Hi, i'm new, and have a few questions.

[DisneyGuy]

Hello,

i'm planning on going to Disney World in August this year, this will be my 6th time going. I've stayed at the Beach Club, Boardwalk, The Swan (3 times) and have loved them all. This time, i'm going with my cousin, and we are paying for it ourselves and would like to keep it a little cheaper. (We're both students). So, we were looking at the moderate resorts and I found the Coronodo Springs which looks pretty nice and the room rate is $160.00 a night (with tax) from what I see. I found a deal on expedia.com that gave me 4 nights at this hotel with airfair included for $520.00 each - doesn't sound bad to me - BUT, my cousin now wants to see if we can stay outside the park and maybe save $70.00 each TOTAL. I've never stayed outsite the park, and it seems like it would be a NIGHTMARE. I mean, it's already hot and crowded in August, why add to the stress by not getting Disney transportation right? Or am I just crazy? Now, my other question is, is there any way I can get the Coronodo Springs Standard room cheaper? I'm trying to convice her that it's practically the same price to stay in the park (because we get the Disney transporation from the airport to the hotel) rather than renting a towncar or taxi). I've looked at AAA rates ( I don't have it anymore ) but would be willing to get it if I can save money and it would be worth it - but, I see that annual passholders also receive a discount - so would it be worth it for me to get one (i'll probably be going again in January with family)? I think those are my only two options at getting a discount at the resort. I've looked through this website and it seems that there are a lot of options out there, but this is the first time i've had to plan the trip myself and i'm just a little confused on how to go about getting the best prices!

I would appreciate any help, and thank you in advance .

 

[mommykds]

Can you get an AAA membership...that would bring the price down a bit. I wouldn't stay off site for the difference of $70 though.

 

[katallo]

Since you have been to WDW before, did you ask if you have a "pin code" attached to your name? That may help. In August, it would definitely help to stay inside.

 

[DisneyGuy]

Can you get an AAA membership...that would bring the price down a bit. I wouldn't stay off site for the difference of $70 though.

thank you for the quick response - yeah, I can get one - that's not a problem at all - and I would be willing to be the one to get it just for the sake of staying in the park and convincing her that it's just not worth it to stay on some highway in Orlando. I mean, she wants to stay at a nice place, but come on - it will end up being the same.

does anyone know how those "shuttles" work outside the park?

 

[DisneyGuy]

Since you have been to WDW before, did you ask if you have a "pin code" attached to your name? That may help. In August, it would definitely help to stay inside.

hmm...i've never asked - because we usually book ourselves online through travelocity or something to that effect - also, when you stay at the Swan, you book through Starwood. BUT, I should call and find out just the same because I know when we stayed at the Beach Club and the Boardwalk we did book through Disney.

 

[katallo]

hmm...i've never asked - because we usually book ourselves online through travelocity or something to that effect - also, when you stay at the Swan, you book through Starwood. BUT, I should call and find out just the same because I know when we stayed at the Beach Club and the Boardwalk we did book through Disney.

It's definitely worth the ask. What about Port Orleans?

 

[DisneyGuy]

It's definitely worth the ask. What about Port Orleans?

to tell you the truth, i'll go for anything IN the park (except for the All Star Resorts - i'm not really interested in that). It seems like a nice place for young kids and parents...but were in our early twenties.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

For $70 I would definitely stay on-site.

Did you contemplate the value resorts? You could get one of those quite a bit cheaper. The rooms are smaller, but should be fine for 2 younger people.

Also, I have heard that the shuttles from other hotels can be horrendous. Very specific times that they will take you and bring you back. You have to reserve your times. Complete lack of spontaneity (sp?).

Good luck and most of all, have fun!

 

[disneyeveryyear]

to tell you the truth, i'll go for anything IN the park (except for the All Star Resorts - i'm not really interested in that). It seems like a nice place for young kids and parents...but were in our early twenties.

You might want to think about POP Century. It looks like it could be a lot of fun. Secondly, ow much time do you actually plan to spend at the resort? If not a lot, then why spend extra $ for a moderate?

 

[DisneyGuy]

For $70 I would definitely stay on-site.

Did you contemplate the value resorts? You could get one of those quite a bit cheaper. The rooms are smaller, but should be fine for 2 younger people.

Also, I have heard that the shuttles from other hotels can be horrendous. Very specific times that they will take you and bring you back. You have to reserve your times. Complete lack of spontaneity (sp?).

Good luck and most of all, have fun!

see, that's the thing - we like to stay for EVERYTHING when were there - night parades and ALL - I don't feel like getting on two busses or so after a 100 degree day in August with crowds....I hear you! haha.

 

[DisneyGuy]

You might want to think about POP Century. It looks like it could be a lot of fun. Secondly, ow much time do you actually plan to spend at the resort? If not a lot, then why spend extra $ for a moderate?

I guess that's true...but I really like the theme at the Coronodo.

 

[DisneyGuy]

I'll be back tonight to look at more of the replies - thanks again!

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

youve been going to disney a few times, why not pick up an AP pass? or perhaps a seasonal pass? then you can get those discounts!

 

[DisneyHoneymooner84]

I don't know if this will help but I have heard that the Caribean Beach resort is really nice for people without kids. It is more towards the adult surroundings and so the children are few and far between. This is what the lady at the disney 800 number told me. Good Luck

 

[katallo]

One great thing about Port Orleans is that you can ride the boats to Downtown Disney if you want to night club.

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

Just want to throw in my 2 cents from what Disneyhoneymooner said, CBR is NOT adult oriented...We stayed there once (with my niece and her friend) and there were a TON of kids running around and playing. The cool thing is that there were a lot of adults as well, but its more of a family type place. ITs very spread out so they can probably locate you somewhere thats quiet...if you want something for adults thats a moderate I'd go with POFQ.

 

[DisneyGuy]

isn't the CBR the same price as the CSR? Same with Port Orleans?

I do like the sound of taking the boat over to downtown Disney...that sounds nice. I like the Disney boats better than the busses - therefore my favorite area is the Epcot resort area - but were on a different budget this time.

 

[clkelley]

The shuttle buses for the off property hotels are IMPOSSIBLE!! There is no flexibility.

I tried that once in 98 to save some some money and actually ended up spending more because I had to get a couple of taxis. You won't be able to use the shuttle day of arrival and day of depature because they only run first thing in the morning and at park closing. They don't get you to the gates soon enough in the morning, you have to leave the park before closing. If you miss the last bus, you are SOL!!

You MUST have a rental car if you stay off property.

Check out Mousesavers.com

Right now there are annual passholder discounts for the moderate resorts through August 27th for $99.00 per night + tax. Call 407-WDISNEY and ask if there is any availability at the passholder rate at any of the moderates for your dates. Ask for code EXE.

If you can get a passholder rate, then great! Go buy yourself an annual pass and enjoy the savings!!

If you can't get a passholder rate, then join AAA.

Then call Disney back and see if there are any AAA rates at the moderate resorts.

You should get a 15% discount off of the rate at your resort.

Also, on airfare, I would check the airline websites directly for airfare, I have NEVER found a better airfare price on Expedia or Travelocity, than booking directly on the airline website.

Carol

 

[Gary M]

As someone mentioned you might crunch the figures on AP room rates(if aviliable for your time) and get an AP. I have some friends that are staying at POR in August for 6 nights 7 days. With the AP room rate they can buy one AP and save about $100 for their stay. These are two adults, a 2 and 8 yr. old. If they go back to WDW within 12 months, one will have free park admission or if they don't return they saved $100.

 

[DisneyGuy]

Wow! - thanks for the great advice and it sounds TERRIBLE staying outside the park with or without a rental car because i've seen with my own eyes the amount of traffic rolling in during the morning.

Hopefully I can convince my cousin that this is the only way to go. I will check my options first thing in the morning.


She tells me that the bus runs all day....i'm hearing otherwise on this site. See, she's done this before, but what she did was not what I would consider a "Walt Disney World" vacation - it was more of a "Florida vacation" with a visit to a few parks for 4/5 hours a day. We have NO intention of going off the property for anything - therefore, what's the point?