Can't do a search, so please help!!!

[truescorp]

Ever since going to Disney for the first time in 2000, I've been a "lurker" on these boards and have really enjoyed myself! Now, with the new Fairytale Rates, I need advice. We were planning on going in October anyway, and had just gotten around to looking at rates when this deal came up. We have stayed at the CBR and a timeshare condo in the past. I understand there are great rates at hotels close to Disney, some as low as $29 a nite. My questions are:
-How does staying in a hotel change your Disney experience?(most of us here are disneyfanatics and want to be surrounded by Disney 24-7 while there, right?)
-To truly take advantage of the low rates, we're considering the All Star resorts-Would a family of 4(2 children 8 and 4) be comfortable in one of those rooms for 7 days?
-Are there any hotels with suites that can be had, close to Disney for under the rates that the Fairytale package would be, plus the park tickets?
We need to make up our mind by Sunday, so any responses I get before then will be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!

 

[WDWorBUST]

- We enjoy being submerged in Disney - and the food courts are very convenient and although not cheap they are really reasonable for being onsite JMHO.

- I love the All-Stars but it has always been just DH and I in a room. From that experienc - especially with you having little ones I would say you would be just fine. And in my opinion the transportation system is worth a lot. (Besides the $7/day you save on parking if you choose to drive yourself )

- If you are planning on spending all 8 days in the parks and 7 nights anyway I would say that you aren't going to find a better deal offsite and purchasing tickets separately for the same amount of days. However....if you were considering a shorter trip you might save money offsite.

- I personally think this package is a GREAT deal. If you aren't going to get all 7 nights and 8 days out of it then it might not be...but if you are I don't think you will beat it.

Good Luck deciding. And have a good trip regardless of where you stay

 

[frannn]

You can park hop, leave the parks for a break or a meal, resort hop, go to DTD, all on your time. Traffic in Orlando can get pretty bad. If you are onsite, you can use WDW transportation to go anywhere onsite. After walking miles in the theme parks all day, it is so much nicer to have your bed a 10 minute bus ride away, without having to drive yourself. I would look into how much the costs would be if you bought your own passes and booked the room separately. The length of stay passes expire the day you leave WDW, so the value is only for the amount of time you are there. Hoppers (bought separately) are good forever if you ahve days left over. I've been to WDW evry year since my honeymoon in '99, and have found that I spend less overall if I do not book a package. That being said, we usually get APs and some sort of room discounts. Have fun!

 

[truescorp]

The replies so far have been very appreciated. I know that purchasing 7 day park hoppers and staying at a moderate resort and paying seperately is approx $2000 or so, and the package, from what I've read on the board, for the same deal is $1694. I do think that this deal is really good, and I want to take advantage of it, but my head is just swimming because now its like, the savings in the Fairytale package is almost pushing me to look for better and better deals! Anyone understand that?
Quick last question-does anyone think they will offer this again next year?

 

[Rpsemont]

If I were in your shoes, this is what I'd do. Call WDW and get the price of the package at All Stars. Compare that to your budget staying offsite.
1) Accomodations $60-$75 night You could probably get a 4* or resort hotel on priceline for this - I think the $29 is unrealistic if you want to "trust" where you end up. You can get a 3* on priceline for about $40/night
2) Park Passes. Really think about what you need. Do you really think you'll do 7-8 days of non-stop running? It's pssible if you bought 5 day PHP then you could visit parks for 7 days using each of the plusses on a non park day. If you want to do a day at sea world or somewhere else, maybe you would want less? Or maybe you really didn't plan to originally go for 8 days? Compare the package price NOT to what it would cost full price, but to what you were intending to do. IMO the three days "free" isn't worth it if you have to now eat all counter service and cut out extras to get your more discretionay money to last the 7 days.
I think Disney is hoping people will take longer trips and they'll make the extra money up in food and souvenirs.

Keep in mind, if you're off Disney Property you're likely to save some money on food.

 

[Rpsemont]

Truscorp - sorry I didn't really answer your questions
1) While I love staying on site we always rent a car and drive to the parks so buses and that convenience doesn't come into play. When I could stay at the All Stars for under $65, I stayed on site, other than that I used priceline off site - of course you don't get a suite hotel with priceline.
1) we have stayed three adults and one child in an All star room and thought it was fine. It seems were never spend that much time in the rooms anyway.