Down Town Disney

[bry]

I have found so much information on this site that I am now very confused, therefore, I am going to try the direct approach and hopefully someone can help me, please........

1. We need to hire a car for 8 days from MCO - only for two people - any ideas, tips are appreciated.

2. We did the Universal parks on our honeymoon in 2002 and I would quite happily go back, but my Wife wants to do Disney. So..... we are looking for a Hotel, in/near Disney hopefully very near to DTD if there is good nightlife there - similar to city walk? 8 days hotel for less than 500 quid?

3. Alternatively, a good cheap hotel within walking distance of Universal city walk

Thanks folks.

 

[Graeme]

www.holidayautos.co.uk are the cheapest I've found. They use Alamo which is a short walk from baggage claim at MCO

 

[kimmy kay]

The Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista is a nice cheap hotel and is with 15 minutes of Disney and Universal and less than 5 minutes to DTD.

 

[Graeme]

If you look on www.tripadvisor.com and click on Orlando hotels it has user reviews on 280 hotels and ranks them accordingly.

 

[Neoshoegal]

We are renting our car from floridacarhire.net which had the best rates for us. This site was recommended to me by someone on this forum.

 

[Girlsontour]

Neosheogal - noticed your ticker - have a great holiday!

 

[Neoshoegal]

Neosheogal - noticed your ticker - have a great holiday!

Thanks! Everything is packed up and I'm ready to go now!!!

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi Bry and welcome to the Dis

8 nights for £500 is definitely do - able Depending on when you are going you might be able to afford one of the Disney hotels for that - Pop Century or the All Stars. You could use Dinsey transport then for getting around and just hire a car for a few days - this could save some money too, as a different option.

 

[bry]

Thanks for the tips folks.

We are actually over in New York for Tartan Week before heading down to MCO on the 11th of April for 8 days - just in the middle of Easter!!

Kid not cming with us, so just the two of us.

We discovered that Busch gardens is a 'Universal' and that's where the Wife wants to go, so we are pretty ope to stay anywhere (Universal or Disney) as long as the Hotel is close to 'happening' night places like DTD or Citywalk or anything else?

Also not bought any tickets yet so looking for the best way to buy at the best price - Orlando flexi, park hopper etc. Seen a few places online but all pretty expensive.

 

[Miffy2003]

Bry can you clarify how many days you might want to spend at each park so ticket advice is a bit easier?

Are you looking at one day Busch, 2 days universal etc?

Any of the DTD Hotels might suit you, I am sure there is a website address for them so I will try and find it. Or you could book through Expedia etc if you know the names etc)

 

[Miffy2003]

In the middle of Easter I think prices are going to be quite high unfortunately

Try the Dreams Unlimited part of this website (our site sponsors who come highly recommended). if you click on the "reservations" hyperlink at the top of this page it will take you straight there and you can add your dates. I found the Grosvenor Resort which is right opposite DTD from $99 per night here: http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/grosvenor/grosvenor1.cfm#hotels-main-grosvenor though I expect it will be higher than $99 for your dates (I didn't try them)

 

[bry]

I've been told that I want a 6 day Disney ticket but we don't really.

It will be one day at Busch.

A few days at Disney - 3-5

We might go back to Universal and might move Hotels up there as well, but as I said, we did Universal in 2002, but I'd like to go back.

Did Seaworld and Gatorland and Kennedy last time so won't be going back to them. Also did Disneyland California in 04 so don't expect DW to be too different??

TBH we really have no plans and will go with the best deal that includes a couple of days at Disney - in California, we got our tix thru the Hotel - any deals in Florida like that?

The tips on the cars look very good and we will go with one of them cheers.

 

[Miffy2003]

Did Seaworld and Gatorland and Kennedy last time so won't be going back to them. Also did Disneyland California in 04 so don't expect DW to be too different??

TBH we really have no plans and will go with the best deal that includes a couple of days at Disney - in California, we got our tix thru the Hotel - any deals in Florida like that?

.

Well I haven't been to Disneyland myself so what I am going to say can be taken with a pinch of salt

MK at WDW is going to be similar to DL and if you are seeking coasters I might be inclined to miss this. There is nothing comparable to Epcot, MGM or Animal Kingdom at DL though AFAIK.

Not sure getting the tickets through the hotel is the cheapest option, but most hotels sell them and this may be least hassle - you aren' going to save much ordering in advance if you are only going for say 3 days anyway so maybe the hotel is a good option.

 

[bry]

Thanks Miffy - Grosvner was coming in at 200$ a night and unavailable so won't be there

I'm looking through the Dreams site now for an alternative

 

[bry]

Any opinions on the Best Western near DTD and LBV?

It seems to be in the price range

 

[UKDEB]

Hi, bry and welcome to the DIS!

Unfortunately, you've picked one of the most expensive times to go. The Downtown Disney hotels are still a bit of a trek from Downtown Disney (not like walking from the onsite Universal hotels to CityWalk). And, on that, subject, the onsite Universal hotels are the only ones within walking distance of CityWalk and the Universal parks. If you're interested in staying there, Royal Pacific Resort is the cheapest of the three options. Take a look at the Universal Hotels forum for tips on getting the best rate. Staying onsite at Universal is the only way to do it, IMHO. We certainly did Margaritaville justice this past January!

If you've never been to WDW, I think you'll be quite surprised. When Walt bought land in Central Florida, he did so secretly in order that the area immediately around it wouldn't get built-up in the way it had in California. The result has to be experienced to comprehend. It's the size of a large UK City and 3/4 of it is still undeveloped. The parks and hotels are well spread out and 6-lane highways (i.e. motorways) run throughout. It is a destination in itself with its own political identity. I read in one guidebook, that the only other place on Earth it can be likened to is the Vatican.

The Swan and Dolphin might be worth a look. They tend to come in considerably cheaper than the Disney hotels and are within walking distance of both Epcot and MGM, as well as Disney's BoardWalk and Yacht & Beach Clubs. The BoardWalk has some good nightlife options. From the Swan and Dolphin, you would get complimentary transportation to Downtown Disney.

 

[UKDEB]

Any opinions on the Best Western near DTD and LBV?

It seems to be in the price range

I don't have any personal experience of this hotel, but I do know it's on Hotel Plaza Boulevard, which is within the boundaries of WDW property, just across from Downtown Disney. I wouldn't want to walk to DTD, but it's certainly possible and I'm sure there are plenty of folks who will tell you they do. You will get complimentary shuttle service to all the parks.

 

[bry]

Thanks very much Debbie - yes decision has been made now to concentrate and be based in WDW, must admit never realised how big it is.

There doesn't seem to be much difference in price between 3-103 day tickets, i.e. they seem to make 90%+ of the money in the first few days.

Looks like we are looking for a Hotel onsite, that has good nightlife, or good access to nightlife (no kids travelling with us) - basically, just worried about getting back to the Hotel after the night has finished. Good tip with Swan and Dolphin.

We are going to buy a 7 or 8 day hopper, not interested in water parks, but think PLeasure island is worth a look. What's the best ticket to buy to achieve this? Non-expiration is not a problem but we want to hop. Where else is there to visit like pleasure island that costs extra.

As I said, there is sometimes toooo much information out there and here.....

Thanks

 

[bry]

Looks like we will go for the Hotel Royal Plaza in Down Town Disney. Anything good/bad to know about this?

There is various bits of info. around but does anyone have actual experience of how close this hotel is to DTD (Pleasure Island, etc)

We are getting the 7day Premium tix included - all in all this makes the Hotel 630 quid for 8 days which is about as good as we can expect

 

[UKDEB]

This one's also on Hotel Plaza Boulevard - a bit closer to DTD than the Best Western and, from the photos I've seen, a nicer hotel. It's not very far from DTD - I'd say about a 10 minute walk, but not a particularly easy one. Difficult to explain unless you've actually been there. It's not like a walk in your local neighbourhood, but it's certainly do-able. In any event, you could get a bus or a cab - it's literally across the street, so wouldn't cost you much.

Downtown Disney itself is quite spread out and divided into three distinct areas - Marketplace, Pleasure Island and West Side. Hotel Plaza Boulevard will bring you out at Marketplace.