Finally decided on a hotel!

[DznyDreamin']

Thanks to everybody who posted about the Tropical Palms Resort! The posts were mostly all positive so we have decided to stay there!

We are a large group, 6 to be exact, staying 9 nights. It's my dh, myself and 4 kids (his, hers and ours) ranging in age from 3yrs to 20yrs. Privacy is a big issue for us as this is our first ever family vacation. Cost is an issue in that the more I can save on lodging the more I can spend on souvies or character meals or...convince my dh to go back in 2003!

We started out with 2 rooms at ASMo, $1243.00. Then someone clued me into Fort Wilderness Cabins, $1333.00 so we switched. Sure it cost a little more but we could more than make up the cost by having my dh cook on the grill rather than eating at the food court. We looked into a vacation home that my dh heard about, $1445.00. Nice but no thanks. Then I started looking through a Kissimmee Visitor's Guide and saw the ad for Tropical Palms, did a search on this board, spent a couple hours reading the reviews very carefully and...called them and got a price of $796.00! I had to ask the price twice because I just couldn't believe it. The only down sides are: no grill and the transportation to WDW costs $4.00/person/round trip. We're driving but there are 2 days I'm taking the little ones over for a character breakfast that the older ones & dh seem to think they are too old for. I guess they just aren't into Princesses. The amount of $$ we are saving will make up for the transportation costs though.

I am wondering however, if there are nearby fast food places or carry-out restauarants though? My dh would have grilled for all 6 of us but I sure don't want to have to cook for 6 each night. I don't like to cook as it is so especially not on vacation.

Thanks in advance!

Oh, sorry to be so long but I'm pretty excited to be saving so much and be at a nice place too!

 

[horseshowmom]

I don't want to be nosy or anything, but was there a particular reason why you didn't like the houses? You should be able to find one for around $1000 for 9 days (or less maybe). We've used them a lot, and the extra space is a life saver (not to mention the full kitchen, washer/dryer, and private pool). We stop at the grocery store for easy foods (corndogs, spaghetti/baked potatoes, cereal, sandwich fixings, etc.). You can always have pizza delivered.

Lots of the houses even have Disney themed rooms for the kids. The older ones won't feel so confined in a house. Tropical Palms is nice, but I don't think they're very big. Of course, everybody likes different things, so whatever you do, have a great trip!

 

[DznyDreamin']

It's okay to ask, I don't mind.

I had my mind set that we were staying on-site so when the cost of the houses we looked at turned out to be nearly equal to the cost of the FW Cabins we decided to stay with cabin even though it meant cramped quarters in comparison. The houses you could take a virtual tour of were beautiful. I don't have an unpleasant thing at all to say about them. But then I ran across the Tropical Palms and saw the price plus the proximity to WDW -- well, bargain shopper that I am -- I changed my mind from the FW Cabins to the Tropical Palms.

The house we really liked, by the time they added in sales tax and pool heat -- we'll be there in December so I'm assuming we'll need the pool heated -- the cost came to $1445.00, give or take a few cents. I don't feel that's a bad price for all you have with a house at all. However, I'm still trying to convince my dh we need to go back in June 2003 and his biggest reason for saying no is the total cost of the trip so if I can pinch a few pennies and still have a good time then maybe, just maybe, he'll say yes. Then again, a thought just occurred to me, if we stay in an exceptionally nice home he might really enjoy that and want to go back for that reason. Hmmm, now I 'm confused again.

Would you mind letting me know where you stayed before and I'll check out their prices too? Never hurts to shop around!

Well, no matter what, we'll be in WDW so we'll have a great time!

 

[horseshowmom]

We've stayed with Hayes Vacation Home Rentals twice(www.hayesvacationrentals.com, I think). Her prices include the taxes (double check to make sure they still do). A 3 BR house is fine for what you need (that's what we've rented, and we had 8 people). Some of her houses are newer than others, so if you particularly want the newest ones, let her know (the ones we stayed in weren't her newer ones, but they were very nice and spacious).

BTW, Hayes used to decorate their houses for Christmas, but I don't know if they still do (ask to be sure).

Another good place to check with is Florida Leisure Homes (I think it's www.floridaleisure.com, but I'm not sure). He sometimes posts on these boards and has some great properties.

Your very best deal might be from www.vrbo.com (Vacation Rentals By Owner). While I've never used them, several people on these boards have, and they've been extremely pleased.

I agree that you'll need the pool heat in December. I've been there during that time when it was very warm, but I've also seen it very cold then, and you don't want to take a chance.

My husband MUCH prefers the rental homes. It helps to give everybody their own space and not to be so close together. We all love each other, but 9 days can be pretty long! LOL The 3 BR houses have 2 baths which helps a lot too. Some of the houses I've seen on VRBO even had gamerooms in the garages (pool table, ping pong, etc.).

The kitchens are fully equipped, but we had stuff like Toaster Strudel, cereal, sausage & biscuits, etc. with juice and coffee for breakfast to make it easy (I'm not one for cooking on vacation either! LOL).

One other thing about the washer/dryer - Since it will be December, you almost have to pack two kinds of clothes (don't know if you'll have warm weather or cool, and it can change daily). You can pack much lighter and wash as you go long as needed.