Am I Crazy or what?

[ann0511]

We are planning a trip to Orlando from April 8 to 16th. We are a family of 6 with four children under the age of 12. I currently have the following reservations made:

Entire stay at HIFS King kids suite @119.00/night

Entire stay at Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studios 2 dbl beds and a roll away @ 220.00/night

Entire stay booked at Holiday Inn Universal 2 bedrrom family suite @ 89.00/night

Entire stay booked at Cypress Point 2 bedroom Villa @ $63.00/night

I think I am leaning towards Cypress Point just because they have a washer/dryer in the room and I will be able to bring less with us....

We are only planning to visit the Magic Kingdom and 1 Disney waterpark (we have left over park hoppers) and we also have a 5 day Universal pass

Any input to help my decision would be greatly appreciated...my hubby says if I book one more room we are not going...lol

Ann

 

[teachingmykids]

If it were me (I wish), I'd stay at the villa because of the price and the wash/dry. But, I would WANT to stay at RPR ! So, if money isn't a big consideration, stay onsite. Onsite is so much more convenient -- but with a price.
Good luck and have fun.
~~g.

 

[ann0511]

Our only reason for booking Royal Pacific is for the Front of the Line Pass...I figure it will extremely crowded Easter week....

 

[BrerMama]

I don't think you're crazy at all. I have 3 reservations and am considering a 4th. However, you adding that it's Easter week makes me lean towards Royal Pacific, at least for a few nights. I would really, really want that front of the line pass during that week. I'd stay the other nights at HIFS, just so the kids could have their own "resort." We're leaning against the villas/condos because I don't want to make beds, take out trash, etc. on my vacation. In fact, I don't even want to do laundry on vacation. I hate laundry. But if you don't mind those things, it sounds like you've got a great price for the villa.

 

[maggiew]

Did you try to get an Entertainment Card rate or Fan Club rate at the Royal Pacific? That may bring down the price a little.

Maggie

 

[zaxmom]

I would stay at Royal Pacific for a few nights while going to Universal. Keep checking for lower rates and remember you get FOTL the day you check in and out. Then I would go for the Villa since it is your cheaper option and you will have your washer and dryer for a couple of days. I think if you are going to be at Universal during Easter you must have the FOTL.

 

[Lewisc]

Stay at Cypress (price and space), with some of the money you're saving buy some expess plus passes for at least one of the parks. Unlike FOTL you can only use it once. Hit the park you DON'T have the pass for first and get a regular express pass and/or wait in a regular line. Then go to the other park and use your express plus passes.

 

[spiceycat]

Easter is very busy in all of Orlando

So I would go with the Cypress - but if you can afford one night - while you are still staying at Cypess (so you don't have to move everything back and forth) and you can afford it - stay at the RP one night - that first of line all day for 2 days will be well worth it -

check in early before the parks open and I think you will also quality for early entry both days.

this is a beautiful resort one of my all time favorites - you will enjoy the walk to the parks - unlike the walk from your car to the parks (this is 1/2mile walk)

you can also take the boat - but the boat took longer - the walk is very nice and fairly quick - it lets you out near IOA. the boat is closer to US.

 

[Lisa P.]

I agree with Spiceycat. You would find your week so much more relaxing, comfortable and economical if you stayed in a 2BR condo at Cypress Pointe. However, since you seem to be able to afford it, consider going to RPR very early one morning and check-in with a daypack (swimsuits and overnight stuff, in case you need a change of clothes). Then you could enjoy 2 days of FOTL privileges, perhaps over the busy Easter weekend. You could enjoy their pools too.

Follow that busy weekend with a day of rest at your resort or at the water park. Then revisit the Univ parks at a more leisurely pace. Use FastPass for your day at Disney, seeing your favorites there. Have a fun trip!

 

[disneysteve]

Personally, I'd rather take a leap off the Contemporary's roof-top obeservation deck than spend a week in a standard hotel room with 5 other people. I'd vote for the 2-bedroom villa and just deal with the lines. Of course, I'd also probably take that leap before spending $220/nite on a hotel room. We've spent a week in Kissimmee for less than $220.

Steve

 

[HaleyB]

Originally posted by disneysteve
Personally, I'd rather take a leap off the Contemporary's roof-top obeservation deck than spend a week in a standard hotel room with 5 other people. I'd vote for the 2-bedroom villa and just deal with the lines. Of course, I'd also probably take that leap before spending $220/nite on a hotel room. We've spent a week in Kissimmee for less than $220.

Steve

You made me laugh Steve. My thoughts exactly. If it is busy and crowded in the parks you need some space when you get back to your room!
$220 for a week, where did you stay? I think we are going to try out a budget trip next fall to see how we like it. Maybe we could go twice as often!

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by HaleyB
You made me laugh Steve. My thoughts exactly. If it is busy and crowded in the parks you need some space when you get back to your room!
$220 for a week, where did you stay? I think we are going to try out a budget trip next fall to see how we like it. Maybe we could go twice as often!

HaleyB - Its been a couple of years, but we came in under $220/7 nites at the EconoLodge Hawaiian Resort. I believe you can still get a room there for under $35/nite. Before that, we stayed at the Days Inn LBV a couple of times for under $25/nite but that hotel became something else - that was several years ago. Another more recent budget trip was spent at Days Suites Old Town. We had a huge 1-bedroom suite for $39.95/nite ($280/week). Those rates were all during low season times, though.

I'd much rather do the "cheaper hotel - more frequent visits" route than the other way around. And just my personal opinion, but I'd never put more than 3 or 4 people in a standard hotel room. Even just traveling with our daughter we always try and get at least a 2 room suite. Its easy to do around Disney for very reasonable rates.

Steve

 

[hockey mom]

I would split my stay between HIFS and RPR. If you do not have many days activities planned you need a hotel that would occupy your kids and that is HIFS. Also the fact of a free breakky, and kids eat free for lunch and dinner will offset the cost.

 

[threeboysmom]

I vote also for splitting your stay! I've experienced the FOTL access and it cannot be beat!! I would split and do 4 nights at Cypress since it's the cheapest, then splurge at RPR for your last 3 nights (or vice versa). This is what I *finally* decided to do for our upcoming trip. We'll stay at HIFS for our first 3 nights (while we do Disney), then to RPR for our last 4 nights (& utilize our 5-day passes). Have fun! Trip planning is supposed to be fun

 

[AJKMOM]

We (5 of us, 15 and up))stayed in 3 places for 10 nights at New Years. 3 nights at Cypress Pointe Grand Villas, 2 nights at Royal Pacific, and 5 nights at BWV ( we just bought). The FOTL was great for the 2 nights, but the rooms are VERY small for the price. We paid $199 per night with an Entertainment rate, but I would not do it again. There wasn't room for a roll-away cot. You could try the suggestion of 1 night at RPH, using the FOTL for the day you check in early, and the next day. Then move on to Cypress Pointe. We liked it there very much.

 

[paula0000]

Go for CP- we packed only a carry on bag each for the week because we knew we had a washer/dryer- and it was great- no luggage to check at the airport- no luggage to wait for after we arrived back home. CP was great for kids- and adults- and the space can't be beat for the price. All the best in whatever your decision is...

 

[jdm]

I would rule out HIFS off the bat. I've stayed there, and while I know I'm in the minority, I really disliked it. I felt extremely cramped in their accomodations. I can't imagine 4 kids in a kidsuite there.

We stayed 2 days at the HRH last year. The room was small but the FOTL access was a Godsend for our President's week trip. That feature is worth it's weight in gold for stressfree touring.

We always stay in condos for a week of our trip. This year we are staying at Star Island for a week and then we are moving over to Cypress Pointe for the last 4 days. We got a great rate like you have. Maybe I'm wierd, but I LOVE having a washer and dryer and I don't mind pulling a bag of trash or 2. The night before we leave, I do the wash and then don't have to face it when I get home.

I'd either split my stay, or better yet, if you can afford it- follow the advice of the other posters to get the RP for one night for the FOTL.

I can't imagine a hotel room now after staying in villa's. I'm with the Contemporary Guy!!! Let me jump!!! That did give me quite a chuckle!!!!

Godd Luck,
Jenn

 

[leanne11]

I'm thinking of doing hrh for 1 day for $179. for for FOTL but really just staying at C.P. for the $64 with hotelkingdom, but i want a newer bldg. close to the fancy pool, any suggestions? any bldg. have elevators? thanx