Hotel suite or vacation home rental?

[Experiment_626]

We (myself, my wife and our two boys, ages six and two) are planning to go to WDW for about four nights centered around the weekend of February 11th. We'll also be taking my mother-in-law. We'll be splitting hotel expenses equally with her.

Obviously, a standard room will not serve us this time. We'd like to keep the total per night cost of wherever we stay as close to $100 as possible. Anything more than $120 is completely out of the question (I say this because I've noticed a tendency, whenever someone online gives a budget figure, for responses to come in "just a bit over [the quoted] budget." While I understand that, my wife is the final arbiter of these things and I've learned to pick my battles -- and this isn't one I'd choose to fight). So, $100 preferred and $120 as absolute maximum and that not without a lot of grumbling.

About three years ago, we got a suite through Priceline just on the south or east side (opposite side from WDW) of I4 and 192 for $60 per night. The place had two beds, a couch, living area, and a fairly well-stocked kitchen with a full-size fridge, oven and range, and even a dishwasher. Something like that would meet our needs now (I cannot for the life of me recall the name of that particular place). My wife doesn't want the little dorm-type fridge for this trip because it won't be large enough for everything we'll all need, so the more fully-equipped the kitchen is, the better.

Does it make sense to look for similar suites on this trip, and could anyone recommend specific places that might meet our needs and for which we might be able to get a price within out range? And also, what vacation home rentals? Anyone have any specific experience with that alternative, and company names that might meet our needs? The place we stay doesn't have to be particularly fancy (whether hotel or vacation home) -- just safe, clean, and reasonably priced. A pool is not necessary -- in fact, they make my wife a bit nervous because of the two-year-old.

I'm mainly asking because in some places you ask for a kitchenette and you get almost a full kitchen. In other places, you discover that a kitchenette means a dorm-type fridge, a microwave, coffee maker and a small sink outside the bathroom! So I was hoping some of you might have experience and/or advice you'd like to share.

We'll be driving down and using our vehicle to get around. Therefore, the closer to property the better, all things being equal, but if we have to drive a few miles that's fine too.

Thanks!

SSB

 

[formill]

http://www.rentorlandodisneycondo.com/5301.html We stayed at Seven Dwarfs Villas rented through the owners (they own 3 condos there) The condo was very large/clean and master bathroom had a jacuzzi tub. It had a small kitchen but with full size fridge and stove. We paid $79 a night but that was 2 years ago- think the site says $89 now. We paid a cleaning fee as only stayed 2 nights but I think if you stay long enough you don't have to pay that.

 

[disneyjessica]

My Family and I are staying in the Quality suites in Lake Buena Vista for under 100 a night with a AAA discount in early February. We have not stayed there before but were pleased to see the high rating on Tripadvisor.com.

 

[Experiment_626]

http://www.rentorlandodisneycondo.com/5301.html We stayed at Seven Dwarfs Villas rented through the owners (they own 3 condos there) The condo was very large/clean and master bathroom had a jacuzzi tub. It had a small kitchen but with full size fridge and stove. We paid $79 a night but that was 2 years ago- think the site says $89 now. We paid a cleaning fee as only stayed 2 nights but I think if you stay long enough you don't have to pay that.

Cleaning fee applies regardless, though that still comes to $106 per night for four nights — not bad. But they're already booked up. Oh well.

Anyone have other suggestions? The Quality Suites don't look bad, but unless my mother-in-law has AAA, we can't get that discount …

SSB

 

[Beemitchcowski]

Did you check homeaway?

 

[sympatico]

Go to windsorhillsrent.com and fill out the inquiry section on the left and put condo in the comments box. You should get back lots of quotes.

 

[Experiment_626]

Did you check homeaway?

I had not -- but now that you mention them, I shall!

To you and to others who have made suggestions, thank you! And if anyone has any other suggestions, please post them.

Now, though, we have a complication. We learned today that our younger son must have his tonsils removed at the earliest opportunity. That opportunity, as it currently stands, is February 6. If that stands, we'll have to push back the trip by a week or so, and then whether my mother-in-law can go with us is an open question. We're on a cancellation list, and so there's a chance the surgery will happen sooner and our original travel dates will still be good. So in the interim I'll still be investigating the possibilities, but I can't book anything until we know when he'll be ready to travel again.

I dread having to nurse a two-year-old through recovery, but in the long run he'll be better off. It's also hard to watch a little baby suffer from sleep apnea because his tonsils and adenoids are making it hard for him to breathe at night, which means the quality of his sleep is suffering as well. So, best to get it over with ASAP.

SSB

 

[kmb584]

Have you looked into the Sheraton Vistana in Lake Buena Vista? We stayed in a 2 bedroom in October for over your budget, but a 1 bedroom is $109/night. It includes the bedroom, living room with sofa bed, dining room, full kitchen and bathroom. The location is great too - it took us about 10 minutes to enter Disney property.

 

[At World's End]

I would look at the Crestwynd Bay community on Homeaway or vrbo. There are many 3 br/3ba twonhouses for about $65/nt. We stayed at this one last January. It is very close to the parks (10 min to Epcot, 15 min to MK parking lot). It was very clean, comfortable, and the owner was great.

http://www.vrbo.com/281521