New and confused

[Gidgitgoescrzy]

Hi, I'm Vikki. I am planning a trip to Disney for Feb of 2006 for 10 days , it will be my BF, myself and 3 children (ages 12, 10, and 4). BF parents may come along also. Since we are a family of 5, I know our hotel choices are limited. We are on a bit of a budget, so I am looking at either the POR ( getting a trundle bed room) or 2 connected Value rooms, and letting the older 2 kids have thier own room or staying offsite, but then we'd have to rent a car. Which would you suggest ?

The in-laws would get thier own room where ever we stay so I'm not putting them into the equation really, cause I'd hate to book two rooms thinking one of the kids could stay with them, and then they change thier minds about going at the last minute.

I know I can save money staying offsite, but I don't see us going again anytime soon, so I'd like for the kids to have it all !! Does that make sense ? So staying onsite is my right choice, right ?

If I stayed onsite and only wanted to rent a car for say 3 of the 10 days, is that hard to do. Can the hotel help me with setting up a car rental. Do they have any onsite, or will I have to take a cab to one ?

Thanks for all your help.

 

[kizmac]

Hi Vikki, I am in your situation with a larger family. There are 8 of us and my parents will also be going (for sure). We have always stayed off site because of this, until this coming Sept. trip. The free dinning was too good to pass up. Since three of my kids can room with my parents, we went with two connecting rooms at POR with a trundle. We would of had to get 3 rooms at a value so it was a better deal with the moderate.

What I think I would do is book two connecting rooms at POR with at least one trundle and then if by chance they decide not to go you could keep the second room for the older kids, but budget wise you could cancel the second room and bunk together with the 4 yr old on the trundle. Still cheaper than two rooms you'd have to get at a Value. Hopefully the Inlaws won't back out on you and you will save with only having to pay for your one room and one of the kids could bunk with them.

Either way, my vote is to stay on property since you don't think you'll be returning anytime soon. Get the full Disney experience!

I don't know about the rental car since we have always drove down. Have fun planning!

 

[KayleeUK]

Vikki Welcome to the DIS

 

[krdisneybound]

WELCOME to the DIS Board

You will find most everyone is polite and helpful in every way

 

[goofyandplutoluver]

Welcome to the Dis. Everyone is so nice here. Any questions feel free to ask

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Hi I am also going in February 2006. We are a family of five. I currently have ressies at POR with a trundlebed room. I am thinking about changing to the POP with two rooms. I just think two bathrooms would be such a help in the mornings. One plus for you staying on the grounds is the buses. You really don't need a car unless you are planning to go outside of Disney. Trust me I know how hard it is with all the choices Disney gives you. Good luck!!

 

[bballdiva]

Welcome

 

[DIS cruiser]

I am new to the board also. We have a lot to catch up on

 

[Disney Dee]

Welcome to the dis!

 

[fortwild3]

Hi Vikki,
I too am a newbie to Disboards. Today is my first visit. So we are Disney "kindred spirits"! I have been to WDW 26 times as of Nov., 2004. I always tell people to spend the extra money and stay on property, especially the first visit and not knowing when or if you'll get to return in the near future. My friend (family of 5) debated over paying the extra $ for a room at the Contemporary Resort last August vs. getting 2 rooms at a Value Resort. I convinced her (happily) to get 2 adjoining rooms at the All Star Sports. Her 3 sons, ages 14, 9, & 6 staying in one room and she & her husband stayed in the other. It turned out to be the same or a little less than staying in one room at the Contemporary. She & her husband had their privacy and the boys were thrilled to have their own space, TV, bathroom, etc... Pack your own snacks, get a refrigerator for your room / order pizza (delivery til midnight) / can use the toaster in the Food Court (pop tarts, bagles, etc...), popcorn (microwave in the Food Court), purchase the souvenir mugs (free refills during your entire visit) and you'll save a few $$ with the food. I haven't learned the abbreviations or computer language yet so I apologize for this lenghty response. I recommend searching the internet for rental cars that have airport / onsight locations (Budget & Hertz, may be others). You get off the plane, go to the car rental area and walk over to the car lot and drive away. It's usually cheaper to rent a car for a week vs. the daily rate. I don't think you can rent cars at Disney / not really sure. There's a AAA site on property / if you're a AAA member, maybe they can give you some info about car rentals. Disney has taxi cabs (yellow) all over. I have called guest relations from my resort room and requested a cab to meet me at the resort entrance / I didn't wait 5 mins for the cab to arrive. The fee was reasonable and I would recommend this vs. a car rental unless you're travelling a great distance... like another city in Florida. Hope this helps! Suzanne from Chesapeake, Virginia

 

[bballdiva]

Disney has a car rental site right on property. Actually 2. One near the grov. hotel and the other is called i think disney care car center. You can rent from either. The value resort have 260 square feet per room i thought you might be wondering. I also found it really helpful to go to the library or bookstore and get: The unoffical guide to waly disney world and birnbaums walt disney wolrd book. They had so much info in them, even the room size and picture layouts of the rooms. Check with aaa to they have great deals on packages(i think so anyways). Thats where me and my bf got ours for this years trip. Hope this info is a little helpfull. Have a wonderful trip too by the way!!!!!

 

[typod]

wecome to the dis vikki