Hotel Ideas for Couples on a Budget

[DWIP]

What are the best value on-site (or off-site) hotels/resorts?? I've heard so many mixed reviews about pop-century, and I'm a bit overwhelmed on where to start...

 

[Handbag Lady]

What are the best value on-site (or off-site) hotels/resorts?? I've heard so many mixed reviews about pop-century, and I'm a bit overwhelmed on where to start...

You generally will get the better deal (free breakfast, lower rate) staying off-site.

You will miss the free transportation and feeling of being "IN" Disney World the entire length of your stay.

The only time I stayed off lot, I really liked it. Once I stayed on-lot, I didn't want to go back. But, that is me and your views will be totally different!

I would wait as others will jump in here and start listing places with really great deals.

 

[danceintherain]

First of all, I recommend putting yourself on the list for the Mousesavers Newsletter. They send out information on deals around Disney. Perusing the website may give you some ideas as well.

Second, the Downtown Disney area hotels can be a nice compromise between staying off and on. I convinced my family to stay at the Doubletree a couple years ago, because on property was too expensive, and through a great Mousesavers rate, I think we only spent $79/night for a suite that slept 6 people.
It worked really well for us, because my parents would never agree to spend the money to stay on property, but the convenient transportation made it easy for us to get to the parks. We didn't drive, so we didn't have to deal with any parking charges. We could walk to Downtown Disney.
You may be able to find a better deal a little further off property, but you'll likely need a car.

If you let us know more about your budget, we can help you figure out some viable options.

 

[disney67]

I have stayed at alot of the cheaper hotels all the way up to the 5 star resorts it all depends what you want to pay for ?
from as low as 29.00 at the knights inn to staying at Lake buana vista suites for about a 100.00 a night , then you have to figure if you just need a bed and a shower or something more ?
then the most importent which disney will always win is the "Magic" factor that nobody else can do .
some of the off property hotels do have shuttles to the Orlando area attraction for free and some make you pay ?
Alot of people gave you some great advice as for staying on or off property .
I have stayed on property many times , I love that you can go into the parks early and stay later thn people staying off property , there pool theames are amazing , and being on property is imply magical . I have stayed at POP 4 times and never had any problems , if you do not want to think about POP then try the other Values the All stars or AOA , or try a Modarate like POFQ is my absolutly favorite resort , or Cribbean Beach ?
If you are really tight on a budget alot of people hate those timeshare tours but i have done this alot to make or extend a trip they give you alot and it is worth it but the draw back is going thru the tour it can be an one to two hours depending on the rep you get and alot of the ones near disney can be a hard tour im not candy coating it but it is also an option ?

 

[angelbear425]

I've stayed at All Star Music and it was fine. Still in WDW and taking advantage of all Disney has to offer, but not paying several hundred dollars a night. Right now there are a bunch of dates to get 30% off rooms and other dates that you get free DDP if you pay full price for the room. The rooms are clean and comfortable, but no frills. How much will you be staying in your room anyway?

 

[littlebit0863]

I have never stayed onsite (closest was DTD Hilton, and it was the worst customer service I have ever received at a hotel.) The first hotel I stayed out, I really don't remember at all. Last time I stayed at Radisson Celebration, and I really liked it. This time I booked through Hotwire and just so happened to get it again. We booked it at $48 per night, plus a $12.50 per night resort fee, so total $60.50 per night. It has a decent restaurant on site, no free breakfast but kids eat free (1 kid per 1 adult.) It has a Starbucks (hooray!) and the main pool is pretty amazing, but I preferred the smaller heated pool last time. It was not within walking distance anywhere, but about 5 min driving to several chain restaurants. It is in the town of Celebration, which to me is extremely boring. The hotel offers free transportation to Disney (lets off at Epcot and then you have to use Disney transportation), Universal, and Seaworld. The busses run several per morning (7-11) and then several per evening (6-11). So it wouldn't work if you are a "mid day break" person and do not have a car. We will have our car, so it isn't an issue for us. Last trip we never had a car, did ok, but had no kids with us. We did take a hotel car service once to DTD and it was something like $30 roundtrip. Hope this helps any!

 

[blessedby3]

How about Bonnet Creek? We are staying there in Oct. (have always stayed on property) but DH wants more room to spread out. They have 1BR units all the way up to 4BR. Lovely looking resort and on the property (but not Disney owned). We have a full week for $830 for everything for a 2BR. Pretty budget for our family of 6