Disney Hotel - or somewhere else?

[kristieuk]

Hi,

Was wondering if anyone could help....

We go to Florida every year, but we always stay down on the Gulf beaches near Sarasota.

Our daughter is five now, and so although we always make the trip up to Magic Kingdom, this year she has asked to go to MGM also.

We therefore plan to drive up to Orlando, go to MGM, stay overnight, and go to Magic Kingdom the following day.

We don't want to spend loads on a hotel because we'll probably be in it only ten hours while we sleep, but we are also quite fussy and don't want anywhere too basic. The closer to Disneyworld, the better.

What suggestions can you give?
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[Shell76]

I would definitely stay on Disney property. All depending on what date you are going, it may be in "value" season. You could get a nice, clean, comfortable room in an interesting resort for maybe a little bit more than what you would pay at a quality resort outside of WDW. I'd try Pop Century.

 

[kristieuk]

Thanks for the advice - I'll have a look at Pop Century.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Pop Century rocks!

It's super-close to MGM and is newer and, dare I say, nicer than the other Values.

Hope you have fun - MGM is my favorite park!

N.E.D.

 

[trappednabox]

I'd try a value. I've never stayed at one, but they look really cute. Especially if you have a little one!

 

[shellybaxter]

If you don't want anything "too basic" I don't think POP is the best choice, or any of the value resorts for that matter. First, for three people they only come with two double beds (the moderates are that way as well). And while you can get pizza delivered, there is no other room service. There is a food court but no other eating options.

I think if I were trying to decide (without knowing what you consider an exceptable price) I'd look into the Animal Kingdom or Wilderness Lodges. They are the lower priced of the Deluxe level hotels. They each have one nice resturant, one family resturant, and one quick service grill.

I think you might want to consider the moderate hotels as well. While they still have the bed size issues. They have a sit down resturant as well as a food court and a bit more than pizza delivered.

See what you think. To me POP, or any of the values would be "too basic". From your describtion I think the Deluxe catagory is more what you are looking for.

Shelly

 

[*Fantasia*]

When are you going? How much are you willing to pay? This will determine what resort will work.

 

[kristieuk]

We will be there at the beginning of November this year. I suppose we don't really want to spend more than $180 - $200, just because we are hardly going to be there, and a fantastic pool area, for example, would be wasted on us.

 

[anb163]

If you are willing to spend 180-200, then you can easily stay in a moderate resort. I love port orleans riverside. You might also be able to do a deluxe for that price. I'm not sure if the beginning of November is value season but I'm sure someone will know.

 

[snowmouse]

I think that would be regular season, but in that price range you have lots of options. I agree with the previous poster about POR, and I would also look into Animal Kingdom Lodge. It really is a unique experience that we recently enjoyed even though we too had a very short stay. It really added a lot to our experience. Seeing you'll have a car I would consider location less, just plan to drive to the parks. Parking is free to resort guests, and when time is a premium it is usually much faster than resort transportation.

 

[mwalsh]

The closer to Disneyworld, the better.

There is no place closer than on property. And no other choice - if you ask me!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

As others have said, stay onsite. For your budget you can get a Disney Moderate. If you are a AAA member you may be able to stay at WL or AKL for around $200 at this time.
Good Luck, Welcome to the Dis, and have a Great Time!

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Yeah, try one of the moderate resorts, Port Orleans or Carribean Beach. Make sure you get a "preferred" room, it will cost you about $15 or so more and your room will be in a muck more convienent location, considering that if you get stuck in the most remote rooms it could be quite a hike (10 min. or so walk) to the food courts, front desk, etc. For me the value resorts (All Stars or Pop Century) would be fine for a one night stay, it would be about $75 to $100 less than the moderate. But I'm not sure what you mean by "too basic". The value resorts are like a Holiday or Comfort Inn, the rooms at the moderate are slighty larger.

 

[kristieuk]

Thanks for all the excellent advice. I think I know where I'm coming from now. I'll look at moderate, if we can can't get that for what we we're looking to spend, it's value hotel all the way. What I didn't want was a scary shabby motel room, but it sounds as though the value resorts are well thought of.

Thanks again!