Help! "Best" hotel for Wine & Dine 2012?

[fastergoofy]

Posting this here because I'm hoping other racers will be able to respond. I'm most concerned about transportation options. Is it better to spend more and be close to Epcot or should I save my money?

I think Yacht/Beach and GF are right out of my budget, but I am considering the Swan. I checked availability for the Dolphin and I think it's already full.

Does the monorail run before and after the race? If so, the Contemporary might be nice.

Otherwise, I'm leaning towards one of the moderates; Coronado Springs or Port Orleans (either half). However, I'm concerned about buses. I don't want to be forced to ride one around for an hour.

 

[ScoJo15]

The Dolphin is definitely not full for the 2012 Wine and Dine and I highly recommend staying there...it's the cheapest and best option!

 

[fastergoofy]

Checking through the website, the Dolphin doesn't show any availability for that weekend. (I tried Thu - Mon) However, I don't get the same "null" error for the Swan, or for the following weekend at the Dolphin.

I think I may just go cheap(er) and get something at PO. We'll have a car with us anyway.

 

[APrunner]

Checking through the website, the Dolphin doesn't show any availability for that weekend. (I tried Thu - Mon) However, I don't get the same "null" error for the Swan, or for the following weekend at the Dolphin.

I think I may just go cheap(er) and get something at PO. We'll have a car with us anyway.

If you have a car, you are in great shape. It is easy to park at EPCOT and take a bus to the start of the race. Then afterwards, your car is there at the finish. So you can really stay wherever you want. Beach Club is a great option since it is a short walk from EPCOT, but it is not the cheapest option. Swan and Dolphin are nice too, but I think those are more pricey than the moderates as well. I haven't stayed there since 2003.

 

[ScoJo15]

Not trying to argue...but only because we plan on staying at the Dolphin again during the race, I called them and there is availability each night from Thurs through Mon. Normal rates (159/179/199) and King Rooms are available.

Allears, AAA and Teachers might get a better rate than what was quoted as 'best rate available'.

The reservation assistant said there must be something wrong with the website.

We loved it for Wine and Dine 2011 because we could walk to BW to get transportation to the start, and simply walked back to the resort after the post-race party in EPCOT. And it sure was nice to be able to walk over to the Food & Wine festival all through the weekend

Hope you find a great place and rate regardless

 

[fastergoofy]

Not trying to argue...but only because we plan on staying at the Dolphin again during the race, I called them and there is availability each night from Thurs through Mon. Normal rates (159/179/199) and King Rooms are available.

Thanks for the info and for looking into it!

We loved it for Wine and Dine 2011 because we could walk to BW to get transportation to the start, and simply walked back to the resort after the post-race party in EPCOT. And it sure was nice to be able to walk over to the Food & Wine festival all through the weekend

Oh my gosh. That's a really good argument for staying there. Hmmmm. I'm going to have to think about this.