Help! Luxury resort for us and 16 y.o.??

[tinkerrn]

Trying to make plans for spring break and loking at resorts. We are doing Disney for 1 or 2 days, Universal, and might ride over to Cocoa Beach. Need either 2 rooms or a 2 room suite. The disney resorts are ok, but for the price we could stay in a nicer off site resort. We stayed at the Ritz in Palm Beach for less than a night at the BC or YC. We are looking for a nice pool to come back and relax in also. Any ideas????

 

[spiceycat]

There is a Ritz-Carlton in Orlando - but believe me it is as expensive as WDW.
www.ritzcarltonhotels.com
when are you going?

some seasons are more expensive than others.

Now it is the food/wine festavial - this has become so popular that Disney nows has Oct/Nov in the regular season (before they were value).

so the off site prices are pretty high too.

there is also a Hyatt grand cypress

www.hyattgrandcypress.com

several marriott
www.marriottworldcenter.com

the onsite hotels at US/IOA are some of the best
www.loewshotels.com

if you want a reasonable priced 4 star hotel - then you best bit would be priceline - but you don't get to pick if you really want a bargin.

 

[spiceycat]

there are some very nice timeshares in the area

hilton grand vacation club
www.hgvc.com

marriott
www.vacationclub.com

you can also rent points from a DVC member and stay at the BCV or BWV.
Now in regular season - (Oct/Nov) a studio will be 12 points so around $120 per night (could be more), 1-bedroom will be 24 points so $240. BWV preferred will be the same - standard view would be less.



I prefer VWL and OKW - but everyone taste is different.

 

[Boss Hogg]

I totally agree that you could stay in a nicer resort off-site for a similar amount. We've stayed at several of the WDW deluxes, including the Grand Floridian, and all the US resorts (which are also expensive). Other than the obvious benefit of being onsite, they don't even come close to the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes. We got very lucky with the rate when we stayed during its opening year.

The JW Marriott, again at Grande Lakes is also a fabulous property, but a bit cheaper. If you stay at one, you can use the facilities at either. The JWM has a pool with a lazy river and the R-C has amazing spa facilities. All the dining options we tried were great - Norman's, The Vineyard Grill and Fairways Pub (the golf clubhouse) at the R-C and Primo at JWM.

We haven't stayed at the Gaylord Palms, but we've visited many times to eat. I don't think I'd choose it over either of the Grande Lakes resorts, but it's pretty special and very convenient for Disney (literally just outside the bottom right-hand corner of WDW property). All three restaurants are worth a visit. Sunset Sam's Fish Camp is partly set on a sail boat, on a marina inside the hotel, Villa de Flora is a good quality buffet and we haven't yet grown tired of the Old Hickory Steakhouse. It's a heavily themed hotel, but not in the homogenized Disney style. I would compare it more with the Portofino Bay at US.

The new Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate looks amazing. We haven't visited yet, but we'll probably do so during our next trip in January.

 

[UKDEB]

Oops! Posted the above reply under dh's user name.

 

[Lewisc]

Consider the Universal on-site hotels. The parks are crowded spring break week and guests of the Universal hotels get "front of the line access". You enter through the express pass entrance by just showing your room key.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I agree with Lewis. If you're going to Universal, I would look into one of their resorts. The on-site perks are unrivaled! We have stayed in all 3 of them. Portifino Bay is a very nice resort. IMHO, it compares favorably with any of WDW's deluxe resorts. The only downside is that you probably wouldn't want to walk to the parks like you can from the other 2 resorts. However, the boats are very efficient. Next, I would choose Hard Rock Hotel. The 16 year old would probably like it best. Royal Pacific Resort is also very nice, but the pool area caters more to younger kids. As a Universal resort guest, you can use the pool at any of their hotels.

 

[spiceycat]

if you are going to IOA, my first choice would be Royal Pacific.

It is a very easy walk to IOA.

you can get to their website using the link I gave you for the loews hotels or this one

http://themeparks.universalstudios....l_map.html?__dest=resort_hotels_hotel_map.TOP

 

[barbarabini]

We stayed at the ritz orlando and it was an easy commute to disney seaworl universal. They were the best -- my 2 year old got very sick and needed to be hospitalized while there and just about every person in the hotel helped with arrangements ect.. from the maid service to the concierge.
The food was good and the spa and grounds were excellent.
Stay there.

 

[spiceycat]

sometimes you can find a good deal on

www.expedia.com

 

[tinkerrn]

WOW>> thanks a lot for all the input! I had no idea where to even start, besides WDW resorts. I did do some research on the Ritz-Grande Lakes a few months ago for our wedding, choose Palm Beach instead. I have toyed with the idea of renting points for WLV or OKW. I think we would like OKW better, seems bigger. Has anyone rented points before from a DVC member?
I am kinda hesistant about it.I really hadn't even thought of staying at a Lowes resort at IO/US. I also looked into them and thought my family would like Royal Pacfic better. Keep the ideas comming!!!

 

[spiceycat]

I love OKW. that say if you want luxury, I would go for BCV or BWV. they have valet parking and room service OKW does not. You can also walk or boat to Epcot and Studios. VWL also has room service and valet parking but it only has boat/bus to MK - everything else is bus.

if you read the FAQ on the top of the DVC rental/trade from Doc you should be fine.

don't send any money until you have gotten a confirmation reservation where you want it.

points won't do you any good - you need a reservation.

when you rent points - mousekeeping is not included. only a trash/towel day.

I also would look for someone who posts to the Dis alot. then you know they will be hurt if Doc has to ban them from the dis.....

some of us are addicited....

 

[Bonnie40]

You are travelling at a very busy time of year (we go at the same time!). I would also suggest staying at a Universal hotel - my teenagers enjoyed Royal Pacific over the Hard Rock. Your 16 year old will love Universal!

There are definite benefits to staying onsite at Disney as well. You might appreciate the extra hours resort guests enjoy - especially during the busy spring season! I don't think we would ever do offsite again - my husband enjoys being able to park the car and leave it. You also might really enjoy the dining plan Disney offers - there are so many wonderful restaurants that enhance the 'magic'!

JMHO...