Lodging...decisions...decisions

[maximom]

We are going to WDW for the first time the first week of August. It's a long drive and we'll stay overnight on the way down and way back (Free Drury Inn rooms in Atalnta from points I've earned) I'm looking at 5 nights in Orlando and we are a family of four, however my oldest will be celebrating his 18th that next week so it's practically 3 adults and a 5 year old in one room.

I'm going back and forth over where to stay and other issues. Because I don't want us to be crowded, I've booked a room at HIFS. We're also on a budget so I got a residential suite there so I could have more dining options since it has a full kitchen / full size fridge. My oldest would sleep on the sleeper sofa and 5 yo sleep with us in the bedroom.

Now, I'm thinking maybe I should have gotten a 2 bedroom instead. Has anyone ever stayed in a residential suite there? I would love your input.

Of course, I'm also drawn to All Stars because my "baby" is Toy STory crazy! The rooms just look tiny to me. Will I regret it???
Even if we don't stay there, I thought we could still "visit" and have pictures made by Buzz and Woody. Is that appropriate?

My sister thinks I'm crazy for paying $98/night at HIFS (Ent Card rate) when I could get a "cheap" motel for $40-$50 night. I personally think we will save the difference in money saved on not eating out as much and benefit from staying in a great place.

Any help or comments would be appreciated.

 

[scanmom]

at www.hotelkingdom.com you can get a 2 bedroom condo with a full kitchen at cypress point resort for $64.00 a nite! They look nice and I have read alot of good reports about this place. I think we are going to give it a try. Good luck, and have fun with your planning AND your trip!!

 

[djm99]

Hey i'm from STL too. Welcome to disboards. It looks like we will miss each other by a few days. We are leaving on Aug 6 staying over in Atlanta (I got a $96 a night room for $36) and then staying in ORL for 7 nights. Don't forgot to get your countdown.

Back to your questions....

I would follow scanmom. Go to hotelkingdom, travelocity, travelzoo.com orbitz.com and expedia. Since you have a little time, comparison shop. If you end up at a hotel keep in my that most of them have "lowest price guarantee" so if you find a really great rate on any of those websites you can call them directly and get the cheap rate minus 10-25%.

For example... That ATL hotel I got for $36 is actually selling for $96 on their website, but travelocity is having a sell for $40 prepaid, so I called the hotel to get that $40 but I was told I had to book online then request that rate. So I booked the $96 a night, did the request, and was given the $40 rate minus 10%. Marriott has a guarantee of best rate minus 25% - I tried hard to find a cheaper rate from a marriott but I just couldn't.

Good Luck and have fun surfing... Don't make it stressful make it fun. This is the best part for me. Ya know, planning planning and more planning!!!!!!

 

[kilee]

I would definetly look into the other options. For the rate you are paying a night you might even be able to get a 3 bedroom pool home. Or a full 2 bedroom condo. Check out sites like www.vrbo.com . There are lots of good things about HIFS, so in the end you probably can't go wrong. But if you would like alittle space, I'd at least check out the other options. Often you can pick up a nice condo 2 or 3 full bedrooms for $65-100 a night. Good luck!!!!!

 

[maximom]

Wow! That is a great price on the Cypress Pointe for a 2 bdrm with a full kitchen. I'm not real thrilled about paying for the entire ressie right now so I hope they keep that rate for a while.

Thanks for all the help everyone. BTW, I would love to add a countdown, but I'm a newbie and don't know how????

 

[lilsonicfan]

I would definitely look into a condo or vacation home. We rented through www.orlandovillas.com - found a great 4 bedroom house, for $700 (eight nights, tax included) - we very much appreciated having a full kitchen, two living rooms, and four bedrooms/3 baths. It was great.

As for the countdown, you can look on the Technical Support forum (at the bottom of the list) and that will tell you how to add it!

 

[disneysteve]

I agree that there are better options for $100/nite.

Check out http://www.windsor-palms-resort.com/
You should be able to get a 3-bedroom pool home for that price. At the very least, you can definitely get a 3-bedroom condo. Either way, you'll have a full kitchen, washer and dryer, 2 bathrooms, and tons of space for everyone.

The rooms at All Star are TINY. You will not be happy squeezing 3 adults and a child in there.

Steve