Most MAGICAL off-property hotel?

[MTMom]

We have always stayed in WDW hotels (Poly, WL) but this year we have decided to try an off-property hotel to try to save a little $$$. Any suggestions? We would like a "WOW" atmosphere, great rooms, and a fabulously fun pool. Are we asking too much?

 

[spiceycat]

the 'wow' ones are just about as expensive as WDW.

Ritz-Carlton
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/orlando_grande_lakes/
Gaylord
http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylordpalms/
Hyatt Grand Cypress
http://www.grandcypress.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml
the Universal hotels - Loews
http://www.loewshotels.com/hotels/orlando/default.asp

now if you will take a timeshare and stay a week - there are some deals.

if you like auditions
www.skyauction.com
click on USA/Canada
Click on FLorida (to the side)
click on hotels only (side/bottom)

then look around - the timeshares say 7 days - you need to add $210 ($195+$15) to your bid. If you don't about any resort - just ask here.

if you don't like auditions
www.condodirect.com

both at times have most stuff (and better deals) 60 days before hand - lots of time a really nice timeshares goes without a bid on it because it appeared only a week before.

 

[Luv2Travel]

MTMom - spiceycat named some Great hotels that would all fit your criteria, except as spiceycat mentioned, I'm not sure they will help you to save some $$$. The only hope you may have of staying at one of those hotels AND saving money would be to get them on Priceline. We were fortunate enough to get the Gaylord Palms on Priceline last October for $85 a night. It was wonderful, great pool. But the Gaylord Palms does not come up very often. The Wyndham Palace and the DD Hilton just happened to be booked up for our weekend, so we just happened to get the Gaylord Palms.

Do you have young children? When we first started going to WDW we stayed off-site at the Holiday Inn Family Suites. It has now changed over to a Nickelodean theme, but is still GREAT for kids (and for the budget).

It's a little difficult to get the "wow" rooms, great theme, and great pool off-site and still save on the budget, but I'm sure others hear will have more ideas. Good luck!

 

[MTMom]

Thx spiceycat and Luv2travel for your replies. We are only staying two nights (pre-cruise stay) so a timeshare won't work for us. I read the two threads at the top of this forum about best off-site hotels, and ended up booking rooms at the Marriott Orlando World Center for $159/nt. I think it's a fairly good value for what all the resort offers. I researched the Holiday Inn Family Suites, and it was less expensive, but it had too many bad reviews. I am still keeping my options open though, the reservations can be cancelled 48 hrs in advance.
Luv2Travel - I think that you and I have communicated before, probably prior to our last trip to WDW last October. We stayed at the WL villas.

 

[spiceycat]

the Marriott world center now charges for parking - so remember to add that amount - I think it is either $7 or $8 a day.

 

[MTMom]

Dear Pat aka spiceycat,
Thx for the heads up on parking charges. Do you know if the Marriott offers free transportation to WDW and/or Universal? We would prefer not to rent a car, and are researching ways to get to Port Canaveral (for our cruise) from the Marriott.

Annetta in Arkansas

 

[spiceycat]

I am not sure.

I know when you stay in the timeshares on this site (there are 3) you pay - but I think hotel guests are free.

I will go check and get back to you.

 

[spiceycat]

I think you better call them.

the website say nothing

the AAA book is saying that they will provide transportation for a fee "area transportation (fee)-major attractions"

I would call them to be sure
407-239-4200

they reservation might be able to tell you 1-800-621-0638

this place looks really nice from the road. It seems beautiful - oh you can't miss it - it is the tallest structure around.

 

[MTMom]

I found that they offer free transportation to Universal parks, but charge $12 to WDW. I think we will rent a mini van, it will save us money (I think). When you add the transportation charges from the airport to the Marriott, then from the Marriott to WDW, then from the Marriott to Port Canaveral, it adds up to over $200 (for 4 people). Plus, two more will meet us at the hotel and ride with us to Port Canaveral, so we'll save money, plus have the convenience of our own ride! Luckily, my ressies for both the Marriott World Center and my Budget minivan are easily changed, so I'm still keeping my options open. I am going to try to find a lower price on my hotels of choice (any luxury WDW property, Gaylord Palms, Marriott World Center, plus a few other really nice ones) plus deals on cars. When is your next vacation? Where are you staying? We are cruising on RCI this year, on the Mariner of the Seas, having cruised with Disney two years in a row.

 

[Luv2Travel]

Luv2Travel - I think that you and I have communicated before, probably prior to our last trip to WDW last October. We stayed at the WL villas.

I thought I recognized your username.
I'm sure you had a wonderful time at the WL villas! We stayed at the Dolphin and the Royal Pacific last October.
The Marriott World is one hotel that I've always hoped to get when bidding on Priceline. Did we have this discussion back in October? Are you familiar with bidding on Priceline? The Resort hotels that appear in the WDW area on PL are the Marriott World, Gaylord Palms, Swan/Dolphin, Wyndham Palace, and the Hilton. Of course the last two hotels appear the most and do not really qualify for the "resort" category if you ask me. But as I mentioned we did get the Gaylord Palms last time. If you're really wanting to save on the budget for only a couple of nights, then you might want to consider PL. I'd check the Hilton website and the Wyndham website and see if they might happen to be booked up for your planned visit, then your odds will be better for getting one of the other hotels. However, $159 at the Marriott is not a bad price in my opinion! I'd probably stay with that. The pool looks wonderful! Hope you have a great vacation!

 

[MTMom]

Yes, I remember last fall I was researching Priceline on the DIS boards and that's when we probably talked. What is PL, can't figure out the letters. We are looking forward to the Marriott Orlando World Center, but are keeping our options open too. Thx for your input!

 

[Luv2Travel]

Sorry, I got lazy. PL = Priceline.

 

[spiceycat]

does the ritz ever show up in priceline or hotwire lately?

 

[Luv2Travel]

Spiceycat - Haven't seen the Ritz on PL, don't know about Hotwire. I like to go to BiddingForTravel.com and get info for PL (there is also Hotwire info there). The PL hotel list for Orlando is located here . Maybe this can help you too.

 

[disneysteve]

Can't help you on price, but I must say that the Gaylord Palms if definitely a "wow" hotel. We went over there in November just to see the place and it is absolutely incredible - at least as nice (and probably nicer) than the best Disney has to offer. I would certainly check their website because I checked after we were there and prices weren't as high as I thought they would be. Pretty sure its cheaper than Poly or WL.

Even if you don't stay there, take an hour one evening and go over to see the place. They charge for parking but its well worth it.

 

[MTMom]

Hey Steve, thx for the reply. Actually, the GP was our first choice, but the price is high, higher even than both Poly and WL. We really wanted to try an off-site hotel, so we decided upon the Marriott Orlando World Center. It received very high ratings and good reviews from this forum. I will continue to watch the rates though, my ressies are cancellable.