Missing AP Rate by one day -- Looking for off-site recommendations

[PantherFanStan]

We're heading down to WDW over our kids' spring break during the first week of April '07. We have reservations at BCV Sun Apr1 - Fri Apr6. We are point optimizers, so we normally stay at a value resort on our Saturday night arrival (Mar31, this year). AP rates ($79 @ value resorts) are available for selected dates through Mar30, but the rack rate for Mar31 is $129. We've stayed often at the values and have no issues staying there because, in our opinion, they are a good value (at the right rate). While we've never stayed a single night off-site, we're considering it....if a reasonable room can be had for substantially less -- OR if a substantially better room can be had for the $129 price. We're driving and we're AP holders, so transportation and parking fees are not a factor in the decision. Two adults, two children.

I'd love to hear your recommendations for best off-site hotel. Interested in something that would be in the $129 or less range. Appreciate any/all recommendations. Thanks in advance.

Stan

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

My advice would be to get the Starwood Amex and use it once to get the 10K free points. That would give you enough for a free night at the Swan/Dophin. If you can charge and pay off 10K worth of stuff that you would have bought anyways between now and then, you'd get 2 nights free.

 

[Granny]

My advice would be to check out the deals from this site sponsor. See this link....http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts.html


As I type this, they are offering Sheraton Vistana Resort villas for $129 (actually as low as $105 for people travelling from your state!) and Buena Vista Suites for $88.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

You might want to check the resorts board first thing tomorrow as there's a home-based travel agent that posted something would be announced regarding new discounts. She knows the info. but is unable to post the details yet.

 

[Mike]

I had good luck using Priceline. I got the Amerisuites at Calypso Cay for $36/night last July for Friday and Saturday night before checking in to OKW on Sunday. With breakfast for 5 included it was great deal. It was a clean place with large rooms and the kids liked the pool complex.

 

[CarolA]

I am staying at the Fairfield Inn in the Marriott Village in Lake Buena Vista. I have stayed here before it's pretty nice and includes a free breakfast. It's usually under your rate or you can go up a little and get the SpringHill suites in the same area which also has free breakfast and MORE room!

(And the 10,000 starwood points can only be used if they actually HAVE a room. Never my luck LOL!)

 

[PantherFanStan]

My advice would be to check out the deals from this site sponsor. See this link....http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts.html


As I type this, they are offering Sheraton Vistana Resort villas for $129 (actually as low as $105 for people travelling from your state!) and Buena Vista Suites for $88.

Granny....Thanks. Unfortunately, for Mar31, it is $199 after the discount and before taxes. Appreciate the response and have always enjoyed reading your responses to others' posts.

You might want to check the resorts board first thing tomorrow as there's a home-based travel agent that posted something would be announced regarding new discounts. She knows the info. but is unable to post the details yet.

Calypso.....Thanks. I will definitely do that!

(And the 10,000 starwood points can only be used if they actually HAVE a room. Never my luck LOL!)

CarolA.....You and I share the same kind of luck, and I'm willing to wager it comes with an annual fee -- which is against my religion.

I had good luck using Priceline. I got the Amerisuites at Calypso Cay for $36/night last July for Friday and Saturday night before checking in to OKW on Sunday. With breakfast for 5 included it was great deal. It was a clean place with large rooms and the kids liked the pool complex.

Mike.....Never tried Priceline, but this may just be the time. I know there is a post somewhere which educates you the best strategies for Priceline. How far from Disney was this place? Up by SeaWorld? Sounds like a terrific deal at the rate you got. Thanks agian.

 

[Mike]

Mike.....Never tried Priceline, but this may just be the time. I know there is a post somewhere which educates you the best strategies for Priceline. How far from Disney was this place? Up by SeaWorld? Sounds like a terrific deal at the rate you got. Thanks agian.

It was only about 2 miles away from the Disney Gate. It was right next to the SuperWalmart so I did my food shopping on the way to OKW. It worked out really well.

It was my first time using Priceline so I was a little nervous. There were a couple of sites I read before I bid. I think one of them was biddingfortravel.com or something like that. THe other was betterbidding.com. You can specify Disney Vicinity so you will not be far away.

After I got this room I became sold on Priceline and I used it to book my hotel rooms during our drive from MA to WDW and back. I saved quite a bit and got good hotels right off of I-95.

I will be using Priceline again for this year's trip.

Good Luck!

 

[dumbo71]

Marriott Grande Vista is worth a look. A one bedroom can be had for that at times and certainly the lock off portion (studio more or less).

The resort is equal to or superior to the DVC's. Good luck.

Other suggestion would be Residence Inn by Marriott in LBV. Free continental breakfast where you just fill out a form of what you want and they load it ijn bags for you. Right near Disney also.

 

[Sammie]

I would suggest anything in the Marriot Village. Nice location and good places to stay.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

(And the 10,000 starwood points can only be used if they actually HAVE a room. Never my luck LOL!)

Wow, I guess we've been lucky then! We've booked at the last minute for XMas week even, with no availability issues at all. We use our Starwood points for weekend nights so we don't have to use up too many DVC points.

 

[Boston5602]

Can you start your vacation early? If you book and check in on March 30 and stay the 31st you would get the AP rate for both nights. Sure you wouldn't * save * any money this way but you would get another day at Disney this way.

 

[littlestar]

If it's just for one night, my daughter swears by the Comfort Inn at Lake Buena Vista. It's close to Downtown Disney. She's staying there for a Saturday night before checking into OKW on points. She printed out a free Orlando Magic card online and is using that to get a rate of $49 a night. She said the parking lot side is quieter. Her and our son-in-law stayed there last year also before checking into DVC on points.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

My advice would be to get the Starwood Amex and use it once to get the 10K free points. That would give you enough for a free night at the Swan/Dophin. If you can charge and pay off 10K worth of stuff that you would have bought anyways between now and then, you'd get 2 nights free.

Also, many of the Starwood hotels will cost more for a free night starting for bookings after Jan 31 and there is speculation that Swan/Dolphin will be included. If it happens, the points per night could go as high as 16,000 for a peak night. The good news is that the Starwood Amex card is fee free of the first year.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[CarolA]

Wow, I guess we've been lucky then! We've booked at the last minute for XMas week even, with no availability issues at all. We use our Starwood points for weekend nights so we don't have to use up too many DVC points.

Actually that doesn't suprrise me. The hotels specialize in conventions and count on those folks staying late and/or arriving early to see the sights to fill the weekends. So around major holidays they actually tend to have better rates and deals since there is no convention traffic. I got a GREAT rate there a few years ago for July 4th!

 

[PantherFanStan]

Can you start your vacation early? If you book and check in on March 30 and stay the 31st you would get the AP rate for both nights. Sure you wouldn't * save * any money this way but you would get another day at Disney this way.

Boston.....You and I think alike. Unfortunately, we decided we can't take our kids out of school on that Friday. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[PantherFanStan]

It was only about 2 miles away from the Disney Gate. It was right next to the SuperWalmart so I did my food shopping on the way to OKW. It worked out really well.

It was my first time using Priceline so I was a little nervous. There were a couple of sites I read before I bid. I think one of them was biddingfortravel.com or something like that. THe other was betterbidding.com. You can specify Disney Vicinity so you will not be far away.

After I got this room I became sold on Priceline and I used it to book my hotel rooms during our drive from MA to WDW and back. I saved quite a bit and got good hotels right off of I-95.

I will be using Priceline again for this year's trip.

Good Luck!

Mike.....I've subsequently heard that PriceLine can't guarantee two beds in the room. Is that true and do you know if there is a way to guarantee two beds (vs a king)? A requirement for us, with four in the room. Thanks.

 

[Mike]

Hi Stan,
That is a standard claim for Priceline and concered me a little. Personally, I would think most hotels in the Orlando area are geared toward families and have plenty of rooms with 2 beds. So I was more concerned with the hotels on the drive along I-95. But it was never an issue.
Those bidding advice sights recommend calling the hotels immediately after your bid is accepted and request the room configuration that you want. I just made my request at the front desk upon check in.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Marriott Grande Vista is worth a look.........The resort is equal to or superior to the DVC's.

I was tempted to say that this statement is a bit of a stretch.......but then I realized that would imply that Grande Vista was maybe possibly close to being as nice as the DVC resorts.

It isn't.

Sure, Grande Vista might be a good off-site option. But compared to DVC the location sucks. But we all know that. So what about the accomodations and the facilities?

No, they aren't close either. Oh, they aren't bad......but not close to being equal to, much less superior to, DVC. Oh, maybe it had to do with the exterior hallways with the unattractive crumbling stuccoed concrete, the contractor grade (read: cheap) door, the flimsy metal railings, the small, slow elevators, the difficulty in finding a parking space at night, the lack of themeing, the landscaping and grounds that don't come close to the DVC resorts, the lack of services (think valet parking), no lobby or comfy sitting areas......I suppose it could have been a lot of things. Sure, the villas are actually very large. Larger than the DVC accomodations. Of course the materials are a lot cheaper (think cabinets, counter tops, appliances, kitchen and bath fixtures) and the furniture isn't as nice. Yeah, that might have had something to do with it too. As for facilities, having to get into the car or walk through parking lots that remind me of a suburban apartment complex wasn't all that thrilling, but once you got there the pools were ok.......oh, but not as nice as those at the DVC resorts.

We did the Grande Visat thing. Even two weeks for the price of one and a boatload of extra Marriott Rewards points wouldn't make me consider buying into the place......given that I have our DVC ownership to compare it to.

Don't get me wrong. Grande Vista is very nice. The Marriott Vacation Club program is actually pretty good. The deals they offer aren't bad. If you want to frequent the non-Disney attractions in the Orlando area it's a very attractive option. But superior to DVC? Poppycock. Fiddlesticks. Really now......that's just bunk .

But I digress.

Have you checked cash rates for the Swolphin? They can be very good sometimes and the location is excellent.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Also, many of the Starwood hotels will cost more for a free night starting for bookings after Jan 31 and there is speculation that Swan/Dolphin will be included. If it happens, the points per night could go as high as 16,000 for a peak night. The good news is that the Starwood Amex card is fee free of the first year.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

NOOOOO! That would be terrible! I use the 10K Starwood points nights to fill in the weekends when we don't have DVC points to spare. 16K points/night would make this pretty tough for us to manage. I guess I'd better book our XMas nights now if the points might go up