Extending DS's Make a Wish Trip...looking for good offsite hotel

[aym4Him]

I got a Groupon offer for the Comfort Inn Maingate for $55/night. They do charge $3.96/night for a resort fee.

Anyone with experience here? Any other recommendations?

I'm also looking at the Best Western LBV. It's $55/night rate is non-refundable, though. I just saw it has a $9.99/night resort fee, too.

We are staying Nov 17-20. Will have a rental car but are considering taking shuttles/buses to avoid parking costs. Will be moving from GKTW and don't mind being closer to DTD/Parks.

Thank you so much!!!!!

 

[HayGan]

I haven't stayed at either of those so all I can do is recommend you check them out on Tripadvisor to see what recent reviews are.

I wanted to say have a fabulous time on your son's MAW! We did a wish trip for my sister many years ago and it will always be a treasured memory for our family. I'm sure you will really enjoy the village (and honestly it will be hard to go to a regular hotel room after staying there!)

Enjoy your trip!

 

[aym4Him]

I haven't stayed at either of those so all I can do is recommend you check them out on Tripadvisor to see what recent reviews are.

I wanted to say have a fabulous time on your son's MAW! We did a wish trip for my sister many years ago and it will always be a treasured memory for our family. I'm sure you will really enjoy the village (and honestly it will be hard to go to a regular hotel room after staying there!)

Enjoy your trip!

Thank you! I have been cross-referencing several sites for ratings, etc, of a number of hotels. I just don't know what to do. I'm afraid the ol "you get what you pay for" thing is true.. I will say that the person I spoke with was the MOST FRIENDLY of all the reservation specialists I called today. She seemed genuinely interested in the fact that our son is a Wish Kid and that we wanted to extend our trip and stay in their hotel. Everyone else was like, "Yeah. Ok. Do you have AAA? No? Well, that'll be $120/night."

Someone from GKTW recommended several places but some got not-so-good ratings, as well.

Holiday Inn Express (Polynesian Blvd)
Mike Ditka Resorts
Buena Vista Suites ($109/night was the best rate they had)
Hampton Inn (Calypso Cay Way)
Nickelodeon (Ha..if we could afford their prices, we'd just stay at a Disney resort!)
Ramada
Royal Parc Suites

I'm slowly going thru the list.

I have no doubt that our son is going to have a wonderful time on his trip and that GKTW is going to be VERY hard to beat those last few days of our trip! My DH and I joked last night that E is going to be pretty disappointed when he doesn't get ice cream for 3 meals a day once we check out!

 

[Granny square]

Have you considered a condo rental from sky auction or getravelop.com if by some chance one of you works for the government? A week for between $250 and $350, and plenty if room in the freezer for ice cream.

 

[aym4Him]

Have you considered a condo rental from sky auction or getravelop.com if by some chance one of you works for the government? A week for between $250 and $350, and plenty if room in the freezer for ice cream.

We haven't. Neither of us works for the government, unfortunately. My inlaws do, but do you know if they would need to be staying with us to qualify? I'm sure one of them would have to do the room reservation.. Thank you for the information! I'll check it out. We really only need 3 nights, though.

Thank you all for your responses! Keep the tips coming .

 

[Granny square]

They can sign up and you can get the condo"gifted." to you. then you could have two bedrooms, etc.

 

[Sparkly]

I also recommended renting a condo, that way you don't miss the space of your villa! You may have to pay extra cleaning charges for only staying 3 nights however.

 

[tednvon]

http://www.vrbo.com/search/usa/flor...2-11-17/departure:2012-11-20/sort-by:Bedrooms

Good Morning...this is a quick search of condos in Kissimmmee (closest to Disney) that are available your dates.

If you would like to try a condo rental these rates are usually negotiable, especially as the date approaches. If you see a 2 or 3 bedroom you like click on "contact the owner" and fill in the response. In the comments section, I would put a note that says something like:
"Our family needs 3 extra nights on our vacation. I noticed your beautiful condo is available for the 3 nights we need. Our budget is $60 (or whatever you want)/night to include taxes and fees. We will pay reasonable cleaning costs." (Mentioning that you are a Make a Wish family is certainly your choice.)
You can then send this message to multiple condos simply by clicking "send" without retyping the message. We have helped many folks do this and you may be surprised that folks will take your offer during this time if they have late rentors coming in for Thanksgiving week. A condo is so nice as you will all have space, two baths, at least one private off the master, and nice heated swimming area. Renting directly from owners can seem a little threatening at first, but it is done all the time and there are definitely some great deals to be had. Owners want to get properities rented and empty units generate no income! I know, I have been there and rented our home to savvy rentors who contacted me at the last minute for a great rate.

Good Luck, no matter what you will have a wonderful time and find a good 3 night choice. Just trying VRBO.com is practice if you ever want to use them again for a full week or more stay anywhere in the world...

Ted

 

[spiceycat]

I'm also looking at the Best Western LBV. It's $55/night rate is non-refundable, though. I just saw it has a $9.99/night resort fee, too.

We are staying Nov 17-20. Will have a rental car but are considering taking shuttles/buses to avoid parking costs. Will be moving from GKTW and don't mind being closer to DTD/Parks.

Thank you so much!!!!!

best western LBV is a Dtd hotel. it is within walking distance of DTD.

here the website for BW LBV
http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/hotels/best-western

for that rate would take it.

now it is old and needs updating - but for close to WDW for that rate - don't think you can beat it.

It has transportation every 30 minutes.

 

[aym4Him]

best western LBV is a Dtd hotel. it is within walking distance of DTD.

here the website for BW LBV
http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/hotels/best-western

for that rate would take it.

now it is old and needs updating - but for close to WDW for that rate - don't think you can beat it.

It has transportation every 30 minutes.

Thanks! Yes, the rate is VERY enticing! The next hotel we are now considering is the Hampton Inn on Palm Parkway. It got a REALLY good rating thru tripadvisor. Looks like $70/night but non-refundable. That kind of makes me nervous simply b/c we are the family that Murphy's Law likes to stalk.

The condos look great but I don't think we really need something like that for 3 nights, especially if there are cleaning fees attached. I think if we were doing an extended stay, that might be nice. It will only be for the 3 of us (2 adults and a almost 4 yr old).

Anyway, the Hampton has free parking and breakfast and shuttle but it's probably not as timely as the Best Western. The refundable rate is $89 the first night and $79 the next two.

Decisions, decisions... I may call the Best Western and see how much extra it will be to add a fridge. It'll be handy to have for morning cereal/snacks.

Thanks again!!!