Suggestions Please (hotel w/ kitchen)

[disneychrista]

My boss just asked me to help him with planning a trip to WDW. The problem it is pretty short notice, he wants to go over Christmas Break.

He needs to have a kitchen/kichenette in the room. He also will need shuttle service to and from the WDW, preferablely running several times a day. He also wants it under $150/night.

I know next to nothing about the Orlando area. I, myself, have only been to WDW once and we stayed on property.

Any advice or suggestions would be great. Thanks.

 

[Belle1962]

How many people?


Try starting with www.hotelkingdom.com

Holiday Inn Family Suites : http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/rates/disfs?ias=y


Check Marriott: The Residence Inns offer hot breakfast and evening receptions: https://marriott.com/search/citySearchResults.mi

Be sure to check if he is eligible for any discounts—government employee, AAA, AARP, etc. Since this is peak season discounts may be scarce.

If he wants to spend $150 per night for a room so he can save $$$ and cook then he may want to consider a cheaper Disney hotel (value/moderate), breakfast in the room and get a cooler at a local Publix for drinks and snacks.

I have not read many favorable reviews about offsite transportation from the hotels. If he is going to be that dependent on shuttle service his best bet would be stay on property or at least in Downtown Disney…he can catch Disney transport to DD and then walk to his hotel.

Downtown Disney hotels: http://www.wdwinfo.com/downtown/index.htm#hm-downdisn-nav

JMHO

 

[disneychrista]

It will be him, his wife, and their two sons (12 & 10).

The kitchen is not so much to save money as it is because of their food "needs." He is from India and their diet is pretty much traditional Indian food.

I will check out the links and see what I can come up with. Thanks.

 

[spiceycat]

he is way late.....

Disney does not discount this time.

It is on season big time.

I horrible time for a first timer to come to WDW. the crowds are huge....

in my opinion the MK is crowded with 40,000 people - that is summer, at times - during the Christmas to NY the MK can have 125,000 people.

This is far too many people for me to want to be there - although in future (probably after I retire) - I will try it - just to see why everyone else is there....

I would try to get him to stay on WDW property - why - because there is a big chance that WDW will close its gates fairly early to off-property (they do this when the parking lot gets full).

I would suggest (if he can afford it) a Studio at OKW - tell me the dates and I will see if there is availability. then I can either refer you to a person or you can use the DVC rental/trade forum on this site. My points are gone for this year.

OKW has a kitchennett - 2 queen beds - it is a studio.

otherwise I would suggest Pop Century - it is a value so much cheaper - 2 double beds - a nice food court. It is cute a resort.

both are Disney owned places - so have WDW transportation.

but I would really try to talk him out of this....

now if he is willing to go the rental car route - then
www.skyauction.com
he can have a 2-bedroom for a week - for the price of a WDW resorts for a few days.

but tell him to arrive early and not to LEAVE - he can only leave if he is staying on-site - even then I would not suggest leaving if he is planning on going on CHristmas day.

 

[lunabkat]

Hi

Just so he knows, the parks are bursting during this time so he may want to stay on site just so he doesn't get locked out of a park he wants to visit. Once its full, only resort guests get in.

 

[disneychrista]

I would love for him to stay on property but doing a "quick check" it looks like home away from home resorts are $300+ a night(more then double what he is willing to spend).

As for Pop. Unless they have rooms with kitchens it is out of the question. A kitchen is a must have, not negotiable ammenity for him and his family, for reason previously stated.

My guess as to dates are Dec 19 - 25. He doesn't want to rent a car, which is why I first look at home away from home resorts. At this point I am thinking that he may have to put off this trip. But he can only go during school vacations, so it will be busy when ever he goes. And summer is out because his family travels back to India from school out to just before school gets back in.

I will keep looking but I am not finding anything that is reasonable.

 

[spiceycat]

OKW rented from an owner will round $80 to $108 a night until dec 24 - then it will be $150 - $180 - some people rent at $10 a point regardless - others up to $12 a point.

this is for a studio - all your nights are availability - except the 20th.

In a bedroom (whole lot more) - there is availability for the entire time. it would be $180 to $216 a night until Dec 24 - the it will be $300 to $360 a night

these nights are only Sun- thurs nights you would leave on Friday morning - not fri or sat - they are alot of points so it would the cost would be unreasonable.

So I would try for a studio Dec 19 - 24 (leaving that morning) for a total cost of $470 to $564 on the whole time. - if the 20th can be had.

did you try for a cabin at FW?

a cabin at FW will hold 6.

a studio at OKW will hold 4 - 2 queen beds

the 1-bedroom will hold 4 - 1 king bed in the master and a queen sleeper sofa in the livingroom

 

[spiceycat]

Spring break would be better - the crowds aren't quite as bad - unless you are talking about Easter - the week of and before - then it is also a mad house.

the other weeks in spring break can be hit or miss - some weeks aren't bad -others are so bad you wonder why you though of even coming to WDW.

I like Thanksgiving - at least I hope I do - I will be there shortly.

 

[Mudd77]

I would suggest renting a condo or a townhouse. Here is a link to the ones in Windsor Palms:

http://www.disney-vacation-rentals.com/

We rented there last year and loved it. I took a quick glance and saw some available for the time and money you need.

 

[disneychrista]

Spring Break would indeed be Easter time. He will not pull his kids out for vacations. So any trips would be either Christmas or Easter. His first (only) trip to Disneyland was over Easter.

Anyway for now the trip may be on hold. Thank you for all the suggestions. Iw ill deffiently keep them all in mind. Hopefully there will be more time to plan the trip then 6 weeks.