Anyone stay off-site on (late) arrival night?

[DisneyDame]

Hi all,

Looking for some opinions/suggestions. DH and I will be staying at the CSR for a week at the end of September. Since our flight doesn't arrive until 9:30pm we are considering staying off-site that first night, since we won't be able to enjoy the resort at all that day. (After working all day and flying in the evening I'm sure our heads will be hitting the pillows right after we arrive in the room, so we were thinking it might be more economical to stay off-site).

Does anyone else do this?

Think we'll regret it in the morning when we have to check out, then wait to check in at CSR later on that day? I know we can drop off our luggage at the resort, which is great. We'll have a rental car, but I wouldn't want to leave our belongings in the car while we hit one of the parks, so that takes care of that concern)

Also, is there any benefit to checking in during the afternoon vs. late night? I remember hearing somewhere that the room availability/selection may be better if you check in earlier.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[think tink]

we do this all the time and it works out just fine. we look around online to see if we can find any good deals. the last time we stayed at laquinta inn lakeside for $39 a night. i know someone else bought this hotel ( i forget what chain ) so i don't know if they still run the same deal, but it was a really nice hotel and was very close to disney.


i always check in first thing in the morning so i can get the room i want ( i am a ground floor room fanatic, fear of elevators ). sometimes its ready sometimes its not but i always get the room i want.

 

[TiggerPiglet]

Since you are going at the end of Sept., that is considered value season and you can probably get a great rate at one of the value resorts, (I'm thinking under $70) that way you'll be on site, will save you money and best of all, they'll move your luggage for you.
As far as if it's better to check in later or not, I'm not sure. If it's busy season, I'm sure all rooms are preassigned and it won't matter when you come. If it is not busy time, maybe checking in earlier will get you a better room, but I have no idea. Your best bet is to fax them 4 days prior with your room preferences. If you go to this link: http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_cs.htm you can scroll all the way down and it will have their fax number. Like I said, do it 4 days before, but keep in mind your request for certain preferences (excluding smoking or non-smoking) are not guaranteed. Here is the link explaining the fax requests also what are appropriate requests and what aren't: http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/cro1.htm You'll notice the Wilderness Lodge does not accept the faxed request, but keep reading below that and it will explain everything.
Have a great trip

 

[safetymom]

Most resorts are ignoring your faxed requests. If you have any requests just be sure to have them noted in your reservation.

We have stayed off site quite a few times the night before we check into WDW.

 

[swimmom]

We have a couple of times - the first time was at the Holiday Inn Maingate East - it was a dump!!! Next time we did the courtyard at DD - it was fine. We live close enough to drive so I had a separate bag packed for the first night and we just , got up, dressed and took off!! Go for it.

 

[babar41]

DH and I have done this anytime we are arriving after 4 pm. This is when we were having length of stay passes. I couldn't see paying those $$$ if we weren't going to have benefit of either the parks or resorts. I'd check around and find a good value for your first night, then get up early and check in by 8 a.m. then off to the parks.

Only suggestion, don't stay at the Howard Johnson MainGate. Rooms are not kept up very well. Prices are cheap, but definitely not worth staying at. When we stayed there 1 night a couple of years ago it was supposed to be after remodeling had been done. Carpets were dirty, half of the lights didn't work... Not a place I'd want to stay again.

 

[HaleyB]

I second the idea of an on-site value for the night. The $30 more you pay for the room is well worth the ease of luggage transfer. Plus there would be no need for a car (unless you were renting one anyway).

 

[D&R love Disney]

We are doing this but the first night (our flight gets in around 9:30 too) we are staying at the All Star Sports. Got a great AP rate and my DH has never stayed at one of the All Star resorts before.

 

[DisneyDame]

Thanks everyone! Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

 

[FanofG00fy]

I did one time, and then after that I have done the All Stars Resorts. It puts me on property, and I don't have to leave my room until 11:00. One time I asked for a late check out and told them what I was doing, and the CM at the front desk was wonderful and granted my request on 1 p.m. I got up at 7am...went and checked in at my other resort, came back, got breakfast, went back the room. Ate, took a nap, got cleaned up, and just as we were getting ready to leave, I called to see if our room was ready and it was!!!! So after working and then a long drive to WDW, I was able to check in early and still be able to nap that morning.

Chris

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I almost always stay off-site on my arrival day. I usually arrive after a long drive, so I find since I won't be hitting a park anyway that day, I might as well save some $$$ and stay off-site. I have a few favorites that I choose from - Hampton Inn LBV, Hawthorn Suites SeaWorld, or Fairfield Inn at Marriot Village. I actually enjoy my off-site time, as it "builds" to the excitement of getting to Disney the next day!

One time I tried to get a Value resort (ASMusic) for a one-night stay, and I was actually REFUSED! There was availability, but apparently the day I wanted was "too close" to a holiday weekend (Thursday before Memorial Day in 2000) so Disney actually denied my one night reservation! They had a three-night minimum stay required, so no-go on my one night stay. I think I am the only one in the history of the DISboards to ever have that happen! But it left a bad taste in my mouth and I always stay off-site for the one night stays, where they are happy to have my money!

 

[golfgal]

We did for our trip. I packed one suitcase with clothing and PJ's for that night, so that is all we had to bring into the hotel. We were renting a car anyway, so not a big deal. If you are using ME, some people stay at the airport hotel (Hilton?) and then take the shuttle back to the airport and get on the bus to Disney. There were 5 of us, so staying in a value wasn't an option.

 

[Superman]

coming in December for 4 nights at the Boardwalk Inn, arriving late so the first night staying free (points) at the fairfield Inn in Lake Buena Vista Village!!!

 

[Lewisc]

Even with PL a room by the airport is generally around $50. I'll go for it if I'm staying at a deluxe resort ($200 +/night). If my room is around $100 (moderate or offsite) I wouldn't bother.