Looking for info on Days Inn please.

[Sandy Feet]

I'm also checking out hotels that can comfortably AND economically cater to a family of five, have given up on trying to afford on-site. The Days Inn looks great especially since it has trans to the major theme parks! If you don't mind, a "couple" of questions for you...
Do they have a balcony?
What would you suggest we pack? Coffee? Dish liquid? Pool towels?
What is Old Town?
Is there a Red Lobster or TGIF nearby? Don't ask me why, but the kids want to try them. Too much tv I suspect.
Can we bring our own nintendo system and games to avoid the surcharges?
Would you recc. renting a car or using the shuttles?
Where can I find out about Fast Pass at WDW?

Thank you, thank you.

 

[BonnieA]

Old town is a tourist area with rides, shops and restaurants. It's all right for someplace to walk around in at night but if you don't have time, you won't be missing much.
Days Suites is basic accomadations. You have to rent pots, pans and dishes from them unless you bring your own. If you get a suite next to old town it will be noisey.
There is a Red Lobster on the far side of Old town. You may be able to walk to it from Days Suites. Not sure where TGIFridays is but I'm sure there is one not far away if you have a car.
Speaking of a car, I would recommend it. Off site hotel transportation is not always convenient.

 

[Sandy Feet]

Originally posted by BonnieA
Old town is a tourist area with rides, shops and restaurants. It's all right for someplace to walk around in at night but if you don't have time, you won't be missing much.
Days Suites is basic accomadations. You have to rent pots, pans and dishes from them unless you bring your own. If you get a suite next to old town it will be noisey.
There is a Red Lobster on the far side of Old town. You may be able to walk to it from Days Suites. Not sure where TGIFridays is but I'm sure there is one not far away if you have a car.
Speaking of a car, I would recommend it. Off site hotel transportation is not always convenient.

Thanks BonnieA,
I know I'm all over the place with my questions. Now I'm wondering if i should try Hotwire for a good rate on a better hotel. But i don't know how to make sure I get enough space for a family of 5. Do you have any experience with Hotwire? Perhaps just book 2 rooms then contact the hotel I get? Am very nervous to book the "unkown" when travelling with the kids. And am a bit worried Days Inn might be too uhmm basic?

 

[tmli]

We stayed at Days Suites only once. Very budget price wise and it shows in the quality of the place and its service. You probably could bring your own nintendo system (with an rf adaptor) if the tv works. Our two didn't when we were there. When we complained they said what do you expect, this isn't the ritz! Very unclean and broken down. I wouldn't stay there again if the room was free. JMHO!!

 

[crazelion]

Try hotelkingdom.com for hotel rooms for family 5. They is very reasonabley. Also for hotel reviews tripadvisor.com.

Here list that good review here dis boards:
Amersuites Dinsey Eastgate - sleeps 6- free breakfeast
Cyress Pointe Grand Villas
MainStay Dinsey - sleeps 6 - free breakfeast
Country Inn Maingate Disney - sleeps 5 -free breakfeast

All can be found at hotelkingdom.com. Hotelkingdom.com is reliable and have been use by many of the dis boards.

You can found out about the fast pass systems by visting Theme Park Attractions and Strategies boards dis boards. The fast pass system is where stick ticket into the machine it gives you a time to come back to ride the ride and it's free at WDW with ticket purchase.

What would you suggest we pack? Coffee? Dish liquid? Pool towels?

If it was me I would take my own pool towels. Some condos and suites suppy them some don't. Some charge for pot and pans some don't.

I would not stay offsite without a car. Some hotel shuttles is not reliably. Rent a car you will be more comfortable that way. That way you can leave the parks when you want to.

I hope that answer your questions.

 

[vhoffman]

Sorry to shoot down your idea about Days Inn but everything I've read about them has been negative, both in the disney area and elsewhere. Mary Waring from Mousesavers.com is quite negative on them and they consistently come up as one of the worst hotels on this board. Try somewhere else!

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by vhoffman
Sorry to shoot down your idea about Days Inn but everything I've read about them has been negative, both in the disney area and elsewhere. Mary Waring from Mousesavers.com is quite negative on them and they consistently come up as one of the worst hotels on this board. Try somewhere else!

Not everything is negative. I've read several comments here on DIS that were just fine. We stayed there in November 2002 and had a great trip. What they give you for $39.95/nite is great. Yes, the place is old but has been decently maintained. Honestly, I'm not sure what everyone expects for $39. The suites have a huge living room with tv and a Murphy bed. There is a nice size kitchen with table for 4, full size refrigerator/freezer, microwave, stovetop, dishwasher, sink. The bedroom is also huge with 2 beds, a vanity with sink and plenty of closet space. The staff was wonderful and a couple of minor problems we had during our stay were literally corrected within 5 minutes of reporting them.

By the way, don't confuse the Days Inn with the Days Suites. They are seperate properties. We are all discussing the Days Suites.

Steve

 

[BonnieA]

Have to agree with Steve. While it is "basic" it is a good value for the money. I've stayed there more than I care to admit (before I found condos for $55/night). I never found it dirty maybe a little worn but still acceptable. You will have plenty of room.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by BonnieA
Have to agree with Steve. While it is "basic" it is a good value for the money. I've stayed there more than I care to admit (before I found condos for $55/night). I never found it dirty maybe a little worn but still acceptable. You will have plenty of room.

I agree Bonnie. I have since found nicer places as well. You can get a 2-bedroom condo at Windsor Palms for as little as $55 and its definitely nicer and newer than Days Suites. Though I must say we liked being right next to Old Town. Especially when the Disney parks close early, its great to be able to walk just a few yards away and have some fun shopping, rides and eateries. Our reservation at Days Suites included about $50 or $60 worth of ride tickets which we made full use of. Also, Flippers has great pizza. One nite, I ran over and got one and brought it back to the suite for dinner. There are several other restaurants within walking distance of the hotel which is not true at any of the condo complexes.

Steve