Hotel for 'night before'

[GalInSpace]

So we are booked for a Saturday through Saturday in mid April, staying at Port Orleans French Quarter. My plan has been to fly down early Saturday morning so we can spend late afternoon and evening in MK (and enjoy dinner at BOG). This of course based on the assumption that an early morning flight would be easy and affordable to book.

Alas, it seems more efficient for us to fly down Friday night and stay at a hotel near the airport? or maybe a night at a value resort? A cheapo room near the gates? I'm not sure which is easier and frankly I don't know whether to trust the reviews for the cheaper hotels/motels that are near the World.

Any suggestions are welcome, especially if you can recommend a specific hotel/motel.

Thanks!
Lisa

 

[GADisneyDad14]

So we are booked for a Saturday through Saturday in mid April, staying at Port Orleans French Quarter. My plan has been to fly down early Saturday morning so we can spend late afternoon and evening in MK (and enjoy dinner at BOG). This of course based on the assumption that an early morning flight would be easy and affordable to book.

Alas, it seems more efficient for us to fly down Friday night and stay at a hotel near the airport? or maybe a night at a value resort? A cheapo room near the gates? I'm not sure which is easier and frankly I don't know whether to trust the reviews for the cheaper hotels/motels that are near the World.

Any suggestions are welcome, especially if you can recommend a specific hotel/motel.

Thanks!
Lisa

Before I answer, just curious as to your plan for transportation to WDW? Magical Express? Rental car? My opinion may depend on your plan in that regard. Thanks!

 

[StageTek]

If you are taking advantage of DME then a value on site is essential.

If you're driving you might want to look into Kissimmee; you kinda know what you're going get with Econo Lodge or Quality Inn or even Motel 6 or Super 8. I have a friend who says good things about Monte Carlo Motel.

 

[GalInSpace]

Before I answer, just curious as to your plan for transportation to WDW? Magical Express? Rental car? My opinion may depend on your plan in that regard. Thanks!

Ah yes, we planned on getting a rental car.

 

[HopperFan]

Ah yes, we planned on getting a rental car.

Then you have lots of options. What is your budget and that will help direct you to the best options?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Ah yes, we planned on getting a rental car.

Ahh, OK. If you were taking ME I was going to suggest the MCO Hyatt. It’s not the cheapest option but super convenient.

Since you’re driving you have more options available, I’ll let others opine on good spots as I don’t have direct experience.

 

[lovin'fl]

Not sure if you have an annual pass but we just had a trip where I added on a night before the trip in Pop Century with AP discount it was $137.

 

[GalInSpace]

Not sure if you have an annual pass but we just had a trip where I added on a night before the trip in Pop Century with AP discount it was $137.

I don't have AP but I did look at prices of Pop Century and other value resorts...hovering around that $140 mark. Which is what got me thinking....if hotels near the airport are at least that much, we might as well stay onsite and move over to POFQ on Saturday. But if we can find a place less than $100 offsite that would be nice (unless the quality is low).

 

[GalInSpace]

Then you have lots of options. What is your budget and that will help direct you to the best options?

Max budget would be the cost of one night on-site at WDW value resort....seems to be around $140 for the time we are there. I've now been looking in the Kissimee area per other's suggestion and the rates look low, $80 or so. I hesitate to book those lower cost places without some direct feedback on quality though.

thanks!

 

[Kae]

How many in your group?

 

[GalInSpace]

How many in your group?

2 adults and 2 kids

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

If you are willing to stay in a slightly older facility, the Maingate Lakeside Resort on 192 near Animal Kingdom has low rates (40 to 60 bucks) and meets the need for a cheap and safe place to crash for one night. I stay there several times a year. It may say "resort", but think of it as a complex that has about 3 or 4 large buildings all situated on a large piece of land. Rooms can always be found on the usual booking sites. In general, the earlier you book, the lower the price.

Edit: Prices at that time are a bit elevated. Popular booking sites have rooms for 4 at over 60 bucks. My favorite site, skoosh.com out of Great Britain, has it for the mid 40s plus the 11 dollar resort fee. I use Skoosh many times a year, including cancellations from time to time, and never had a problem with them. They are getting you the bulk rate provided to tour group operators, but let you book it as an individual/family.

 

[Kae]

Best Western at DS is a good choice. Holiday Inn has some nice places in the area

 

[soccermom54]

I would suggest Pop Century or one of the Disney Springs resorts. We have stayed at the Doubletree Hotel at Disney Springs several times. It is very nice to have the extra space of a suite.

 

[StageTek]

Max budget would be the cost of one night on-site at WDW value resort....seems to be around $140 for the time we are there. I've now been looking in the Kissimee area per other's suggestion and the rates look low, $80 or so. I hesitate to book those lower cost places without some direct feedback on quality though.

I've stayed at Motel 6 and Super 8, they often get low feedback but I've never had a bad experience in either. Sometimes saving $50/$60 for a one night stay is worth it. But it seem you'll be more comfortable staying on site. Sometimes saving $50/$60 isn't worth piece of mind.

Have you checked the reviews of Monte Carlo on Yelp or TripAdvisor?

 

[cutigerlady]

I've stayed at the Springhill Suites at Flamingo Crossing which was great, probably harder to get there from airport. I've also stayed at Caribe Royale (Lake Buena Vista Suites is sister resort) which is super easy to get to from airport. I found great deals from third party travel sites. I wanted a place with no parking or resort fee. I looked for places that travel providers recommended.

 

[GalInSpace]

Thanks everyone! I spent several hours looking at all the reviews, looking at the map, and comparing prices. The monte carlo did look like an excellent option with good review. But I think I'm going to book All Star Movies after all.....discounted on undercover tourist + i remembered the amex code, so it doesn't end up being too much more than the budget off-site motels. with the bonus that we can now easily decide NOT to get a rental car if we don't want to!

 

[cleophus12]

There are a number of hotels in the International Drive area with very competitive pricing and I have found most of those to be somewhat nicer than the cheaper hotels/motels around the Maingate area. The rule of thumb around the Maingate seems to be "you get what you pay for" and I've paid for and gotten some fairly bad rooms. International Drive/Universal area has quite a few name brand hotels that are quite nice and seem to be competing for guests so some good rates can be found. It's a little further from WDW, but if you have a car you can get up 15 minutes earlier and get to Disney quickly.