Need Advice. We're planning to arrive the night before...

[Miller1412]

We need some suggestions. On our next trip (Oct. 2006) We're planning to stay at the Poly, but we're thinking that we'd like to arrive in Orlando a night early and stay outside of the World, and then check in the next morning so that we can maximize our time.

Do many of you do this, and if so, do you have any recommendations of a reasonable place for the four of us to stay? We just need basic accomodations, we're planning on arriving to sleep and shower in the morning before check out. There's so many places to stay...it's overwhelming!

Looking forward to your advice!!

 

[leighmidd]

I would suggest going ahead and making reservations somewhere on property. A value resort is going to be the same price (or maybe less) than what you're going to pay off site, plus, you'll get to start your Disney magic one day earlier. We tried staying off site one night a few years ago and wished we'd just gone ahead and booked on property, being on Disney property truly makes us feel like our vacation has really started.

 

[momxx5]

Last summer we arrived 1 night early....we drove 12+hr straight through. We decided to spend that night at POP. With a big family we knew we would never be able to stay there for a longer period, so we got 2 rooms for that night. We arrived in time of an early evening swim. The next morning we were able to walk around the resort, have a great breakfast, do some grocery shopping and then check into Ft. W cabins.

I highly recommed doing a Value resort that first night.

 

[Miller1412]

I haven't started researching prices too much yet...do the Value resorts compare in price to off site places, or are they more expensive? We're looking to go pretty cheap, but if there isn't a difference between the two, you may have a point.

I don't know how much we will be able to enjoy. We'll be leaving after work, so I don't see us getting to any hotel until late Friday night. Is it still worth it?

Will Disney make any arrangements for transferring luggage? Or do you do that yourself. We aren't going to rent a car, but we can always get a cab.
I hadn't really thought about staying Value that night. Thanks for the suggestion. Keep 'em coming.

 

[leighmidd]

We paid over $100 each time we stayed off-property (I remembered another time after my last post, guess I've just tried to block it from my mind! LOL!) and I know that you'd be able to get a code allowing you a lower price than that for a value. Plus, you'll already be at Disney!! You wouldn't have to rent a car or take a taxi to get to your resort - just take a bus to one of the parks and a bus to your resort -- that's what we'd do at least. I'm not sure about luggage transfer - we've never switched resorts, but I'm sure someone will know!

 

[eeyore45]

Try expedia.com, or http://www.betterbidding.com/ if you're adventerous! Since someone from the Dis posted about doing Priceline, you really can get AWESOME deals! Just follow their procedures if you dont need to be on property - you may be able to get a 3 * hotel for $40 (someone posted getting Grosevnor Square for $40!) someone got LaQuinta Inn for $25 so you decide!!

Have fun!

 

[bibbidiboo]

Miller1412,

We've done this often. In fact very cheaply too--If you look around, you can find some really good rates (the catch is that you have to book, no money back, etc, etc, ) We've stayed for under $50 a night before--not the best hotel, but clean and had beds--fine for just crashing before dashing--I don't remember what it was (one of the chains), but it was on the very south road, somewhat near AKL, (we could actually see the top of AKL from the hotel). This is the area I would check out, if you know what I am talking about. Just be sure to map where the hotel is before you book. Some of the cheapies are near universal and such--If you don't mind being there that's fine, but it can be a rats nest to drive around in.

Good Luck

 

[ssdeverell]

You may be able to get the value resort for around $79-$89 dollars. POP will transfer your luggage for you while you go to the parks. If you can get a decent rate, I would try for that and save the cab fare.

 

[babybunrab]

DS10 and I stayed at the airport Hyatt last summer when we came in late. We got a AAA rate which included a (very good) breakfast buffet. They even brought our bag up to our room from the luggage office (it had gotten there before we did). I paid $114.00, which is not exactly cheap, but if you're staying at the Poly maybe that is o.k. for you? Our room had a view of the runway and there's a really nice pool...

Something to consider, anyway! It's also nice to just roll of the plane and into the room in the airport.

 

[skippyNC]

we do this when we go. drive all day, stay somewhere cheap, and check in at our resort first thing in the morning. one year we picked up one of those coupon books at the FL welcome center, called, and got a room for the 3 of us for $39. for one night, at the price, it was fine.

 

[PoohHappens]

If you are not getting a car I would deffinately try a value on property, you will spend more money paying to get from one place to another. Disney will send your bags to another hotel. We always pack a change of clothes, our important toiletries (like toothbrush, contacts, and medications) and bathing suits in a carryon. If you did that you would not even have to unpack your big bags. You could include a set of jammies for each of you too. It looks like you have young children. I know everyone loves pop, but I think your kids would love the themes at ASMovies. You could just walk around in the evening and look at the Icons, we found the first dalmation building to be very close to the main building and my son loved all the puppies. Depending on when you go you can get a reasonable rate. Value season AAA room only rate is $68 including taxes.

 

[Maridw]

We stayed at the DTD Grosvenor Hotel. Its right across the street from DTD and we paid about $89 for the night. We have stayed at others doing the same thing you are thinking about doing and we did not like them at all.

After staying at the Grosvenor, we said if we did that again, that is where we would stay. Plus if you get there early enough, you can walk across the street to DTD Marketplace.

The rooms there are very nice. I definitely recommend it.

 

[ZIPBAGS]

I don't know if you are planning on flying in. But, if you are and stay at a Disney resort you get the free airport transportation.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

I agree with the "try a value" for the night idea.

With the MYW tickets, extra park days only cost an extra couple of dollars once you hit a certain point. For instance, the difference between a 7-day pass and an 8-day pass is only like $3. It may be worth the $3 even if you arrive a night early and only get to the fireworks at Epcot or MK and maybe one or two rides. We are doing this on my next trip and even if we only get a couple of hours in it feels "worth it".

Good luck!

N.E.D.

 

[bibbidiboo]

I forgot to mention this. We stayed offsite on the last night of our trip one time--we had a early morning flight. I will never do that again. It's just too depressing being in the Orlando area AFTER your disney trip. Both DH and I were in awful moods. We left the parks, checked in to the other hotel and went to dinner--the whole time we were brooding about not being at Disney. The funny thing is, whenever we do the cheap night offsite on the first day, we never feel this way--because we are too excited to start our trip. Staying at the values is okay, but unless you are going to spend more time than just sleeping there, I don't feel it is worth it unless you are going to get a good deal. They are really just standard hotels with disney decoration.

(Don't flame me--I like the values--they are fun, but only if you have a chance to stick around and enjoy them)

 

[bibbidiboo]

I agree with the "try a value" for the night idea.

With the MYW tickets, extra park days only cost an extra couple of dollars once you hit a certain point. For instance, the difference between a 7-day pass and an 8-day pass is only like $3. It may be worth the $3 even if you arrive a night early and only get to the fireworks at Epcot or MK and maybe one or two rides. We are doing this on my next trip and even if we only get a couple of hours in it feels "worth it".

Good luck!

N.E.D.

At this point it may be cheaper to by a standard AP, and then go for another trip within the 12 months--DH and I do this alot. We don't upgrade to PAP though--so no water parks or PI or Disney Quest--but if those aren't on your every trip itinerary, the AP would be better anyhow.

 

[SonyaD]

Well we did this last time and uGGHHH never again. We got two extra days off from work and since we had AP we thought we would just go ahead and go. We already had reservations at AKL so we thought we would just get a cheap hotel for the first two days and then move to the AKL. We booked the LaQuinta for 40 a night through expedia. We checked in and it was so nasty!! I was like well we are just going to sleep here a couple of night then off to our 8 nights at AKL. We pulled back the sheets because ds was asleep and bugs crawled out!! UGGGHHH we checked right back out called disney and they were able to get us two more nights at AKL. So I second just making value resort reservations atleast you know it will be clean and they will transer your bags. I hope you have a great trip.

 

[dgaston]

I do stay off property too, so my view is different. How about trying for a Resort level hotel in the Disney World Area? Gaylord Palms has been going for $83 to $85 a night. There is a $7 parking fee and $10 resort fee, so it ends up near $100 per night, but my what a resort! There is so much to explore and appreciate. And if you start bidding near $65 you might get the DTD Hilton or Wyndham Palace, not shabby places at all. I use www.biddingfortravel.com to get an idea of what bid to place on Priceline. Sheryl does want you to do your homework, and she can be sharp so I don't always post there.

 

[sln88]

it really depends on whether you are getting a car or not.

I always stay offsite, but would not do so without a car. If you are not getting a car, you will waste extra $$ finding transportation to and from your hotel. It would make more sense to do a value.

If you will have a car, there are lots of great cheapie places to stay in Orlando. Go over to the Orlando hotels board and you will find places that people recommend. Seems a little 'on-site' biased on this board! LOL

If you are getting a car, and getting in late, maybe you could do an airport hotel, get your car in the am, and then head over to Disney?

 

[packy]

We have had late arriving flights twice and stayed at the Airport Marriot then drove to Disney the next morning. Very cost effective and a good idea.