Help - Where Do I stay ?????

[weloveariel]

We are visiting WDW in mid July 2006 and I am overwhelmed with options of where to stay. We have three kids - 12, 9, 6 yrs old. I am a deal shopper so I am sure there is a good deal out there. Yes????? I have also seen the off-site prices for 2BR condos that are great compared to on site - is staying on site really worth the extra money? I am driving myself crazy because I am obsessed wit making this the best experience my family can have, but not break the bank!! This will be the only trip to WDW for my kids - we live in Washington State and this is a long way to go.

I appreciate any guidance the experts can provide.

 

[Cinderella]

Staying on site is definitely worth it - you can see so much more in less time. For a family of five - if you don't want to spring for a deluxe resort - Port Orleans Resort rooms sleep five. Another good bet might be to rent dvc points from a member. If you go to the main discussions menu on this board, there is a board dedicated to those renting out and renting points.

 

[maxiesmom]

If money is a consideration I would either get 2 rooms at a value resort, or 1 room at Port Orleans Riverside. One room at Riverside would be cheaper, and they have trundle beds that will sleep a child if they are small. AS you are going in July I would definately stay on-site! The parks will be very busy and it will make going back to your hotel for breaks much easier. How many days are you staying at Disney?

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

You might consider renting points from a DVC member to get a 2 bedroom villa at the Boardwalk or Beach Club. Both have great pools and alot to do. You would have plenty of room..living room, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, washer and dryer. You would be so close to Epcot and MGM and many great restaurants.

On the DVC forum on this site is info all about it. There is a link to a chart to figure our how many points you will need. Members can make a reservation 11 months out so now it is good time to make one for a July 06 stay.

I think staying on site is worth it. The theming of the resorts, the great transportation .. the Disney magic .. If you are only going once and you can swing it moneywise, I would say, yes, stay on site!!

 

[weloveariel]

We are planning on staying one week. While we can afford to stay at the Deluxe resorts, I have a difficult time paying THAT much for a room. We don't pay that much for a beachfront condo in Maui!!!!!!! However, if I hear it is worth it, I may just go for it.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you plan on only going once, I would definately pick a monorail resort. You simply cannot match them for location or ease of transportation. If you choose the Contemporary, you can walk to the Magic Kingdom. At the Poly you can walk to the ticket/transportation center and hop a monorail to Epcot or MK. Do you have AAA? They do offer room discounts. It might be worth it to sign up.

 

[Luv4Disney]

I think POR is an excellent choice. It's at a higher level than values, but not nearly as expensive as deluxe. The grounds are beautiful and has a really nice atmosphere. It was definitely worth the money. The rooms are a great size as well.

 

[lark]

I think the question whether to stay in a 2BR condo or a WDW hotel is more than about price or staying on site. If having a kitchen and the extra bedroom is very high on your importance list, then that's the way to go. We stay in rented timeshares alot when we travel, and once you do that, it's tough to go back. That said, we don't stay in our rooms near as much at WDW, so I'd rather stay in a hotel onsite.

You'll see references to "DVC," which is disneys version of timeshares. These are on-site resorts that are like mini condos -- studios, one bedrooms and two bedrooms. You can book these directly through disney or save some money by renting them (or renting "points") from DVC members. The problem is that you have 5 in your group. I think that most if not all of the DVC resorts allow a maximum of 4 in a one bedroom, which means you'd have to have a 2 bedroom. Even renting points, in July a 2 BR would cost you between $350 and $700 a night, depending on whether it's a weekday or weekend. Another option would be "cabins" in the campground area of disney, called "Fort Wilderness." these are very well done, fully appointed and furnished 1BR cabins that go for about $300 a night during your dates.

For the onsite hotels, the full non-discounted (or "rack rates") for your time of year for moderates should be in the neighborhood of $170 to $220 per night depending on view. For deluxes, figure $300 to $500 (and even higher for concierge and stuff). Through using the various moneysaving tips codes and advice here and on mousesavers, you can probably save as much as 15 percent off these rates; maybe a little more, but there's no shortcut for the research.

If you want to stay onsite with 5 in a room, I think the best values, taking everything into consideration, are the Wilderness Lodge -- about $250 a night before any discounts, or the Contemporary Garden rooms -- about $280 or so before any discounts (give or take $10 or $20).

 

[JodyTG]

I also suggest Port Orleans Riverside. It's a beautiful resort with lots of things to do onsite. If your 6 y/o is anything like my daughter was at that age, she'll love all the bunnies running around all over the place. There are quiet pools throughout the Alligator Bayou area (where the trundles are) so plenty of swimming opportunities for the older kids, or for parents looking for a late night swim since most kids like the main pool best.

 

[HopperFan]

If it's your only trip then YES stay onsite and NO don't spend a fortune.

If it were me, I would stay at the POR Riverside. You'll get an AB room with a trundle bed. The rooms are plenty big for home base. If it is your only trip, you don't want to waste time hanging in your room anyway. The resort is peaceful and full of southern charm. The kids will enjoy all it has to offer and you will too. So while you are at the hotel, you have plenty to do.

I absolutely would not spend a fortune to stay deluxe, you would be better off using the extra cash to do as much as you can in the World. Take the money and go eat some nice meals at the different hotels such as their character meals. Do both the waterparks, kids will love DisneyQuest......enjoy your planning - it really can be fun !

 

[staci]

STAY ONSITE!!! You can stay in a marriott/hampton inn/holiday inn/etc in washington!! Since you are coming that far and it is a one time thing, I would not even consider the offsite route. We are budget minded as well but on site is definitely worth it.

I would look into a room at POR in the Alligator Bayou. They accomodate 5 people with a trundle for your youngest. This is a beautiful resort, we spent our honeymoon there. There are carriage rides, bikes, nice pools, and DTD is only a boatride away.


Have fun planning! That is 1/2 the fun!

 

[ciera321]

Definately stay on-site. For my family, if we can't stay on-site then we wait until we can. There are so many advantages to being on Disney property, saving time is the most valuable to us. For the money, I would go with POR. It is a beautiful resort and your 6yo will love the trundle bed. I have stayed in deluxes before, but if this is your first and possibly only trip to DW, you will be on the go all the time and not in your room except for sleeping and showering. No sense in spending an extra $100 per night... Hope your trip is wonderful!!!

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

If i had the money and 3 kids i would do a 2 bedroom at Beach club.
Our last trip we did 2 nights at Beach club in a studio (2A 2 C)and a week at Cypress Pointe in a 2 bdrm villa.
The villa had space, full kitchen, Jacuzzi tub,huge TV etc for < 100/night at end of August.
Beach club had Storm A Long Bay.
I planned for two days just enjoying SAB and we did. I could only afford renting points for a studio but a 2 bedroom would have been great.
KIds that love swimming will LOVE SAB.
It will probably seem so hot (90+) and humid (90+)that the highlight of the trip will be the hotel pool.
We also planned a day at each waterpark but spent 2 days at Typhoon Lagoon because we liked it so much.

 

[Troy08]

If this is your only trip you MUST stay on site. Especially with the heat of summer, you don;t want to waste all that time traveling to and from the parks by staying in Orlando/Kissimme..

You truly need to immerse yourself in the true DW experience and you can only do that by staying on site. Try PO Riverside, it is a lovely moderate with great amenities. The food court is good and in the summer there is plenty of bus transportation so a rental is not needed.

Be sure to book Character buffets(I especially like the Crystal Palace lunch one) and bbok dinner at a resort restaurant, two good ones are WCC at WL and Boma at the AKL.

Experiment, explore, and have a great time!

 

[deejohn]

We had a great time at Port Orleans in 2003. July is peak time, so I am not sure how much you will save at any place in Orlando.

If you stay off site, your best bet is to rent a car, factor that cost into the on-site price and you'll see that it is about equal.

I usually check the prices online and then make a decision, so be sure to shop around first.

PS - Port Orleans is a great resort for kids your ages, plenty to do and see, and it is close to everything.

 

[weloveariel]

OK - We'll stay on site!!! I've looked at the DVC point requirements and I think we will start at POR and then, maybe, finish in a 2BR at the Beach Club for a couple nights (NOT FRI or SAT - $700 is way to out there for me!) Luckily, we are still flexible on when we start/stop our vacation. THANKS for all the help!!!

 

[staci]

Im glad we could help! Onsite really is the way to go, IMHO. POR is lovely, and if you can swing the 2 bedroom that is awesome! Try to save EPCOT (and MGM) as a park that you will want to visit the days you are staying at Beach Club, as they are very close. You can definitely walk into EPCOT from there, and you CAN walk to MGM but it is a ways. There is a boat to MGM and EPCOT from the beach club area.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

STAY ONSITE!! You will be emersed in magic!!! I am going to have to disagree with POR, they have double beds and with kids older, like yours, I do not see a smaller, double bed room working for you.


I personally would do a monorail resort...my choice is POLY but garden wing rooms at CR are better priced! You will think it is defintely worth the money!! You really do get first class entertainment and fun at WDW!! You will love the ease of a monorail resort!! Taking the busses at night w three kids was ok but not as nice as being on the monorail or boat line!! If it is only once in a lifetime, make it the best you can. The price seems steep but my dh was leaving WDW, from the Poly saying what a value this vacation was
wow....I did my job (and homework too!!)

Look thru all ears descriptions of resorts and pick

you will have fun no matter where you are at in the world but stay onsite!! it is amazing

 

[TnTWalter]

All Star Movies, because we just wanted more space. My kids are 7, 5 & 3 but that trundle bed looked small plus you get two doubles not two queens. This way, we get 2 rooms, 1 has 1 king and the other 2 doubles. So when the kids are sleeping, we can relax and have adult time. And we saved $100 versus the POR price. If I could have justified $1000 more, I might have considered AKL because they have the queen & bunk beds & another bed.
Trish

 

[weloveariel]

You made me think about another option - 2 studios at a DVC resort cost quite a bit less (dvc pts) than a 2BR. Has anybody done this? I assume, however, that two studios would not be connected by an inside door - that would make me nervous.