Any super budget motels better or cheaper in this price range???

[jason586]

I am looking at staying at the Travelodge Maingate Suites February 07-15 for 9 nights for a place for the family (2 adults, 4 children) to stay for 8 days at the Disney parks for $25.20/night + taxes/fees = $271 + $18 ("hotel/resort" fees) = $289. We shower/sleep/eat spending only around 2 waking hours per day at the motel/hotel.


We stayed there in 2010 and this is what I found.

Advantages are BIG savings and lots of room:
1) Free Shuttle to Disney which saves $14/day = saves $112.
*It is only 1 pick up and drop off which is not as much an issue as the long ride to and from Disney which is about 45-55 minutes each way.
2) Free Continental Breakfast which saves $100-$150+ over the 9 nights.
* It is only Cereal, Toast, Bagels, Juice, Milk, and Coffee; but that is fine with us as we eat quite a bit between the 6 of us before heading to Disney.
3) Mini Fridge and Microwave in the room which saves us as we only eat dinner in the room which equals LOTS of savings.
*This also allows for the children to get to bed very soon after Disney, so they are well rested for the next day.
4) Lowest "hotel/resort" fee I have found of the budget motel/hotels at only $2/night (they charge you once you arrive) which saves $30ish on average.
5) Free Parking at motel/hotel.
6) The rooms have 2 double beds plus a pull out sofa with room still left over to put up a pack-n-play.

Disadvantages are dirty and long shuttle rides:
1) Rooms are dingy/dirty (especially the carpet) and outdated.
2) The location is a little sketchy.
3) The biggest annoyance for us while staying there in 2010 for 13 nights/10 days at Disney was the nearly hour long ride to and from Disney, but it was not enough to spend the extra $140 to park at Disney.
*On the way to the park, we would strategize on which rides and when to ride them to kill time. We also brought enough room in the oversized backpack I carried in Disney that we fed the girls most of a dinner on the bus, so it wasn't a complete waste of time.


Any other super budget hotel/motels we should be considering in this price range ($300ish for 9 nights) that also have these options that add additional big savings???

 

[DisneyLoverUSA]

I didn't even know you could still find hotel/motel rooms for less than $26 a night. And you are still trying to find something cheaper? Seriously?

I wouldn't even want to see what a $26 a night hotel room looks like.

How can you sleep 8 ppl in 3 beds meant for 2 ppl? Do you have 2 kids in pack n plays?

And I doubt very seriously that motel KNOWS you plan on putting 8 ppl in one room or they sure wouldn't just charge you $26 a night, especially considering they offer continental breakfast free. They usually charge you based on how many ppl are in the room. I have never seen ANY hotel room that wasn't a 2 or 3 bedroom suite be able to hold 8 ppl.

So I think if you are being able to sneak 8 ppl into a room that only costs you $26 a night...more power to ya. I think if I were you I would stick with that one.

And as far as breakfast savings only saving you 100 dollars over 9 nights? If you consider most places will charge you around 6 dollars PER PERSON for a continental breakfast you are saving almost $60 a day by getting that breakfast for free.

As I suspected you CANNOT put 2 adults and 6 kids in one room at that motel. You are violating motel policy and not paying for what you are required to pay for and that is 2 rooms. So again, if they are letting you get away with it, consider yourself lucky. If they do bust you, you will be charged for the second room you are suppose to get to begin with.

 

[undertheradar]

Can you imagine what a pit this hotel must be? I value my family too much to even consider some place like this.

 

[jason586]

Sorry, that was a typo. 6 total (4 children), not 8. (I edited original post)

As far as the rest of it; please read more carefully:
1) If you use a computer....and the internet, there are several options in the Under $30 price range around Orlando and Kissimmee.
2) Yes, the hotel does know how many are coming - poor assumption on your part.
3) I said "cheaper or better" as there are several motels in this general price range and maybe I am overlooking a better option which is why I asked (and in the Budget Board Area of the Forum).
4) I said $100-$150+ savings on the breakfast which is about right if you eat cereal/bagels/milk/juice in your room versus continental. No $6 breakfast is only cereal, toast, and bagels - poor/incorrect comparison.

I didn't even know you could still find hotel/motel rooms for less than $26 a night. And you are still trying to find something cheaper? Seriously?



I wouldn't even want to see what a $26 a night hotel room looks like.

How can you sleep 8 ppl in 3 beds meant for 2 ppl? Do you have 2 kids in pack n plays?

And I doubt very seriously that motel KNOWS you plan on putting 8 ppl in one room or they sure wouldn't just charge you $26 a night, especially considering they offer continental breakfast free. They usually charge you based on how many ppl are in the room. I have never seen ANY hotel room that wasn't a 2 or 3 bedroom suite be able to hold 8 ppl.

So I think if you are being able to sneak 8 ppl into a room that only costs you $26 a night...more power to ya. I think if I were you I would stick with that one.

And as far as breakfast savings only saving you 100 dollars over 9 nights? If you consider most places will charge you around 6 dollars PER PERSON for a continental breakfast you are saving almost $60 a day by getting that breakfast for free.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

You would lose the option of bed choice and knowing that you'll get a room with at least 2 doubles and a sofabed if you choose a blind bidding site like Hotwire or Priceline. I really don't see how you can find a room for less than $26/nt.

And to all those jumping down the OP's throat, geez, give him a break. He notes that the place isn't that great, but still wants to take his family to Disney. Doesn't mean he cares any less for his family than any of the rest of us.

 

[undertheradar]

Sorry, that was a typo. 6 total (4 children), not 8. (I edited original post)

As far as the rest of it; please read more carefully:
1) If you use a computer....and the internet, there are several options in the Under $30 price range around Orlando and Kissimmee.
2) Yes, the hotel does know how many are coming - poor assumption on your part.
3) I said "cheaper or better" as there are several motels in this general price range and maybe I am overlooking a better option which is why I asked (and in the Budget Board Area of the Forum).
4) I said $100-$150+ savings on the breakfast which is about right if you eat cereal/bagels/milk/juice in your room versus continental. No $6 breakfast is only cereal, toast, and bagels - poor/incorrect comparison.

Have you asked this on the Orlando board?

 

[erinmomof2]

I would try skyauction.com. We've used them several times and have always been very happy. You can often find week rentals for $199. These are condos and usually offer a full kitchen. I've seen 2 bedroom units for the $199 occasionally although you often have to add $50 for the extra room. You "bid" on a room and usually win it for about $1-$2 and then have to pay the fees. The fees are usually $199-$295. The fees are listed on the page so there is no surprise. You can look up the resort on tripadvisor to see if it's decent. I've used this site many times and some of the resorts do offer shuttles to disney. If you can find a place for $199 without a shuttle the savings could be put towards driving yourself and parking at Disney. All of the places we've tried have very nice pool areas and a resort feel and they have all been very clean and I would imagine much nicer than a $25.00 a night motel. The downside is that you do rent by the week so you would have to find a different place for a couple nights.

 

[brymolmom]

If I was you I would try renting a condo instead. I would guess you can get in that range of price (although perhaps a bit more) and you'd have enough room for everyone and bonus would be a kitchen area so you could save some cash on meals here and there. Do you fly or drive? Honestly the $140 in parking fees is likely way worth the hour long commute. It's you vacation time - if you're spending 10 plus hours on the shuttle for a week - that only comes down to 2 per person per hour.

 

[ilovemk76]

I would not even consider staying there or any where that is that cheap. You get what you pay for. Pay for a safe place for your family.

 

[racechick8293]

I believe I've read in other posts, possibly in the non-Disney hotel thread, that the Rodeway Inn on 192 is in the same price range and fairly clean/safe/etc. I'm not certain as to the amenities though. It may be worthwhile to search in that thread as well.

If your price point could be raised a bit higher, you may find that there are a number of additional options in the $40-50/night range. I've had mainly positive experiences in budget trips in that price range. It may also be worthwhile to call some of the hotels/motels in person and inquire as to weekly specials. It seems as though every time I drive down 192 I see many signs for rooms for $149-169/week.

 

[Colleen27]

I would not even consider staying there or any where that is that cheap. You get what you pay for. Pay for a safe place for your family.

Cheap doesn't equal unsafe, especially not when traveling at one of the slowest times of year to an oversaturated market like Orlando. Outdated and poorly maintained, sure, but generally not unsafe. In fact, many of the $30/night motels sit next to/on the same block as $100/night properties.

OP, there are some other hotels in that price range but none that I know of that offer the pull-out sofa in addition to the bedding. For a "maybe" super-budget weekend trip I was looking at a HoJo on 192 near Sherbeth Road, which is much closer to the parks so it should be a shorter shuttle ride, but their rooms are standard two doubles. I don't recall seeing much in the <$50 price range that had the additional sleeping space.

 

[tracyerinstroud]

 

[mikehn]

The OP asks a few questions - the very first response is a long winded lecture. Lovin it.

 

[kydisneyfans]

I would also head to Skyauction and pick up something there. With a $1 winning bid and $199-$299 in fees, you can have a perfectly clean, modern condo with kitchen, pools, etc and not worry about a "sketchy" area. Many condos also have the free shuttle to Disney, and most are not an hour each way. Grab some cereal/milk/etc at Publix, it can't be more than $20 for the week. We've stayed at Silver Lake and Summer Bay for under $250 for the week. 6 people wouldn't try to get ready in 1 bathroom in the morning.

Option 2 would be to look at Hotwire since you can put the number of occupants-Priceline would definitely not work. Hotwire has a suite icon to let you know of larger rooms, plus you could look for the breakfast icon.

One thing I will not do during vacation is skimp on the safety and location of my family during vacation.

 

[Daisy'sMama]

I would also encourage you to check out skyauction.com. But I would add one caveat, only do Wyndham Bonnet Creek. Last feb we got a 2bd condo for $468 for the whole week. In Dec, we got a 1bd for $350 for the whole week. Their busses are the best off-site busses, they run every 20-30 minutes, and it is only about a 10 minute ride to most parks. I have read about more violence and theft in the motels in the area you have mentioned lately. Bonnet Creek also has some incredible pools and activities. That is the only place I will stay off-site. Enjoy your trip and be safe!

 

[neatokimmo]

Hot wire search for Disney Main Gate - Celebration area hotel will bring up a $31 3 star motel for your dates.

This motel is a Baymont (sp?) owned by Wyndam (sp?)

We stayed here for 2 week 2.5 years ago. At the time it was being converted from a holiday inn to the timeshare "look". Our room has granite countertops in the bathroom, all new furniture, it was really nice. it also had a large pool, a business center etc

They also had shuttle service and fee breakfast.

You can go to www.betterbidding.com and confirm this is the the Baymont and confirm the free stuff.

 

[KelnRon]

One time in my life I stayed at a horrible hotel to save money. It was horrible .. .we too went with the "well we are just there to sleep" ummmm it made for a horrible trip. I was scared to sleep in the beds.

Have you ever thought about taking a timeshare route. Yes, it sucks but you will usually be put in a nice resort for barely more then you are paying now! You also can get a bigger place. I have 4 children I can't imagine being cramped up in a small hotel room for a week! Yes the timeshare do suck up a part of the day but if you go in and not ask a lot of questions you can probably be out in 2ish hours. I've done numerous timeshare presentions and we schedule for the day after arrival 1st thing in the morning. We are usually done mid morning and have the rest of the day for our trip. It's the price we pay to have a nice place to stay! I have stayed at Mystic Dunes, Vistana, Westgate, Orange Lake to name a few. ) All 2 or 3 bedroom w/ 2 baths, full kitchens & washer/dryer. We currently own at Westgate.

http://www.stayhereplayhere.com/Orlando-Timeshare-Packages-Properties.htm

Check out the rates ... maybe you will see something that fits your budget!

 

[Arabelle]

What happens if you miss your shuttle home? That would be my concern.

I'd look at skyauction also.

Will your shuttle get you home by dinnertime every evening? If not you have to eat there. If so, you give up park time everyday.

We stayed at that baymont with hotwire, also. Nice place, ask for room on courtyard, not the street side. Huge difference in the feel of the place.

 

[julieanddanny]

Well, you've done this beforeso it sounds like you know what you are getting into. We stayed at Econolodgeone year for $25 a night. It wasn't terrible.

I most definately would rather pay the $140 parking than do that shuttle though - sounds soooo risky and limiting... but like I've said - you already seem to know what you're getting into.

Good luck!

 

[DawnM]

I pay between $149-$249 for a two bedroom condo with a full kitchen through SkyAuction.com. I haven't seen the $149 price offered for a while, but it is currently $249, which is still $35/night but that includes all taxes, which your hotel does not.

It will allow you SPACE and a kitchen.

When are you going?

Dawn