last minute trip-need lots of help!!!

[andychris14]

We are tossing it around to go on a last minute trip down to disney. We want to go the later part of August for about a week. We have to go totally pay next to nothing but want to go first class. We have stayed at the vistana and moderate disney hotels in the past. Next year we can do a little more but for now it's not going to happen. Here are my questions:
1-Can you recommend a hotel that is very reasonable? That is nice, clean with free shuttle service.
2-Should I just book one of the all-stars,since the price is right?Can I get a nicer off-site hotel for the same price? I have never stayed there and I hate to be a snob.
3-I see that a howard johnson is only $35 per night. Has anyone stayed there?
If staying at the all-star which one? Which building,etc. How is the shuttle service? Would I hate these hotels after staying at moderate ones? If it can get us to disney,what the heck.
I REALLY appreciate any of your help.

 

[HeatherC]

Christine - I've only stayed off site - and love it. If you do decide off site you may want to check out these places for great rates or deals.

SkyAuction - Do a search for Orlando and see what pops up. Also do a search for keyword "ready". This will bring up their "ready set go" auctions which are the best deals. We have gotten wonderful 2 bedroom villa timeshare rentals for about $260 for a week. Including all taxes. You have to check the dates for availability though.

Also try: Travelzoo.com for the best internet travel deals.
Condodirect for condo weeks at great prices.

We've stayed at the Radisson Resort Parkway and thought it was very nice. It is a preferred hotel on Mousesavers site.

Hope this helps.
HeatherC

 

[TammyAlphabet]

If you are not renting a car, I would suggest to stay onsite, preferably at the Pop Century, if you are on a tight budget. I like all the all stars too, but I think the Pop has less wear and tear than the Stars. Staying offsite is great if you don't mind the driving and parking and traffic. And, I think you can pay a great deal less than on site, like that 35 dollars at the HoJo. But, I like the convenience of staying onsite. It is personal preference.

Try Tripadvisor.com if you want to check out the experiences of others at any hotel you are considering. If you are renting a car, check out the codes on mousesavers.com, they can save you a fortune!!! good luck with your planning and have a magical time.

 

[kilee]

We've done many off site trips as well as onsite. I found each of them to be wonderful.

If you don't have a car I wouldn't think of staying offsite. For one trip we were going to rely on the hotel shuttles. Let me tell you-- it would of been a disaster. They only ran 4 times a day. That was it. Twice in the a.m.-- once in the afternoon and then once at night. Didn't really matter what the park hours were either.

If you can, priceline would be a really great way to get a really great room for little money. Last spring we had the Sheraton Safari for I believe $38/nt (it may have been $37/nt). We also got the Holiday Inn Nikki Bird for $20/something night. I wouldn't stay there again though.

We've also stayed at the Day's Inn near Old Town-- on one really budgeted trip. I don't remember which site I used-- I think it was www.orlandoescapes.com but we were able to book a pool view room for $19.99 a night-- with no funny business attached to it. I can tell you I spent days on the computer searching rates. This hotel was just okay. Not spectacular but not the worst by far. The room we had was clean, modern, and acceptable.

If you have AAA you could probably catch a good rate at a Disney value resort though too.

 

[andychris14]

thanks guys,
To kilee, I have never used priceline before, I am a little scared but willing to give it a try. I would definitely stay at the sheraton but what chances to stay at a dump!!! What star rating was the sheraton?
Any tips I would love!
thanks
christine