Resort HELP for a confused co-worker...

[NHDisneyKid]

A co-worker of my mother's decided that he was going to bring his family (DW, DS6 and DD1.5) to Disney for April vacation (I believe their dates are 4/18-4/24). However, his wife then went on disneyworld.com and booked their ENTIRE vacation, hotel, airfare and rental car online...for a whopping $9800!!

Luckily her co-worker said NO WAY and now I'm on a mission to help them to any extent...we tried convincing him that they should just book two rooms somewhere if they want extra space, but noooooo, DW wants a kitchenette and laundry in her room. So, my question is...are the Home Away from Home resorts the only ones with kitchenettes and laundry? And do you guys have ANY suggestions how I can help cut their costs? He's already gotten it down to about $5500 by cancelling the airfare and car through Disney, but how about the hotel? They haven't even thought about passes yet either!

Thanks for any help and info you guys have, and I know you all have TONS!!

sarah

 

[SnackyStacky]

Chances are if they've got a package, they've got passes, but that's just a shot in the dark.

Yes, the home away from home resorts are the only ones with a kitchenette and in-room laundry. There are two ways to get discounts here:

1.) Annual Passholder discounts - they're few and far between for the home away from homes, but there are a few. I don't know if they're only for studios or one bedrooms, but you could call CRO and find out.

2.) Rent DVC points. (for explanations on that, just visit the DVC rent/trade forum)

Other options include staying at a suite off-property, but then you still probably won't have laundry facilities. I don't know how attached they are to having the laundry facilities in the room.

 

[jel0511]

Yes, the Home away from Home resorts are the only ones with washer/dryers and a kitchen in the room. You have to have at least a one bedroom unit to have those ammenities, if a studio room is booked, they won't have the washer/dryer in the room. Check mousesavers.com for discount codes, which are available for the period they are traveling. You might get lucky and get a code rate available for their times period and for a HAFH resort. renting DVC points might be a way to save some money, but with this short notice, probably not much availability left for points reservations.

 

[Grumpy92]

IN most cases I have seen Pkgs are overpriced, but wow! So you are a really good friend.
For resorts I would look on mousesavers.com and see if any of the discounts apply to them. Since it is so close and spring break, diligence is the key with CRO you may have to call numorous times to get the deal you want. The only locations that have both landry & kitchen in room are the DVC resorts. You might want to get on the DVC forum or Ebay and see if they can get a deal on points.

If landry is not a high priority then add FW cabins as a option. These are great places and this resort is an escape in itself.

For tickets at the most they will need is 7 days. IF they dont plan to go to the park everyday, maybe want a resort day or a trip to another area park then I would suggest the 7 day PH. Any days they dont use can be used on a future trip. The other option is AP if they plan to return anytime in 12 mons then this is the best ticket for them.

Check priceline or hotwire for rental cars. But if they are not planning to leave WDW property I wouldnt waste the cost.

 

[NHDisneyKid]

Thanks guys, I appreciate your suggestions! I know that they don't have passes, because she booked a room-only reservation. I'm thinking that they'll just be in parks 5 days, but who knows...she's a little wacky if you ask me anyway...but I digress!!

I will let him know that HAFH resorts are the only ones with laundry. For some reason, she is set on the in-room laundry, not sure why. Also, she wanted a two-bedroom at first, but our friend put his foot down, lol.

Now, if he convinced her that just a kitchenette in-room would be suitable and a common laundry...what would thier options be?

I checked mousesavers this morning and found a couple of room-only discounts, so I'll be passing those along as well...

Thanks again!!

 

[jel0511]

Now, if he convinced her that just a kitchenette in-room would be suitable and a common laundry...what would thier options be?

Only the studios at the HAFH resorts would have those options. Also, the kitchenettes in the studios are VERY small. They only contain a dorm sized refrigerator, a small sink, a coffee maker and toaster (No micro, stove, full-size fridge, dishwasher). You also aren't supplied with real dishes in a studio, only paper and plastic supplies. The common laundries are also VERY small at HAFH resorts. At both Beach Club Villas and Villas at Wilderness Lodge (I don't know about the other two, since I haven't stayed there) only have two washing machines and 4 dryers. It can be VERY difficult to get in there without having to wait. It took me one day (my first and last stay in a studio) over 3 hours to do laundry!! Since it wasn't in my room, I had to wait for the washer to be available, and constantly run back/forth from the pool to check on things. It wasn't very relaxing, and if the DW is SO adament about having the washer/dryer in the room, something I doubt she'd be happy with.

 

[NHDisneyKid]

Sigh...

It's so difficult sending first-timers all by themselves

Thanks guys, I'm going to report back what I've found!

 

[snugglepeas]

I just did a package through disneyworld.com, a one bedroom villa at disneys old key west resort on the summer dream maker package and the price is $2,879.09 it has everything you said they are looking for. have them check it out.

 

[disneystacy]

Hi, tell them to book at Swan or Dolphin or any other hotel with a mini frig. Have them drop off the laundry at a local laundry place (they charge by the pound) the day before they are ready to leave(if you drop off in the morning, they have it done by the afternoon. Family of 4 would cost about $20.00 to do laundry. They will save a few thousand. Who wants do do laundry in Disney anyway? We always do this when we are away.

 

[susy]

I find it hysterical that someone almost paid nearly 10K for a vacation on which they WANT to prepare meals, wash dishes and do laundry! No kitchenette for me-I don't want to even wash one glass on vacation!

 

[Disney Debbie]

Originally posted by susy
I find it hysterical that someone almost paid nearly 10K for a vacation on which they WANT to prepare meals, wash dishes and do laundry! No kitchenette for me-I don't want to even wash one glass on vacation!

AMEN Sister!! If I'm spending that kind of money you better believe I'm not doing a single chore!!!

 

[susy]

Really... for that kind of money you can go out and BUY all new clothes and forget the washer/dryer. You can get room service galore!

 

[liltoot]

Just a thought but how about leaving the wife home with the laundry!!!!! No I'm not a guy.