Days Inn Eastgate - Kissimmee - anybody stayed there?

[Lil ole moi]

Hello,

I am thinking about booking our November week long stay there at $30.95/night? Anybody ever stay there?

Thanks!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

It is very close to WDW, located in Old Town.
I usggest you go to www.tripadvisor.com to read some of the reviews. Here is what one reviewer on bidding for travel had to say, "Just returned from an 8 night stay at this hotel. I was rather nervous after reading several reviews. Fortunately, the hotel was fine. The room was clean and the location was great. Housekeeping was excellent.
Upon our request, we were upgraded to a "pool view" room. This didn't reduce the noise much, since we could hear people in the pool during the night.
The bottom line is that this hotel is NOTHING fancy, but is clean. If you would not mind staying at a Motel 6, then this hotel will be fine for you. If you do mind Motel 6, then do not stay here. I think a 2* rating is very generous for this hotel... even though there is a restaurant, the hotel is really a 1*. "

You didn't mention the dates in November you are going to be there but you can get a internet rate of $26.96 plus tax for the period November 3 to 10. The price is good and the location is close to WDW. Some of the posters don't like the rooms for various reasons, but check for yourself. If a low price is the main motivation, then it is hard to beat except possibly using priceline.

 

[Lil ole moi]

Thanks for your reply! Very much appreciated. Our trip is scheduled for November 9-16th, so unfortunately we missed the deal you mentioned.

I tried clicking on tripadviser link you suggested (thanks!), but I don't know where you go to look for reviews on this hotel. Can you tell I'm new to the internet?

Low price is definitely my motivation...it was either that or no trip at all

Thanks again for your reply!

 

[kilee]

There are 2 Day's Inn's in something like a 1 mile radius on 192. One is known as Day's Inn Eastgate-- the other as Day's Inn Maingate East. The first has been known to be unsafe and filthy. (I have never stayed there) I have stayed at the 2nd. Which has gotten highly mixed reviews as well. However it has about a 25% positive review on this board. I haven't seen any positive reports on the first one. Just check around. The Day's Inn, in the Orlando area, generally seem to have a bad rep. Our room was clean, fairly modern. The pool and grounds were always clean too. We've actually stayed twice. The second time, we found it to be noisy. Overall, I have to agree-- expect no frills and you should be fine.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

There are 5 Days Inn sites east of the WDW entrance in Kissimmee:
1. Kissimmee at 2095 E. Irlo Bronson Highway
2. Maingate East at 5840 W. Irlo Bronson Highway (2.5 miles to the Maingate of WDW) 4 out of 5 Starbursts in the Days Inn rating system
3. Days Suites Maingate East at 5820 W. Irlo Bronson Highway
4. Eastgate at 5245 Irlo Bronson Highway (east of Vineland Rd)
5. Kissimmee at 4104 W. Irlo Bronson Highway (west of Hogland Rd)

and one site west of the WDW entrance:
7980 West Irlo Bronson Highway (route 192) (2.5 miles to
Maingate) rated as 4 out of 5 Starbursts and favorable comments

The east locations that are closest to the WDW entrance are at Old Town (5820 and 5840 W. Irlo Bronson Highway).

I believe that Lil Ole moi has reservations there. That is why my comments were specific to that location. It is rated as 4 starbursts and is close to many restaurants and to Old Town. But, if the reservations are at the location at 5245 W. Irlo Bronson Highway, I would suggest that they be changed to the location at Old Town. It would be closer to WDW and closer to the restaurants nearby within walking distance.

I have not read any reviews of any of the motels that would indicate that one is any safer than the other. Generally speaking, all of the locations are safe for visitors.

 

[Lil ole moi]

Thanks for your replies...My reservations are at 5245 Irlo Bronson Highway...should I cancel and book somewhere else?

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I can only say what I would do. You can still get a rate of $29.40 plus tax at the Days Inn-Old Town location (Maingate East).
Here's what I would suggest you do. Go to this web site
http://www.the.daysinn.com/kissimmee06064 and see if you can book at a rate that satisfies you. The Days Suites have a kitchen, if you want to cook to save money. If you just want a room only at a lower rate, try this web site http://www.daysinn.com/DaysInn/control/Booking/check_avail If you are over 50, you can join the September Days club free. But normally the web rates are just as good. If you can cancel the other reservation, I would do it.

Then look on this web site www.hotelkingdom.com or this one
www.hotelmartusa.com and see if you can find something more to your liking. If so, try it.

It is hard to beat the price at the Days Inn Maingate East location. And, remember that this is just MY opinion. The location at 5245 W. Irlo Bronson Highway was remodeled in 1997 and it is also a good location close to the route 535 and 192 intersection. I just like the idea of being able to walk to restaurants and to Old Town. Now, just remember that on Friday and Saturday nights, many people come to Old Town to visit and it is very crowded. Since the Days Inn sites are within walking distance to Old Town, there is noise from Old Town nearby.

Another suggestion would be to review the Budget Board and the Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies forums to get more thoughts about your stay. Is this your first trip to WDW?

 

[Lil ole moi]

I'm soooo confused as to what to do....

What about Days Inn Disney Eastgate Orlando - 12799 Apopka-Vineland Road (is that in Lake Buena Vista?). $39/nt

Or Best Western Eastgate (5565 W. Irlo Bronson Mem Pkwy).? $33.75/nt

Or Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista (8442 Palm Parkway - Lake Buena Vista)? $39.19/nt.

Heeeeeellllllppppp (please )

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Now, let's address the confusion.
First, is this your first trip to WDW? If so, how many people? Kids?
Flying in? Driving? Do you want a kitchen? Suite?
Now, more importantly, how much do you feel you want to spend a night on lodging? That determines the quality level of the motel/hotel. And, do you have an idea whatsoever where you want to be? If you haven't been to WDW before, then you have no idea, probably.

Let's answer your question about the Days Inn on Apopka-Vineland. Yes, it is in Lake Buena Vista (LBV). It is just a short driving distance from Hotel Plaza Blvd, where there are many major hotel chains. Hotel Plaza Blvd leads you to Downtown Disney. From Downtown Disney it is approximately 4 miles to the entrance into the four major theme parks.

The Best Western Eastgate at 5565 W. Irlo Bronson Highway is further away from the WDW Maingate entrance on route 192, which is also the Irlo Bronson Highway, than the Days Inn Maingate, located at 5820 W. Irlo Bronson Highway. It costs more than the Days Inn and is about the same quality.
The Comfort Inn LBV is in the same general location of the Days Inn Apopka-Vineland road.

So, what to do? There is no set answer to give you. I suggest you look at Deb Wills web site on accomodations at http://www.wdwig.com/onoff.htm which gives you some ideas on the advantages and disadvantages of different locations.
Also, her site can give you an idea of what is happening at the parks in November at http://wdwig.com/dd.htm#nov.

Now, where does this leave you? Don't panic. If you want lodging cost at under $30 per night, The Days Inn Maingate at Old Town will give you basic lodging, clean, and no frills. It is easy to drive to the World Drive entrance (Maingate) on route 192 (W. Irlo Bronson Highway) from that location. It takes about 5 minutes normally. You said this: "Low price is definitely my motivation...it was either that or no trip at all " Based on that statement, if you want an easy access to WDW, and lodging at minimal prices, route 192 is probably the place for you.
I am assuming that you don't want to, or don't know how to use www.priceline.com . If you knew how to use it and were willing to accept anything that you get, then that would be the way to go. But, you said that you were not internet savvy, so I thought that looking more for lodging would start to be stressful to you.
Has this helped any?


Does this help?

 

[Lil ole moi]

oh...one more..

what about Econolodge Maingate Hawaiian Resort? $31.95/ngt

Can you feel my pain??

 

[Lil ole moi]

Thank you WDWisTheBest!

You are being soooo patient with me. It's not my first time vacationing there, but I usually stay onsite, with the exception of staying offsite twice (Radisson Maingate at the Parkway - more than I can now afford to pay, and also at the Econolodge Maingate Hawaiian Resort - which is in my price category, but that was in 1991 and I'm not sure what condition that hotel would be in now).

In order to do this trip, (I'm newly separated from my husband and am taking my daughter (17 years old) on this trip because it was in the plans for over a year), I am looking at the cheapest possible (within reason) way to do it. I had to cancel my reservations staying onsite, and we're going from a 5-day pass to a 3-day pass, no rental car so we will rely on Mears to get us to the airport and back, which means we have to stay at a hotel that provides transportation to and from the parks. Luckily our plan tickets are bought and paid for. Whew!

I guess basically we are looking for a hotel that is SAFE, clean, inexpensive, good shuttle service to the parks...that sort of stuff. I realize that for the price I'm able to pay, will not be what I'm used to, but that's o.k., just to be there with my daughter to escape the reality of life will be reward enough.

Thanks again for all your advice...keep it coming...I'm listening!



We are also from Canada, which means we have to deal with paying the hefty exchange rate...bummer....

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Here is what someone said about the Econolodge:
"Got the Econolodge Kissimmee off Priceline
I bid $21 a night for a 1 star hotel from 10/16 to 10/20 and got the Econolodge Kissimmee. It's in Kissimmee on 5335 Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Bldg E/F. I remember staying here a few years ago and it was OK. It had no frills, but it was clean. I hope things haven't changed much there!"

Now, since you won't have a car, that changes everything. With that in mind, you might want to see if you can get one of the 7 hotels on Hotel Plaza Blvd. that have the transportation to and from the parks. You can also walk to Downtown Disney and get Disney buses from there.

I would forget the route 192 hotels in your case, since they are geared to driving a car to and from the airport, theme parks etc.

Can you use www.Priceline.com? Here is what someone posted recently for the LBV Best Western "3* WDW Best Western LBV $25 + $10 Bonus 12/6 -12/10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Started Bidding at $19 + $10 bonus and increased by $1 with each free rebid. Got the Best Western at LBV for $25 + $10. "

Here is what another poster said, "3* WDW Best Western LBV 9/23-26 $29 Congratulations, you got your price of $29 for a 3-star hotel room.
Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort
Check-In Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Check-Out Date: Friday, September 26, 2003
Disney World Vicinity
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
Your Offer Price: $29.00
Number of Rooms: 1
Number of Nights: 3
Subtotal: $87.00
Taxes/Service Fees: $17.40
Total Charges: $104.40 "

These were from bidding for travel, which tells you how to bid on hotwire and priceline.

Finally, here is a review of the WDW Courtyard Villages:
"Courtyard Marriot at the WDW Village
I stayed at this property July 2-July 9. The staff was excellent and very friendly. I had a Marriot Rewards card so all of my requests were honored...non-smoking room with a balcony, located on the 11th floor near the elevators.

The room was bright, spacious and VERY clean. We had two full/queen size comfortable beds. There was also a separate table with two chairs and an additional telephone for your computer. The hotel offered a special computer hookup for $9.95 for your entire stay. Wish I had taken advanatage of this. My computer kept kicking me off and I had to keep redialing and each time I did, I was charged 50 cents for a local phone call. The bathroom contained two sinks, hairdryer, toilet, and a bathtub with an excellent showerhead.

Linens were changed daily. USA Today was delivered to the door Monday thru Thursday. There was also an ironing board and safe (although it did not work).

In the lobby area, there was a snack bar that was always open. The hotel also containted a Pizza Hut and TCBY, but I did not check them out. They did have a mananger reception from 5:00 to 6:00 where free wine and beer were offered along with nachos, popcorn and sodas for the kids.

The buses to the various areas of the WDW resort were continually running by the hotel. Take advantage of them...they will save you the $7.00 parking fee at the parks and drop you close to the gates.

The staff was also excellent the morning of checkout. I called for a bellhop and they were there is less than two minutes. I checked out at 11:00 am and made the comment that my flight wasn't leaving until 9:00 p.m. The hotel offered to hold my luggage until I needed it (which was great)

It was a very pleasant experience and for $30.00 a night, the price and location could not be beat. You are staying on Disney property and you are less than 2/10ths of a mile from the Disney Village. I hope I am lucky enough to get a winning bid there again one day. For those who stay here, you will not be disappointed. "

Good luck.

 

[Lil ole moi]

I definitely can't afford any of the 7 hotels on Hotel Plaza Blvd., so when I'm surfing the net for hotels, I always make sure that they have free park shuttles. So far, Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista has it, as well as Econolodge Maingate Hawaiian and Best Western Eastgate and Days Inn Eastgate all have scheduled park shuttle service. But unfortunately, I'm the type of person that if you give me a choice in what to do, it will take me time to decide what to do! So that is why I value your opinions!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

"I booked through Hotwire last month & got the Courtyard by Marriott at Downtown Disney. I did tons of research beforehand & was 99% sure that it was this hotel before I placed my bid. I got it for $29 for a weekend stay."

 

[crazelion]

Travelzoo.com has the Courtyard by Marriott for 49.00 dollars in Walt Disney World.

I would check hotelkingdom.com for hotels in your price range. Then I would go to tripadvsior.com to check hotel reviews. Also check travelocity.com for hotel reviews to.

I hope this helps. Try to keep postive and everything would work out.

 

[kilee]

When we stayed at the Old Town Days Inn-- I used www.go2orlando.com twice. The first time we had a rate of $19.99 a night (April 2002) the second time $24.99 a night (February 2003). Just be sure to check around for your rates. Also check www.orlandoescape.com They have good rates often. During our 4/02 trip we used the hotel shuttle often. One huge problem--- the last shuttle could be scheduled to leave the parks at 8pm-- even if the park is open until 10pm. It leaves at 8pm on the dot usually. You get there at 8:05pm and your paying a taxi!!! So, be sure to not plan on seeing things like Fantasmic or Illuminations during this trip. They never had buses running past closing. Most of the hotels on 192 also use the same shuttles.