Please recommend some cheap accommodations

[crusoe2]

DH just found out that his company may be closing. Long story, short - we can manage okay on what I make but the trip we have planned for October may have to be much more budget than we had anticipated. I want to try to scale it back enough that we can still go as this trip has already been postponed twice. I've figured out how to save some $ on tickets and food and now need to see what we can do with the cost of our accommodations. To keep from disappointing our 5yo I'd like to find a place that will still seem fun and kid-friendly but be less expensive than the on-site resort we have booked (CSR). We will drive down so if we stay off site we wouldn't need a rental car but we would have to factor in the extra expense of parking and more gas money. If we stay on-site, the cheapest room that will work for us is $111 a night (pref room at a value - I have foot problems so need the closer room). I figure parking and gas would run us about $15 a day so the off site place would have to be less than say $90 a night to really see any substantial savings. Is there any hope of finding something off site that fits the bill or would we come out just as well to go with a Disney value? TIA

ETA: I suppose if we could find something w/a kitchen that might save us more money on food and help to offset the parking and gas expense.

 

[davinakb]

Your post did not mention how long of a stay you were planning. If a week or more/flexible about the dates, you can look into an offsite condo or villa rental, possibly negotiate something (Windsor Hills, Emerald Island, etc.). Or one of the deals at the vacation club places like the Vistana. They would both offer the kitchen in your price range, and have nice pools.

Another option is to try Priceline. Some pretty nice deals (even with the extra resort fees). Check out the message boards. You may even want to call some places directly, see what you can negotiate (if they are not as busy).

Hopefully you'll get more ideas here. FWIW.

 

[crusoe2]

Thanks for the response. I suppose a little more information would be helpful. The only week we can go is October 11 - 17 (we already have tix for MNSSHP that week) and we would like to stay at least 4 or 5 nights. We're booked for 6 nights at CSR right now but we're willing to make it a shorter stay if that's the only way to salvage the trip. The more I think about it, the more I think what would be ideal is a condo if we can find one that costs less than the value resorts. If we could save on the accommodations and use the kitchen to save even more on food that would be great.

 

[crazelion]

This is a easy one. the Fairfield Inn by Marriott on Canada Avenue has Orlando magic Rates is 80.00 dollars a night for the hotel. It's nice and clean and have free breakfast. The Orlando magic card is free and can download from online. Another option Hawthorne Suites on Canada Avenue it nice and clean have a free hot breakfast. The suites has kitchen real fridge and microwave to cook. It has easy access WDW and US.

 

[MomofKatie]

I got a rate of $34/night at the Best Western Lakeside hotel on Hotwire.com. It is a complex of several 2 story buildings surrounding several pools, a mini golf course, and a lobby building with a restaurant and gift shop. The property is located on Hwy 192, just west of the MainGate of WDW- drive times to the 4 WDW parks are less than 10 mins. We haven't stayed there yet, but the reviews on TripAdvisor are pretty good. If you would like more info on how to get that particular hotel on Hotwire, you can PM me.

Here is the official website for the hotel-http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=10348

Even if you don't like that particular property, I highly recommend Hotwire. We have used it on several occasions for Disney trips, and have never been disappointed with any of the hotels we have stayed at. Their prices really can't be beat.

 

[DaddyDon]

Quality suites on palm parkway is a good hotel that fits the bill and your budget.I just plugged in your dates with a AAA rate you can stay there for 71.99 a nite! We have stayed there before and would stay there agin. It also has a free breakfeast and also has a kitchen.Hope this helps...And its right outside of downtown Disney

 

[Wild4Walt]

Country Inn and Suites LBV ( about 5 minutes from DTD ) is 89.10 a night.
Regal Sun in Hotel Plaza is 119.00
Holiday Inn Sunspree on 535 is 69.52
Sheraton Safari is 109.00

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I don't know if you bought tickets already, but WDW released a new discount on packages at that time. You should reprice a value resort for that time, obviously factoring the savings on parking.

I have stayed at Vistana. It's very nice, very spacious(We had two bedroom, but you don't need that big) Allearsnet says you can get room as low as $90 for 1brd villa at Vistana Village or $139 at Vistana - if you opt for no housekeeping. They are very clean, and have a full kitchen. so you could save on food. You could get better rates if you bump up to September.

That's also true on property. You will save if you bump up to September, or bump later to November.

I've never stayed there, but mousesavers has a rate of $105 for Buena vista suites. It's a recommneded place by mousesavers. I can say, I've stayed at some of the others on her list and I do trust her suggestions. Caribe Royale is very nice, but probably more than you want to spend. I thikn BVS is owned by the same place. It's a slight step down, but I still think it's pretty nice. You geta suite and free breakfast, and it's very close to WDW.

Otherwise, the Nick suites are pretty cool, but I don't think they are any less money.

The Gaylord Palms is nice, but I don't know what kind of deal you can get in October. In Sept, it's $99/night via mousesavers. They have a VERY nice pool, and amenities, but the dining there is pricey. It's also pretty close to WDW. Not as close as the above listed places.

 

[mommy2paris]

I have located several condo / villa type properties, that would fall with in your price range, even cheaper! Let me check my "spreadsheet" and see if a few have places available during your stay... I'll get back to you shortly!

 

[mommy2paris]

PM sent.

 

[Purseval]

Thanks for the response. I suppose a little more information would be helpful. The only week we can go is October 11 - 17 (we already have tix for MNSSHP that week) and we would like to stay at least 4 or 5 nights. We're booked for 6 nights at CSR right now but we're willing to make it a shorter stay if that's the only way to salvage the trip. The more I think about it, the more I think what would be ideal is a condo if we can find one that costs less than the value resorts. If we could save on the accommodations and use the kitchen to save even more on food that would be great.

So far we have booked the Holiday Inn Maingate East Oct 13-15 for $45/night through Priceline. We are looking for a resort for 3 more days in the $75/day range (it's been $70-80/night at the Omni and the Gaylord Palms most of the summer) but right now we have been shot down because hotels are hoping for a big Columbus Day boost in business. Prices we have paid in 2008 for 3-star hotels so far have been:

$42 for the Doubletree Castle (beautifully themed, at least for princesses)
$43 for the Sheraton Safari right across from Downtown Disney (you can watch fireworks at night from the balcony)
$45 for the Radisson Worldgate (you can see the Tree Of Life from the rooms and there is a back road that lets you sneak into WDW without going on the highway)
$45 for the Inernational Resorts, which is a 2.5 star but it was Valentine's Day and we couldn't get anything in the 3* range for that price

If you want to go cheaper we stayed at Extended Stay America for 1 night in the low $30's but that was near Universal Studios and you want to go to WDW.

There are also Walmart Supercenters and Publix Supermarkets located near WDW, you can buy food and avoid the massive food prices of the parks.

If you need advice on how to bid on Priceline PM me, I've been using it for years.

 

[pilgrimage]

How about priceline.com?
Go to biddingfortravel.com and see prices for 2-3* properties.
We just bid 2 * Universal zone and paid $30 per night, plus tax and
fees. Total $178.00 for 5 nights. This is very affordable, even
adding parking. We got the Clarion, Universal Studios. Not posh,
but clean and safe.

 

[crusoe2]

Just wanted to say thanks to all of you for all the great information and pm's. So far we've cancelled the package we had booked at CSR and rebooked a room only at Pop Century, just in case. Seemed like the smart thing to do since we should know something definite about the outcome of DH's job far enough before the trip to be able to cancel that and get our deposit back if necessary. At least we've got something booked that I know we will be happy with and it's about $500 less than the room at CSR.

I checked into the new package discount that just came out but didn't have any luck. We're pretty much locked into Columbus Day week since the kids and I are out of school that week. From what I can tell, the moderate resorts are completely booked and just about the only deluxe with availability was the Polynesian. So discounts are just about nonexistent for that time period. The only one that came up for my dates was a standard room at All Star Music and it just wasn't enough of a savings to justify giving up the preferred room and changing to a resort we weren't that thrilled over. We've had second thoughts about booking a package anyway due to the need for trip insurance. I can do everything seperately and get basically the same components (room, tix, meals) for the same money or less and get greater flexibility and more lenient cancellation policies - and no need to spend the extra $135 for insurance that may or may not pay off if I have to cancel the trip or leave early for some reason.

We should actually have some idea about DH's job in about a week and hopefully can decide what we can actually afford. I've already started looking into all the places you guys have suggested and will continue researching those. I'm hoping to find something that will be kid-friendly enough that DD won't be so disappointed about not staying onsite but, if not, she'll have to settle for just a "regular old hotel" for her Disney trip. Poor kid. Thanks again for all your help - the folks on these boards are definitely some of the nicest around.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Another vote for checking out Hotwire. I've gotten the Hyatt MCO for $59 and $73 per night, usually $150-200. Also got the Renaissance Ft. Lauderdale for $113 when reg. price was $300/nt.
There is a great website that can tell you which hotel it most likely will be. I've used them many times and they were always right on.
www.betterbidding.com
All they ask is that if you book thru HW, you use their link. I guess they get some kind of commission.

I don't know how picky you are but I personally wouldn't buy a HW with any less than 3*. I wouldn't want to be stuck with a Quality Inn. jmho.

Also don't beat yourself up about your 5 y.o being disappointed to not stay onsite. At that age, kids barely would know the difference unless they hear you say you're disappointed. Even if your accommodations aren't everything you dreamed of, look on the bright side; you still get to go to Orlando and visit WDW. Your 5 y.o. will have a great time.


Just for the heck of it, I did a quick HW search for your dates. There are several 3 and 3.5* hotels ranging between $39-$59.
Good luck and have a great time!

 

[grammynelliebelle]

Hope things work out for you with DHs job. These are really hard times. We have booked two weeks in Oct going through SkyAuction Vacation Blowout Sale. Each week was $200 plus a booking fee of about $30. It is for overstock on timeshare units and there are quite a few of them open in Oct. They all have at least a partial, if not full kitchen and laundry facilities in the unit or in the bldg. If you are interested go to Skyauction and search vacation blowout. They now have a way you can see what is available for your weeks before you buy, although I dont think it is complete inventory. We are going to try it. It would work out to a little over $30 per night and more room than a hotel. You can check the properties on trip advisor. Good luck Grammy

 

[mncherokee]

My vote is to keep your reservations at Pop Century and go that way. You seem to like that resort as a back-up and you can wait and do the more expensive resort when your DH employment situation is more stable.

Since you are planning a 4-5 day trip, you can probably save money on food by doing fast food options and you don't necessarily need to worry about getting a place with cooking facilities. We stayed where we had a full kitchen, but you still had to buy food which was similar in price to simply going to fast food places. (Try the World's Largest McDonalds on I4 the Sand Lake Drive exit - for something inexpensive and a fun meal option) - I'm sure others will have other ideas too!

Hope you enjoy your trip (even with everything going on!)

 

[Faline]

I found some great rates there. Country inn an d suites LBV for $52, Extended Stay Deluxe LBV suite for $67

 

[conniehar90]

We always stay with www.disneyneighbor.com. They have a 2BR condo at Windsor Palms for $80 in October. We really enjoy the extra room and the kitchen. Their condos are furnished with Disney memorabilia so it doesn't seem like some regular hotel. Good luck!

 

[RMO87]

Feline, have you used otel.com before? What was your experience?
Having never heard of them, I am just a little leary.

 

[Gramto3]

Hijacking the thread a little.

Is it possible to get a hotel 1 room suite for 6 people using HW or another site?