Trying to decide about hotel

[Brneyznfl]

Hi I'm new here. I live in Florida and have been to Disneyworld several times. The last trip was over July 4th last year and we stayed at the Caribbean Beach. Now I'm planning a trip in Dec. for just my mom and I. She is turning 70 so I want to make this special for her as she's always wanted to go and has never been.

I can't decide whether to stay onsite or stay at DTD. One of the main things I'm looking for is ease of transportation and convenience for my mom. I know that the Poly and Contemporary have the monorail right there. However, to be honest, I wasn't too impressed with the Caribbean Beach last year..(not the accommodations but the food and we had a long hike to the food court,) and wonder if I can get more bang for my buck off site. I'm also wondering are the onsite deluxe resorts that much better than the moderate? Is it worth the money?

When I was looking for offsite hotels, I wanted to make sure that there was continuous shuttle service offered so this is when I found the hotels at DTD. I noticed many offisite hotels offered limited shuttle service. I didn't want to get stuck at the park the whole day if my mom needed to come back for awhile and rest.

So here's what I'm looking for.

hotel 3* or better
restaurant onsite
caters to the older traveler (leaving grandkids at home! )
continuous shuttle service to the parks

Does anyone have any suggestions or advise? I'm really kind of going around in circles here and can't decide what to do! Thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

you might consider renting a reservation from a DVC member. then you could stay at BWV, BCV, VWL, OKW or SSR at about half the amount you would pay WDW.

I like OKW - but it has some of the problems of CBR - you have to bus to everything.

mother at 84 loves OKW - but it was the first and for years the only DVC resort so she learned to love it.

she didn't like VWL - which I love.

she did like BWV and BCV - both are within walking distance of Epcot and Studios.

I like offsite but don't mind driving to the parks. If you aren't prepared to drive her - then you might just consider a DVC resort.

if you pick the right time
Jan, Sept, Oct, most of Nov & Dec, Jan - you can get OKW studio with 2 queen beds for $80 Sun-thurs

you can get BWV for $90 standard view or $120 preferred view (much easier to get). BWV can be more expensive - it is a popular resort.

you can get both VWL and BCV for around $120 per night. BCV is generally more - it is a favorite of lots of people so you might pay up to $168 for it.

just go long around the rental/trade dvc board and see what you can find.

you want a reservations - points won't do you any good without a reservation. you are renting a reservations!

these price are just for Sun-thurs (leaving on Friday) - Adventure & choice season.

the 1-bedroom goes up during Choice but the studio remains the same.

when we stayed at a couple of DD hotels - mother started to complain about the buses - so it was time to drive her again. It was funny really. She expected the bus to stop at the same place that WDW resort buses did - she was very, very unhappy when she realized her walk would be longer.

offsite is great - but much better if you are willing to drive your mother.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I think your mom would love the Boardwalk, there are restaurants on site , plenty to do, plus you have easy access to EPCOT & MGM too.

 

[Brneyznfl]

you might consider renting a reservation from a DVC member. then you could stay at BWV, BCV, VWL, OKW or SSR at about half the amount you would pay WDW.

IQUOTE]


Hi, thanks for responding. I'm sorry but I'm really totally clueless about Disney...(love to cruise could advise in that area LOL) ...but what is a DVC member? I'm trying to decypher the abbreciations LOL Thanks!

 

[Brneyznfl]

I think your mom would love the Boardwalk, there are restaurants on site , plenty to do, plus you have easy access to EPCOT & MGM too.

Is there easy access to Magic Kingdom? We're only going for a long weekend. So we're planning one day MK and then one day at Downtown Disney for shopping. Thanks!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

To get to MK you have to either drive (if you have a car) or take the Disney Transportation.

Boardwalk is very close to EPCOT & MGM.

DVC stands for 'Disney Vacation Club', there are several resorts such as Boardwalk, Saratoga Springs, Old Key West and Beach Club Villas that offer self-catering style 1&2 bedroom mini-villas.

It works off a points basis, you could 'buy' points off a DVC owner and effectively stay a few nights at one of the above resorts.

Saratoga Springs is closest to Downtown Disney, walking distance in fact.

 

[spiceycat]

thanks for responding. I'm sorry but I'm really totally clueless about Disney...(love to cruise could advise in that area LOL) ...but what is a DVC member? I'm trying to decypher the abbreciations LOL Thanks!

disney version of a timeshare. DVC member are allowed to rent their points that won't use for this year. WDW doesn't have a problem with this.

DVC resorts are different - a OKW studio has 2 queen beds, kitchennett, balcony, large bathroom, table & chairs

BWV, BCV, VWL & SSR - a queen bed & a double sleeper sofa, kitchennett, balcony, small bathroom, table & chairs

here a link to the rental/trade
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29

here is one to answer questions
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=89

if you want to see what you would be renting then
www.dvcresorts.com

kept in mind the 1-bedroom are twice as much as a studio.

 

[spiceycat]

Is there easy access to Magic Kingdom? We're only going for a long weekend. So we're planning one day MK and then one day at Downtown Disney for shopping. Thanks!

the resorts with the easy access are all the MK resorts - Polyn, Cont and GF - very expensive.

but VWL another DVC resort has a boat ride to the MK which is fun, and a bus ride that is less than 5 minutes.

you know that the MK is one side of the property and DD is just about on the other side. There is nothing with easy access to both.

I would go with VWL and drive to DD or take the bus.

remember these are only good for Sun-thurs - if you want fri or sat - then I might go with a value resort.

both SSR and OKW have boat, bus and walking to DD.