Questions re: August 08 Stay

[lookslikefun]

I'm looking at the resorts for a stay in late August. On our last trip we stayed at the Poly using a code. We would like to try something new this time.
It is the beginning of free dining, so that will be nice.
It will be hot, so that won't.
So I have a few questions for you veterans.
1. Does it make sense to stay at a resort that is on the monorail again, so that we cut down on travel time between parks and on potentially long waits at the bus stop?
2. Or would it be better to rent a car for the week and drive and park from parks to resort? Actually, I hadn't even thought of that until now.

3. The first or last 3 days of our trip will be days I booked at a Hilton months ago. Any suggestions on whether it's better to tag those days onto the end or beginning of the trip?

Any help is appreciated!

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

1: Are you MK people? If not then stay at one of the EPCOT resorts. Transportation is what you make it. If you are prepared to wait in return for not having to drive then it's fine. I will say August is HOT HOT HOT! Waiting for buses when you're hot and tired is not fun. Neither is walking to a hot car.

2: A car might be good since you are going to also be at the Hilton.

3: Most people will tell you always trade up. By that I mean do your offsite first so you don't lose the Disney Magic while you are there.

 

[michelle1]

As far as resorts go, it might depend on what's available as some resorts I believe are sold out during free dining. Since it's free dining and if you don't want to eat in the parks all of the time then a good choice might be something in the boardwalk area to give you more dining options there and also DTD. Since you will be at the Hilton then you might want a car since you won't have Disney transportation to use anyway. If you are keeping the Hilton then you will probably need to do it at the end since you won't get your tickets until you check in at the disney resort unless you already have tickets that you are using. Also, any snacks, meals that haven't been used by the day of checkout can be used that day still so even though that night you will be at the Hilton you can use up your free stuff that day.

 

[lookslikefun]

1: Are you MK people? If not then stay at one of the EPCOT resorts. Transportation is what you make it. If you are prepared to wait in return for not having to drive then it's fine. I will say August is HOT HOT HOT! Waiting for buses when you're hot and tired is not fun. Neither is walking to a hot car.

2: A car might be good since you are going to also be at the Hilton.

3: Most people will tell you always trade up. By that I mean do your offsite first so you don't lose the Disney Magic while you are there.

Thank you! Dh and I were thinking that "trading up" would be the best option. I'm glad to see that others feel the same way. We are totally MK people. The only parks my kids loved and wanted to go back to were MK and Animal Kingdom. And I think they could have lived w/out AK. They really love rides, and are still small, so MK was great for them.
I thought of renting a car for the first few days and then seeing if ME would work for when we check out. Not sure if they do that, though.

 

[lookslikefun]

As far as resorts go, it might depend on what's available as some resorts I believe are sold out during free dining. Since it's free dining and if you don't want to eat in the parks all of the time then a good choice might be something in the boardwalk area to give you more dining options there and also DTD. Since you will be at the Hilton then you might want a car since you won't have Disney transportation to use anyway. If you are keeping the Hilton then you will probably need to do it at the end since you won't get your tickets until you check in at the disney resort unless you already have tickets that you are using. Also, any snacks, meals that haven't been used by the day of checkout can be used that day still so even though that night you will be at the Hilton you can use up your free stuff that day.

I have to call and see about the Hilton. They aren't open yet this morning. I had booked at a Hilton partner a few months ago and they did have transport to the parks. I don't know if I'll have any luck getting my days in that hotel, but I'm going to try. So a car would be nice, but not necessary. Of course, I'd have to then take a cab to the hotel (not sure about shuttles) and then from hotel to Disney resort. So a car may make sense!
I called yesterday and the dates I'm looking at were open at the Contemp. and the Grand Floridian. I only asked about those two. I figured I'd ask here and then see about a moderate resort depending on what others thought of the whole bus thing.

 

[lsytman]

I would recommend the POFQ or CBR. I would also suggest renting a car. My DH and I always rent a car (it really isn't that expensive) and you are free to come and go, not waiting for buses the entire trip, etc. Also it makes going from resort to resort much easier. I have stayed at CSR but did not like that resort because of the conventioneers. At the pool you feel like everyone around is in suits and talking about work. It doesn't feel like you are on vacation.

Good Luck!