need recommendations for off WDW hotel for my mom

[nawmom]

Hi there. I love these forums, first off. Secondly, we are going to be staying at the Dolphin hotel the weekend of April 13th but my mom is flying in to see us too because my son is turning one on the 15th. The problem is that she doesn't want to stay at a WDW and pay a lot of $$ since it's just her.

Does anyone know of a very near, good priced hotel that would offer her a shuttle to and from our Dolphin hotel so she could meet us there every day and get a ride back to her place in the evening?

I've checked the ones that are not WDW owned but in Downtown Disney (hilton, Grosenvor, etc) but those still seem a little steep to her for 1 person. What is located RIGHT outside DT Disney that would be the closest in? Several names of places would be great so i can check rates! THanks SO MUCH!!!!

 

[mbb]

Getting a shuttle to the Dolphin/Epcot area hotels is going to be a problem.

The shuttles I know of will only drop her off at the theme parks..and even staying at one of the Values onsite is too difficult to get from hotel to hotel - WDW Bus service doesn't do that.

Staying at one of the DTD hotels, walking to DTD marketplace, and catching a bus to the Dolphin, is going to be the only way I can think of - short of cabs everywhere$$.

But that walk, and then bus, is going to be very inconvenient...and tiresome.

Would she be willing to stay a little further out, and do a car rental?

www.hotelkingdom.com
Coupons for car rentals on http://www.orlandoinfo.com/magicard/

My parents did this one year, they stayed at the Comfort Inn and Suites, I think, up on the 535...and came to visit us at BCV. Easy drive to Hotel Plaza Blvd - just a block or two I think, and then you're on property

Worked great.
http://www.orlando-lakebuenavista.com/map/lbvnorth/hwy535map1.htm#535hotelplaza
Here's a map of that very area

Oh! And Welcome to the Dis!!!!

HTH!!

 

[spiceycat]

offsite transportation is not the best by any means - she would be stuck much longer than she wanted in the parks.

look into the Pop Century or All Stars hotels. they are generally cheaper than DD - plus they are onsite at Disney.

so she is entitled to DME - disney magical express to her resort.

from her resort to get to yours she would need to take the Studios (mGM) bus - then once she is at Studios - either take the boat or walk. (I would recommend the boat).

most offsite places only go 3 to 4 times in the morning and 3 to 4 times in the evening. the morning is only drop off, the evening is only pick up. (this might have changed).

so unless she is willing to rent a car. Don't encourage her to stay offsite.

here is a schedule of a pretty nice place - so you can see for yourself

okay that didn't work - here is the link
http://www.bestwesternlakeside.com/shuttles.html

 

[nawmom]

thanks. I failed to mention that we are actually driving down there so will have my car. so you're saying she would have no way of getting to our hotel without shelling out a lot of $$?? What if she just met us at the theme parks then would she be able to ride our hotel shuttle back with us to the Dolphin or do they only check for Dolphin hotel IDs when boarding the shuttle back? Thanks.

 

[mbb]

Not necessarily lots of $$, just lots of inconvenience.

Staying at a DTD hotel, like Spiceycat said, is going to mean she would be stuck with the shuttle hours - which are limited, and generally crowded.

And, she has to catch the shuttle back to her hotel from the theme park, not the Dolphin...which leaves the cab option, or you driving her. I'm going to guess in the $20 range (though that's just a guess!!) for the Dolphin/DTD Hotel.

Staying onsite at one of the Values is a little easier, yes, and cheaper than one of the Good Neighbour hotels, but still awkward transportation wise - to get to the Dolphin.

Meeting you at a theme park is better

And yes, she could accompany you back to the Dolphin using WDW transport....again, no bus service back to the Value resorts from the Dolphin.
Cab, you driving her, or back to MGM/Epcot and catching a bus from there are her options.

Hope that's as clear as mud

 

[spiceycat]

thanks. I failed to mention that we are actually driving down there so will have my car. so you're saying she would have no way of getting to our hotel without shelling out a lot of $$?? What if she just met us at the theme parks then would she be able to ride our hotel shuttle back with us to the Dolphin or do they only check for Dolphin hotel IDs when boarding the shuttle back? Thanks.

since you have a car and she doesn't. just go get her each morning and take her to your resort. be prepared to return her when she gets tired.

also how is she getting to her hotel? only disney has airport transportation plus WDW transportation.

the resorts around the airport have only airport transportation and you don't want her there - too long a drive for you.

hope you are prepared to go to Orlando IA and get her.

believe me it would be simpler and easier for you and her to go with a WDW value resort.

 

[nawmom]

best western lake buena vista is an option for us. do you know if they'd offer airport transportation? it looks like they do offer service to the theme parks themselves.

the value resorts are still too high for her in cost...we checked and it's about $400 for the three nights we're there. plus she still has to buy her theme park tickets.

 

[spiceycat]

http://www.hotelkingdom.com/HotelSe...=1753222&location=1753222&offset=0&sort=price

the rodeway Inn is not too horrible.
here some more information
http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/HotelInfo?hotel=FL691&sid=5$I$i.3fK40g75Og.7&sarea=DISWRD&sname=Disney+World%2FEpcot+Cntr%2FMGM&sstate=FL&scountry=US&sradius=40.23&slat=28.3405&slon=-81.5673&schain=A&exp=&scity=&sort=&month=4&day=14&depart_month=4&depart_day=17&nroom=1&nadult1=1&nchild1=0&nadult2=1&nchild2=0&nadult3=1&nchild3=0&nadult4=1&nchild4=0&nadult5=1&nchild5=0

just remember she must return to Studios (MGM) and be at her bus stop at least 10 to 20 minutes before the bus is due to arrive. hopefully they will give you a schedule. If she misses this - either be prepared to take her back in your car - or she has to take a taxi (and those things are expensive)

 

[nawmom]

anyone know of shuttle options from the airport to non WDW hotels such as best western lake BV?? what is it like to take a taxi, expense wise?? thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

mears will take her anywhere,
http://www.mearstransportation.com/

others
http://www.tiffanytowncars.com/
http://www.**********************/