Military Family of 6

[suseybee]

We are a military family of 6. My dh is going to be coming home for his 2 week R and R in September and I'm overwhelmed with all that Disney has to offer. Due to budget issues, we really need to stay off property and I've been looking at condos. We could stay at SOG, but the idea of all of us (our children are 11, 8, 5 and 2) in one room for 10 or 11 nights is frightening. LOL I'm open to any and all suggestions. I think I've figured out plane fare and maybe tickets, so the only thing left is this accomodation issue.

TIA,

Susie
momma to four girls

 

[utahkennedys]

My new favorite place to buy vacations/condo rentals/timeshare rentals is on eBay. Search "Orlando rental" or "Disney rental", or even more specific like "Marriott Horizons", "Marriott Cypress", etc. and you can find some AMAZING deals! We got a 3BR in Sept. for 7 nights at Hilton Grand Vacation Club Sea World for $650...no taxes, that's IT! With 6 people you'll need a 2BR. I have seen some weeks on eBay for as low as $350 for a 2 BR for 7 nights...good luck! Orlando has a huge amount of lodging options. OH, and try vrbo.com for some great townhome rentals also about $85/night from what I've read here. Those can give you 3 BR townhomes in developments like Windsor Hills and Emerald Island, some even have private pools.

 

[klynn]

Have you checked out www.afvclub.com

 

[Paxtrist]

Make sure you check out www.afvclub.com and search under Space-a. There are several 2 and 3 bedroom condos available in September. You will be amazed at the price. We have used them twice and it has been great. Also, Sea World has free admission for the military until the end of December. We just filled out the paperwork for that as we are Orlando bound in December. Normally ITR has the best price for your Disney tickets. Good luck on you planning.

 

[suseybee]

I didn't know about the afvc club, thanks. Does one of you want to send me your email address so that you get credit for a referral? This is going to save us a ton of $. My dh is going to be thrilled. LOL

What is ITR? My dh is National Guard, but has been active duty more in the last three years than he has been with his civilian job. We don't live on a base and I'm currently visiting family, though I intend on going home shortly.

I'm still reeling. This is going to save us at least half off of hotel rates. Do y'all have any car rental suggestions? LOL I thought I was doing well, but maybe I'm not. ;/

Susie
momma to four girls

 

[Paxtrist]

Susie,

I sent you a PM.

 

[bags6490]

am NG on ADSW status since Oct 03. we have used AFVC a bunch both before and after going on AD. Just google for Armed Forces Vacation Club. Normally we stay at Celebration or Silver Lake. Both resorts are nice and Silver LAke is maybe 1/4 mile from AKL while Celebration in just accross 192.

There is some paperwork that you have to do to get an AFVC account so go ahead and start that now.

There is Space A with cost 299.00 for the week and there are High Demand that run 600 to 700 depending on time of year and size of unit. High Demand allows you to get more of the days that you want not what is aval.

RCI is wonderful company for doing this for thoses of us who serve.

 

[Paxtrist]

Susie,

ITR is the Information, Ticket and Registration office where you can purchase all sorts of discounted tickets. Did you find the info on Sea World to print off?

 

[SplshMtn99]

Another vote for AFVC! In my siggy you'll see we stayed at Summer Bay Resort. BEAUTIFUL PLACE. Great pool & stuff for kids to do, but about 7 miles west on Rt 192 from WDW Main entrance. Traffic wasn't bad, but a bit of a pain if you wanted to run out to get take out since we weren't really near anything. There is a grocery store & a Denny's right next door, but that's it. FAR from anything in Orlando.

I would definetly stay there again, but just wanted to warn you in case you planned on going back to the room mid-day with the kids.

The next year, we stayed at Cypress Point Grande Villas thru skyauction.com. They are located about 1 mile from the Downtown Disney entrance. Tons of restaurants & services in the area. Our condo was even nicer than Summer Bay (hard to believe anything could have been nicer), but the resort itself didn't have the appeal to us that Summer Bay had in terms of activities & the grounds. Still very nice....and can't beat the auction price I won it at. GREAT LOCATION!! Very close to Orlando's attractions with a shortcut road we found on a map instead of I-4.

ETA: Just this week I received a postcard with a promo code for AFVC. It says: Call 1-800-724-9988 & provide your email address to get $35 off when you call to book your next Space-A or High-Demand vacation. Mention promo code 860059 when calling. Offer expires 9/30/06.

The only other "catch" I see is it says near the top "You're already a member. Now make it count. Book today by calling 1-800-724-9988 or visit afvclub.com". SO, I DON'T KNOW IF NEW PEOPLE CAN GET THIS. BUT DOESN'T HURT TO TRY.