Skyauction resorts and shuttles to Disney?

[riu girl]

Does anyone know if any of the Orlando Skyauction resorts offer free disney shuttles? If so, how do I find out which ones offer this? I have read through some of the resorts web sites and so far I have only seen Summer Bay listed as offering this service.
Due to vision issues I will not have a rental car. I am staying onsite this upcoming trip but am considering skyauction for next trip (due to fabulous Ready Set Go prices I have seen ).
Thank you
Suzy V.

 

[Brian Noble]

If you aren't able to rent a car, I would consider only the DTD resorts in addition to the on-property hotels---my impression is that even properties with shuttles run them very infrequently, and at sub-optimal times. So, you want to be sure to check *when* shuttles run, not just that they exist.

For example, it might not be unusual to have only two departures and two returns per day.

 

[Lucky4me]

I have yet to find any that offer free shuttles. Some have shuttles for a fee and some don't offer a shuttle at all.
If this was something important to me, I'd go with Priceline for a room near Disney instead of Skyauction.

 

[crjack]

We stayed at Summer Bay through Skyauction last July and they did in fact have a free shuttle to Disney and offered shuttles to Sea World and Universal for a fee.

We had a rental car so we did not use it but I do remember seeing the shuttle bus go through the resort at least a few times a day. I'm sure if you call the resort they will give you a schedule and you can decide if it runs frequently enough for you to consider it.

SB is much further out on 192 than other resorts so just factor in your travel time if you are working around reservations, etc.

It's not the most convenient resort to Disney but for a good $$$ from Skyauction I wouldnt rule it out either. Our villa was very nice and offered us 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths at a great value.

Good luck.

 

[Brian Noble]

If this was something important to me, I'd go with Priceline for a room near Disney

I'm afraid I'd have to disagree. With priceline, you have no idea what hotel you'll get until you're committed. The hotel may or may not offer any transportation at all, and you won't know until it's too late.

 

[Lewisc]

I agree with the PL warning. Some of the resorts charge for the shuttle.

Some of the timeshare/condo properties only offer free shuttles to guests staying on a "hotel" type of reservation but charge time share and auction guests. The resort that has a free shuttle service when you bid may be charging, limiting or even have gotten rid of the shuttle by the time you arrive.

Not only are the shuttle schedules limited but the shuttle may stop at other properties and even at other Disney theme parks.

With the possible exception of the DTD hotels I wouldn't even think of staying off-site without a rental car.

Inevitably some of your savings is going to wind up paying for taxis.

Might you travel with another couple or family and let them do the driving?

 

[Lucky4me]

I'm afraid I'd have to disagree. With priceline, you have no idea what hotel you'll get until you're committed. The hotel may or may not offer any transportation at all, and you won't know until it's too late.

I respectfully disagree with your disagreement.
I have booked over 50 PL stays- about 15 different hotels in the WDW vicinity- 3* level. Not one hasn't offered some kind of shuttle service to WDW parks. I suppose there is the off chance that may happen, but not likely at that level of hotel. Moving out of that vicinity or going down to a 2 & 1/2 or 2 star then yes, there is a better chance no shuttle will be offered.
I suppose in the OPs situation, onsite would be the best choice when compared to both PL or SA.

I called Cypress Pointe last year before our stay and inquired about shuttle service. I was told they cancelled that awhile ago, but will call you a cab service when you need one. We used a cab once at $15 to and $15 from the Wilderness Lodge, not including tip. We used our rental the rest of the time.
It said and still says on their website they offer a shuttle service for a fee.

For the OP, I think I'd make sure by calling before I booked with anyone through Skyauction.

 

[Brian Noble]

I hear you, but I think OP needs a guarantee, not a "very very very likely."

 

[riu girl]

First: thanks so much for all the input. The information provided thus far is super.
Since starting this thread, I have read through many of the writeups for the skyauction condos in the Disney area. And it sounds like Summer Bay may be the only one that offers this service. Which is fine since the holiday in question will only include a few days at Disney parks and the rest of the time at the resort itself. Summer Bay looks like it offers a ton of activities that would keep the kids busy for days. I may take some time and contact some of the other condos but unless I see it on their web site I am a little leery of booking.
I was just hoping that there might have been a few more skyauction condos that offered a free (or inexpensive) shuttle so I would be able to choose from a few different resorts.
Again thank you for the info and feel free to let me know if you are aware of any more skyauction condos that offer a shuttle.
Suzy V.

 

[Lewisc]

OP asked for a free shuttle. At least the Marriott properties charge for the shuttle.

I respectfully disagree with your disagreement.
I have booked over 50 PL stays- about 15 different hotels in the WDW vicinity- 3* level. Not one hasn't offered some kind of shuttle service to WDW parks. I suppose there is the off chance that may happen, but not likely at that level of hotel. Moving out of that vicinity or going down to a 2 & 1/2 or 2 star then yes, there is a better chance no shuttle will be offered.
I suppose in the OPs situation, onsite would be the best choice when compared to both PL or SA.

I called Cypress Pointe last year before our stay and inquired about shuttle service. I was told they cancelled that awhile ago, but will call you a cab service when you need one. We used a cab once at $15 to and $15 from the Wilderness Lodge, not including tip. We used our rental the rest of the time.
It said and still says on their website they offer a shuttle service for a fee.

For the OP, I think I'd make sure by calling before I booked with anyone through Skyauction.

 

[spiceycat]

riu girl

I would be carefully staying off site if you have vision problems.

Orlando is a city - and that said, yes some people are decent - but others aren't.

stay on site at WDW.

you can stayin the value resort

or

you can rent a studio at a DVC resort for $80 (8 points) per night.

I know it won't come close to skyauction.

but then you have the guaranteed of WDW transportation. Plus WDW will come and get you from the airport for free until Oct/2006. (18 months from May, 2005)

a studio has a kitchennett so you can prepare your own food.

you can order from
www.wegoshop.com
great service I have used them - great people.

 

[Lewisc]

Suzy a condo that offers a free shuttle when you bid may not be offering a free shuttle when you arrive. Or the schedule may be even more limited than it was when you bid.

I wouldn't bid without a "plan B". Are you willing to pay a cab to take you to either a Disney location or at least to a place where you can get a Lynx bus? With limited vision I'm not sure I'd suggest that option. Taxis and airport transfers will erode your savings.

I'd consider inviting a relative or friend who can drive. You're hoping for a cheap SW fare. The car rental won't cost much more than the airport transfers. You won't pay anything extra for the extra adult in the condo. The meals you eat in the condo won't cost that much more for an extra adult.

This might be an opportunity to share Disney with a sibling, parent or close friend.

First: thanks so much for all the input. The information provided thus far is super.
Since starting this thread, I have read through many of the writeups for the skyauction condos in the Disney area. And it sounds like Summer Bay may be the only one that offers this service. Which is fine since the holiday in question will only include a few days at Disney parks and the rest of the time at the resort itself. Summer Bay looks like it offers a ton of activities that would keep the kids busy for days. I may take some time and contact some of the other condos but unless I see it on their web site I am a little leery of booking.
I was just hoping that there might have been a few more skyauction condos that offered a free (or inexpensive) shuttle so I would be able to choose from a few different resorts.
Again thank you for the info and feel free to let me know if you are aware of any more skyauction condos that offer a shuttle.
Suzy V.

 

[riu girl]

Thank you so much for the advice. I actually do have vision and do a limited amount of driving, but I just don't have much in the way of peripheral vision and extremely limited depth perception. There are rural roads that I have been driving for the past two decades and I mainly just stick to them.
I think I will just stick to a value at WDW or perhaps renting DVC points. I spoke to Summer Bay today and they did inform me that they do offer the free shuttle. Perhaps I will try for one of their condos/villas on skyauction and hope for the best.
Thanks again for everyones comments. I really appreciate them.