Confused--official disney lodging with large clan PLEASE HELP!

[frenchy]

The Hilton & Doubletree suites are "official" Disney resorts yet are "downtown". They do have the early moring extra hour with shuttles, but how much of a pain is it to get to MK? Could 2 teens head back & forth easily? We have a large party--4 adults/3kids & the on-site resorts (Boardwalk/Villas) are SO expensive...but my mother wants to be "on site" so we can come & go easily. HELP!!!! We want as little travel (I.e. "on Disney" )without being sardines for less than $2000 for a week. Am I nuts?

 

[PTarbay]

If I understand correctly you want to spend about $300 a night.How about 2 rooms at a moderate or 3 rooms at a value?If you go at certain times the Swan and Dolphin would be a good choice for 2 rooms.Port Orleans has some trundle rooms that sleep 5.A good idea might be to contact an agency like Dreams Unlimited.They charge the same as Disney and keep checking until you go to get you better prices if Disney comes out with a special deal.Email them and tell them what you want and they will get back to you with your options.I used them and would never do anything else.

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/reservations/index.htm

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

The Swan and Dolphin are right now having a $99 per night special. It lasts through December 25. Not sure if that will help you or not.

The DTD resorts are pretty good in so far as location. They are within walking distance to DTD and almost all have shuttles. The actual WDW resorts (gets a little confusing, true) seem to have better transport in that the buses, ferrys, monorails run continuously from their start to end times. It's not a schedule thing like you may run into with a DTD resort.

The value resorts are just that, an excellent value, especially if you can get them at an even greater discounted rate. They feature all the Disney perks of transport, location, etc. and have the food courts which makes it an easy matter to feed a large group of folks. Everyone can select what they want instead of having to choose from a limited menu. The refillable mugs are quite a nice option to if you like the beverages that they apply to.

Lodging is a major expense of a WDW visit. Explore the many options available to you and go with the best deal!

Have a wonderful time and enjoy every minute of your stay.

 

[kathylovesdisneyworl]

If you are looking for convience to the parks back and forth, a dountown disney hotel is probably not the answer. Yes, they do have shuttles, but nothing like a onsite resort . You will have to plan you day around scheduled shuttles, which can be frustrating. The swan and dolphin are great choices if in your budget. If you do chose a Downtown Disney hotel make you you check out mousesavers. com if you haven't already.

 

[lvs_eeyore]

The only DTD resort that has Extra Morning Hour privliges is the Hilton. The other DTD resorts dont per several CM's at Disney. You would be so much better off to stay "on site" with two value rooms or two moderate rooms. The transportation is so much better and easier. The Swan and Dolphin would also be another good option. They get all the perks of Disney and very often run specials on the rooms.

 

[SnackyStacky]

First - lvs_eeyore is right. The Hilton is the ONLY Downtown Disney Hotel that will offer Extra Magic Hour privleges.

Second, I'm always in the minority, but I will stick up for the Downtown Disney hotels. I've stayed at the Courtyard (twice) and the Hotel Royal Plaza. Since they all share the same transportation system, I can tell you that I've never had a problem with the transportation. Two teens could VERY easily get to the Magic Kingdom from the Downtown Disney hotels. All they have to do is go to the designated bus stop, and hop on the bus marked Magic Kingdom. It will take them to the Ticket and Transportation Center, and from there, they'll take a monorail or the ferry to the Magic Kingdom.

The Hilton is having a special through Dreams Unlimited for $89/night. Two rooms should serve your family's needs, and including taxes, it should work out to a little under $1400 for 7 nights.

Or, if you don't really need the Extra Magic Hour, the Doubletree is having a special (again through Dreams Unlimited) for $79/night. That works out to about $1200 for a week including tax for two rooms, and the suites are HUGE.

I personally would steer clear of the Disney resorts for your needs. The All Stars and Pop Century are inexpensive (as far as Disney's pricing scheme), but they are not at all spacious. And the moderates, while affording you more space, will be over $2000 including taxes unless you can get a discount (which for room only reservations are few and far between).

Good luck!

 

[DaveH]

Have you checked into maybe reenting DVC points for a 2 bedroom villa at OKW. The units at OKW are huge. If you happen to an AP holder theyy have discounts there that do not always get published and you have to ask. The 2 br units have a full kitchen and washer and dryers in the unitss. Most of us DVC say they are props. LOL They are others that use them for breakfast to save a few $.

 

[wdwphanatic]

... through a Disney Vacation Club member. Depending upon what time of year you're going, you could probably rent points for a week-long stay at an OKW 2-bedroom villa (if you all want to stay together) or 2 studios at any of the DVC resorts for around $2000. The 2-bedroom villa would definitely be more expensive than 2 studios. I've stayed in both, and unless you're going to be hanging out in the villa, eating meals there and needing to do laundry, I'd recommend renting points for 2 studios. As others have said, the Hilton is the only DTD property that offers EE, which IMO is a very important perk. If I were to stay anywhere off-site that would be the place.

Happy planning,
Sarah

 

[frenchy]

Thanks for all your help....I've been all over the place with this... Disney points board, here, Mousesavers, TUG. A solution?: It appears a couple may have time at Old West...and if we stay there in a 2 bedroom Sunday through Thursday, we can be in budget. Although this deal is FAR from sealed, I think this is the smartest direction.
There's really a part 2 to the class---another 4 adults with 3 kids are renting a 2 bdrm condo off-site so...I'm the coordinator for my 4 siblings.
This board has been awesome. So...if anyone knows of Disney resorts for Sunday through Thursday, please still give me a heads-up. That's really where I want to be. If they want to stay another day or so they can do Hilton &/or stay at the other condo.