First time at WDW - hotel question

[NikkiMcLeod]

We are travelling from Scotland to WDW for the first time, next month. I have a photography conference in Tampa, then we are down to see Florida Panthers then back up to see Tampa v Penguins on Thursday 10th.

The only 2 days we can manage WDW is Friday 11th and Saturday 12th.

As we are not going to be arriving to the WDW area till late Thursday, should we just stay in a HoJo or something similiar and just get a WDW resort for the Friday; and is it worth it for the Saturday if we are planning all day at WDW and then we have to leave for the airport Sunday AM?

 

[Aliceacc]

The budget is the big decider, I know. But if you can swing it financially, I think I would stay on site for the whole time.

If you only have two days, I'm not sure you want to spend time checking in on Friday. It's been a long time since I was at Disney, but those resorts are BIG. Check in can't possibly be a quick as you would hope.

I think I would book on site for Thrus, Fri and Sat nights if I could swing it and if they were available.

Have a great trip!

 

[disnut8]

I agree with going with a Disney resort for the entire time. A value resort like any of the All Stars or Pop Century is affordable. Since this is your first time to Disney World and you only have two full days at the parks, staying onsite will put you right in the middle of the action. Also, you can take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours in affect during those two days, giving you even more time at the parks.

Staying offsite for Thursday night probably is not going to save you that much money and from experience, I can tell you that drivng on the Highway 192 can be a bit daunting, especially getting in late at night. Then you would have to get up on Friday morning, check out, drive to Disney World, and check in. MUCH easier to just wake up on Friday norning and head for the parks immediately.

For Saturday, having that room available to go back to during the days is well worth it. And you wouldn't have to drive offsite after a long day to get to your room. You can take advantage of the Disney transortation and leave your car parked. One less thing to think about at the end of your trip.

 

[wdwpixie]

Disney resorts. There's just nothing like staying onsite and I agree with the others' rationalizations.

Have a great time and welcome to the states!!

 

[Goofyish]

Welcome to the DIS

As you have only a short time I would go for an on-site resort
It puts you right in the middle of the magic and after all your travelling will give you a break from driving as you can get to all the parks via Disney transport.

Why not nip over to the UK DIS Boards and say hello