Students staying on site?

[DisneyJules]

Hello! I'm currently planning a trip to Walt Disney World for February. I would be going with some friends from University, we're going on our break. I've looked into the possibility of staying on site instead of renting a car and staying off site. However, I have no idea where to stay. The all-star resorts are cheaper, but then is is that much more to stay at a moderate, there would be four of us and would be splitting the cost. So those out there who speak from experience, what would you suggest for four young students?

 

[jwwi]

DisneyJules, I'm sure you will have a great trip. I would suggest an onsite stay, mainly because of transportation options. The larger your group, the more chance of differing opinions. Someone wants to sleep in, or leave a park, or shopping early- to return to the pool, No Problem. Just catch one of the buses.
You mentioned that you will be splitting the costs, so I would do either two rooms at all stars, just not enough room for four with all your clothes. Or do one room at moderate. CBR rooms are larger, have privacy curtain, two sinks, and many storage spots in the room. You will also like the multiple pools and lake. Have fun.

 

[scanne]

If you're all planning on sharing one hotel room, I'd look into a few of the following:

1. The cost of a one bedroom villa at any of the Home Away from Home resorts. These have a king bed and a double or queen and a pull out sofa. Plus they're spacious.

2. Fort Wilderness Cabins - sleep 6 people.

3. A deluxe resort - specifically Boardwalk Inn, Yacht or Beach Club because the location can't be beat (you can walk to Epcot and the Boardwalk nightlife is right there) and room size.

4. If all of the above are too $$$ for you, then I'd go for Caribbean Beach, which is a moderate, but the rooms here are bigger than the other moderates.

The All Star Rooms are tiny, and only have one sink. The mods (except Coronado Springs) have two sinks, as do the deluxes. Out of all the deluxe Disney resorts, the rooms at the Contemporary and Polynesian are the biggest.

These are just my opinion. Hope it helps!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Moderates and values usually have two double beds. Could you and your friends share a double bed? That might be important.

Deluxe resorts usually have two queen sized beds and a little more room. The sink area is usually away from the room so you can use the sink without waking up the others. With the moderates, the sink is directly in the view of the sleeping area, so its a little harder to turn on the light without waking up the others.

Some of the moderates have pretty nice pools - Coronado Springs has a great themed pool for the entire resort, plus very nice quiet pools in each of the three areas (Cabanas, Ranchos and Casitas - my favorite). Port Orleans (French Quarter and Riverside) have some neat pools and you can use any of them, regardless of which side you stay on.

PO/R and PO/FQ also have boat transportation to Downtown Disney where you and your friends might want to party at night. The other resorts have bus transportation.

The moderates and values all have pretty nice food courts, so you can get lots of different food items - from breakfast food, to lunches, to dinners and snacks. The deluxe resorts usually have a smaller food court type place with one or more sit down restaurants. The moderates usually have at least one sit down restaurant.

Does this help?

 

[slimplaw]

The DVC Home Away From Home one bedroom units do sleep 4 people. But there are only 2 beds, a king in the master bedroom and a pull out queen sofa bed in the living room.

 

[DisneyJules]

Thank-you so much guys! I greatly appreciate your help. We would actually be staying in 1 room with two beds, we're all girls, oh boy, it'll be one big slumber party!
I was just looking at the prices between the moderates and the value resorts and frankly, it's not that much more. In the beginning I wasn't really caring much over where we were staying but now that I've started looking into the resorts, wow! I've always stayed off site in the past and I think it would be really neat to stay on site this time around. Of course, I'm paying this time and not my parents

 

[Andrew015]

Another option to consider: Here on the DIS, I've seen Courtyard by Marriot advertised for $38 per night. This is on property, but is not considered a disney resort. BUT, the rooms are large, and buses run to and from the hotel. You are also a 5 minute WALK to Downtown Disney, where you can catch a bus to pretty much anywhere you'd like to go. As a college student myself, I'd like to get the most for my money. If this $38/ night holds true, then this is the perfect idea for you. Big room, proximity to Downtown Disney (which has transportation to anywhere), Buses to the resort itself, and a value like this = College Students Dream Come True!!!

 

[DisneyJules]

Andrew, I saw that offer. I was talking to my friend this morning and I've changed my mine. The Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista is really cheap and also provides shuttles to WDW. I figure if we save more money staying at a cheaper hotel and renting a car then we can spend more on dinning out and other fun. The comfort inn was $36 USD but I believe that rate is only in value season, we just enter peak season as our holiday begins. I guess they know everyone is going at that time.
Thanks for your help