Help me find a nice off-site that has DISNEY feel??

[TnTWalter]

We love the fun theming of Disney and nice pools. But we're a family of 5 so our options stink. Goal <$200 per night if possible.

We'd love something that has the same 'happy' vibe that's close to parks and maybe even has a good shuttle. DH enjoys NOT driving on vacation. He loves the WDW transportation. LOL.

Thanks.

The houses and windsor hills seem nice but not really 'themed'. Nick Hotel is tooo themed. LOL.

Trish

 

[CantWait461308]

Can I ask why your looking off site? I think being ON site is SO much more worth it. Were staying at POFQ for $142 a night during June! Plus, you don't have to drive! Why NOT?!?!

PLUS if you fly, Disney picks up your luggage from the hotel and delivers it directly to your room! Being ON site is so much more worth it than staying off site since staying off site and on site are pretty much the same price.

 

[TnTWalter]

Ummm..POR would be too small for us...we don't want to do 2 rooms at value this time and we can't afford deluxe. We were going to rent points and do 2 studios but my parents aren't coming and I couldn't get them anyway for when we want to go.

The best deal I can work is camping. LOL. 6 nights for $318. If they had a nicer pool, I'd consider it!

We're not flying or doing dining plan this time.
But thanks.

I love being on-site but I'd rather go than not go.


Trish

 

[davinakb]

The good shuttle is the big one... never used them but have read mostly iffy reviews (too few times for flexibility). You can easily do a private condo rental in your price range, but not sure of the shuttle options (and costs per person). You'd almost be better off driving yourself.

Have you looked at the Doubletree DTD? There are some other suite style resorts on 535/536 in LBV that may work (Caribe, Buena Vista). Or really you may be able to do a vacation club place (Horizons, Vistana).. you would do your own housekeeping, but they have good pools, kitchens, etc. Check this link out. FWIW.

 

[TnTWalter]

Thanks!! Good options. I'll check them out..

Re. vistana. I've heard the pools are nice and the shuttle TO the parks is ok but back people tend to do cabs.

Nice prices.

Trish

 

[utahkennedys]

IMHO you will not find a "Disney" type place that is nice, with shuttles, for under $200/night. We have stayed at most of the nicest timeshares that are non-Disney, other than Marriott Horizons which I do hear good things about. Young children especially love the pool area. I don't have my DVC point chart in front of me, but could you rent a 1BR at Old Key West?

We got a 3BR at HGVC Sea World for about $650 one year. I see pretty good deals on eBay all of the time, despite a slight risk. We have never had any issues.

Even when we stay on site we rent a car for the freedom as we don't find Disney's transportation that great, other than to Magic Kingdom which is a real pain when staying off site...We have really enjoyed Marriott Grande Vista and Marriott Cypress Harbour, as well as Hilton Sea World. With Vistana I think you have to be very careful where you end up as some of the sections seem really bad.

 

[littlestar]

Marriott's Horizons is pirate themed with 2 zero entry pools with slides with a mini water park, and miniature golf course. We adore the resort and stay there often as it reminds us of Disney's Old Key West. Do you have any family or friends that are a member of Interval International (exchange company)? If you do, you could probably get a cash "Getaway" to this resort for around $600 to $700 a week in a 2 bedroom. I just booked a Getaway for my best friend and her grand kids at Horizons for around $700 for May. There is no shuttle, though. So you would need a car.

I tried some October dates and the cash rate on Marriott.com for a 2 bedroom at Horizons is $216, $173 for the 1 bedroom, and $125 for the studio.

I just noticed you are from Indy! We are south siders - Beech Grove/Franklin Township area.

Good luck. Trip advisor has some nice pictures of Marriott Horizons. Here's some of mine, too:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/pictures?a=67b0de21b339407405f4&sid=0CbOGThs5YsXGA

 

[kylara]

If not driving is high on your list, you might want to check out the downtown Disney hotels. They provide regular bus transportation. There are a number of different hotels you can check through the link below.

http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/

another option would be to see if you can get either the Swan or Dolphin with a special rate. I know they do the entertainment book rate.

 

[MiaSRN62]

With Vistana I think you have to be very careful where you end up as some of the sections seem really bad.

If you pay cash nightly rental, you can reserve the nicer areas at Vistana (Cascades, Lakes and the Fountains will have completed their rehabs either now or by August). I don't know about "really bad" either ----I've seen photos of the oldest section at Vistana (the Courts), and while it's in need of a facelift and some modernization, I wouldn't call it really bad or a dive. I think when you compare the older sections to the newer ones at Vistana, there is a noticeable difference in freshness/new factor.
It's usually the RCI exchangers that get the older sections. And MANY of the other sections are slated for MAJOR rehabs this year and into next year. Flat screen TV's....granite countertops etc........

But when you mention "themed" and good shuttles.......I think that will be tough to match at an offsite place. Vistana has pretty pools with fountains and waterfalls......but generally the nice offsite resorts are pretty and very Florida/tropical themed. You don't see too much of the imaginative/whimsical/colorful themeing. Disney does that best....Nick is cute.....Sheraton Safari has a cool theme.......but none will even come close to the convenience of disney onsite transportation. If you plan on staying at Vistana or most places offsite, I highly recommend a rental car.

 

[TnTWalter]

but I can't remember where....


Can someoen tell me? It looked really nice.

Thanks for all advice...

I'm thinking it's Liki Tiki...it gets really mixed reviews, right? Man that pool is cool!

no friends in II or whatever that I know of. Thanks.

 

[Brian Noble]

You're thinking about Marriott's Horizons.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mcoho-horizons-by-marriott-vacation-club-at-orlando/

 

[TnTWalter]

Oh yes that's it Brian...now to figure out how to afford it...LOL.

Trish

 

[rdevine10]

Also, since you said you really want to be onsite, have you considered the all star music family suites? Or, even renting DVC points?

 

[rdevine10]

Also adding there is a Doubletree Guest Suites in Downtown Disney area (on property) and I have heard great things about the Bonnet Creek Resort (also on property).

 

[Eveningsong]

I feel your pain, we had 5 our last trip and everything is geared to 4.

We stayed at the Sheraton Safari in a pool view suite. Two big comfy beds in a private bedroom, pull out couch, kitchenette and 2 tvs. Free parking and shuttle transportation to the Disney parks. Close to lots of restaurants.

We stayed free with Starwood points, but I believe they run around $100.00 US a night.

They also have a very nice pool with a snake slide.

 

[mikymouse]

Our family of 5 just got back from a really nice Winsdor Hills Townhome that had Disney Themed Bedroom and Bathroom for the kids. The owners are super great and the kids just loved the disney deco. We stayed at Enchanted at the following website.

http://www.5mins2disney.com/index.htm

It was super nice to have our own splash pool at the house and it had all the baby gear which was so nice.

The resort pool was zero entry and a large shallow portion so I could watch the kids easier.

We stayed at AKL for our last visit and this was litterally 5 minutes away and driving the car was nice.I really enjoyed NOT driving and using the Disney transportation, however, having your own car right outside your door was so great and worth it to be able to come and on our own schedule. My DH and I agreed that having a car and seperate bedrooms made our vacation this time much more enjoyable.

 

[TnTWalter]

I'm leaning towards Bonnet CreeK or Horizons...

but question...I remember seeing a picture of a rental with POP century in the background...anyone know what that one is for curiousity sake?

Having never driven there, we have only done the WDW Bus system....is there one closer to EPcot and/or MK?? Thanks.

Trish

 

[rdevine10]

I dont know what condo property is next to Pop, but, I know that the Caribean Beach Resort is on one side, and Gaylord Palms is across the street (off Disney Property).

 

[rdevine10]

Someone told me if you sign up for the Marriott program, you can sometimes get better offers on thier properties (horizons, etc). I looked at renting it for our May trip (as horizons looked awesome, as does Bonnet Creek (which BTW, IMO has a better location for Disney), but, got a sigfinicantly better deal on Summer Bay through skyauction- it was 198 for 7 nights!!!! Summer Bay looks great for us and our 2 small kids, even if its a little farther, at that price!

 

[TnTWalter]

$198 for the week...that's great!!

Trish