Cheap hotel close to Disney that's not a dump

[MomDad&2boys]

I really like the idea of the Baymont Inn. We arrive on a 6pm flight and need to stay somewhere for one night before our Kidani check in. Is there any shopping nearby? We need to grab groceries before checking into AKV the next day.

 

[ars0525]

I stay at the Econo Lodge on Polynesian Isle Blvd just off 192/Irlo Bronson. It's cheap (just paid $33 Sat night) if you have Choice Hotel or other discounts, basic, no frills. I'm a single gal & I feel ok staying there. Come & gone at odd hours to the parks (about a 10 minute drive) without feeling unsafe. They offer breakfast, but all I eat there is the muffin. There's a Dunkin Donuts on the corner en route to the parks (easy drive). There is also a variety of restaurants if you don't want to eat at WDW.

Again...it's really basic, nothing fancy, but you aren't paying much. I stay at All Star Music on family vacations, but now that I have an AP & go more often I don't want to spend the $$ on a room just for me. I stayed at Econo early Nov & again last weekend. Will continue to do so unless something happens to turn me off.

 

[susan1]

Ramada Plaza Gateway at the start of the 192 west opposite Bob Evans. Good, clean budget hotel. We have stayed there couple of times, no problems.

 

[susan1]

Ramada Plaza Gateway at the start of the 192 west opposite Bob Evans. Good, clean budget hotel. We have stayed there couple of times, no problems.

www.ramadagateway.com/

 

[aubriee]

When are you going? Your best bet is to go in October, mid-late January, or most of February (not President's week)... maybe March. Even then.... under $50 and not a dump? I don't know if that's possible in the off-season but I can't imagine that it's even remotely possible during the busy season.

I am going to comment here because we are going late January and are thinking of staying outside of Disney for the first time. I would like to see if anyone has any advice. I doubt less than $50 will get you a clean room but I'd like to know.

We just got back this past Monday from Wyndham Bonnet Creek. We paid just $60.00/night for a one bedroom condo. The guy we rented from offered us a two bedroom for just $70.00/night. This was for eleven nights though. I don't think anyone would call Wyndham Bonnet Creek a dump.

 

[Disneyaddictz]

Downtown disney hotels are great, had great experiences at Hilton and Royal Plaza. Hotwire is nice because you can choose DTD area and I can't name one I wouldn't want.

 

[AHDisneyFan]

Destiny Palms is a decent hotel in your budget. Rooms are clean, price is good, and I like that the rooms are accessible only by interior hallways not from the street. My only complaint is the rooms are quite small, but who cares, if you're like me you're just at the hotel to sleep. You can usually get a rate of about $50 or $60 a night. They do have a $3.95 "resort fee" for parking and wifi, but no biggie with such a cheap rate.

 

[Bete]

Try several resort sites and use a discount if possible like AAA. Keep doing this for weeks and you will get a deal someplace.

For example, I was able to get a room at the Residence Inn in Lake Buena Vista for $79/night. When I started my search I was getting pricing like $119/night. I just kept looking and hit a sale and booked. By the time my week there happened rooms were up to $159/night. In addition, I was able to get an upgrade upon arrival which was part of the deal and based on availability. I had a room with two bedrooms each having 2 queen beds and we had a full kitchen and living room and 2 baths and three TVs. We had a wonderful hot breakfast each day and even had evening reception nights for 3 nights which was enough for us for our evening meal. This was like being in an apartment. This was the best deal I've had for this place and I've been using them for three years, now.

You have to be vigilant looking for a deal, but persistence does pay off. I use this logic a lot and it always pays off. This year we have stayed at 20 or more hotels between various trips. Even if I book I still try to see if I can get a cheaper rate before the trip and I'm successful about 40 percent of the time. I will book the cheaper rate and then cancel the higher price reservation.

It's a little bit of work, but it's fruitful.

 

[Sunnywho]

So ? The Baymont on Black Lake Rd isn't a dump ? I've though about booking there for April - they have a really nice AARP discount - but most of the Trip Advisor reviews make me want to run away screaming

We stayed at the Baymont in 2008. It was a Days Hotel then so don't know if there have been changes. It must have been a nicer hotel at some point in time, it's somewhat stately with the courtyard, but outdoor motel entrances to the rooms and low income or maybe trailer home housing next door, I can't remember. Everything was run down. Pool water was questionable.

 

[Granny square]

We stayed at the Baymont in 2008. It was a Days Hotel then so don't know if there have been changes. It must have been a nicer hotel at some point in time, it's somewhat stately with the courtyard, but outdoor motel entrances to the rooms and low income or maybe trailer home housing next door, I can't remember. Everything was run down. Pool water was questionable.

Interesting. There are outdoor entrances, but the rooms are very nice. More space, better bedding and decor than moderates at Disney. Clean etc.

It is just down the road from Disney casting not exactly a trash neighborhood.

 

[LovinD]

A lot of great replies, thanks!

I left out a detail that might help. This isn't a family trip; I'm a teacher and I'm taking 7 students to Disney to do a YES workshop through the Individual Enrollment Series. We're trying to make this trip as affordable as possible for the kids.

The only things I'm looking for in a hotel is clean and safe. That's it. I already spelled out to the kids that we won't stay at a fancy hotel or anything and they don't care, they're just excited to go to Disney! (none of them have ever been!) I just want somewhere that is very budget friendly, but that I feel safe putting students in.

Okay, so, so far, I have found three options that either was recommended in this thread or other threads, or that had decent Tripadvisor reviews. I take a lot of those reviews with a grain of salt because some people rate a budget hotel as if it's supposed to be the Ritz Carlton. If you guys don't mind, can you tell me if any of these three options would be acceptable?

Destiny Palms
http://www.destinypalmshotel.com/
Offered me a rate of $44.95 + tax + $3.95 resort fee, making it $55 a night total.
I like that the rooms are accessible from the interior, there is free breakfast, and that the reviews for it tend to be consistantly good.
I have read, though, that the rooms are tiny.

Ramada Gateway
http://www.ramada.com/hotels/florida/kissimmee/ramada-gateway-kissimmee/hotel-overview
This hotel has 2 types of rooms--one in the tower that are accessible from interior corridor, at rate of $55 + tax=$62.15. Rooms at the inn are outside access, with rate of $45 + tax = $51.
I like that it looks like this might be a slightly closer drive to Disney than Destiny Palms. I also like that the rooms are a little bigger.
I don't like that breakfast is not included (not a deal breaker, we can go to the grocery store and get bagels or muffins or something for breakfast)

Rodeway Inn Maingate
http://www.rodewayinnmaingate.com/
Rate of $26.99 + tax = $31
I like that it's the cheapest option I found, and that people on the DIsboards have given it good reviews.
I DON'T like that it has double beds instead of queen beds--if you put more than 2 students to a room (which is what I had planned to do), it wouldn't be very comfortable.

So, feedback on these options? Please remember, I don't need any amenities. We're doing this trip on a budget. I want clean and comfortable, nothing else.

Thanks!!

 

[kiki02]

A lot of great replies, thanks!

I left out a detail that might help. This isn't a family trip; I'm a teacher and I'm taking 7 students to Disney to do a YES workshop through the Individual Enrollment Series. We're trying to make this trip as affordable as possible for the kids.

The only things I'm looking for in a hotel is clean and safe. That's it. I already spelled out to the kids that we won't stay at a fancy hotel or anything and they don't care, they're just excited to go to Disney! (none of them have ever been!) I just want somewhere that is very budget friendly, but that I feel safe putting students in.

Okay, so, so far, I have found three options that either was recommended in this thread or other threads, or that had decent Tripadvisor reviews. I take a lot of those reviews with a grain of salt because some people rate a budget hotel as if it's supposed to be the Ritz Carlton. If you guys don't mind, can you tell me if any of these three options would be acceptable?

Destiny Palms
http://www.destinypalmshotel.com/
Offered me a rate of $44.95 + tax + $3.95 resort fee, making it $55 a night total.
I like that the rooms are accessible from the interior, there is free breakfast, and that the reviews for it tend to be consistantly good.
I have read, though, that the rooms are tiny.

Ramada Gateway
http://www.ramada.com/hotels/florida/kissimmee/ramada-gateway-kissimmee/hotel-overview
This hotel has 2 types of rooms--one in the tower that are accessible from interior corridor, at rate of $55 + tax=$62.15. Rooms at the inn are outside access, with rate of $45 + tax = $51.
I like that it looks like this might be a slightly closer drive to Disney than Destiny Palms. I also like that the rooms are a little bigger.
I don't like that breakfast is not included (not a deal breaker, we can go to the grocery store and get bagels or muffins or something for breakfast)

Rodeway Inn Maingate
http://www.rodewayinnmaingate.com/
Rate of $26.99 + tax = $31
I like that it's the cheapest option I found, and that people on the DIsboards have given it good reviews.
I DON'T like that it has double beds instead of queen beds--if you put more than 2 students to a room (which is what I had planned to do), it wouldn't be very comfortable.

So, feedback on these options? Please remember, I don't need any amenities. We're doing this trip on a budget. I want clean and comfortable, nothing else.

Thanks!!

BEST POST ON BUDGET BOARD HERE. Thank you and there should be a dedicated post to this subject ALONE , updated!

Others keep mentioning the suites that are nearby. Maybe you can get less suites at a slightly higher price but put 6+ students in each. Hawthorne?

 

[LovinD]

BEST POST ON BUDGET BOARD HERE. Thank you and there should be a dedicated post to this subject ALONE , updated!

Others keep mentioning the suites that are nearby. Maybe you can get less suites at a slightly higher price but put 6+ students in each. Hawthorne?

Yes, it seems that most people around the Disboards only stay in expensive places...would be so nice to see more threads for budget travelers.

I would be interested to know any affordable suites!! There are 6 girls going and 1 boy. It would be REALLY ideal if there is an affordable hotel that has both regular rooms and suites so the girls could have a suite and the boy could have a standard room.

 

[Granny square]

Considering we got the Baymont for $33 plus tax and they have large queen beds and were convenient I'm not sure of the point.

 

[akl432]

We just got back this past Monday from Wyndham Bonnet Creek. We paid just $60.00/night for a one bedroom condo. The guy we rented from offered us a two bedroom for just $70.00/night. This was for eleven nights though. I don't think anyone would call Wyndham Bonnet Creek a dump.

Where did you rent from? That is a great rate!

 

[LovinD]

Considering we got the Baymont for $33 plus tax and they have large queen beds and were convenient I'm not sure of the point.

Well, I have yet to get a response from the Baymont after emailing them for 2 weeks, so I have no idea what their discounted rates are. That would be the point.

 

[kiki02]

Yes, it seems that most people around the Disboards only stay in expensive places...would be so nice to see more threads for budget travelers.

I would be interested to know any affordable suites!! There are 6 girls going and 1 boy. It would be REALLY ideal if there is an affordable hotel that has both regular rooms and suites so the girls could have a suite and the boy could have a standard room.

not sure of your budget, or # of people.. did you google seven dwarves condos? pretty close and was very affordable (unless it's Christmas, Thanksgiving... etc)

 

[LovinD]

not sure of your budget, or # of people.. did you google seven dwarves condos? pretty close and was very affordable (unless it's Christmas, Thanksgiving... etc)

I like condos myself, but typically condo owners are very wary to renting to a school group. I know, because I inquired at a few. Still, I will look into them!!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Having stayed at a few different offsite hotels, I really like the Seaworld area or Palm Parkway. It is close to Disney - a short drive, but peaceful and convenient to Seaworld and access to the i drive trolley which is helpful for shopping/eating.

I liked Extended Stay America Westwood Blvd - housekeeping once a week cuts down the cost, great staff, inside entrance and mini kitchenette in the rooms. Westwood blvd is a 10 minute walk to Seaworld, a quick drive to Disney and also convenient to Downtown Disney. I stayed longer term so the rate was $35-40 - but I'd check the other rates to see if they would work for you.

 

[ohionola]

With that many people, you would need multiple rooms. It might be cheaper to rent a condo or house off Ebay. It would also make it so that you don't have to worry about what the kids do at night.

You might also consider Embassy Suites. You could get away with 2 rooms and free breakfast. It might end up being cheaper in the long run.