Advice on where to stay..so much to choose from

[poohpcgirl]

Hiya!
I have a Resort question. I am planning a trip with 4 adults and 2 kids. (A 9 and a 3 year old.) Most places I go on vacation, I try to get a kitchen to have meals in sometimes to save money. I am trying to stay on a budget, so the only real option I saw was the WF Cabins. But in looking at some of the other posts, it seems like the getting to and from the cabins can be difficult. Is it worth it to have the kitchen for breakfast and maybe a dinner or two? Or just go and stay at one of the value resorts (Pop Culture) with adjoining rooms, get a fridge and maybe have cereal?

Any advice will be great appreciated!

Thanks so much!

 

[Strings]

You might want to consider renting points from a DVC member.

 

[ash&abby'smom]

I think it depends on if you are going to use the kitchen facilities. If so, then definately go for it. I agree with Strings, definately check into renting points with a DVC member. Check around on those boards, you can find some good info. You can also get a good deal from renting pts. That's what I plan to do next time we go. Good luck.

 

[yecats]

You actually have several different choices.

First, FW Cabins. Sleep 6 with full bed in main bed room and two bunk beds for kids. Then there is a murphy bed for 2 in the living room with full size kitchen. Drawback is only one bathroom for all. As for bus service, you will have a few waits and pickups but no matter which resort you stay at your going to have that. I think the good outways the somewhat slightly longer bus ride you may have staying here. Don't forget that you also get the outside deck area to eat at and bbq pit. If you look for codes in offseason then prices can be around $150 a night.

Second, check out the DVC rent board. These can be really good deals if staying from a Sunday through Thursday night stay. You could rent out two studios and both would have a kitchenette (try OKW as studios have 2 queen beds in them). Your studios wouldn't be right next to each other but you should be able to get them in the same building. This is the route that I am taking for my next vacation in Nov. I can make/eat breakfast in the room and have snacks ready at night.

Third option, look into possibly getting 2 rooms at moderates as they are putting in refrigerators in those rooms so they are becoming more like the studios at DVC's, you can also call the front desk and they will deliver a coffee maker to you. They are not currently adding refrig. in at the values so you may find that moderates are a better value.

Fourth option, check out Mousesavers.com. One of the DTD hotels is a suite type hotel. Mary does recommend staying there and usually has some type of discount offer from them (maybe Doubletree suites?) I believe they have a small kitchen in them and may sleep at least 6 if the living room has a sofa sleeper or they may even have 2 bedroom units. This hotel is across the street from DTD so you have the option of taking the resorts bus or walking across the street and using Disney's busses.

Okay, last option. You may want to look into bidding on Skyauction.com. There is a condo area just off Disney property called Silverlake. This is literally in AK's backyard. As it isn't disney property, you would need your own car but you can win bids for a week on this property off of Skyauction for a 2 bedroom unit for $300 or less for One week and then use back access road to take you to AK and follow the disney signs to whichever park you need at that moment. I stayed in this area 2 years ago and it was very easy to move around and access disney and absolutely no traffic. It only took us maybe 5 minutes to go to AK if that. The condos have the 2 bedrooms, full kitchen, dining room, living room and washer/dryer in unit. If you need more info. on this, post on the board regarding offsite hotels, plenty of people have good reviews for staying here and winning bids through Skyauction.

Anyway, sorry it was so long but hope the information helps and have a great trip and fun planning.

 

[poohpcgirl]

Wow. So much good information. I always loved this board. This just proves why. Thank you so much. I have a year to plan, so I will probably be asking more questions as I go along.


Thanks agian!
Melissa

 

[mrsschlep]

I have actually heard of people staying at a resort and sending themselves a package full of nonparishable food items so it is there waiting for them when they get there. That way they don't have to travel with food and they're not spending WDW prices on simple snacks. I am actually getting ready to post a thread on this subject to see if anyony has ever done it and what they have sent themselves. Good luck with your decision.