Switching from ASMo to Buena Vista Suites for part of stay?

[Befferk]

This is only the 2nd time going to WDW. 1st time we took our RV trailer and stayed at Fort Wilderness (enjoyed it!). This time we are flying. We are going from 2/8/08-2/19/08. We currently have res. at ASMo for the entire length. But during our stay, it switches to Peak and we get hit with Pres. Day weekend rates of $131+tax (WITH our AAA rate). I was looking at Buena Vista Suites and I got a quote through the link on here for $98+ tax per night for Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon nights at the end of our stay for Pres. Day Weekend. I figure that switching these 4 nights would save us about $200, considering the price difference, and the fact that Buena Vista Suites has a free breakfast buffet, we won't have to eat out those mornings.

Our park days will be at the beginning of our trip (5 park days) and the rest of the days are open to whatever (except that we are also going to the Daytona 500 on Sunday the 17th). My DH is afraid that we would miss out on something Disney-related if we stayed offsite for a few days (if we changed our minds on the days we do the parks). Is there anything besides Extra Magic Hours that we wouldn't be able to do? We do have a rental car.

Also, any recent opinions on Buena Vista Suites? Do all the rooms have 2 beds?

Thanks!
Beth

 

[spiceycat]

well if you have a rental car - definitely stay some offsite.

you realize if you stay with DIsney - they provide transportation to not only their parks but the airport too - for free.

that say definitely understand wanting your own car.

if you are doing non-Disney things - then definitely don't stay on Disney property.

what are you going those days? you realize that the parks could and probably will be more crowded those days.

 

[Befferk]

what are you going those days? you realize that the parks could and probably will be more crowded those days.

Which days do you mean?

Our schedule looks something like this:

Fri 2/8 - Arrive @ ASMo (flight arrives approx. 11:30am)
Sat 2/9 - MGM
Sun 2/10 - MK
Mon 2/11 - AK
Tues 2/12 - Epcot
Weds 2/13 - Disney Quest/Shopping
Thurs 2/14 - MK/Misc Park day (have Park Hoppers)
Fri 2/15 - Shopping/Misc Orlando (possibly switch to Buena Vista Suites?)
Sat 2/16 - Shopping/Misc Orlando - go to be EARLY
Sun 2/17 - Daytona 500
Mon 2/18 - Sleep in/Relax/Hotel Day
Tues 2/19 - Depart w/1:15pm flight home

On our last trip, we bought non-exp. 10 day hoppers, and used 5 days. So we have 5 park days this time around. And last time, we only used 1 "Plus" option, so I can't remember how many that leaves, but we have at least 4 for sure.

As far as transportation, last time we preferred our own vehicle. And we are renting/returning @ the airport, so that shouldn't affect our decision. Just wondering if we will "miss" those last couple nights at a Disney hotel vs saving ~$200.

Beth

 

[Lisa BC]

Here's some of the other Disney "on-site" perks:

free theme park parking (offsite = $10 per day)
charging items to your resort room key
package delivery to the resort gift shop

Saving money is always a good thing. It really depends upon rather you value the onsite amenities that much. Since you're note planning on doing much at WDW the last few days, I'd stay offsite... maybe even a little further away form WDW. Since you'll likely be using the resort amenities more the days you won't be at the theme park - like the pool or a hot tub. But it depends on what you like you to do in your down time.

Good luck and have a great trip!

lisa

 

[Befferk]

Here's some of the other Disney "on-site" perks:

free theme park parking (offsite = $10 per day)
charging items to your resort room key
package delivery to the resort gift shop

Saving money is always a good thing. It really depends upon rather you value the onsite amenities that much. Since you're note planning on doing much at WDW the last few days, I'd stay offsite... maybe even a little further away form WDW. Since you'll likely be using the resort amenities more the days you won't be at the theme park - like the pool or a hot tub. But it depends on what you like you to do in your down time.

Good luck and have a great trip!

lisa

Thanks, since we won't be doing much (if anything) Disney those days, I think it will be fine. The only thing that I would use would be the parking, and if that is the case that we decided to go and didn't want to pay the $10, Buena Vista Suites says that they run shuttles to the parks. As far as where else we could stay, I would have no idea what else would be a good hotel in that price range (<$100)? Any ideas?

Beth

 

[scanmom]

go to www.hotelkingdom.com and see what rates you get at some hotels/condos. Last year, during Memorial day week, we got a rate of about $96.00/ nite for Cypress Point Resort, for a 2 BR condo that had a full kitchen, a whirlpool tub, and lots of space. There are alot of places on hotelkingdom that are really cheap, but still nice!

 

[Befferk]

go to www.hotelkingdom.com and see what rates you get at some hotels/condos. Last year, during Memorial day week, we got a rate of about $96.00/ nite for Cypress Point Resort, for a 2 BR condo that had a full kitchen, a whirlpool tub, and lots of space. There are alot of places on hotelkingdom that are really cheap, but still nice!

Holy Is there a catch to this site? The chain hotels are ~$50/night for Pres. Day Weekend (the dates I want), and I can get a 3 bedroom pool house for $100/night???? Wow. Has anyone else used this site with luck? Is there a deposit and/or cancellation fee?

Beth

 

[spiceycat]

yes used it often - but I like skyauction for cheaper rates - but since you are going staying a couple of days - stay with hotel kingdom.

you can also try this one

www.hotelmartusa.com

both owners use to post here.

 

[scanmom]

they did ask us at check in if we were interested in doing a timeshare presentation, and offered us $200.00 in disney dollars if we would. We just said no thanks, and never heard another word about it! I would have done it, but DH refuses to even consider doing a timeshare presentation, and it had to be both of us! Oh, well!

 

[utahkennedys]

Personally we don't move to save $200. Moving seems like an ok thing ahead of time, until the day comes to pack it all up, check out, drive over, check in, get settled again, etc. Plus, we really enjoy on-site over off...

 

[Befferk]

Personally we don't move to save $200. Moving seems like an ok thing ahead of time, until the day comes to pack it all up, check out, drive over, check in, get settled again, etc. Plus, we really enjoy on-site over off...

If we were staying a shorter amount of time, I think it would be a hassle. But with being there for 12 days, changing scenery seems like an adventure Plus, $200 is a lot to me, for that price, that could pay for potential Pirate & Princess Party tickets for us if that falls when we go, or would pay for all of mine & DH's souveniers, etc. But I am still up in the air about it!

Beth

 

[Lisa BC]

We love staying off site as well. We really enjoy having the extra space (bedrooms, full kitchen, real family room) for less than the cost of two value rooms on site.

There's nothing "magical" about having to lie in bed at 7:30 while the little ones fall off to sleep in a hotel room. If you'd consider staying off site for your whole stay, you might even save more money. Since you plan to have a car it won't be a big deal getting back & forth to the parks... 5 min to AK, 7-10 min to Epcot , MGM, and 15 min to MK.

You can stay at a 2 bedroom condo at Windsor Hills for $80 per night (w/ tax it would be about $90 per night). You'd have two bedrooms, your own kitchen, flat screen TV, your own washer and dryer right in the unit, and two bathrooms. The community pool and hot tub at Windsor Hills is really nice with a zero entry pool, and a water slide- there's also a playground.

Here's one that will give you an idea of what Windsor Hills is like:
http://www.vrbo.com/109178

If you really want to stay on site for the first part of your stay, you might consider staying at the Comfort Suites Main Gate east. I've recently read that people are getting very good rates for this property.

Good luck!

Lisa

 

[liveforthemagic]

I don't know if you've made up your mind yet. I completely see where you're coming from in going off site to save some money and get a little more space. If you're going to have a car, it makes perfect sense.

With that said, I'd say look around for places other than Buena Vista Suites. Now--our visit was 2 years ago, but I really didn't like it. DH felt it was a great value for the money....which was $88/night. But I thought it was very dark, a little dingy. The breakfast buffet had huge lines no matter what time you went. Food was not that great. The pool was a little below average for a hotel in Orlando. I just think you can do better in that price range.
Good luck!

 

[Befferk]

I actually have not made up my mind. I am kind of steering away from Buena Vista Suites.... but do you have any other suggestions =<$100 per night?

Beth

 

[liveforthemagic]

I really don't. I have heard great things on this board about the Sheraton Vistana Resort--but know nothing about pricing. I'll be watching to see what you find out.

either way--have a great time!

 

[kilee]

I'd look at the rates on Hotelkingdom.com they usually have some really good deals. Remember President's Day week is in fact peak season-- which you knew-- but it's incredibly crowded. Not Christmas/Easter-- but pretty close to it. So, that means rates are going to be higher everywhere too.

As for a pool home-- check direct from owners. Deals seem to be good almost all year w/ them. Try sites like www.vrbo.com or www.orlandohomes.com . Only be sure to do your research to know if you're getting a good deal. We love renting the pool homes. We love the extra space, or own private pool, and laundry in the house. We found that even w/ pool heat we tend to be able to get on for under $100 night, even during peak seasons.

As for Buena Vista Suites--- they've been running some really great deals, and it's not a bad place. So, it could still be an option. Be leary of any shuttle though- from any offsite place. They tend to be very sporadic and overcrowded. To the point they often turn people away and leave them to find their own rides. I've seen this happen myself.