Travel Day: Best Hotel Decision for simply an overnight before vacation begins?

[belle&sebastiansmom]

I've made reservations in December staying at the WL. We've decided to make the 8 hour drive in one shot the day before our vacation actually begins at the parks.

Should I reserve the night before at the WL? We'll be in the same hotel the entire trip, but reservations won't confirm that we'd be in the same room, since they would technically be two different reservations. BUT, at this time, we'd be paying about $300 more than . . .

If we stayed at a Value Resort for our first night, which would only be a late check-in and early check-out so we could get over to WL to get our tickets. This would only cost $90.

So, pay more money and stay night one in WL, no guarantee that that we won't have to change rooms, or stay first travel night in a value, save money, but definitely have to change resort rooms?

 

[spiceycat]

save the money.

 

[Tigger22]

On our last trip, we had a late flight into Orlando. Instead of checking into POFQ, we just stayed at a Hampton Inn. It was less money, we always know we are getting a nice room at the Hampton Inn, and we weren't going to be able to do anything but get there and go to sleep at POFQ. We got up the next morning, drove to POFQ, and were in the parks in no time.

Besides, with the Hampton Inn, we got free continental breakfast the next morning...and it gave us a little more spending money for our trip!

 

[DisneyDarlings]

On our last trip, we had a late flight into Orlando. Instead of checking into POFQ, we just stayed at a Hampton Inn. It was less money, we always know we are getting a nice room at the Hampton Inn, and we weren't going to be able to do anything but get there and go to sleep at POFQ. We got up the next morning, drove to POFQ, and were in the parks in no time.

Besides, with the Hampton Inn, we got free continental breakfast the next morning...and it gave us a little more spending money for our trip!

This is exactly what we do!

 

[Kae]

We do Priceline for our first nite stays. We have always had goodluck.

Kae

 

[unbroken chain]

I think the question to ask yourself is what the hassle factor is worth. If you have lots of baby gear, young children, or children that don't take change well, it may be worth the extra money to stay in the same hotel, even with the chance it's not the same room. One of my kids becomes agitated with change and staying one night at one hotel and another night at another hotel equals more agitation which in turn equals a less pleasant vacation for everyone. Even an "identical" but different room would be better than completely switching hotels, but I think that all you have to do is have them mark "continuing reservation" on your ressie and you "should" get the same room. Plus you're not packing the whole car up again. But if none of that is an issue, save the $!

 

[Lesia]

we stay elsewhere that first night if we are getting in late. We just pack an overnight bag so the rest of the bags just stay in the vehicle. We also do that if we are getting there on a Sat for DVC.

 

[fairestoneofall]

On our last trip, we stayed at a Value for the first night. We did end up going into the parks, but it wasn't a huge deal to switch resorts the next day. And then, we decided to stay an extra day. But, we stayed in a hotel off-property for that.

 

[daisyduck123]

We almost always stay in a value one night before checking into our DVC resort.
I just pack all of the things we'll need for that night into one overnight bag and bring that in, leaving the rest in the car.

We drive straight thru (13-14 hour trip) & arrive around dinner time..we check out by 9am the next day & head over to our new resort!