas on this place?

What's the FL resident price for All Star Music?

Country Inns and Suites has a $15/night resort fee. That means your cost, if you drive to Disney, will be $79/night. Disney runs buses about every 20 minutes. Country Inns probably has a limited scheduled shuttle service.

3 pools and free breakfast. You don't think they'll be a ton of kids in that place?

Accept the fact that they'll be a lot of kids or find a different place to go.

 

[blackberrybunny]

A resort fee? What in the heck is that for?!!!

I guess you are right--there's going to be kids no matter where we go I guess....but I still think there'd be tons more at the disney music resort.

Gosh, this is so difficult!!!!!

Maybe the music resort IS the better deal???

 

[disney1990]

What's the FL resident price for All Star Music?

Country Inns and Suites has a $15/night resort fee. That means your cost, if you drive to Disney, will be $79/night. Disney runs buses about every 20 minutes. Country Inns probably has a limited scheduled shuttle service.

3 pools and free breakfast. You don't think they'll be a ton of kids in that place?

Accept the fact that they'll be a lot of kids or find a different place to go.

No resort fee here. But I do agree that they should try to stay on property if they can.

 

[Granny square]

Baymont inn on black lake. We got it for $42 but there was a $6 resort charge. Typical hotel breakfast and ask for a courtyard room.

It is just outside the property, 5 minutes from the akl and park. 5 mins from target if you go the other way!

 

[mrzrich]

A resort fee? What in the heck is that for?!!!

I guess you are right--there's going to be kids no matter where we go I guess....but I still think there'd be tons more at the disney music resort.

Gosh, this is so difficult!!!!!

Maybe the music resort IS the better deal???

It is a better deal. The convenience of hopping on a Bus anytime you decide you want to go back to your resort is priceless.

There will be kids any place you stay in Orlando. My 79 yo mother and I stay at Disney Value resorts Such as All Star Music every Mother Day's weekend. It is our "Girls Only" Tradition. We are not inundated by screaming kids. The kids we do see are generally pretty darn cute.

Next week is Mardi Gras week. You will be surrounded by people in purple LSU gear. You will think the entire state of Louisiana emptied out. It won't be terribly crowded. But you will see a lot of Purple. The following week with President's day will probably be more crowded as many Northern Schools have that whole week off.


For a nice grown up break from the parks I suggest reserving Tea at the Garden View Tea Room at the Grand Floridian. Do this on your Magic Kingdom Day. Take the Resort Monorail to the Grand Floridian. Very nice and relaxing. We usually have this as our lunch, as the "Grand Tea" includes finger sandwiches, scones, tarts and pastries. Although you may have luck getting seated a a walk up I suggest making a reservation becuase seating is limited.

 

[blackberrybunny]

Can someone please tell me if there is a 'resort fee' added on to the room rates to stay at the all star music resort? Thanks!

 

[BadgerGirl84]

No, there is not a resort fee to stay at any of the Disney resorts, including All Star Music. You will run into kids at any hotel near WDW you pick, even ones you think would be catered more for business travelers. You have no way of knowing if the kids at your hotel will be angels or terrors.

I am almost always a "stay off site to save money!" type person, but that Florida rate at All Star Music does sound pretty good, considering you will have access to Disney transportation or free parking at the Disney parks if you choose to drive.

I did a quick Expedia search and didn't find any great options at your price point. The Country Inn and Suites did look pretty nice at an average of $45/night but then there was that $15/day resort fee....which when you add in the price of parking at the parks...brings you over the All Star Music price.

 

[Granny square]

The tea is wonderful.

No resort fee at asm

 

[blackberrybunny]

I found on a ASM resort Facts sheet that there IS a 7% tax (of course) PLUS an additional 6% resort fee. The ASM resort is not for us.

Looks like we'll be staying at the Ramada, not far from the ASM resort. Prices are low and they have 2 pools. That is really all we wanted anyhow.

Thanks for all of your help!!

If anyone has anything to add, another place to stay, please DO let me know--as we have not made reservations yet. I just can't sit here any longer today trying to sort this mess out, my head is swimming!!! This is TOUGH trying to book a nice place to stay!!

 

[mrzrich]

No there IS NO resort fee at All Star Music. The tax rate for ALL HOTELS in the entire area on Disney Property and Off Disney Property is 13%. It is called a tourist tax. That is the additional 6% you are referring to. You will be paying that 13% regardless of where you stay.

A resort fee is a daily fee charged by many hotels in addition to the rate you see advertised or the price you are quoted. Many hotels also charge a fee to park your car at the hotel.


In addition, if you stay off Disney Property you will be charged $14 a day to park at the theme parks.

Disney owned hotels such as All Stars do not charge a resort fee or a parking fee. Parking is free at the hotel and also at the theme parks for resort guests.

 

[Lewisc]

I found on a ASM resort Facts sheet that there IS a 7% tax (of course) PLUS an additional 6% resort fee. The ASM resort is not for us.

Looks like we'll be staying at the Ramada, not far from the ASM resort. Prices are low and they have 2 pools. That is really all we wanted anyhow.

Thanks for all of your help!!

If anyone has anything to add, another place to stay, please DO let me know--as we have not made reservations yet. I just can't sit here any longer today trying to sort this mess out, my head is swimming!!! This is TOUGH trying to book a nice place to stay!!

You need to believe the answers that we post. Disney doesn't charge a resort fee. The tax consists of sales tax of 7% + a hotel tax of 6% totaling 13% Check other hotels, 13% is the tax rate. Many hotels charge a resort fee in addition to local taxes.

You're considering the Ramada.

Check the reviews on sites like Trip Advisor. 60 of the 173 people who reviewed the hotel rated it terrible (the lowest rating).

One recent review:

This place may have been a great place in its day but that day has long passed. Sitting in the restroom and had a cockroach run a crossed my foot. It wasn't even dark in the restroom. The furnishings in the room were old, beat up and from the 80's

Older properties have a choice. They can spend $$$ and renovate or they can let the property deteriorate and discount. A $40 rate doesn't give the hotel enough money to clean carpets, offer decent bedding, fumigate....

All Star Music would be my first choice, your criteria.Otherwise look at Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista. Currently $49 through bookit.com, maybe the same from other places, my guess the hotel's site will match the price.

The difference The Ramada's regular rate is around $50, the Clarion's regular rate is $70-$100. The bookit deal is a good promotion.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Agree with the other posters, you pay the 13% tax at any hotel, including ASM and any other off-site place. The only place that won't charge those is renting a timeshare from an owner.

Are you staying at the Ramada Gateway Kissimmee? Good luck and pray you get a Tower room. I checked out the reviews on Trip Advisor (a travel resource that has always helped me plan my trips) and everyone who is staying in the non-tower rooms is saying they are moldy, dirty, paint chipping, etc. I don't mean to scare you, just sharing their feedback.

I agree with the previous poster...keep looking or book ASM.