Staying offsite for trip to WDW

[cajunpie]

My two sisters and I are going to WDW the first week in September of this year and we are staying offsite to try to save some money. Has anyone here ever stayed at the Travelodge Suites Kissimmee Main Gate? Any comments on this hotel would be appreciated.

 

[cassie]

Sorry, I never stayed there, but wanted to bump for you..

 

[Kermit]

The Orlando board may be a better place to post this question. Most of the people who read that board have stayed off-site.

 

[fkj2]

If you're willing to stay off-site tosave some $$$$$, think about bidding on Priceline. Many posters here have tried it and there is a web site offering guidance and feedback about the hotels in the Dis/Universal areas.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

Have you checked www.mousesavers.com ??
Lots of onsite discounts and some offiste.

 

[PCgal]

I never stayed there but it looks nice from the outside and they have a free shutle to wdw.

 

[kristikae]

Have you considered renting a house? We got rates of $79.00 a night for a 3 bedroom in December. I thought since the parks close at like 6 or 7 this would be a good deal because we can eat at the house and save money that way. Plus the kids can swim as late as they want. I went through www.floridadreamhomes.com.

 

[GoldenOldie]

The biggest complaint I had about this place was it is noisy. It's right on 192. You will hear every sound outside. But for $35/night I could live with it.

Two stories. Exterior hallways. Small pool. Mostly ESL staff. Has dorm fridge, mini micro, coffee maker in room. 2 double beds & couch all in one room (no separate bedroom). Near the 192/535 intersection so the back way to WDW is easy. The rooms I stayed in during two stays were ok but I have heard others on this board complain about their room being dirty. It's close to a lot of eating places. McD's is next door. Close by is Burger King, Bob Evans, Pizza Hut, Steak & Shake, IHOP, Shoney's, Sonny's, etc etc.

It's a one star hotel. If that's all you expect of it I think you'll be ok.

 

[MGMarco]

I stayed at the Econolodge Maingate Hawaiian Resort on 192, where you can
see the entrance highway to Disney. the hotel was old, but refurbished. They have a
daily free breakfast buffet to load up on...All for $38 a night...,but the free shuttle was
terrible, it was sponsored by a timeshare. the bus would arrive at 8:30,then cruise through
other 192 hotels and pick up others, then there are two types of drivers....slow poke
time clock soakers , and Nascar drivers, both aggravating!!!! It took 45 minutes to get to
the gate sometimes!!!!
For $10 more try to get All Star rooms.....

 

[pepperidge]

I've never stayed there either, but if you are trying to save $, I suggest the All Stars - we have
a reservation for the Music for $54.88 per night including tax! Wouldn't you feel more
comfortable staying w/ Disney? Have a good trip!

 

[LisaRex]

Before we moved to OKW, I had reservations at the Renaissance Orlando Resort for $85 a night with an Entertainment discount. If you go to the Marriott.com site, it will link you to a picture. The hotel looks very swanky and is highly rated.

I would advise you to ask for Entertainment and AAA rates whenever you ask for quotes, even if you don't have a card. If you would save significantly, you can always go out and get a membership at these organizations after the fact. You just need to show the card when you check in. Entertainment books are generally $30-40. If you have the Disney Club card, you can get the Entertainment rate as well. (Your card has the Entertainment symbol, which is a little crown)

Also, at the risk of being too obvious have you checked out the rates of area hotels using the link from this site?

 

[catwho]

We stayed at those last time and we will never stay there again!! We had horrible rooms, service was poor. We had a toilet that kept flushing all night behind us (broken and kept running) We called every night. Insisted on room changes. They kept saying there wasn't a problem. We said there was. We were paying $52 a night (not bad) but now find that we could have stayed at an All Star's for less than that!! The room just never felt clean and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. They call them "suites" but it was a double room with a full size sleeper sofa. We suffered with it as we were only using the room to sleep and shower, but we have found we can stay on site for less than what we could have stayed at a "suite" for.

Just my experience!