Holiday Inn or All Star Music?

[samsid99]

Hi everyone, I am planning my 2nd dw trip. Went with entire family back in Jan of 01, this summer just me and my 2 DD are going. They are now 8 and 9. I realize that this will be a completely different trip because of their ages and will be there during peak season. I am trying to keep costs down of course and would every much appreciate any opinions.

I can book a vacation through my sam's club membership for flight, disney all star music 7nights , taxes and length of stay passes, and rental car for $2155.

Or I can book flight, car, 7 night stay at Holiday Inn Main gate East, 6 day plus passes for 1900.

I am trying to weigh the pros and cons of each. Obv. staying on site no pay parking, and early and late park hours and length of stay passes.

But staying at HIMGE offers free kids eat program, rooms are bigger and include kitchennette so it would be easier to do more "camp" style eating??

Like I said I would love any input or advice. This board was awesome during my last trip! Thanks to all.

 

[chvyman411]

In my opinion the the extra few hundred dollars is definately worth staying on site if it is affordable.

 

[liznboys]

I would stay onsite if you can swing it. It's so nice to be IN WDW the entire time of your trip. That's my opinion anyway!! Good luck!

 

[taekwondo mom]

I would stay on site so much easier to go back to room if you need a break .. If you stay off site they only run the bus at set times...
Good Luck !!!

 

[KristiKelly]

I prefer on-site & we usually take a cooler & snack foods, bread, etc. kids eat cereal in the room before we leave - saves a bunch. I don't know if this would save you any money, but have you looked on mousesavers.com & checked out the codes for the time you're going? Right now, for 7/4-7/31 they have all-star codes for $74 nt. quite often, if you price it separately, you can save money over a package. We drive which also saves money, but I know that's not an option for many people. You'll have a great trip either way, but WDW resorts are so convenient.

 

[sugermouse]

I would stay onsite as staying in a Disney hotel just enhances the magical experience. Your kids will never forget staying in a Disney hotel.

 

[canwegosoon]

I personally would vote to stay onsite, because my boys loved going back to the pool every afternoon. I might consider staying off site if I had a car to set my own schedule, but the parking/car might add up to more than the savings. Are you going to do anything else besides Disney? If you want to do KSC, Universal, Seaworld etc, then I think you might be better to stay off site. Also check on Mousesavers.com for historical information on discounts, I remember looking last year at BJ's vs. Kids stay free through Visa...and for me the KSF was better, but you might have to take your chances as to what will be offered. Good Luck.

 

[samsid99]

After continued checking and good advice! Thanks for all the quick replies!

I think we are going with the Sam's club deal. I am going to rent a car, if I drive to the parks instead of using dw transportation will I have to pay for parking?

Is one of the value resorts nicer or more convienent than the other?

I also just purchased the 10 orlando et book, will I find that useful?

Thanks so much....less than a month to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[msr709]

I got a AAA rate for 9/1 to 9/5 at ASMo for $61.60, and staying onsite you don't really need a car so you could save on the car rental. We're staying 4 days at RPR with a van from Budget and then turning in the van when we move into ASmo, believe it or not I did the budget both ways, staying in one off-site hotel (HIFS which also offers the kids eat free) and doing it this way and this way was cheaper for us (we also have Amex Rewards paying for the van rental). We're doing the Mastercard deal for 5-day pass for USO and getting UPH for 3nts/4days (we're going to SW on 9/1 before we check into ASMo. HTH