Pls Pls Help!! Don't know which hotel to choose?!

[lisag1]

Hi there,

We're trying to sort out a holiday for Xmas 2002!!! We have the Virgin brochure and we have a couple of hotels to chose from and I would love your opinions......


Grosvenor Resort in the WDW Resort (4*)
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort - LBV (5*)
Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa - LBV (5*)

or for a little more $$ ($950.00 to be precise!)

All Star Movies (3*)

which is a lower star property but is on disney and includes UMP's.

We will be hiring a car independantly so it's no problem getting to and from anywhere but what would you choose ?

Another Q I have is that Virgin have allocated our party an I4 car but we have 2 kids who will have a booster seat and an infant who will have a car seat. Will I be able to get all kids in the back????

Hope you can help?

Lisa

 

[hercamore]

Well, your Hyatt Regency GC is one of the nicest resorts in the area. I have never stayed there (too expensive) but I've heard it's beautiful

The all stars rooms are very small but you will be on property which is an important factor at Christmas time.

If you've never been to disney before, I guess I would say stay on property. Don't buy a hotel package. Look at roomsavers.com for discounts and buy your park hoppers separately You will save money.

Not sure about your car size question.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

Check out www.mousesavers.com and stay at Disney!!
I see you are talking about NEXT year, so you could book a Disney resort and call and change your rate when and if discounts come out. There are some $84 moderates at Disney this Dec. If you buy 1 AP for someone in your party, you get that rate. Can be a good deal. Typically is cheaper to book resort and passes seperately!
You could book something else also in case the rates do not come down, just remember the cancellation policies!

 

[Planogirl]

If you go ahead and stay off property, go for the Hyatt Regency! This is a gorgeous resort and I would personally love to stay there. Here's a link with mini tours and so forth if you haven't seen it yet: http://www.hyattgrandcypress.com/vista/index.html

I enjoy staying on site but I don't think that I could pass on this resort.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[lisag1]

Got in contact with Virgin but they said the Hyatt Regency didn't have rooms to accommodate 5. So no luck there and I can't check availability with their website as it's too far in advance!!

Help!!
Lisa

 

[GORDYBOY]

Lisa

If you are going to visit the Disney parks then stay near Disney but I personally would not pay all that money for a Disney hotel as you can get far nicer rooms much less expensive off site and on top of that a really good selection of restaurants off site.
If you are going to visit Universal more frequent than Disney, then stay in the International Drive area which I can really recommend. Lots of restaurants, good shopping and you dont even need a car......

Ciao

 

[Planogirl]

Lisa, you might want to contact Hyatt directly to inquire about this. Rooms like this do normally only accomodate 4 but usually also allow an infant. I don't know about Hyatt but it seems like it would be worth checking out.

I suggest checking into the Wyndham too. I understand that it's nice. http://www.wyndham.com/PalaceResort/default.cfm We've stayed at the Grosvenor. I saw nothing wrong with it but it wasn't THAT great to me. http://www.grosvenorresort.com/

You did mention that the Allstars include UMP's. Is that for two rooms? It would depend on the length of your stay too because it may actually turn out to be the best deal by the time you factor in passes. Again, I wish you the best of luck.

 

[lisag1]

Hi Pianogirl,

I'll give Hyatt a call tonight. The Virgin ASMo package includes UMP's for the duration of your holiday. I'm not sure though whether I'm going off the idea of staying at ASMo, maybe we'll pick a moderate Disney Resort or we may get lucky with Mousesavers and be able to book a deluxe one. - now wouldn't that be nice!!!

Lisa

 

[JackCV]

Lisa,
The I4 car should hold the family fine, but it depends on the rental company, and what they consider an "I4 Vehicle"... Check the fine print in the brochure, and notice the "or similar type vehicle" phrase. Also, how much luggage will you carry? That could be the challenge!

Most Tour Operators are required by Disney to inlcude the Length of Stay Park passes, but they can usually be excluded only "to save the sale" That is for both On Property and Off Property hotels and resorts.

I believe Virgin offers a variety of hotels in the Orlando area. But the Orange County and Osceola County fire departments have rules... Disney "Value" Hotels are strict with the Max:4 Occupancy, including infants. Their Moderate Resorts also only accept 4, but with Dixie Landings having a few rooms that can house 5, including the crib. But, these are only "rooms"... You may want to check in to staying at a suite property. Wyndham Palace has some suites, Grosvenor does not, Hyatt charges a lot for theirs. Not too far from that area, you may want to check Virgin to see if they offer Buena Vista Suites or Caribe Royale Resort. The hotels are related and share services. Both offer great breakfast buffets (eat a lot, skip lunch!). They also offer free bus service to the Disney theme parks.

Enjoy your vacation! (Oops! Holiday!)
Jack

 

[lisag1]

Hi Folks,

Thanks again for your replies.

I THINK I have decided!!!!

We are now thinking of travelling 16th Dec staying at the Wilderness Lodge (which I believe will occupy 4 plus an infant under 3) until 23rd Dec, then we'll go onto a private villa for 10 days. OR maybe we'll just hire the villa for a couple of weeks and stay on-site for maybe a couple of days unless they have a 5 day minimum duration?? Then I'll have to think again.

Now my next decision is to book Virgin's advance offer, or wait until the new brochures come out or even better see if there are any Mousesaver offers on. But If I do it that way and they don't have any discounted rooms then I'll have missed the boat on the Virgin rate!!!


AAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!! - Is this meant to be a pleasant experience?????


There are loads of ifs, buts and maybe's and it's driving me mad!!!

Lisa.

I suppose at the end of the day there is no clear cut answer and it's something I'll just have to figure out. We're going out in 3 weeks so I'm going to check out the resorts and then I'll be in a better position to choose something.

Wish me luck!!

 

[kazzie]

Hi Lisa,

I know you're still a bit unsure what to do.
I have been to Orlando 3 times on Virgin packages.As Jack said The Caribe Royale was lovely.Our first trip was to The Grosvenor and I wouldn't recommend it for families.We had 3 children VERY cramped in the basic room.An ugly view overlooking the carpark.There seemed to be mostly conventions and business things going on ib hotel and around the pool.In fact I don't recall seeing another child there.

Our stays at Caribe and Cypress Pointe were much happier.If it is more self-catering facilities you're looking for than the Caribe,have you looked at Cypress Pointe,also in the Virgin brochure?

Good Luck!Karen

 

[Wonderlandmom]

WL is a great choice! I am hoping to try it if I can get the low rate I read of on a previous post(128?). It is suppose to be gorgeous with the Christmas decorations! There is no minimum stay, do stay there at least part of your time. You are a boatride away from the MK! No parking fees at parks as a resort guest if you do drive. I just hope the rates stay down this low for you next year. You can book it and cancel(following the policy) if they do not come down. Book it and get a lower rate later if they do come down! You will be able to see the waterparade at night and fireworks. We have stayed at and loved PO/Riverside twice and want to try the WL next. Have fun planning, it really is fun and these boards help a lot!