Getting to WDW from my Hotel?

[PigSoldier]

Hi everyone!

I'm trying to book a trip to Orlando in September, only doing WDW, but because I'm on a tight budget, staying somewhere out of the way, maybe in Kissimme or International Drive.

The trouble is that I don't have a driving licence, so getting to WDW is going to be quite a challenge. Some hotels offer a shuttle bus, does anyone have any experience of this? How much does it cost, and where does it drop you? How early and late does it run?

Taxis seem to be my only other option. Is it reasonable to get a taxi to and from WDW each day? How much would I be looking at?

If anyone has any advice or ideas, I'd be eternally grateful. Thankyou!

 

[poody1]

most shuttle buses from hotels are free when we were there the last time we used the i-ride trolley bus for i-drive and the lynz buses for disney the florida mall and such like we stayed at the best westren plaza and most days the shuttle bus was full quite early and you had to wait ages for another one but on the whole it was well okay

 

[CarolA]

What I would do is pick out some potential hotels and post here with specific questions. It would also be good to call them and get the details. Right now you are just a little to vague and what we respond could easily NOT be true for your hotel.

 

[Lewisc]

Can you book a Disney value with the free dining promotion? What you'll save with the airport transfers (ME), the great transportation system (paying for a cab or two is inevitable when you use offsite shuttles) and food will probably offset the offsite room savings with an offsite hotel.

In general the DTD hotels have a good bus service. Almost everthing else is scheduled and limited.

 

[hercamore]

I would really encourage you to stay in a disney value resort and use their free continuous shuttles all day long. I think you won't likke the hassle of offsite shuttle schedules.

If you are going in Sept, you could also get in on the free dining plan, which would save some big bucks. Also free transportation from the airport using the new ME.

My DD went in January (she's 21 and had no rental car) stayed at Pop Century and used the shuttle betweenthe parks, resorts and dotntown disneyd. Worked great.

herc.

 

[spiceycat]

the value resorts - ASSP, ASMO, ASMu - are $77 at night in Sept.

other places that I have looked at $69 a night in Sept.

I would go with Disney and a value resort.

Magical Express, a new Disney service, will give you FREE tranportation for you and your luggage to your WDW resort.

In sept there is also the new dinning plan - if you buy a package from WDW rooms and tickets then WDW will give you free dinning.

here is a description
http://www.wdwinfo.com/magicyourwaytickets.htm#mypd

Now if you can find a bargin offsite and I mean a bargin that is not a dump you might save some money. So it is kind of late to start looking - no offense.

sorry that was the wrong link - here is the correct one
http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-current.htm#package

this new discount will stop on July 3 - so if you want it make the reservations before then.

 

[PortieOwner]

It might be cheaper to just stay on Disney---All Star resorts are around $77 a night in the value season. Seems like Disney will also drive you from the airport for free and you really don't need a car if you are staying at Disney.

I rent a car even if I stay on Disney, and I'd definitely have one if I were off-site.

Any way to get a license before you come?

Portie

 

[spiceycat]

If you are planning to stay a week and can get a great deal

www.skyauction.com

a great deal you only have to bid a couple of dollars. so you might get a 1-bedroom condo for $217, then add the cost of hotel transportation from airport $50 to $100.

then taking a taxis once a day around $20 to $30 plus tip $5 - $125 to $175

most timeshares don't provide transportation so put taxis each way $250 to $325

food cost - $50 * 7 = $350

ticket - 5 day me no park hopper - $198 (if you buy before hand) otherwise $205.55

so staying offsite
$217
$100
$250
$350
$205.55

is $1,122.55.

see why some of us think you will be better off staying onsite at WDW in a value resort

 

[PigSoldier]

Thanks for the helpful advice everyone!

I'm in the UK, so with flights factored in, I really can't afford to stay on-site. I'm hoping to book a package at the last minute for about $500 including flights and accomodation, so I can't be more specific about where I'll be staying I'm afraid.

It looks like I might be asking for the impossible - does anyone know anything about taxi prices in Orlando?

 

[spiceycat]

you want to book a flight from London, England to Orlando, Fl and get a hotel for $500.

If you get it please let me know.

I have looked at airlines from Orlando (and Atlanta) to England - the best rate I ever found was $635.

 

[PigSoldier]

Yes.

This is a last minute, discounted rate, rather than the standard price. I've done it before, had a 2 week trip, including flights, for the the equivelant of about $600 a person. We had someone with a driving licence that trip though, which made things an awful lot easier.

These things are out there if you know where to look.

 

[Lewisc]

Yes.

This is a last minute, discounted rate, rather than the standard price. I've done it before, had a 2 week trip, including flights, for the the equivelant of about $600 a person. We had someone with a driving licence that trip though, which made things an awful lot easier.

These things are out there if you know where to look.

Sometimes people book those packages just to get the airfare and don't even checkin to the hotel that's part of the package.

You don't have the slightest idea where the hotel will be so you don't have the slightest idea how much the cab will be, if the hotel has a shuttle, if it's free or if you'll be near a Lynx stop.

Cabs from hotels near WDW still cost around $10 each way.