Floridays Orlando Resort or Caribe Royale?

[TinaRN]

We are a family of 4 adults (ages 20-45) and a 17 yo and are staying 3 nights in Orlando before our Disney Cruise. We aren't planning to go to the main WDW parks but will probably go to a waterpark and DTD. Which resort would you choose? We have a 2 bedroom villa reserved at Caribe Royale but Floridays may be cheaper. Do you know if Caribe has free wi-fi and w/d in the 2 bedroom villas? Is either resort closer to any shopping? We will be driving but wondered if we could walk to any place nearby. Thanks in advance for any advice!!!

Ok, I just looked at WBC, what about this resort vs Caribe Royale?

 

[cheribelle]

Not sure about the other resorts but we stayed at Caribe last year prior to our cruise. Family of 5 in a one bedroom. We have always stayed on site at Disney prior to this. However we loved this resort. The pool is fabulous with a water slide.

The grounds are immaculate and so pretty. We all had a great time. The staff is very friendly!!
We only visited Downtown Disney and a few Disney Resorts (no parks).

We have a 2 bedroom villa booked for this summer and are planning Universal. Someone told me to join their rewards program and we can get free wifi. Not sure if this is true or not. We did not have wifi last year. But since we have joined Stash Rewards.

The villas have a washer and dryer. You will need it prior to the cruise. I didn't have one in the suites last year and had to use the public ones near our room.

Going on a cruise in 2015 and planning on staying here again.

The villas look amazing and spacious. I think you will definitely enjoy it.
Have a wonderful cruise

 

[cheribelle]

Adding a few more details:
The Caribe is very close to the Disney entrance. On the same road.
We had our own car and ate dinner at the Disney hotels but there are plenty of restaurants close by. I don't think you can walk to them except maybe small things like a 7-11 and a dunkin donuts. We also found a target close by and picked up some sand toys and autograph books for the kids to bring on the cruise.

 

[TinaRN]

Adding a few more details:
The Caribe is very close to the Disney entrance. On the same road.
We had our own car and ate dinner at the Disney hotels but there are plenty of restaurants close by. I don't think you can walk to them except maybe small things like a 7-11 and a dunkin donuts. We also found a target close by and picked up some sand toys and autograph books for the kids to bring on the cruise.

Thanks so much for all of the info! I found a cheaper rate for Caribe online and just booked it and cancelled the other rate! And I reserved the cheaper internet by pre-paying, but I will check out that rewards program! And I didn't even think about eating at the various Disney Hotels! Great idea! Thanks again!

 

[HopperFan]

None, Caribe, Floridays or WBC are walking distance to any shopping, eating etc. Caribe has a couple of restaurants across street, no big name, none I would go to.

Since you chose Caribe, the Premium Outlet Mall is right around the corner and the LBV Outlet Mall right down street. You are minutes from DTD and you will see plenty of eats on your way to Disney or outlets.

 

[cheribelle]

Keep checking their one day sales on Wednesdays. I got a rate of 169 per night for the villas and one night free because it's my DH's birthday (had to make 2 separate reservations for that).
The Disney Hotels really put us in the mood for the cruise! At the Boardwalk, we found a model of the Cruise and took a picture with it. The cast members were all so nice and helpful when we told them we were going on the cruise. Plus we could see part of Illuminations there. I was sad about not staying in Disney and not visiting the parks but this was just as satisfying. Plus we had a just as nice resort (with more space) to go back to afterwards