Opinion:. Hotels....help!

[cndkanga]

We have a reservation for Park Vue the two weeks surrounding Christmas. However, we looked at prices and the desert palms is $700 cheaper and the Staybridge is $1500 cheaper. We have stayed at the Staybridge before and the rooms etc. Were great for our large family, 6 of us, bit I wasn't thrilled with the shuttle bus (the rest of the family was fine with it). Now I don't know what to do! The extra money in our pocket would be lovely!! Is location with an extra 700-1500 dollars?

 

[VandVsmama]

For $700, I'd definitely switch to Desert Palms unless it doesn't include free breakfast. But if it does include free breakfast, then yes...totally switch to that hotel instead because $700 can go a long way for a family of 6 on a vacation!

I'd say no to Staybridge because although it's $1500 cheaper, it's much farther away, which makes taking an afternoon break at your hotel pretty much impossible. If you stay at Desert Palms, an afternoon break is still do-able.

 

[sherilaine]

You are going to be there for 2 weeks around Christmas - but how many days will you be at the parks? If you are going to be at the parks only 5 days of your two week stay then I'd prefer the extra space you would not doubt be having at the Staybridge. However, if you have annual passes and want to be able to do back and forth as often as you wish, then I'd prefer to be closer.

 

[StarlitNight05]

I agree with @VandVsmama, I'd pick Desert Palms. Desert Palms is still very walkable, and from what I understand (from a fellow DISer's trip report) they do have a pretty substantial free breakfast. Another plus are the interior hallways -- usually meaning a more quiet atmosphere.

 

[lalasmama]

$700 is worth:
116 Dole Whips
140 Churros
14 Sweatshirts
23 Bubble Wands
14+ Fantasmic Dining Packages at River Belle
12 Dinners at Blue Bayou
20 T-shirts
28 Coffee cups
8 Loungefly mini-backpacks
23 Stuffed Animals

You'd be walking an extra 10 minutes to stay at Desert Palms. That's a savings of about $70 PER MINUTE of walking.

And, of course, double that savings at Staybridge. I'd totally deal with the hassle of a shuttle to save $1500. And this coming from someone who loved Park Vue.

**Edited: math was completely off for dollar per minute calculations. It would be $7/minute if staying for 5 days. See math in my next reply.

 

[cndkanga]

$700 is worth:
116 Dole Whips
140 Churros
14 Sweatshirts
23 Bubble Wands
14+ Fantasmic Dining Packages at River Belle
12 Dinners at Blue Bayou
20 T-shirts
28 Coffee cups
8 Loungefly mini-backpacks
23 Stuffed Animals

You'd be walking an extra 10 minutes to stay at Desert Palms. That's a savings of about $70 PER MINUTE of walking.

And, of course, double that savings at Staybridge. I'd totally deal with the hassle of a shuttle to save $1500. And this coming from someone who loved Park Vue.

Well that certainly puts it in perspective! I guess even if we Uber it occasionally we are still ahead! Thank you!

 

[lalasmama]

Well that certainly puts it in perspective! I guess even if we Uber it occasionally we are still ahead! Thank you!

Clearly, I'm a cheap person, but once those "little savings each day" start adding up to 3 figures, I start considering what I could be spending with that extra cash. Sometimes, convenience wins. I'll pay $130/night to stay across the street when I could pay $30 less a night to stay at Kings Inn (15 minute walk) but that's only saving me $1 for each minute of walking per day.

I notice my math was off on your price per minute since I'm not sure how long you are staying... If you're staying 5 days, it would be $700 (savings) ÷ 5 (days) = $140 (savings per day) ÷ 2 (walks per day) = $70 ÷ 10 (minutes extra walking each way) = $7 per minute of walking... Still, I'd be willing to walk 20 minutes to save $140 each day!