Thinking of staying off-site

[jondvl]

Can any one suggest a hotel to stay at off -site that is close and offers transportation to the parks?

I found a really neat looking hotel last night called DoubleTree Castle Hotel.It sounds close but could not find any information if they offer trans. to the parks. Has any body tried them?

 

[crusoe2]

This isn't really an answer to your question, I know. But I would highly recommend not letting yourself be dependent on a hotel shuttle for transportation to the parks. Others may be able to suggest somewhere that has shuttles that are reliable and frequent but from everything I've read, most of them run just a few times a day and the pick-up and drop-off points are out in the middle of the parking lots at the parks. That means no cover in case of rain, no bench to rest on while you wait. One thing you might consider is renting a condo so that you have kitchen facilities - that alone could possibly save enough to pretty well cover the cost of a rental car. We stayed at Windsor Hills back in October in a unit we got thru www.vacationcentralflorida.com. We're going back and renting from the same company in June. The units are very nicely done and much more comfy than a hotel room. The drive to and from the parks is quite easy, as well. So far, the deals we've gotten worked out to be about $75-$80 per night. And that's with tax and cleaning fees. It's wonderful being able to cook a full meal if we want (we get tired of eating in restaurants after awhile), having more than one bathroom, and the kids having their own rooms to hang out in. We also enjoyed having a real couch and loveseat to lounge on instead of just the bed. The units also all have screened in porches or balconies and full-size washers and dryers. I was able to wash up all our clothes before we left so there was very little laundry to do when we got home - loved it. Just something else you might want to consider - hope it helps.

 

[Detailor]

Can any one suggest a hotel to stay at off -site that is close and offers transportation to the parks?

I found a really neat looking hotel last night called DoubleTree Castle Hotel.It sounds close but could not find any information if they offer trans. to the parks. Has any body tried them?

I don't know this hotel but have been happy with Doubletrees in general. This hotel looks to be set up to accommodate 4 guests/room (king bed or two queens) - even for the junior suites (king bed/pull out queen sofabed). So your family may be fairly crowded.
The location is not all that close to Disney - it's on International Drive near the Convention Center area - probably 25 to 30 minutes from the various theme parks' parking lots. They do have a scheduled shuttle - but remember that that's their schedule not your's.
I agree with crusoe2. There are lot's of other lodging options that might work better for you - for hotels you might look into options that are in the Downtown Disney area where you could take Disney busses to resorts that are near theme parks (except for Animal Kingdom) - and renting a house or timeshare villa might be just as affordable but with more living space and usually with many more amenities (particularly with the timeshare option). But with those latter choices you may or may not have a transportation issue.

Good luck and have a great time at WDW.

Dick Taylor

 

[mdinme]

Crusoe is correct: Relying on hotel shuttle service is a bad idea in general; too restrictive on your freedom. Rent a vehicle.

 

[Brian Noble]

close and offers transportation to the parks?

Nothing offsite offers transportation anywhere nearly as convenient as the Disney hotels. The DTD-area resorts come the closest, and I'd describe those as "barely adequate".

http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/

About half my trips have been offsite---it's a great way to get more space for less money. But, personally, I'd never stay offsite without a car.

 

[dyna]

Previous posters are correct off site without car not a good idea. But remember if you have no AP it's 12.00 a day to park at the parks. How about on site at one of the value resorts? Downtown disney an option.

You can rent a condo or townhouse off site about as cheap as a hotel room. Even with just DH an I it's nice to have 2 bathrooms, washer an dryer, couch etc along with being able to cook if you wish. I'm gonna fry up sausage about 3 lbs when we arrive at our townhouse we will have that with eggs an biscuits, eggs an waffles etc during our 10 day stay.

With a washer an dryer not near as many clothes needs to be packed throw a load in washer at night right before going to bed 1st thing in the am put them in dryer an they be dry an ready to come out of dryer before you head out to parks or you can leave them sit till ya get back from park.

For my June stay off site traveling on a harley from Indiana I'm taking 4 outfits for disney with maybe spare pair of socks to change socks mid day I'll leave those on the harley go back out an change socks. I'm taking 2 pairs of shoes an a pair of crocs. Plus I'll have 2 changes of riding clothes for the ride down an back so we really really need that washer an dryer.....

The 2nd bedroom won't go to waste with just DH an I cause I'll put all my stuff in there an use the 2nd bed an bath for getting ready in then DH an I not falling over each other when gettin ready.

 

[dougsmom98]

With a family of five definitely consider a townhouse, villa, or condo. You will LOVE the extra space. With that many people, you will want a full size fridge and stock it up with drinks especially if you are headed down in the warmer months. I hate doing laundry, but I love having a washer and dryer on vacation. Like someone else mentioned, we throw our dirty clothes in the washer before bed and then put them in the dryer as soon as we wake up. No piles of dirty clothes all over the place, we pack light, and we go home with all our laundry done. If you get a villa you will be able to have a private pool that you can relax in before or after the parks. Check out www.vrbo.com for places to rent.

I also would not stay off site without a car. Waiting for others drives me insane. Check out the transportation link through www.mousesavers.com for discount codes and coupons for rental cars.