Please Help!--Staying off the Disney Property

[hmspiegs]

Hi all, we are headed down to WDW this May 15-20th and we were considering staying somewhere besides the Disney Resorts.
The factors we are taking into consideration are as follows:
1. Ease of travel to and from the theme parks
2. The ability to have a suite so our 2 year old could stay in her own "room."
3. A cool pool so that she may enjoy a "resort-like" pool experience
4. Affordability..we prefer not to drop 2-3k for the 5 days, otherwise we would just as well stay at a deluxe resort on the property.
Please help!
Thanks.
By the way, we are new to this forum, so if I am posting this in the wrong spot, please let me know and I will repost in the correct spot.
Thanks again!

 

[lovetoscrap]

I am not sure what your question is? Are you looking for off property recomendations or opinions of if this is a good idea?

If you are looking for recommendations let me know and I will move this to the appropriate board for you.

 

[hmspiegs]

Sorry..I am looking for recommendations for places to stay that meet the previously listed qualifications..
As of now, we feel like we can get the most bang for our buck by staying off the property..we are concerned about getting the nicest suite that is close to the Magic Kingdom..also has a nice, kid oriented pool if possible.
Thanks.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Okay! Then I am going to move this to our Orlando Hotels and Resorts Forum for you. They should be able to give you some recommendations.

 

[PrincessFan0809]

Check a condo at Windsor Hills resort. We used Florida Sun Vacation Homes to book our August stay. I have no firsthand experience with this resort yet, but I haven't heard anything bad about it either. It appears to fit your needs also.

 

[sympatico]

Windsor Hills is very nice. We've stayed in two of the 3bedroom townhouses and a 6 bedroom home. The townhouses each have their own private splash pool and you are able to park next to your door. There's a master bedroom and bathroom and a twin bedroom and bathroom upstairs and a washer/dryer; and a queen bedroom and bathroom downstairs along with kitchen, living/dining room with patio doors that lead out to your patio with splash pool.
There's also 2 and 3 bedroom condos and 4 - 6 bedroom pool homes. Lots of the properties have Disney themed kids rooms.
WH has a huge pool with waterslide and splash area, big castle playground, clubhouse with mini theatre where you choose a movie to watch, games room, fitness room etc free to use when you stay at WH.
WH is only about 5 min. to Disney AK and of course a little more to the rest of the parks.
Map:http://www.thedibb.co.uk/villa-map.php Go down to right corner and scroll through the names and click on WH and it will zoom in for you.
You can rent from a rental agency or directly from owners as we do. You can find owner listings on www.windsorhillsrent.com or on the Kissimmee listings of VRBO : http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/florida/central-disney-orlando/kissimmee#2568
Also homeaway.com for Kissimmee.
There's also Emerald Island and Windsor Palms that have similar accom.
Good luck.

 

[K'smom]

Hey! I too can't spend a ton of $ this time. I had the same criteria as you but the pool is more of a want than a need for me. I know my kids will like any pool but yes, the cooler the better! ANyway, I found Comfort Suites Maingate EAst for $99 a night and that includes a huge breakfast with Mickey waffles and a large Suite w, sep bedroom area, fridge micro etc. I researched this bigtime since I needed to know it would be good. It gets great reviews on this board and tripadvisor.com as well. Ck it out! The pool seems good from the pics tooo! (The pics the website are great!) I love the fact that it's only a 5/6 min drive from Disney--another huge factor. The savings on my fam of 5 for brkfst will be awesome! ***make sure it's maingate east location***Hope that helps!!!
Julianne

 

[mikymouse]

We loved Windsor Hills. We rented a 3 bedroom townhome with a private splash pool. We would definately do this again because...

1.) It was so easy to drive to the parks and nice to have the car right out front of the home
2.) We saved big bucks both on accomodations and food/drinks
3.) We loved the private splash pool
4.) We loved the zero entry resort pool
5.) We all had our own rooms
6.) They have a very nice playground

This was very much a nice blend of resort qualities and your own private accomodations and the location made it very easy to get to and from all things Disney. W

 

[spiceycat]

cypress pointe - you can find it here

www.hotelkingdom.com

also this sites sponsors - dreams unlimited
http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/totallist.cfm

this is one of the DTD hotels - so you get pretty good bus service to the parks
http://hotels.travelzoo.com/orlando-hotels/384169

 

[PiratesRock]

We're staying at Windor Hills in October. Haven't been there yet, but really happy with the price and the fact that it is gated. Splash pool inside is a big plus. Pics of the outside pool have my DD "the fish" happy. Not what a Disney mod resort would offer, but for the $2000 difference we're saving on 2 rooms at a mod (6 people going), she'll be fine!
We would love to stay onsite someday, but I need to hold my budget, and my sanity, together right now!!