GKTW Trip

[dpuck1998]

Those on FB know already, but I booked my flights for GKTW in Feb for my oldest sons 12th bday trip. We are spending 4 nights and working 2 full days at GKTW. Got our schedule and flights, now just have to decide where to stay. I'm thinking maybe coco key now, but it might be too cold for the waterpark in late feb. Hmm...

 

[jeanigor]

Don, we're from Michigan. Florida in February is like June back home. Jump on in the water's great!!!

Congrats to DS for doing something so noble on his birthday.

 

[safetymom]

What a great thing to do for his birthday. He will learn many valuable lessons. Volunteering there makes you realize what is important in life and it is family!

 

[dpuck1998]

So I'm thinking I'll just let him pick where we will stay. I'm looking for ideas so I can give him options. CoCo Key will be one, Buena Vista Suites will be another. I'm thinking no to Disney resorts, but it might be a good chance to stay at Pop or even a mod. Thoughts on resorts to offer? No deluxe or high priced resorts for this trip.

 

[cocowum]

Trace is AWESOME!

 

[DSNY4ever]

That's awesome! What a great thing to do with your kids. I have a whole trip planned out for my husband and I to go volunteer... but now we have to wait till we have enough vacation time. That seems to be our hurdle Do you think my job would believe me if I called in sick for a whole week?

I hope it's a great experience for you!

 

[dpuck1998]

So....about those hotels....any offsite I'm missing? I'd like to give him several choices.

 

[Cherinva]

Those on FB know already, but I booked my flights for GKTW in Feb for my oldest sons 12th bday trip. We are spending 4 nights and working 2 full days at GKTW. Got our schedule and flights, now just have to decide where to stay. I'm thinking maybe coco key now, but it might be too cold for the waterpark in late feb. Hmm...

Awesome, what a great thing to do. Can't help with offsite hotels, haven't stayed off site in many years....but coco key sounds wonderful.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Those on FB know already, but I booked my flights for GKTW in Feb for my oldest sons 12th bday trip. We are spending 4 nights and working 2 full days at GKTW. Got our schedule and flights, now just have to decide where to stay. I'm thinking maybe coco key now, but it might be too cold for the waterpark in late feb. Hmm...

This is wonderful Don! Good for you, and good for your son! My oldest daughter Maggie is now 12, and she's been asking me to officially volunteer at GKTW now too.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

So I'm thinking I'll just let him pick where we will stay. I'm looking for ideas so I can give him options. CoCo Key will be one, Buena Vista Suites will be another. I'm thinking no to Disney resorts, but it might be a good chance to stay at Pop or even a mod. Thoughts on resorts to offer? No deluxe or high priced resorts for this trip.

It's very easy to get to GKTW from Buena Vista Suites. I've done that drive. Plus you get that full breakfast.

 

[dpuck1998]

Still haven't picked a hotel yet. Looks like Buena Vista Suites so far, any more kid friendly places nearby?

 

[NancyIL]

I haven't stayed there, but the Nickelodeon isn't far from Buena Vista Suites: http://www.nickhotel.com/

 

[dpuck1998]

I haven't stayed there, but the Nickelodeon isn't far from Buena Vista Suites: http://www.nickhotel.com/

Ohh, good call. I knew I was missing something. This might be the place to stay

 

[kddill]

Hi there! I am doing the same thing! 5 days in Fla near the end of June with my 18 yr old niece to volunteer at GKTW. We might take in a few outside the parks events- signed us up for the Pirate and Pals Fireworks Voyage on our arrival night.

So- any ideas on where to stay? Since we won't be spending a lot of time at the hotel- thinking off site is the way to go however, when I look at the GKTW area- not finding much in Kissimmee that I would be comfortable staying at as two women traveling alone. Open to suggestions/ ideas and thanks!!

 

[dpuck1998]

We ended up staying at the Nick hotel, that is what I get when I let my 12 yo pick. I wouldn't stay there again in a million years. My first choice was Buena Vista Suites and I'd still like to stay there sometime. Its easy to get to the GKTW village from anywhere in the disney area, but from the south it would be quicker. I wouldn't recommend staying anywhere in the Kissimmee area.

 

[kaligal]

OMG, one thing Orlando is not short on is hotels.

I like to rent condos. You get a lot of space, all the comforts of home...and most are about the price of a moderate Disney hotel.

Of the regular hotel hotels that I've been to, I liked Rosen Shingle Creek best. It is nice and calm and generally not real expensive. The halls and rooms remind me a bit of PBH.

There are so many, though. Good luck with your choice.

 

[WaltD4Me]

We ended up staying at the Nick hotel, that is what I get when I let my 12 yo pick. I wouldn't stay there again in a million years. My first choice was Buena Vista Suites and I'd still like to stay there sometime. Its easy to get to the GKTW village from anywhere in the disney area, but from the south it would be quicker. I wouldn't recommend staying anywhere in the Kissimmee area.

Why wouldn't you stay there again in a million years? Was it that bad? I know it's an old Holiday Inn, but the refurb looked decent.

 

[dpuck1998]

Why wouldn't you stay there again in a million years? Was it that bad? I know it's an old Holiday Inn, but the refurb looked decent.

It wasn't horrible, but the rooms are tiny, the hotel was a mess of construction/junk etc everywhere in the parking lot, the customer service was ok at best, the rooms were old and unkempt, one of the pools was only open on the weekend, everything was nickle and dime to death (even compared to disney) and for the money it just wasn't up to par IMHO

 

[WaltD4Me]

It wasn't horrible, but the rooms are tiny, the hotel was a mess of construction/junk etc everywhere in the parking lot, the customer service was ok at best, the rooms were old and unkempt, one of the pools was only open on the weekend, everything was nickle and dime to death (even compared to disney) and for the money it just wasn't up to par IMHO

Thanks. Good to know. A couple friends have asked me about this hotel because their kids are Spongebob fans.

 

[dpuck1998]

Thanks. Good to know. A couple friends have asked me about this hotel because their kids are Spongebob fans.

In the right frame of mind and if a good price came around it could be enjoyable. Maybe for a one or two night stay just to see the characters and hit the pool. For my money I just couldn't go back and enjoy myself.