best bet on a WDW hotel?

[ebarj1098]

Just looking for opinions. There are 6 of us going, ages 2,4,14, and 20s,30s, and 60ish. We don't really want to spend a fortune, but if course want something fun, anyone have ideas on where to stay? We'll be going in June 2005, for 5-7 nights.
Thanks!

 

[F1Julie]

I'd get 2 rooms at a value resort (an All Star or Pop). There are some resorts that accomodate 5 plus a baby, but I think that would be too crowded. I'd much rather have 2 bathrooms, 2 TV's, more beds etc. Some would suggest renting DVC points, but whenever I've looked into it, it's much more expensive than I would expect especially since points cost a lot more over a weekend. Some would also suggest staying off-site in a condo which can be a good value, but nothing beats the transportation and the magic of staying on-site. Just my $ .02

 

[crazelion]

I have tried the Doubletree Suites at Downtown Disney they sleep 6 people. www.mousesavers.com unusally have a discount on the hotel. If book through mosesavers.com get free breakfeast to.

They have excellent choices offsite hotels that sleep 6 people and offer free breakfeast. The orlando and attractions board is where all the offsite people hang out can probably get a condo that sleeps 12 people for the price of the one hotel room.

www.hotelkingdom.com has cheap hotels. Then if looking for reviews check tripadvsior.com for hotel reviews on the hotel. Also post on the Orlando and Attractions about the hotel to.

Or 2 rooms in a value resort at All Star Resorts.

I think with a group that big offsite would be best choice if have a car.

If don't rent a car go with onsite at the All-Star Resorts hotels.

 

[dzneelvr]

I would recommend staying on site at the All Star Movies. YOu can get some super rates, even in the summer. It is the largest of the All Stars, the newest (I'm not counting POP). Has 2 pool areas, 2 laundry facilities, and one of the most extensive food courts you will find anywhere. The theming will be fun for your kids (adults will enjoy as well). It's not the largest rooms, by far, but the best value IMO.
Some like to stay offsite, we don't because we fly down and have no use for a rental car. The buses run regularly from the front of the resort.

You can book rooms now and always apply a discount you would find closer to your trip date.
Have a wonderful time!

 

[crisi]

What is a fortune?

With two small kids, monorail access to the MK would be great - but that gets into fortune - unless you can find a great code - which you sometimes can at the Contemporary. When our kids were that age, we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge - a boat ride away from the MK. Ft. Wilderness has cabins that will accomodate a family, and is often not to expensive.

Here is the breakdown on property:

Deluxe resorts offer better theme park access - except for AKL there is always some park you can get to without taking a bus. They have pool slides, a number of sit down restaurants. But their counter service is limited. The have interior hallways. Bigger rooms (AKL and WL have smaller rooms, a little bigger than the moderates). But are pricey. A "good" rate will put you over $100 a night for a room - and $200 and more is not unheard of.

Moderate resorts are more spread out. They have both a sit down restaurant and a food court. The rooms are a little smaller. The pools have a pool slide. They tend to be in a lot of small buildings with exterior doors, rather than one (or several) big buildings like Deluxe resorts. I think each "building" at the CR has 32 (or is it sixteen) rooms. Park access is via bus (or rental car). Plan on around $100 a night for a room, rack rate.

Value resorts only have a food court and are "motel like" in their layout - exterior doors along a long outside strip. The rooms are the smallest and least themed on property. There is no pool slide. They have food courts, but no sit down restaurants. I haven't watched value rates, but I think the rack rate is around $80.

Some Deluxes and POR will sleep five (but it will be tight at POR), none of the Disney resorts sleep six in a room, so you'll want connecting rooms. Unless you go to the forth category:

Home Away from Home: DVC resorts and the Ft. Wilderness Cabins are Home Away from Home resorts. Multiroom units. The cabins can be a bargain, but the DVC resorts - even renting points, will cost a couple grand for a week in a two bedroom (which you will need to sleep six). But you will get a kitchen and two bathrooms.

Off property will net you much better deals, but at the "price" of being off property.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

You could put the 6 of you (legally!) in a room at most of the deluxes. Most will sleep 5 plus one child under 3 so since your little one is 2 you'd still be OK with that. This won't work at the WL or AKL for sure. I know it will work at the Poly b/c we just returned from a trip with 6 of us in the room (2 adults, two 4 year olds and 2 two year olds). The problems you would have would be having 1 bathroom for all of you and that they will charge an extra $25/night for having more than 2 adults in the room.

Two rooms in a value would give you more room but if you really wanted to do a deluxe (with a good code, you may get one for not a whole lot more than 2 rooms at a value) you would have that option.

 

[ebarj1098]

Thanks for the info! I was thinking of trying for one room in a deluxe resort, I would like it. But then again, I really should take my boys to ASMo and try for a Buzz & Woody room! If I book for June now, will they honor a code I get later? Also, has anyone heard about 7 nights for the price of 5? I'd love to stay for 7 since we're driving, but can't really swing it!

 

[DissyLove]

I think last summer Disney offered a summer savings for 7 nights for the price of 5-I would think they would again, but those rates may not come out until closer to your reservation time. But it doesn't hurt to call and ask-or, book now, keep an eye out for the deals, and re-book or request the lower rates then.

I love the deluxe rooms but think maybe with 6 people you may feel crowded. I would consider the ASmovies with 2 rooms unless you can get a great rate at a deluxe-or split the difference, get a good rate at a moderate (like Caribean Beach Resort) and get 2 rooms. Some moderates offer connecting rooms. Good luck!

 

[InstImpres]

Consider trying boardwalk or beach club villas. You would be able to walk to Epcot and MGM. If you got a 2 bedroom villa, you would also have a complete kitchen and laundry facilities in your room. This really helps us cut down on our snack bill (and sometime breakfast in the room to save time). Also, we pack lighter and I do a load of wash overnight.

JMHO
Sandy