Tickets are purchased BUT

[john6305]

I have purchased my tickets. I got 1 annual pass and 2 7 Day Park Hoppers. I bought the AP so that I could get the discount on the Disney All Star Music resort, but even with the discount, the tickets came out to be rather pricey. My downpayment was 94 $. I found out later that the down payment is what you are paying nightly for the room. Its for 3 adults for 7 nights. It came out to be about 664$. Before the discount, I had been quoted 894.00 $ for the room. In the end, with the AP, I saved about 22 $. We will be driving from New Orleans to Orlando on the 31st, arriving at the Parks and spending some time there until we can check in at the resort at 1pm.

Anyways, I've been looking around and I see people mentioning 60 $ a night here, 40 $ a night there... I'm totally confused as to what I should do. I wouldn't mind staying on Disney property for the EMH, etc. and friendly service, but if I can get the same quality of room, etc. for a lot less, then I'd like to do it.

We are going on June 1st, so Vacation Home rentals are out of the question...what about time shares? Can someone please help me find a hotel that is comparable to the All Stars hotels but cost less and isn't TOO terribly far from Disneyworld (20 minutes at most). Please help. I would greatly appreciate it!!

Doyle

 

[mking624]

You might want to check out the Orlando Hotels forum...they can give you tons of information on neighboring hotels that have various rates:
http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=15

 

[gary4jenn]

The $40- $60 a nights are for Value season with a AP or AAA discount and for the postacrd rates some people get (it's a email/postcard from disney and no one knows how to get them).

DId you tell them at Cent Res. that you had the AP?

 

[EthansMom]

I have purchased my tickets. I got 1 annual pass and 2 7 Day Park Hoppers. I bought the AP so that I could get the discount on the Disney All Star Music resort, but even with the discount, the tickets came out to be rather pricey. My downpayment was 94 $. I found out later that the down payment is what you are paying nightly for the room. Its for 3 adults for 7 nights. It came out to be about 664$. Before the discount, I had been quoted 894.00 $ for the room. In the end, with the AP, I saved about 22 $. We will be driving from New Orleans to Orlando on the 31st, arriving at the Parks and spending some time there until we can check in at the resort at 1pm.

Anyways, I've been looking around and I see people mentioning 60 $ a night here, 40 $ a night there... I'm totally confused as to what I should do. I wouldn't mind staying on Disney property for the EMH, etc. and friendly service, but if I can get the same quality of room, etc. for a lot less, then I'd like to do it.

We are going on June 1st, so Vacation Home rentals are out of the question...what about time shares? Can someone please help me find a hotel that is comparable to the All Stars hotels but cost less and isn't TOO terribly far from Disneyworld (20 minutes at most). Please help. I would greatly appreciate it!!

Doyle

Welcome Doyle,

The price you are being charged is the AP rate of $74 per night plus $10 to have more than two adults in one room plus 13% hotel tax. Are there some people paying a bit less -- just a few who have gotten special promotions and they aren't paying much less than your $74/night.

You could head over to the Orlando Hotel board as another poster recommended, but you won't save much money (not without sacrificing quality) by going off-site. Remember, if you stay off-site, you'll want to drive to the parks and parking will cost you $9/day so don't forget to figure that into any comparisons.

In years past, there have been some stupendous deals to be had at the WDW resorts -- esp. just after 9/11. But, with more people choosing domestic vacations and with rising inflation, $74/night is a pretty good rate -- one that many people here would be happy to pay.

I think you mostly need reassurance that you are getting a good price. You are.

If you must go off-site to save money, then there are options. In my experience, it isn't worth it to go off-site to save $100 or less. And it isn't worth making my vacation miserable by staying in a fleabag motel in order to save big money.

 

[mickey'sbud]

You might call and see, just by chance, if there is a pin# with your name. If so, ask what those rates would be. If you have one, price both values and mods. Sometimes the prices are so close that the mods are a great deal. Good Luck.

 

[tinaluis]

First, welcome to the DIS. Staying onsite can be very pricey and I've always stayed offsite because I can't justify the extra cost of staying onsite. I've stayed at decent, clean hotels many times (just a short drive away from WDW) and the most I've paid is $45 a night (and the least I've paid is $18 a night thanks to Priceline). You did get a really great rate at the AllStars but you have to decide if the higher cost is worth it to you. Good luck!

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Keep in mind that even offsite hotels are going to charge you extra for that third adult in the room. Some places my tack on as much as $20/night. And then there's the room tax, which is 13.5% in some areas, 11.5% in others. So, that $60/night room, with a third adult and tax can actually cost you $91/night when you're done adding it all up.

I think that your AP rate is a very good one and you probably won't be able to do much better for a room onsite. I'm sorry that the overall savings were not as much as you were expecting.

 

[PirateFan]

Isn't parking still free with an annual pass? It used to be, but we haven't got the new sleeves for our passes this year, so that may have changed.

 

[john6305]

No, no, when I first heard that I was getting well over 200 bucks off the on site Disney Resort, I was extremely excited. It wasn't until I started to read about the people getting better deals that I started to think twice. I'm happy with what I have, but if I can get it cheaper, I would definately do so. However, I think I'll keep my room as it is, since it seems like it is in fact a good rate. I'm treating my mom and my GF to Disney world - its my GFs first time ever, she's never even been to Florida. So I think staying on site will just make the entire week there that much more magical and special for her.

I would hate to get a room for 45$ and drive 10 hours from New Orleans only to get to the room and realize what a big mistake I made. At least with the All Star resort, I know I am getting a good room with good service and even better benefits. However, I am going to call soon and see what the rates are on the moderate rooms. If they are only a little bit more, I may step up to one of those instead just for the overall experience.

I've read about the differences in values and mods, but I would like to hear from first hand experience - is it that much of a difference between the two in terms of quality, etc.???

Oh, btw, next year I'm taking her to Busch Gardens, Universal, Wet n Wild etc. She has never been there, either. She thinks Six Flags is the end all be all of theme parks. Hehe, this vacation and next years vacation will definately change her mind about that.
Thanks to all who responded. It is very much appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to help me.

P. S.
WDW is the BEST! I feel like a kid anticipating the day when we're finally leaving!

 

[disneymom3]

Just FYI to the poster who asked--yes, parking is free with the AP.

 

[the kabuki]

Don't leave....stay on-site....you will not regret. However, I guarantee you will regret it if you stay off-site. We did that one time, and never again.

Yes, you're getting a very good rate. If you do decide to shop around for off-site hotels(noooooooo..) factor in tax, plus the 3 rd adult charge. Most of the sites on-line show you the bare bones min.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

That is a good rate this year at the All Stars. If you decide to compare off site try looking at SkyAuction.com They will have some condo resorts that are very close to DW. Definately check the prices of the Mods andd also AKL or Wilderness lodge as they often have good AP rates too. Many people do not like the All Stars, I do! I think they are lively and fun, but I always ask for a quite room in the back not by the pools too! Your girlfriend is about to be blown away if she thinks Six Flags is the end!!!! Be sure to write a trip report!

 

[disneymom3]

Don't leave....stay on-site....you will not regret. However, I guarantee you will regret it if you stay off-site. We did that one time, and never again.

Oh please! I am sorry but that is the most ridiculous statement I have ever heard. How do you think all those tons of resorts and hotels in the area stay in business if everyone who stays there regrets it??? That is absurd.

I have stayed onsite and off and there are positives AND negatives to both. Yes, gasp, even negatives involved in staying onsite. There are many many clean, high quality hotels in the area not to mention amazing resort and timeshare properties that are MUCH cheaper than staying at Disney.

Please check the thread entitled "Onsite only, please raise your hand" on the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board.

I just think it is really lousy for someone who had one offsite experience, and obviously made a bad choice to try and tell others that no matter what it will be awful.

 

[Taja]

The rooms in the moderate resorts are slightly larger than the value resorts, and would be a bit more comfortable for three adults, IMHO. They also have a dorm-size (countertop) refrigerator and coffeemaker at N/C. They also have a few more amenities, such as a full-service restaurant in addition to the food court, and more activities available. CSR tends to be least popular, as it is a convention resort, but may have discounted rooms available if the other moderates don't. I actually liked the resort (Cabanas section, which is most difficult to find a room) and the bus transportation was awesome! I was able to book one at the last about 30 days out in December, 2003, with an AP discount. My first choice would be POFQ or POR, due to the proximity and ferry to DTD.

If you plan to use your room for just sleeping and dressing, the value resort probably will be fine.

 

[HayGan]

I would definately check out skyauction.com . You might very well be able to finad a fantastic deal since it is so close to your dates. You may be able to save several hundred $$$ finding a last mnute deal. I would also try priceline. Checkout betterbidding.com or biddingforless.com to see what hotels are usually available and what rates others are getting for the same time period on priceline.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[poohluvr]

Oh please! I am sorry but that is the most ridiculous statement I have ever heard. How do you think all those tons of resorts and hotels in the area stay in business if everyone who stays there regrets it??? That is absurd.

I have stayed onsite and off and there are positives AND negatives to both. Yes, gasp, even negatives involved in staying onsite. There are many many clean, high quality hotels in the area not to mention amazing resort and timeshare properties that are MUCH cheaper than staying at Disney.

Please check the thread entitled "Onsite only, please raise your hand" on the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board.

I just think it is really lousy for someone who had one offsite experience, and obviously made a bad choice to try and tell others that no matter what it will be awful.

Thank you for that! It's our first trip and we're staying offsite. I was really beginning to feel like I was making a terrible mistake! But I'm paying to bring my 3 boys alone, and I couldn't afford the extra $$ to stay onsite especially being that we'd pretty much only be sleeping in the hotel. I feel much better now!

 

[disneymom3]

That is exactly why I posted. I just hate the idea that people decide they can't afford to STAY at disney, so they can't afford to GO to disney.

We will be staying at Vistana for the fourth time in Feb. We are paying $180 for a two bedroom condo for the entire week and trust me, we will have a fabulous time!! I am sure you will too. DD and I went a couple of years ago and stayed in a hotel I got for a $35 per night bid on Priceline. We had a wonderful time then too!

Your boys will remember the time spent with you and you will create wonderful memories together! And hey, I am not too fond of WDW transportation anyway so we prefer to drive ourselves even when onsite.

 

[the kabuki]

Oh please! I am sorry but that is the most ridiculous statement I have ever heard. How do you think all those tons of resorts and hotels in the area stay in business if everyone who stays there regrets it??? That is absurd.

I have stayed onsite and off and there are positives AND negatives to both. Yes, gasp, even negatives involved in staying onsite. There are many many clean, high quality hotels in the area not to mention amazing resort and timeshare properties that are MUCH cheaper than staying at Disney.

Please check the thread entitled "Onsite only, please raise your hand" on the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board.

I just think it is really lousy for someone who had one offsite experience, and obviously made a bad choice to try and tell others that no matter what it will be awful.

I believe if you check some of the polls done here- offsite vs. onsite - you'll see that the majority of people prefer staying on-site. Does that mean that everyone needs to stay onsite? No, but OP stated what most have agreed is a good rate and had been questioning whether to stay onsite or go offsite. For the rate he has, IMO he should stay onsite. Yes we had one miserable experience, once was enough! And looking at the majority of others' opinions here, I'm not alone in this thinking, so it can't be too ridiculous of a statement

 

[bettyann29]

"I've read about the differences in values and mods, but I would like to hear from first hand experience - is it that much of a difference between the two in terms of quality, etc.??"

Personally I dont think so.. I liked the Value resort better than the Moderate.. but that was just me ... Alot of people do prefer the moderate over the value..

 

[Pixie]

I have debated staying on and off site. At my age I have concluded that I need some down time from all the Disney excitement and magic so we will stay off site. That might change in the future and it is subjective to me. I have my reasons and everyone else has theirs. Everyone here has lots of wonderful ideas and suggestions but at the end of the day we all have to do what meets our own needs.