What makes your decision 1st night

[Lou-Ann]

What makes the final determination when you are arriving late after a day's travel and know you will not be going to the parks but probably doing dinner and bed? Do you go right for your Disney dream hotel or to an off site half price resort for a night's sleep? Is the double check in worth the $$ to you or do you just go for it and go directly to your resort? Is it worth it to you to just check in the next day?

 

[tootsiemolly]

I also need information on this. I am attending a conference at the dolphin Jan 6-9, and I currently have a room booked there. We will not be getting in until midnight. So I am wondering, do we pay the extra$$ for the dolphin and then get up and go park hopping early the next day, or do we stay at the microtel, save the money and just check in early at the dolphin and have them hold my luggage? any answers???

 

[undertheradar]

We check for specials at the DTD hotels and some of the Marriott's around the area. Cannot justify the money for the "themed" hotel for the use of a bed for the night.

 

[Lou-Ann]

You must be reading my mind. LOL. I have a back up at a DTD resort for $50. less than my Disney resort and I am thinking that $50. could buy two lunches or dinners at Crystal Palace or Chef Mickey's...
Just wondered what you guys would do.......It does seem like a waste to check in and go to bed....We hardly would be even swimming late at night in December.........

 

[RobinMarie]

I like to go to Dreams Unlimited Travel web site and see what Disney area hotels have a special. I've been thrilled with 20 dollar pre-paid nights at the DT Courtyard twice and will be trying the Rodeway Inn for 30 dollars next month. I'm usually pretty tired the first night so a good nights sleep is all I want to pay for!

 

[AnnR]

I like to use the first night to stock up on supplies (water etc.),stay at a cheap motel and then check in early the next morning at the Disney hotel. I usually pack some essentials in my carry on or the top of my suitcase -then I don't have to lug the suitcase in/out of the motel on the first night. I don't feel justified in paying the money just to sleep. The only problem I have is with refrigerated items I have picked up but a cooler with lots of ice (in ziplock bags) from the motel seems to keep everything cool.

Does anyone have any experience at the Roadway Inn?

 

[eeyore0062]

If we are arriving late (usually if we drive), then we check into a less expensive offsite hotel, eat, sleep and shower, and then check into the Disney resort around 7 am the next morning... check our luggage, eat and head to the parks.

However, since there are now 7:20 am flights out of Norfolk to Orlando everyday, we haven't had to do this... we just go to the WDW resort, precheck in, check the luggage, and spend the day at one of the parks.