closest suites to wdw, fam of 5

[langin]

We stayed at the DoubleTree in Downtown disney and really liked it, couldn't pass up the deal and the space and the location, but we were wondering if there were any just as close?

 

[cindy17]

Last August we stayed at Staybridge Suites in Lake Buena Vista. It was near the Sheraton Safari right near the entrance to DTD. We had our own car, so didn't use the shuttle. We paid about $99 a night. It had a full kitchen 2 BRs - one king and one with 2 doubles. Two bathrooms, 2 TVs
Nice pool and continental breakfast.

 

[nepean]

Where did you get such a great rate? I can't find anything at the Staybridge Suites near the $100. mark.

Thanks

Nepean

 

[spiceycat]

cypress pointe is a little further away. you can find it on
www.hotelkingdom.com

silver lakes is on the other side of Disney even closer to AK.

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

Check Homewood Suites.

We lived in one (yes, lived) last summer while DH was in job training. Although we were in a suite with a king bed, I suspect they have other options. Another huge plus, although you might be spending a bit more per night on the room, breakfasts and dinners are provided at the hotel.

 

[cindy17]

Where did you get such a great rate? I can't find anything at the Staybridge Suites near the $100. mark.

Thanks

Nepean

If I remember correctly, it was either the Entertainment Book rate or the Orlando Magicard rate. It was also the end of August, if that makes a difference.

 

[disneysteve]

I would much rather do a condo or pool home than a hotel suite. More space and amenities generally and prices as good or better than a regular hotel. With SkyAuction, for example, you could get a 2-bed, 2-bath place for $40/nite.

 

[Lewisc]

Will you have a rental car? Doubletree in DTD is the only suite hotel I'd book if I was going to rely on hotel shuttle buses.

 

[cindy17]

Where did you get such a great rate? I can't find anything at the Staybridge Suites near the $100. mark.

Thanks

Nepean

Sorry!! I need to correct myself from my answer of $99 a night. I just looked up my info on my trip to Staybridge Suites and we paid $119.99 last August, not $99. Sorry!!

 

[HopperFan]

Sorry!! I need to correct myself from my answer of $99 a night. I just looked up my info on my trip to Staybridge Suites and we paid $119.99 last August, not $99. Sorry!!

That is still a great rate. Right now we are booked there in January for $171 a night for the 2 bdr. We wanted to return to Doubletree Suites (we stayed there this January) but it had gone up $50 a night to $169....so for 2 more dollars we took a another bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. Now we can cook a few meals. I am hoping there will be some drops in rates but for now....glad you were happy with it.

 

[tigger2on]

We have stayed there twice and were going to stay there again this SEpt. but had points we had to use or lose with DVC.
PROS:
Nice pool
Huge bedrooms
Nice Kitchen
Good breakfast "FREE"
walking distance to grocery store and lots of resturants

CONS:
No elevators so if you get a second floor room... have to carry your luggage up stairs.
Living room areas are a bit small/cramped.

 

[disneysteve]

I just looked up my info on my trip to Staybridge Suites and we paid $119.99 last August

Right now we are booked there in January for $171 a night for the 2 bdr.

I've never been to Staybridge Suites. Can someone explain what it is about the place that makes paying such high prices worth it? I can't imagine paying $171 (OR $119) per nite when there are so many wonderful options in the Disney area. For under $100/nite, you could rent a 3-bedroom villa with a private pool and hot tub, big screen tv, video game and stereo systems, maybe even computer and internet access. What does Staybridge offer to justify those prices? And where are they located?

 

[LeahA]

We have 5 as well, and thanks to some great suggestions on this board I checked out www.vrbo.com

There are so many condo's,villa's and houses to rent.

I saw a 3 bedroom/3 bath villa with your own private splash pool for $115.00 per night in peak season! The resort was located in Kissimee in the Windsor Hills gated community. The resort has a huge pool and slide and a really cool looking playground.

I love staying in hotels, but, we might try this out for our trip next year!

 

[cindy17]

In all honesty, I never checked out the villa or pool home options. When we choose to stay off-site it usually is a cost issue vs. staying onsite. We want to be as close as possible to the parks. Even though we rent a car and wouldn't need to depend on off site transportation, I really don't want to be spending even more than a few minutes to get to the parks. Also, I may be wrong in my assumption, but I always thought that staying in a private pool home or a villa, that it would almost be too quiet or as my kids say "boring". If we didn't have children, we might've checked it out. I also like the security of staying at an established chain hotel. I'm sure these villas and private pool homes are beautiful, but just not for us at this time.

The Staybridge Suites we've been mentioning are in LBV, right next to the Kroegers shopping center (walking distance!), almost directly across from Downtown Disney, next to Sheraton Safari.

 

[disneysteve]

We want to be as close as possible to the parks. Even though we rent a car and wouldn't need to depend on off site transportation, I really don't want to be spending even more than a few minutes to get to the parks. Also, I may be wrong in my assumption, but I always thought that staying in a private pool home or a villa, that it would almost be too quiet or as my kids say "boring".

There are absolutely off-site alternatives that would fit your preferences. For example, the past two years we stayed at Orbit One vacation villas on Entry Point Blvd. Entry Point becomes Sherberth Rd. when it crosses 192 and goes directly to Animal Kingdom. I timed the drive last trip. From the parking lot at AK to the door of our condo took 4 minutes! To MGM was maybe 6 or 7 minutes. It takes longer than that if you are staying onsite.

Orbit One is a timeshare resort but we rented through SkyAuction and didn't need to sit through a sales presentation. We paid $260 for the week. The complex has 2 pools and various activities throughout the day: games, crafts, bingo, etc. And the units are great: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, jacuzzi tub in the master bath, screened in patio, full kitchen, washer/dryer, etc.

 

[kanga24roos]

My family of six stayed at Homewood Suites 2 years ago loved it. Plenty of room and free breakfast buffet really helped our budget. We got that for $86 a night had bedroom with 2 queen beds and pull out full size couch and a full kitchen. We are currently booked at Buena Vasta Suites for our up coming Vaca in April... same set up and got it for $88 a night. I know Homewood Suites is right across from the DTD hotels and I believe Buena Vista Suites is just as close to the parks.

 

[crjack]

We just returned from Windsor Hills. Very close to the parks (near Orbit One, Windsor Palms, etc.) and as far as other guests go it's really no different than a hotel resort. The developments have community pools and clubhouse ammenities for all to enjoy so if you prefer to use that large pool and meet other guests it's certainly an option.

The pool homes and townhouses have their own private pools but the condos don't. Condo guests have to use the community pool so lots of people gather there. Also, at Windsor Hills, there is a pool slide so we went up to that pool a few times during our visit so the kids could try it out. They met up with a few kids in the pool, shared a few toys and before you know it they have some new friends from another state!

There was a fitness center, game room and small on-site movie theater for all to share so very similar to a resort hotel set-up. The main difference, besides price, is housekeeping. You do not receive daily housekeeping but we actually prefer that so it works out fine for us. The units are all cleaned before you check in and again when you leave so we actually like not having to put valuables in a safe or move things around.

Check out www.vrbo.com for a few resorts close by to compare pricing. We really like Windsor Hills, Windsor Palms and Emerald Island.

 

[dandelion]

Has anyone stayed in the "kids suites" at Carlson's Country Inns? There is one at Lake Buena Vista and one in Kissimmee as part of the Calypso Cay resort - I would be fine with either locale.

I think Comfort Inns also have some kid suites, but even in the pictures those looked SO small I didn't even bother noting which location.

We are a family of 4 (DS7, DD9), considering an October trip for MNSSHP and DD's birthday.

 

[tink2dw]

I like the Lake Buena Vista area because it is so close to WDW. I found this hotel. Extended Stay the studio was priced at $80.00. I have not had time to futher research it. Here is a link You might try the EB for a discount.
http://www.extendedstaydeluxe.com/minisite/?hotelID=945