Need help with current travel plans

[robb24]

I need some help and guidance with my upcoming trip in January.

We are flying in from Seattle, so we are coming in a day before to increase our time in the parks. So here is the current plan.

We will arrive in Orlando around 5pm, collect out luggage and go to a hotel close by for a very inexpensive price. The next day we will take the shuttle back to the airport and board the DME with our luggage in hand.

Once we get to the hotel, we are also looking into renting a car for a day to go to Costco and stock up for an 8 night stay at the BCV.

I have not been to WDW since 1995, so I really could use some help and guidance with our current plans.

 

[NancyIL]

Welcome to the DIS! The parks have changed quite a bit since 1995!

Your plan to stay at an inexpensive hotel the first night is a good one. However, a 5 p.m. arrival is early enough that if it were me, I would rent a car at the airport and then stay at an off-site hotel that's close to WDW. (Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista isn't far from Downtown Disney and it's fairly inexpensive.) That way you can go to Downtown Disney your first night and get a head start on your Disney fun! The next day, grocery shop, then drop-off the rental car near WDW. If you rent from National or Alamo at MCO, you can return the car to the Dolphin - which would be very convenient for a BCV stay.

 

[uva185]

5pm is actually not that late of an arrival. If money is your concern why not stay at a Value resort for the first night and then move to a nicer resort for the duration of your stay.

You could either do your grocery shopping that night or go out and enjoy one of the parks in the evening.

 

[robb24]

I really appreciate the great input.

I am traveling with a party of 6 people total.

I would need to find a hotel that has shuttle service from the airport as we will have too much luggage for a rental car that we can afford for the whole family and our luggage.

I could then possible rent a car from a close by place to go to the local Costco. I also need to figure out how to move my entire family from this hotel (TBD) to the BCV.

Any suggestions?

 

[Alesia]

If the only reason you're renting a car is for grocery shopping, it would probably be cheaper to just order from garden grocer.

 

[goofy4tink]

If the only reason you're renting a car is for grocery shopping, it would probably be cheaper to just order from garden grocer.

My thought as well.
Check out the price to stay at POP or an AllStars resort that arrival night. Then, you can take DME to the resort, start getting that Disney magic, have a swim, grab a bite to eat. You can do one of two things in the morning..you can have Disney move your luggage to BCV for you or you can get a cab and take your bags with you over to BCV. You can then take a bus to DHS and then the boat, or walk, to BCV in the morning.

I would also use a grocery delivery service. They will charge you a delivery fee and you can tip if you choose. They will leave your order right at BCV for you. You can get some great deals on bottled water at the Hess Station, across the street from BW if you don't mind the walk.

If it were me...I would book a WDW value resort, probably POP if possible. Then, I would allow DME to deliver the bags to POP. The next morning, I would get a cab (about $10 or so) to BCV. You can take the bags with you, or let Disney move them..up to you. I would put an order in with either gardengrocer.com or wegoshop.com...both are good. I like gardengrocer because it's easier to place an order. Wegoshop has a system where you put down exactly what you want...gardengrocer has 'aisles' so to speak, so the selections may not be quite as good but it's easy.

Then, when you are able to get into your villa, just call to have your bags and groceries brought to the villa. Of course, a tip is in order.

 

[Alesia]

I would also use a grocery delivery service. They will charge you a delivery fee and you can tip if you choose. They will leave your order right at BCV for you. You can get some great deals on bottled water at the Hess Station, across the street from BW if you don't mind the walk.

Also, costco will ship a case of water to the resort for about $7

If it were me...I would book a WDW value resort, probably POP if possible. Then, I would allow DME to deliver the bags to POP. The next morning, I would get a cab (about $10 or so) to BCV. You can take the bags with you, or let Disney move them..up to you.

I agree. With that many people, not having to mess with luggage would be worth the extra cost of staying on site.

Look into it. It may not be as big of a difference in price as you think.

 

[robb24]

Thanks for all of your advice. I have changed my reservation to the Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. My family and I feel that this will allow us to take advantage of the extra travel day.

 

[pbrim]

Also, costco will ship a case of water to the resort for about $7

How do you do this? Do you order from the website to be delivered to the resort as to your home, or do you call the costco in Orlando to arrange it?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Order online in advance. Post a new thread on the Budget Board for more information/assistance.