How do i get to the disney parkd from INTERNATIONAL DRIVE?

[luckytobeme88]

we chose to stay here because we wanted to save money on accomodation and it was a lot cheaper to stay on I drive.

Beth

1) If you don't mind me asking, how much are your parents saving by staying in International Drive?
2) Can you folks find another hotel along International Drive which offers free theme parks transportations?

Best of luck!

 

[goofy4tink]

I am going to move this to the Transportation Board. We have some Orlando Locals there that can probably answer this question for sure!

Okay...so I thought I was losing what little mind I have left. I knew I had responded to a thread just like this one!!!

So....I have merged the two threads, into one thread. There may be some repetition, but I don't want to start deleting anyone's posts...so, the repeats will stay put. Hope it's not too confusing.

 

[goofy4tink]

1) If you don't mind me asking, how much are your parents saving by staying in International Drive?
2) Can you folks find another hotel along International Drive which offers free theme parks transportations?

Best of luck!

Good thought but probably not feasible only three weeks out.

 

[BethEJo]

1) If you don't mind me asking, how much are your parents saving by staying in International Drive?
2) Can you folks find another hotel along International Drive which offers free theme parks transportations?

I don't mind.
When we booked our holiday at the beginning of the year we weren't sure about many things, as the last time we went to disney was in 2000. i suppose you could say that we were a little naive, but my parents decided to check out some travel agents.
to stay at the disney value resorts, along with flights, would have cost us about $7000 to go in the school holidays (that's what the travel agents quoted us).
as soon as we heard that price we completely dismissed the idea, as it was way over our price range. we knew that it was more expensive when booking with travel agents, so we decided to it our own way, and we ended up booking a chartered flight and a nice hotel (looks like one of the cleanest on I drive) for around £1900 ($3800??). my parents didn't look at the rates of disney hotels due to the initial shock of being quoted $7000, but now i have heard that you can stay at the value hotels for around $100 a night. i didnt know this before, but am going to bear it in mind for the next time.
therefore, it appears to us that we've saved a few hundred ££s - but we may be very wrong due to the transport issue.

and as for changing the hotel - thats completely out of the question. its too close to the time, and my parents are very happy with the hotel they've chosen in terms of facilities offered, location (they always want to be at the center of Idrive so that they can get to sea world and universal easily too), and price. there were lots of other hotels on I drive that were in our price range, but the cleanliness and good reviews weren't there.

next time, i'm definitely gonna try and persuade my parents to stay closer to disney. i think they thought that if they stayed near disney, then they would be restricted to disney (i would love to be "restricted" to disney haha, but there are other people on this holiday too), and not be able to do the other stuff and parks that they want to do.

however, this holiday isnt gonna become a transport nightmare - ill make sure of it, and we'll figure something out when we get there etc etc..

everyone makes mistakes right ??

Beth

 

[BethEJo]

sorry to post again straight after the previous one, but i just remembered to ask these questions?

Where can i find the best rates for disney hotels? is it disney themselves, or are there any good websites?
also, what locations are good to stay at, that are relatively close to the disney areas?

I can then bear the answers in mind for the next time...

Thanks again!

 

[goofy4tink]

sorry to post again straight after the previous one, but i just remembered to ask these questions?

Where can i find the best rates for disney hotels? is it disney themselves, or are there any good websites?
also, what locations are good to stay at, that are relatively close to the disney areas?

I can then bear the answers in mind for the next time...

Thanks again!

You really won't find too much difference in WDW resort rates depending on where you look. You can book directly through Disney or use a Disney specialist TA (but be sure they specialize in Disney, some don't). I tend to book my own trips on my own. That way I don't end up paying for a package and things I don't need. I can book the same discounts a TA can...just means that I have to sit on hold with Disney, rather than the TA.
There aren't any discounted rooms at WDW per se. Yes, there are special offers, such as rooms booked with AAA, AP discounts or such. But, everyone can get those themselves if they are applicable.
I personally love the value resorts...lots of fun, bright and colorful, Disney magic and not all that expensive. Especially considering that you get to ride DME free from the airport to resort and back again, you get EMHs at the parks. And, if you want to head to SW or Universal, you can book the Mears shuttle from your resort...easy as pie. So do keep that in mind for your next trip.

 

[jodifla]

I've never heard of this, do you know the names of any companies that would do such a service? i could make some enquiries then...

The Mears link that Brian Noble gave you is good.....again, depending on where you are going, public transport is tricky in Orlando.

 

[Lewisc]

You might want to also post this request in the UK forum. In general you can get the best rates directly from Disney. You can check the code and discounts sub board of the resort board for available promotional rates.

Most of us find we can get our best deals by shopping our airfare (directly from the airline) car rental (directly with the agency using a variety of codes) and booking our hotel directly with Disney.

I believe there are some circumstances where people in other countries can get better deals booking air and hotel in one package. Even look at booking air with a real dump hotel. Occassionaly you'll get a better deal on a package then just booking airfare. You wouldn't even bother checking in at the hotel.

Likewise some of the UK TAs offer car rentals with insurance and gas. Many (most) of us wiave the rental coverage. We're covered with out personal auto policy and/or credit card waivers. Some agencies require customers from other countries purchase coverage.

sorry to post again straight after the previous one, but i just remembered to ask these questions?

Where can i find the best rates for disney hotels? is it disney themselves, or are there any good websites?
also, what locations are good to stay at, that are relatively close to the disney areas?

I can then bear the answers in mind for the next time...

Thanks again!

 

[brianm27]

I can't comment on the level of service because i have never used them, but Tiffany Town Car private car service charges (round trip) from I-Drive hotels to:

Disney $95
Sea World $55
Universal $65

This would allow you to come and go at the times that you prefer.

I understand your parents. I have been to the U.K. many times and have not yet got up the nerve to "drive on the wrong side" !