Need help for a friend

[kelscross]

A friend of mine wants to take her 6 year old son to Disney with us this July. Although she can not afford the GF she still wants to go and just meet up with us every day. We checked prices for the value resorts but without a discount, after plane tickets etc. she is still hesitant. She is willing to say offsite (even though I told her all the advantages of staying onsite) in order to save some money.

I do not know about any hotels off site. We looked here on the DIS and there were some that said they were "maingate" and some that were 1.5 miles from Disney. Is that considered pretty close or are they super far away since Disney is such a large resort as a whole?

Any recommendations for an inexpensive hotel in the area? We're still hoping for some discounts in July for onsite...heck although I've budgeted paying for the GF at rack rate I'll even take a discount, but just in case I wanted any info I could get so she can still go.

Thanks

 

[diathoney]

The Downtown Disney hotels might be a good option for your friend. They're the closest non-Disney hotels (other than the S/D). There's a Sheraton Safari just outside the DD hotel Boulevard. She should check with Dreams Unlimited or another "Disney" travel agent for options - "Magic for less" "WDWVacations", there's a bunch of them. wdwig.com is a good resource for more information.

IMHO since she's paying to fly here she should stay at a value or moderate so she can have the full Disney experience. The food court, transportation and themeing are worth the extra dollars if you can manage it. A value resort with a discount code comes in pretty reasonable. Her 6YO would love the ASMo or Pop!

 

[Mymatisse]

I too would recommend DTD hotels we stayed at a couple of them and they are very close to everything. Like pp stated I would start with Dreams Unlimited. You may also want to have her look at expedia.

 

[spiceycat]

there are some closer hotels in Kissimmee - well to AK and Studios.

she should be able to find a bargin there.

most of the offsite hotels that dream unlimited has are in Kissimmee.

here is a link of Kissimmee visitor bureau

www.floridakiss.com

get the visitor guide and it contains a map with all the local (kissimmee) hotels marked on it - you should be able to help local her a nice hotel fairly close to the GF.

also go ask on the orlando resorts and attraction forum. here are some discount sites - once she decided which hotels.

www.hotelkingdom.com
www.hotelmartusa.com

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Every day?? If it were my friend I'd probably suggest she spring for staying onsite but perhaps cut the number of days she stays...