Need so much help; first day planning for next year.

[dahoov2]

Okay, so I was going to take my granddaughter to Disney but now, her mother (my son's EX) and her new husband and their other child wants to go. 1) I won't be paying their way, it's too much and I'm not a huge fan of this idea and 2) I don't think being together all the time is a great thing 3) Our budgets will be WAY different. SOOOO with that said, here goes.

I need to find the best deal either separately (hotel, then air fare, transportation, passes) or the best CHEAP deal as a package. I'm SOOOO confused at all the packages available from a million different places with a million different reviews. So I came to the experts here. I'm thinking 6 days with 5 nights in a hotel max. They have three in their party and will have the lowest of budgets. My contribution will be buying their other child treats and souvenirs, probably some extra activity or one dinner or something, but I won't pay their flight, hotel, parking or major food purchases... let's just leave it as I'm NOT a fan. The biggest issue will be they will need transportation to the parks (free shuttles). Short of that, I don't care where they stay as long as it's safe and inexpensive as possible with free transportation to the park and some way to get them breakfast in the morning.

As for us, I'll need the same days but a recommendation for the loveliest, quietest resort on site in say the 200-300 dollar a night range would be ok. I'd consider more if the hotel is outstanding. I want to be able to walk to the park or ride to it (closest as possible is preferable) and don't care about amenities but a laundry and a place to eat a nice buffet breakfast and free Wi-Fi would be preferable.

I know it's a lot to ask, but can people recommend on sites that fit our needs? And can someone help with cheaper packages (either sites, travel agents or something else for them?). Thanks!

In the meantime, I'll keep looking and check flights separately. It's a lot of work though!

Oh, I was thinking Spring vacation next year during Star Wars Weekends. Or perhaps Winter break?

 

[aaarcher86]

Your time frames are already going to up your prices. SWW are May-June which is after most spring breaks in the US. Not sure where you're located.

The only park walkable resorts are deluxe reports and they're most likely going to be out of your price range given. All onsite resorts have free busses to the parks. They all have free wifi and they all have self pay laundry rooms to use.

Swan and Dolphin has walkable to Epcot and HS, but not owned by Disney. I'm not super knowledgeable about their price point and shuttles, but it's worth looking into. It'd be your cheapest walkable resort.

You're most likely looking at a moderate resort. I'd recommend POR if you're looking for quiet. POFQ would be better but they aren't typically included in discounts which will bring down your costs if you can get one.

Your family will want to look at a value or an on property resort not owned by Disney like the hotels around the DTD area. They have their own shuttles.

I don't think there is anything that's going to encompass all your wants, but you could at least get most of them and you're just a bus ride away from the rest.

 

[dahoov2]

Thanks for your post. I did see the Swan and Dolphin. I immediately looked at negative reviews and saw a lot of things like hidden charges and that it's starting to look run down. But photos look impressive at the swan one... I might end up going there. I guess we're gonna have to Taxi it or whatnot...

What's POR? POFQ? OOOPS never mind, I typed that into google and found what it was... Thanks.

So you're saying they are out of our price range meaning it's way more than 300 dollars a night to stay anywhere on site? WOW! We just came back from Universal/Islands of Adventure (I'm loving Harry Potter so...). I've stayed on site at all the hotels except Hard Rock so far (Portofino and Royal Pacific as well as the Doubletree) and all were under 300 a night. I just think that's expensive to pay more than 300 considering you spending time only to sleep and shower. 90% of your time is off site...

 

[Hootch]

We have stayed at POFQ several times and will be checking in again in ten days. It is the smallest resort on property. As noted above, it is rarely included in discounts. I think our rate, for a standard room, is $195/night before tax. There is no onsite table service restaurant. The food court has a number of options. Port Orleans Riverside is a short walk, or boat ride. It has a sit down restaurant.

You can see the current rates for Disney resorts at this link.

http://www.mousesavers.com/2015-disney-world-room-rates-season-dates/

You can walk to the MK from the Contemporary. Epcot and Hollywood Studios can be reached from the Boardwalk, Beach and Yacht Club resorts by walking and boat. There are discounts available periodically. With the summer discount, Wilderness Lodge, which is possibly the most interesting resort at Disney, can be booked at $285/night before tax. It's a short boat ride from the MK. Catching a room shortly after the discounts are announced may give you a lower rate. Wi-Fi is free at all Disney resorts.

You might want to use a travel agent that specializes in Disney World. They can help you pick the resort and tickets that are best for you. They will also identify any discounts that will benefit you. This is a quick search for travel agent comments for this forum that might help.

http://www.disboards.com/search/3297993/?q=travel+agent&t=post&o=date&c[node]=17

Disney has a free shuttle from the airports that is available to all guests staying at a Disney resort.

There are cheaper places to stay offsite but there are benefits to staying onsite. The other group can look at the All Star resorts which are the least expensive places on property.

 

[aaarcher86]

Thanks for your post. I did see the Swan and Dolphin. I immediately looked at negative reviews and saw a lot of things like hidden charges and that it's starting to look run down. But photos look impressive at the swan one... I might end up going there. I guess we're gonna have to Taxi it or whatnot...

What's POR? POFQ? OOOPS never mind, I typed that into google and found what it was... Thanks.

So you're saying they are out of our price range meaning it's way more than 300 dollars a night to stay anywhere on site? WOW! We just came back from Universal/Islands of Adventure (I'm loving Harry Potter so...). I've stayed on site at all the hotels except Hard Rock so far (Portofino and Royal Pacific as well as the Doubletree) and all were under 300 a night. I just think that's expensive to pay more than 300 considering you spending time only to sleep and shower. 90% of your time is off site...

Everywhere? No. But the walkable resorts are considered deluxe resorts and the ones that are closest to the parks are the most expensive. With deluxe resorts you're paying more for the amenities than the actual room itself, particularly park proximity with some.

Moderate resorts will be in your price range and values will be under. You can get some deluxe resorts in your price range with a discount, but you a) can't count on discounts and b) can't walk to any parks from those resorts.

 

[maryandtyson]

If I were you, I would contact a Disney travel agent. Dreams Unlimited travel runs Disboards and they can help you. Give them the budget and dates and see what they come back with. I am booked at Beach Club, Garden view (can walk to EPCOT AND Hollywood Studios) for 7 nights for $2200. That does not include any food or tickets. This was with a 35% discount. Wildness Lodge is an excellent resort. Not walkable to any parks, but lovely and a boat ride away from Magic Kingdom.

 

[tina.tina]

If I were you, I would contact a Disney travel agent. Dreams Unlimited travel runs Disboards and they can help you. Give them the budget and dates and see what they come back with. I am booked at Beach Club, Garden view (can walk to EPCOT AND Hollywood Studios) for 7 nights for $2200. That does not include any food or tickets. This was with a 35% discount. Wildness Lodge is an excellent resort. Not walkable to any parks, but lovely and a boat ride away from Magic Kingdom.

Unless you are willing to do more research (tons of reading), I think a travel agent would be helpful to you, too.

PS: I don't see this working out well for you. Is this your granddaughter's first trip? If so, the mom will be wanting to experience all of her DD's "firsts" and you will have way too much together time.

 

[Lucius Best]

For the extended family, the best "value" (cheapest) resort would be Pop Century.

Someone else posted the link to see hotel room rates, you can see how prices fluctuate depending on time of year. That will also indicate generally how busy the parks will be at those times. During the less busy times you'll also occasionally find deals 20-30% off.

Port Orleans Riverside is my favorite "moderate" resort. It is quiet and peaceful, but not within walking distance of anything.

You don't mention how old your granddaughter is, that would affect what parks you're spending the most time at. When my brother was taking his 5yo for the first time, they were going to be spending multiple days at Magic Kingdom, I recommended the Wilderness Lodge, and they were very happy. It is very nice, not as ridiculously expensive as the resorts on the MK monorail line, but it's a step up from the moderate resorts like POR. It's on the lake, you have option of taking bus or boat to the MK.

 

[dahoov2]

Thank you everyone. I gotta digest all of this. It's going to be a few months so I have time. I am headed to a trip this weekend for a few days and then in July to Comic Con San Diego, so that first THEN this and the New England and Italy trips! I guess saving money is the best route since we don't care about hotel amenities. As long as very clean, good bed and a decent shower, it's all good to me. I do know a travel agent so maybe might use.I'll check out the hotels mentioned and the sites mentioned. Appreciate it very much.People here rock!

 

[wdwjeffc37]

I would strongly suggest using a travel agent that specializes in Disney trips. I agree with maryandtyson, give them your dates and budget and see what they come back with. If you give a high and low budget they will return a range of choices. Disney can confound even good travel agents. I know a couple of TA and have asked them about Disney trips and they came back with the just the basics. After asking them about some specifics they had no clue. Using a good Disney TA won't cost you anymore than booking your trip yourself. Good Luck and cheers!!!

 

[dahoov2]

Thanks. I have a friend who is a travel agent but didn't want to bug them... you know how that goes. I can contact AAA though and see what they suggest. In the past I've scheduled all my trips on my own, but this time I'm having to do it for others so... thanks for the info.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

Not sure if you realize this, but all Disney owned resorts from value to deluxe do have free bus transportation to the parks. Not an easy walk or a shuttle, but in my opinion they are quite easy to use and efficient.

 

[Hootch]

Won't your friend receive commissions for planning the trip?