Value vs Radisson

[ESN]

I am contemplating a brief trip to WDW while in Florida visiting my parents.

We have been before - so this is just a quick Disney fix - myself and my 4 yr old daughter. The prices are good - so it will be a few days in October. We will try to do MNSSHP, and tour MK and MGM.

My question is - is it worth staying at a Value? - or should I just stay at Radisson - which is like $90 per night.

I willl have a car - and don't mind driving in - I just don't know if it is worth staying onsite or not... We won't do evening EMH anyway - too late for us -

I have heard that busses from the values are not great - long waits - etc. Is that true all the time - or only in the busy season?

If I am going to end up driving in to the parks anyway - shouldn't I just stay outside the World and get a better deal on the room - and prob more room for the money. Any input would be helpful.

If I do drive in - how long can I expect it to take - from door of hotel to MK entry gate?

Thanks!

 

[Rneighh]

I have never stayed at a value, but I have stayed off-site and hated it. For us, staying on site is part of the magic. The parking lots were a mess and going back to the hotel was a headache. Sit back and enjoy being driven around by the buses.

Renee

 

[Pixiedust34]

Your 4 y.o. would probably love the themes at the value resorts.

If you do decide to stay offsite, consider the cost of parking at the parks when you plan your trip. If you stay onsite, you can park for free at the parks.

 

[Samsma]

I'd stay at POP! We are pretty much deluxe lovers, and we took a short trip last Feb. (just me and the kids) We loved POP. It is so cute, great food court, nice grounds, and awesome gift shop. The kids liked the pools too.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

I was in this dilemma when booking our upcoming trip. The Radisson looks nice and the pool with the slide was enticing.
We won't have a car, so that was a easy decision for me there, but another part of my decision is it will be so much easier to have the one card to carry and charge stuff to it and not have to worry about having lots of cash on me,etc....
We live on the westcoast, so usually go to Disneyland, and I always have to carry my credit card, my bank card, some cash, maybe a travellers check too - and to have everything charged to my room is going to be awesome. I like that convenience alot!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I also say you should stay onsite. The parking has gone up to $11.00 a day (I believe that's what the latest is. I'm not sure 'cause we've stayed onsite the last two years and haven't had to pay.) You could still drive your own car but wouldn't have to pay to park.

Your 4 year old would probably love the theming of the value resorts too.

Is there a real big difference in the cost of the value room and the Radisson?

 

[HUFF590]

Stay onsite, thats the Disney way

 

[Baby Yeti]

We are staying at the Radisson for 1 night when we arrive before going to Pop Century. We got it on Priceline. I went to check out reviews on Trip Advisor, and they don't sound too promising. Most people say it's dirty and dated. I would pay the extra and stay on site. The buses from Radisson are also supposed to be a nightmare. I am not too excited about staying at the Radisson, and I'm glad it will only be for 1 night.

 

[ESN]

The prices for a 3 day stay are fairly comparable at Value and Radisson - but I figured if the bus service is not great - and I end up driving to the parks anyway - why shouldn't I stay in what looks to be a nicer hotel overall (Can't say for sure - just going by tripadvisor and the hotel website) - plus then we also have more food options etc -

The real factor for me is the bus service - I don't relish the idea of driving to parks - esp MK - but I also am not great at waiting around for bus service either. ...

I love the idea of using Disney transport - but last time we tried going to Typhoon Lagoon from Poly - I kid you not when I tell you it was a good one hour trip - each way! Extremely frustrating.

Does anyone have any experience in regards to driving from values - as in - how long does it take, vs using Disney bus? What is the hassle factor of parking at MK?

Thanks!

 

[michaelwilliammidd]

I was down around Disney on business and decided to stay over a day to hit the parks but before that day came I was staying at the hotel the company had booked which of course was off site albeit just a few miles away. So, while I was staying at the offsite hotel I went to DTD at night and I just hated the feeling of leaving the gates of WDW to go back to the hotel. Once I finished up with work, I moved to POP to spend my day at the parks. There is just so much more magic to me to stay onsite and never leave "Disney". Personally whether it be a short trip or a full vacation, I'll never stay offsite.

 

[rlyrehc]

We rent a car every time that we visit WDW (after the first.) The busses are such a pain in the butt! If you stay on-site, parking is included and if you stay off-site it just makes your whole vacation easier (even if your hotel offers shuttle service.) That being said: we are not "disney snobs." We have stayed both off and on site. (Mainly at deluxes.) When we need to save money we stay at one of the off site hotels that are close by. We are big travelers and have never stayed at a hotel that was as "basic" as the disney value resorts which we tried once. We would rather stay at one of the close off site resorts (we've never stayed at the raddison) and get nicer surroundings. The only thing that affects our decision is if extra magic evening hours are offered to on site guests. Then we find that the advantage of being able to do an entire park, all rides in a couple of hours is worth the "basic" room. I hope you enjoy your time at WDW no matter what your decision!