Need advice on making an Economical trip to WDW

[67mike]

We are thinking of going back to WDW in Febuary, as we have to use some airmiles up...so I can get us there pretty cheaply.

Now, the part I need your help with:

We were at WDW in October, stayed on site at CBR....had a great time!

This time, money is even tighter, so I am thinking of staying offsite, renting a car to make this trip possible.

What is your recommendation for a reasonably priced hotel close to WDW?

Thanks

 

[F1Julie]

Have you considered staying onsite at a value resort? Then you wouldn't need to rent a car. I've never stayed offsite, but it just seems like it would be a big hassle driving to and from the parks. Plus, if you stay offsite, you have to pay to park at the parks.

 

[PrincessNoelle'sMom]

I agree with pp - stay on-site at a value. I can't imagine many places being less expensive than $82 or so dollars a night. Plus you get the benefits of EMH, Disney transportation, ME, etc.

The values are very nice, family friendly resorts. I actually prefer the values over the mods. (Just my opinion)

 

[Ratpack]

Definitely look at value. Offsite with a car rental and gas would probably be the same or maybe more than a value stay.

 

[67mike]

Thanks.

What is the best of the values?

 

[moparop]

We got a great deal for a timeshare in the offseason, made most of our dinners in the condo. I've heard Undercover Tourist has great rates on park tickets. You might get a cheaper room onsite... but think about total cost, not just room!

 

[lovesdumbo]

I actually prefer the values over the mods.

Me too!

I like Pop Century. I really enjoy the atmosphere there.

I will be staying at ASMusic for the first time this summer and have read great things about that too. They recently did a remodel and they do activities at the pool-like movies on a blow up screen.

 

[PrincessNoelle'sMom]

Thanks.

What is the best of the values?

They are all comparable. Pop Century has it's own buses, but is larger than the other values. ASMovies has great themeing for kids, ASMusic is the smallest and quietest of the all-stars, and ASSports is the first bus stop for pick-up of the values.

Basically you will need to see what themeing appeals to you best and go with that one.

Enjoy!

 

[67mike]

Thanks for all the help.

 

[lmillercrew]

I vote for staying onsite at a value resort. You are going in Oct, and I believe that part of Oct is an off time so you will get the cheaper cost. With gas prices the way they are, cost of the rental and cost of parking at the park I would think that staying onsite would be more affordable.

 

[Taja]

And if you belong to AAA, ask if a room-only discount is available during your dates. You can save 15% to 20% off rack rate, depending on season.

Doesn't apply to packages, though.

 

[holly7347]

Have you considered staying onsite at a value resort? Then you wouldn't need to rent a car. I've never stayed offsite, but it just seems like it would be a big hassle driving to and from the parks. Plus, if you stay offsite, you have to pay to park at the parks.

That is what we are doing. Staying in a value - not renting a car and not having to pay to park. We searched every travel website around and there were some cheaper hotels but they really weren't that close and most got awful reviews. So I decided it was worth it to spend a little bit more for the room to stay onsite and just skip the rental car and since we aren't driving we don't have to pay to park the car at the parks either. In the end it wound up about the same price at least for the time of year we are traveling (october).

 

[teachingmyown]

For the other side of the cookie...we've never stayed on-site. We use the timeshare condos in the area, & always pay less than $75 per nite, tax included. Many of them offer free shuttle service to and from the parks so that takes care of gas and parking fees. We've always had at least 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen, dining room, living room and deck, and most times there's a washer/dryer in the unit as well as 3 tv's and vcr/dvd player. For our family of 5, with two teens, having that extra space has been wonderful. We've saved a bundle on meals by having full sized kitchens for breakfast and dinners, not to mention how nice it is to come back from the parks and enjoy a big bowl of ice cream that didn't cost $25 for us all to enjoy.

Since you aren't going until February, you still have time to find a good deal on a rental condo, but for the best selection, you need to hurry.

 

[Zeebs]

We had airmiles too so were looking at the cheapest option, (as we are going home to New Zealand in 2009 and need our holiday money for then) because there were two families, mine and Grandma and Pa the option of a condo and rental car was the cheapest option over 2 rooms onsite hands down, and to be honest the extra space sounded nice.

Meals will mostly be offsite but I chose a few places onsite as special treats, two character meals.

I agree with a previous poster you need to look at the whole cost not just accommodation and transport.

Have a great trip I can't wait for ours.

Kirsten

 

[VAN]

I think if there are only 2 adults and 2 kids you would definitely want to stay on-site in a value.

But if you need extra space then you might want to look off-site.

You can cut your food costs while on-site by using one of the grocery delivery services. Then you would at least have inexpensive food for breakfast and snacks to bring into the parks.