Hotel and general ?s

[Katy Belle]

Hello Everybody!!! I am so excited!!! I took a chance and asked DH if we could go to FL and hit WDW and Universal/IOA in December and he said YES!!!!!!!!!! So I'm going to plan it before he changes his mind!!

Ok, here's the scoop. Family of 5, 3 boys ages 11,9,6, all daredevil riders,all tall for ages. I think we will love Universal, never been before. Have been to WDW and DisneyLand Paris and loved both. Did 3 Six Flags parks last year, Houston, Dallas, and Chicago. We love rides

Hotels....we are cheap...or thrify...or are willing to spend, but not in excess. The plane tickets alone will cost us a mint...we are living overseas...so I want to spend wisely while in the USA. Initial look at the website...looks like onsite will cost us about $400 more than staying offsite, doing the 3 nights, kids free, 5 days of tickets thing. $400 -- It will be beginning of December, definitely leaving by Dec. 22 to go visit family in Nebraska. Is the front of the line pass and walking distance really the only big reasons to stay onsite? Will we want FOTL in December? What would you do? Can anyone recommend a good off site hotel that is close? Unsure if we'll rent a car or not.

I'm sure we will want to do the character breakfast, you don't have to stay on site for that, do you?

We will have to go to some park on the weekend, would you do WDW or Universal?

Sorry, our dates are still up in the air, other than knowing it will be mid December.

I'd appreciate any advice.
Thanks in Advance,
Katy

 

[cbdmhgp]

A Wonderful offsite hotel that my family of 6 stayed at was the Hawthorne Suites, and it was only minutes away from the park. i highly highly recommend it. WE LOVED IT!!!!

 

[subtchr]

I'm guessing that if you are coming from overseas you might be military? If so, be sure to check into military discounts at the onsite hotels. We are saving $110/night off a deluxe (bigger) room at HRH this June that way. I just asked if they had the discount when I called. If you are going early enough in December, the FOTL might not be that vital, but we knew we would want to have it in June. We're still paying more than we ever had for a hotel room, but it will be worth it to us. Have fun whatever you decide ~

 

[robvia]

I've heard good things about Hawthorne suites, and there are a few others on I-drive.

I made a web site just for people like you, looking to save by staying across the street and walking over. The main street you need to cross is called Kirkman Road, and it's a big 10 lane highway, but it can be done. Check out my pages, find a hotel you like, and go to their web site.
The best case scenerio would be either the Amerisuites (withing walking distance) or the Hilton Homewood Suites (you would need a rental car or take a shuttle).

http://www.nogodforme.com/offsite.htm
http://www.nogodforme.com/hiltongardeninn.htm
http://www.nogodforme.com/Amerisuites.htm

Now that I've told you where to save money, I'll plug the onsite hotels. When you stay onsite, you "feel" like part of the action. The walk to the parks is only 5-7 minutes. The pools are amazing, and of course there is FOTL. So the extra money you would spend is well worth it should you decide to splurge. Either way, you'll have a great time.

 

[Katy Belle]

Thanks for all the help! Still no decision made, I have a lot of time. I do know what you are saying about being part of the action, I read in a disney book that staying offsite is like visiting and staying onsite is like being home. I did feel that way. Now I'm worried that I would regret it if we stayed offsite.

Thanks everybody!
Katy