Offsite Hotels closest to Disney

[atilley01]

I know people on this board are partial to staying onsite but for our preferences and financial situation it just makes more sense for us to stay offsite. I know I'm giving up some great perks but I'm ok with that.

We've found some great resorts offsite but most of them are about 20 minutes away. That doesn't seem that far initially but I'm worried that driving that distance to and from everyday might be a mistake. Does anyone have any experience staying that far offsite? If we decide to stay closer to Disney, can anyone recommend a hotel that's a more reasonable distance?

Btw, we will have a car during our stay and we don't plan on leaving the parks for a break.

Thanks!

 

[dansdad]

The Swan and Dolphin are the closest non-Disney owned resorts. Plus with both of them you actually get SOME of the perks of staying at a Disney owned hotel.

After those 2, there are bunch right in the Downtown Disney area.

 

[sbd78]

These are the Downtown Disney hotels. They are technically inside Disney gates, but not Disney owned hotels so they are considered off site:
http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com

Be careful to read all the fine print, though. A lot of the off site hotels sound cheaper, but include hidden fees such as resort fees and parking fees. And you will also have to pay to park at the parks if staying off site. Disney hotel guests don't pay any of these fees.

 

[darrengs]

First of all, don't worry about what "perks" you are giving up, just focus on what you are gaining such as more room for less money.

Also if you don't mind sharing it, is there a room budget in mind? Could help with some recommendations.

 

[atilley01]

First of all, don't worry about what "perks" you are giving up, just focus on what you are gaining such as more room for less money.

Also if you don't mind sharing it, is there a room budget in mind? Could help with some recommendations.

That's kind of how I feel. My family has a great time together on vacations but when it's time to decompress and rest, we do much better when we're spread out.

As far as budget, I'd say less than $225 a night or less (including all the wacky fees they tack on.) I know some of the Disney resorts cost about that much with the deals they offer but I would rather have a larger room or suite for that price.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

I think you would do well with either the Swan or Dolphin. They are right in Epcot resort area, they are Westin hotels and they have wonderful dining options.


Tom

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Check out the doubletree at DTD. They are all suites and have their own busses. In the summer it is about $99 a night and there is a parking fee.

 

[DisneyDad1977]

Last time we stayed off site was at the Holiday Inn resort about 2 miles from the gate. We had a family suite with a King size bed and 2 sets of bunkbeds. And the kids ate free at the Applebees that was attached to the hotel. Pretty nice place. Rooms were good and the pool was nice. I think it was around 130 a night but I believe that rate changes throughout the week depending on the day. You can check it out here... http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...Orlando_Lake_Buena_Vista-Orlando_Florida.html

 

[darrengs]

That's kind of how I feel. My family has a great time together on vacations but when it's time to decompress and rest, we do much better when we're spread out.

As far as budget, I'd say less than $225 a night or less (including all the wacky fees they tack on.) I know some of the Disney resorts cost about that much with the deals they offer but I would rather have a larger room or suite for that price.

With that budget, you can stay almost anywhere and have a really nice room. Some of the Downtown Disney Resorts, such as the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista even have extra magic hours and are close enough to walk to Downtown Disney and avoid the parking chaos. A few others to throw out there are the Sheraton Vistana Villages and the Buena Vista Suites

Downtown Disney Resorts:
http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/

Sheraton Vistana:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/photos/index.html?propertyID=5607&language=en_US
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/Sheraton/Villages/index.html

Buena Vista Suites:
http://www.buenavistasuites.com/
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/bvsuites/index.htm

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

I'm not sure of the costs or if you are traveling with kids that would be interested, but I remember seeing a Nickelodeon themed hotel close to Downtown Disney (my memory could be rusty...it happens after a baby).

 

[maxiesmom]

We have stayed at the Staybridge Suites, Lake Buena Vista many times. It is right at the entrance to Down Town Disney. They have different suite types, but the largest is a 2 bedroom trio. I has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a full kitchen. They sleep up to 8 people, and a good continental breakfast is included. Depending on dates, they cost around $160 a night.

 

[msb578]

Personally I don't think of the Swan/Dolphin as off-site, even though Disney doesn't own them. There's just too much of a "relationship". They're listed as WDW Deluxe resorts.

I think the Downtown Disney hotels are exactly what you're looking for. There are room rates for almost any budget, and you're still technically on Disney property. The Hilton even has EMH.

 

[maxiesmom]

OP--How much space are you looking for? 2 bedrooms, 3 bedrooms? Full kitchen or no? Is a nice pool important?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Check out the Sheraton Vistana Resort. Its 5 minutes from Downtown Disney and it is absolutely fabulous. There's a whole thread dedicated to it on the Orlando Hotels & Attractions board:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/the-sheraton-vistana-resort-thread.3148502/

Skyauction has 2 bedroom units from $450 per week, including all taxes. Parking and wifi are both free, and there is no resort fee.

2 bedroom villas are between 1030 and 1260 square feet, depending on the section you are allocated to. They have full kitchens with a breakfast bar (granite countertops, dishwasher, you name it), a dining room, master suite with a king bed and jacuzzi tub, 2nd bedroom with it own full bath, screened balcony, living area with sleeper sofa and Bose sound system, and an in-suite washer and dryer. Three flat screen TV's, too (one in each bedroom, and a third in the living area). The resort itself offers 7 pools (each with their own special features, from waterfalls to volleyball nets to dive-in movies), 6 outdoor hot tubs, multiple playgrounds, 13 tennis courts, two sand volleyball courts, two baskeball sport courts, shuffleboard, mini golf, and daily scheduled activities by the FUN team.

There's beautiful landscaping, almost all buildings face small lakes with fountains, and there's a full-service Marketplace onsite that even serves Starbucks coffee. Its the kind of place that will have you wondering what "perks" you are missing out on!

 

[kiki02]

Sheraton Vistana was great - so are any of the Marriotts in the area. You can PM me on those - but honestly some of the Marriots were more fun that on site for us!

 

[sbd78]

You also may want to check out Wyndham Bonnet Creek. There is a lot of info in the Orlando hotels and attractions section. They are full condos and are also technically on Disney property, although not Disney owned. I've never stayed there but it looks like a beautiful resort.

 

[atilley01]

OP--How much space are you looking for? 2 bedrooms, 3 bedrooms? Full kitchen or no? Is a nice pool important?

Sheraton Vistana, Wyndham Bonnet Creek and Staybridge Suites look great. 1 bedroom would be great, two would be better. A nice pool and full kitchen are nice but not a deal-breaker.

 

[HopperFan]

- Loved Wyndham Bonnet Creek and if in your budget then it's as good as onsite location wise. Used SkyAuction to book.
- Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina has me convinced and heading to Sheraton Vistana in May to a 2 bedroom, full kitchen. Used SkyAuction to book.
- Loved Staybridge Suites with a 2 bedroom, kitchen, full breakfast included. Newly renovated and looks great. 2 minutes outside DTD.
- We love Embassy Suites SOUTH, fairly new, great decor, great full hot cook to order breakfast, kitchenette.
- Buena Vista Suites it great but short on amenities. One day sales can be good but best usually Mousesavers.
- Check her sister resort Caribe I think they have 2 bedroom. We loved the pool area here and our suite was nice. One day sales here can be good.
- Doubletree Suites in Downtown Disney has 1 bedroom and I think a few 2 bedroom. Kitchenette, dining table. Just renovate, beautiful. No resort fee just park fee.
- Mousesavers has some preferred with deals http://www.mousesavers.com/walt-dis.../disney-world-area-preferred-hotel-discounts/
- Downtown Disney hotels often have sales and we have gotten some good ones http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/

 

[chalee94]

With that budget, you can stay almost anywhere and have a really nice room. Some of the Downtown Disney Resorts, such as the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista even have extra magic hours and are close enough to walk to Downtown Disney and avoid the parking chaos. A few others to throw out there are the Sheraton Vistana Villages and the Buena Vista Suites

Downtown Disney Resorts:
http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/

Sheraton Vistana:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/photos/index.html?propertyID=5607&language=en_US
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/Sheraton/Villages/index.html

sheraton vistana villages isn't "very" far away but it is more toward sea world and universal.

the sheraton vistana resort is much closer to wdw. when i stayed there, i timed it at 8 minutes from parking space to parking space from SVR to epcot. i think allears currently has some discounts for SVR if you get their email newsletter.

the sheraton vistana resort is a great resort but the marriott world center (which includes a marriott hotel plus their palms timeshares) is even a tiny bit closer.

 

[Sue M]

There are so many really close hotels near WDW, I wouldn't make the 20 min drive, plus traffic in Orlando can be miserable.
I'd check out Mousesavers.com. They usually post discounts on their preferred hotels, and also can come with extra perks like no resort fee, free parking, etc. they have several in the DTD resort area.

We stayed pre WDW package once at the DTD Doubletree Suites. Mouse saver discount included free breakfast every morning. We had a spacious 1 bdrm suite. Kitchenette area included fridge, coffee maker, microwave (I think), sink. I know you have a car, but they had great bus service running every 30 min so you could take that and save on parking fees at parks.

We've also stayed at the Holiday Inn near Vinland just outside the DTD area. It was called Sunspree when we stayed. It's also near Bahama Breeze, and a Steak House.

The Marriott World is 2 minutes from the Welcome sign.

The Wyndham Bonnett Creek is literally just behind Caribbean Beach Resort. When we stayed at CBR we could see the rooftops of Bonnett Creek. Lots of people seem to have good things to say about it.