UK travellers qu - convenient hotels.

[DLPDreams]

I know this question has been asked on the DISBoards before, but not so much in the UK section, so I thought I'd find out what other UK visitors think .

I am reviewing accommodation now and looking at Disney onsite resorts. I have found that the deluxe resorts seem the most convenient for MK and Epcot due to monorail (and boat/buses options as well if required) - thinking GF, Poly, Contemporary etc.

I really like the look of the Poly (not so the others) but using this August as a guide, it is really expensive (we will need 2 rooms). Perhaps more than we can pay. Is the Poly worth the extra money for convenience/light show/fireworks on beach etc?

I can't decide on other resorts (think I'm reviewing too much!). Had originally thought OKW or SSR but concerned these might not be available for our dates straight away due to DVC. Then thought about POFQ with the new(ish) refurbed royal themed rooms.... but wasn't so sure about the transport from there.

I'd like somewhere nice to stay (we are looking at split stay trip, probably 10-14 days in disney on site, then 7-10 days offsite so the Disney bit will be the majority of stay), that is convenient for transport around the MK and Epcot (the other areas we will use, but probably not quite as much). I can imagine the children will need a rest mid afternoon on the nights we stay up very late, so we need to consider convenience.

I know it's totally budget and personal preference at the end of the day, but I really don't want to be spending a lot of time bussing around/waiting for buses if it can be helped.

 

[Elise79]

It's really personal however I wouldn't pay the price to stay at a monorail resort.

OKW (&SSR) have been discounted as well as free DDP in previous years making them excellent value. They are both well located being only a 10 minute bus ride to MK, 5 minutes to Epcot and 10 minutes to DHS.

The monorail is nice but not always the quickest form of transportation and can be prone to breakdowns. We stay at BLT on our DVC points so do use it but only to Epcot as you can walk to MK from CR/BLT.

For a cash booking I would choose OKW every time

 

[DLPDreams]

Thanks for your reply Elise.

I have been reading about the CR more and while the hotel look doesn't appeal to me, the walk to MK does! I realise DLRP is not even half the size of WDW but every time we have stayed, we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel which is literally at the gates of the MK. It is much more expensive than the other hotels there but being so near is just the pinnacle for us. Convenience wins hands down.

The CR doesn't look so bad if you get a garden wing room which is a little less money (not much though!). The Poly looks amazing but probably out of our price range if I'm honest - unless there is a really good discount when we book. And if I'm honest, how much time do you spend in your room/resort? But, like I say, the location is a biggie for us. Also, taking nights off for earlyish nights means one of us (or maybe both if my parents babysit), can still watch the fireworks / light parade from our resort.

I do like the look of OKW and SSR but have read of people having nightmares getting buses especially as busy times. Plus the advantage of a studio where we have a bedroom and sofa bed does appeal - means the kids can go to bed and we still have a bit of space to ourselves.

I also do like the look of POR with the new royal rooms as I said earlier, but again, not sure how convenient the transport is.

I guess, I can just rate the accom and see what the prices are when released. We need two rooms and August 2013 prices are coming in at around £5k+ for each room!! That is excluding flights but including 21 days Disney ticket (but we'll need others as plan on visiting Universal, Sea World and Discovery Cove too).

My other concern is that the OKW and SSR are not released early as I've read with being DVC that they wait to while to release them. So I may not be able to compare them all early in the booking season (when we are hoping to book).

 

[Elise79]

OKW & SSR were both available with Disney direct for the start of the free DDP offer last year.

We used the buses from OKW and never had an issue but we also use a car so I can only go on what we used them which is evenings to go out when we wanted a drink and to MK.

OKW/SSR you could get a 2 bedroom and it would give you so much more space and in room facilities than 2 rooms at a resort.

We actually spend more time in our room than most as we like some down time to relax - and having space and a sofa to sit on is perfect.

Anyway take your time - look at the photos of the resorts and read about them. They are all unique in there own way. Also everyone has there own favourite. We do not fancy the poly or GF but there are others that love them while the CR is our all time favourite!

Before DVC and DD (we always get a one bedroom villa now as she sleep talks and keeps us awake and 2 weeks in one room with her is not a holiday!!) we loved CSR - it's right in the centre of property with short bus rides to all parks and the rooms feel very deluxe - and it's only a moderate. The resort is beautiful too

 

[DLPDreams]

OKW & SSR were both available with Disney direct for the start of the free DDP offer last year.

We used the buses from OKW and never had an issue but we also use a car so I can only go on what we used them which is evenings to go out when we wanted a drink and to MK.

OKW/SSR you could get a 2 bedroom and it would give you so much more space and in room facilities than 2 rooms at a resort.

We actually spend more time in our room than most as we like some down time to relax - and having space and a sofa to sit on is perfect.

Anyway take your time - look at the photos of the resorts and read about them. They are all unique in there own way. Also everyone has there own favourite. We do not fancy the poly or GF but there are others that love them while the CR is our all time favourite!

Before DVC and DD (we always get a one bedroom villa now as she sleep talks and keeps us awake and 2 weeks in one room with her is not a holiday!!) we loved CSR - it's right in the centre of property with short bus rides to all parks and the rooms feel very deluxe - and it's only a moderate. The resort is beautiful too

I don't think we would stretch to a 2 bedroom (we certainly wouldn't all share - recipe for disaster). So we'd need 2 of whatever. I think we would get studios as this gives up separate sleeping space for the children. And yes, I guess a mini kitchen area which may prove useful (I am definitely not cooking at Disney but may do something light when we move offsite). Breakfast snacks would be good though I think.

I am being a bit slow this am - what is CSR? Sorry, still getting used to all the acronyms - it's hard!

I am really being swayed to the CR but still think OKW an SSR are in the running if offered at the beginning of booking (the TA I spoke to said they normally weren't offered first off).

Between OKW and SSR which would you say was the better for transport to the MK? Or are they the same? I can't get my head around the routes and which stop where!

Thanks for all your advice Elise - you've been a star (and very patient)

 

[Elise79]

CSR is Coronado Springs

The studios are just one room still and at OKW have 2 queen (UK king) beds where as SSR had a queen bed and double sleeper sofa. OKW also has the larger rooms. They have a kitchenette with fridge, microwave and toaster.

The one bedrooms both have a king (UK super king) bed in the bedroom with a queen sleeper in the living area. OKW also has a sleeper chair. The both have full kitchens and in-room laundry.

OKW and SSR are off the same road so SSR travel times are only a couple of minutes longer.

 

[DLPDreams]

Aha thanks - I hadn't considered there but will take a look .

You see I'd been told the OKW studios provided one bedroom (one queen or whatever bed) and a sofa bed in lounge area?

Sounds like it's a 1 bed we need then rather than studio if we go down that route.

I will get there - I have plenty of time (well, actually it won't be that long before booking opens!). As others have said, you an change nearer the time. But if I book with a TA this could be costly! However, booking a split stay (villa as well) I don't appear to have any choice other than to book myself which I don't feel happy doing this time as it's first time.

 

[micksn]

We've stayed at POR and OKW and the buses from OKW were much better. I think because lots of people at OKW use their car the queue's particularly at the end of the night were never a problem for OKW. We sometimes had to wait for 2 or 3 buses to get back to POR.
Using the buses is never going to be as convenient as using the monorail or walking, but as you've said it depends on budget.
The studios at OKW have 2 queen beds in a larger than average bedroom with a small kitchen area and bathroom. They are more like a hotel bedroom than an apartment. The 1 bedroom has a separate King size bedroom and sofa bed in the living area, but is more expensive. I would look at the 2 bedroom for 2 families as you get all the advantages of a 1 bedroom with an attached studio. You can request a lock off style so that the second bedroom (Studio) part has it's own kitchen, bathroom and front door. This is roughly the same price as paying for 2 studios. Have a look at the room layouts and pictures on allearsnet.
We were able to book OKW as soon as the free dining and early booking offer was released, we also booked our flights with Thomas Cook at the same time. Hope this helps - Happy planning!

 

[Elise79]

Aha thanks - I hadn't considered there but will take a look .

You see I'd been told the OKW studios provided one bedroom (one queen or whatever bed) and a sofa bed in lounge area?

Sounds like it's a 1 bed we need then rather than studio if we go down that route.

I will get there - I have plenty of time (well, actually it won't be that long before booking opens!). As others have said, you an change nearer the time. But if I book with a TA this could be costly! However, booking a split stay (villa as well) I don't appear to have any choice other than to book myself which I don't feel happy doing this time as it's first time.

Yes - you need a one bedroom to get the separate areas. The one beds at OKW are massive

Have a look here for the room layouts at OKW. These are the SSR layouts.

Honestly DIY is fine - lots of people on here will help and hold your hand. I would rather book DIY anywhere in the US than say France or Spain as I know once I get there at least I can communicate if there is a problem as languages have never been a strength of mine!

 

[Hipster Meg]

I find this website magickingdoms . com (for some reason the boards won't let me link it :S) incredibly useful when it comes to comparing rooms as it gives you some idea of layout and room size. There's also a bit on the same website giving the room sizes for the hotels at DLP so you can compare the two (although you'll have to convert the DLP rooms from square meters to square feet to do a comparison) For example according to this website the studio rooms at OKW are about the same size as the standard rooms at the DLH in Paris.

 

[joolz1910]

If there are 6 of you, you should perhaps consider a 2 bed at OKW. Just looking at this year's prices for SSR
Studio £2164
1 bed £2954
2 bed £4190

so the 2 bed would be cheaper than 2 studios. I loved having a balcony to sit out on

 

[DLPDreams]

If there are 6 of you, you should perhaps consider a 2 bed at OKW. Just looking at this year's prices for SSR
Studio £2164
1 bed £2954
2 bed £4190

so the 2 bed would be cheaper than 2 studios. I loved having a balcony to sit out on

I know it will be cheaper but I just don't think staying together for 3 weeks is a do-er for us. I love my parents to bits, but I don't my DH would find it fun for that amount of time . We will be staying onsite for the bulk of the 3 weeks (ish), but then will be moving to an offsite villa - then we will share as I think we'll be doing different things and around at different times (plus villas are huge). At Disney I expect we will be together doing stuff and eating together for the majority of the stay. So staying together at Disney too is a bit much.

At the minute it's frustrating as when I'm doing quotes I'm doing them for 21 nights at Disney (as I can't split a quote online anywhere). Clearly with a split stay it's not going to be that much at all. I guess on the upside, at least it will definitely be less with a villa for some of the time .

 

[joolz1910]

I know it will be cheaper but I just don't think staying together for 3 weeks is a do-er for us. I love my parents to bits, but I don't my DH would find it fun for that amount of time . We will be staying onsite for the bulk of the 3 weeks (ish), but then will be moving to an offsite villa - then we will share as I think we'll be doing different things and around at different times (plus villas are huge). At Disney I expect we will be together doing stuff and eating together for the majority of the stay. So staying together at Disney too is a bit much.

At the minute it's frustrating as when I'm doing quotes I'm doing them for 21 nights at Disney (as I can't split a quote online anywhere). Clearly with a split stay it's not going to be that much at all. I guess on the upside, at least it will definitely be less with a villa for some of the time .

Oh, I thought you were going with 4 kids lol. I don't blame you - your own space is crucial! I could save money by all 5 of us staying in one room at POR but I don't think we would survive in 1 room all together *shudders*.

 

[micksn]

Just another thought, if travelling with your parents and you want a 1 bedroom for you and a studio for them, it might be better to go for SSR as then they would have a queen bed and a sofa in their studio which might be more relaxing for them. You would still have a separate bedroom in the 1 bedroom.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/saratoga-springs-resort-and-spa/

 

[DLPDreams]

Oh, I thought you were going with 4 kids lol. I don't blame you - your own space is crucial! I could save money by all 5 of us staying in one room at POR but I don't think we would survive in 1 room all together *shudders*.

Ha ha - yes, it changes things somewhat doesn't it! We have done villa holidays before (all 6 of us) but they've been 3-4 bedroom, 3 bathroom properties with pool etc (probably a bit like an offsite villa at Orlando). We managed fine then but we often did 'our own thing' and had space to not be on top of each other etc.

Just another thought, if travelling with your parents and you want a 1 bedroom for you and a studio for them, it might be better to go for SSR as then they would have a queen bed and a sofa in their studio which might be more relaxing for them. You would still have a separate bedroom in the 1 bedroom.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/saratoga-springs-resort-and-spa/

Thanks Mick - I have had a look. I think I prefer the look of OKW accom over SSR. It just looks brighter. I won't rule out SSR though until I see 2015 prices!

The issue we are going to have if we go for different property types is that we won't be near each other and could actually be quite far from one another even in the same resort. Not too much of an issue but in the past on holidays we've always had adjoining or next to accom - makes it much easier with the kids and if we want a night out without them or whatever, M&D can watch them much easier etc. I know we wouldn't be guaranteed 1 bed apts next to each other, but if we are booking on one booking and ask for them to be next to one another, I am hoping they may be able to accommodate us.

Again, it all comes down to the price when it comes out. If it's hugely different for a studio, M&D may opt to go for that. I know there is a fair jump between studios and 1 beds. It will be up to them I guess.