Ack!!! We didn't think we could go and now we can...

[jernysgirl]

Ok- so I didn't think we were going to be able to go to DLR until May because of DH's work. Now, we can't go in May, but can go in March. I hadn't made plans to go cuz I thought we weren't going for a few months, and now I am panicking because I am having a hard time finding a hotel that is close (within walking distance) and at a reasonable price. We are hoping to go the week of St. Patty's day. I am super excited but totally panicking. If I don't get anything done soon, we might not get to go until either summer (which I don't want to take the kids in) or fall (which is so far away!) Any suggestions on hotels?

 

[jencav5]

Does it have to be in walking distance? Most of those hotels are overpriced because they are in walking distance and not that nice. Plus, with March, you're going to have spring break issues. Also, what do you consider a decent price, and what are your actual dates?

 

[bumbershoot]

While looking at prices for HoJo, if, indeed, you are, remember that no matter what they have a 15% discount for Disboards members.

And if you're looking for the Entertainment Book discount, well, I don't know if you'll find it in March, but to maximize chances, look at your dates day by day in their online booking pages, and use code SD50.


I personally wouldn't stay out of walking distance b/c I find it to be such a good thing.

 

[jernysgirl]

Yes, I would like to have it within walking distance. With two young boys, I am not driving back and forth to the hotel or taking transportation. I would like to come and go as we please, not waiting on shuttles, etc. Walking distance to me, would be under 1 mile (I can handle a distance because we will have strollers) and I enjoy walking (even after walking in the park all day).

My dates are kind of flexible, arriving anywhere between the 11th of March and the 14th, and staying for 6 six nights, with five days in the parks.

I have searched almost all the hotels online, and no has rooms available, let alone the ent. rate or DIS rate for HOJO. I have yet to call directly as I was searching online first to see what I could find and will start calling in a couple of hours since I have a few things to do this afternoon first. I would considerable rates to be under $100 a night for a hotel.

I am thinking I'll get tickets from ares travel, and pick them up there since it seems to be the cheapest.

 

[princessnicchia]

We stay at the Tropicana---I looked up and no availability, but their sister hotel, the Camelot is a little more expensive ($100ish per night) and has availability.

This is one time where using an agent might help. I price everything out seperately (yes, I'm cheap, but I also love the planning) and then I used dreamsunlimitedtravel. I was very happy with their services (that is actually how I found this board) and it was the exact same price but with more service. Katie Dezak is their agent and she was wonderful. Anyhow, this is one of those times where they might be helpful because as I understand it the big agents have some reserved "blocks" they get to sell. (Don't take my word for it, I'm a little fuzzy on this point).

Anyhow, their web address is just their name and like I said, Katie was great. Might be worth a try. Good luck! We'll be there the same time---looks like a busy time!

 

[jernysgirl]

I know it is probably going to be busy, that is why I was hoping to be gone before Easter (even though I know we will only be missing it by one week), but as I said, this is the only time we can go before mid to late summer or fall. Has anyone ever stayed at the Quality Inn & Suites???? I found it has availability for $55/night through a travel sight (Skoosh). Anyone have experience here?

 

[bumbershoot]

"I would considerable rates to be under $100 a night for a hotel."

Ooh, right around the start of Spring Break season? Yikes!

11th and 12th have rooms at hojo, though at almost twice what you want (before 15% off).

If you're considering hojo, I'd call them, see if you can talk to Lorealle, and see what she can do for you.


Check orbitz, travelocity...

I haven't used the mentioned travel agency, but I think they are one that the dis suggests for WDW, so they can't be horrible.

Have been continuing to go through dates, and on the 13th one runs into problems b/c it's only King beds or two double beds, vs the 2 Queen beds from the days before. I don't know how many are in your fam so I'm using 2 adults 2 kids.


Good luck! I would definitely hop on that phone, b/c sometimes phone reservations are separate from online (so they don't sell the same room at the same time, perhaps?) and they might have a different "stock" than is showing online.


Oh yeah, have you look at the Motel 6? I've heard that it's actually a decent quality motel (that one, at least!) and I've often seen good prices when toodling around their site. It's kind of behind other hotels, but still walking distance.

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh Oh Oh! Also check Alpine Inn on Katella. Although people rarely mention it here, it has a nice reputation on mouseplanet.

Don't forget this map.

 

[jernysgirl]

I'll check out Motel 6 for sure. I know my prices are probably unreasonable, but it being so close, we have to go cheap because I has originally thought we had two more months to save. I'll see what I can find, and if we can't afford to go or can't find something, then we might just have to change our plans.

 

[Vacation Dad]

If you are not having any luck on-line, be sure to give some of the hotels a call directly – and use the number direct to the hotel, not a national 800 #. Also, check out websites such as Travelocity.com or getawaytoday.com. Hotels sell their rooms different ways, so different contact points have different rooms available.

When we wanted to stay at the Best Western PPI over Thanksgiving, there were different room availablities on their website vs. calling them direct, and neither of them had a room available for the entire time we wanted it. We went on Travelocity.com and got the room we wanted for the period we wanted, and at a lower price that their website showed.

Good luck!

 

[MPHARJ]

I agree with the others, try Travelocity, Orbitz and even Hotwire. There are hotels availalbe with all of these, just not how close some of them are to your desired location. Good luck and happy hunting.

 

[jencav5]

There must be something going on besides spring break because I did some checking around and all the hotels I checked are booked or priced extra high from the 11th to 16th. If you change your date starting the 17th, then there is more availability.

Sorry, haven't stayed at Quality Inn & Suites, so not sure about it. I assume it's in walking distance, though. You should be able to find some reviews on Trip Advisor.

 

[jernysgirl]

We choose the 13-19 of March, at the Quality Inn. It seems to be an ok place, good enough to sleep I suppose. SUPER cheap! (about $370 for 6 nights!!!) I got a good deal going through travel website and used promo code.

So excited!!! Just over two weeks! I know we're crazy but who cares, we're going to DL!!!

 

[DevilDuckie]

Oh Oh Oh! Also check Alpine Inn on Katella. Although people rarely mention it here, it has a nice reputation on mouseplanet.

Don't forget this map.

I stayed there. It is "no frills" but was clean and well maintained when we went in '03. During busy times when they open the Timon lot the tram covers half of the distance between the hotel and the park and even on foot it's not a dreadul walk- certainly less than a mile.

 

[scanmom]

I am assuming that you mean the on on Manchester? Me and DD20 stayed there this past Dec. 2-6 and it was fine. The breakfast is worthless...long lines for day old donuts! An the waffle machines are outside, and have a VERY long wait! We went once, then just got pastries in the parks the rest of the time. The rooms are small to medium sized, clean, ad have a fridge. I think there is a microwave, but I might be wrong on that. The only weird thing was that the door to the bathroom opened right onto the sink area, so you have to be careful not to hit anyone with it! And the walk to he parks was fine... it was a little secluded, but was well lit. I was a little nervous once when a group of teenagers were walking past us once at night, but other than that, the walk was fine and well lit. We stayed on points, so it was free, but it is ok to stay there if yo get a good price, and it sounds like you did!!

 

[jernysgirl]

I am assuming that you mean the on on Manchester? Me and DD20 stayed there this past Dec. 2-6 and it was fine. The breakfast is worthless...long lines for day old donuts! An the waffle machines are outside, and have a VERY long wait! We went once, then just got pastries in the parks the rest of the time. The rooms are small to medium sized, clean, ad have a fridge. I think there is a microwave, but I might be wrong on that. The only weird thing was that the door to the bathroom opened right onto the sink area, so you have to be careful not to hit anyone with it! And the walk to he parks was fine... it was a little secluded, but was well lit. I was a little nervous once when a group of teenagers were walking past us once at night, but other than that, the walk was fine and well lit. We stayed on points, so it was free, but it is ok to stay there if yo get a good price, and it sounds like you did!!

Thanks for reassuring me. Yes, I did mean the one on Manchester. I read that the breakfast wasn't anything to write home about, but I am always a little scared of the picked over day old continental breakfasts anyways. We fully intend on bringing our own snacks for breakfast or midday. I am so glad to know that someone else has stayed there and it was decent. We got a spectacular deal, so it will be worth it.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm so glad that you found a hotel!