What should I do

[ebo64]

We are heading down to WDW for spring break. We will be driving from Ohio, leaving early on Saturday morning (@4am) and plan on driving straight through. We should arrive in WDW @ 7pm. I have reservation for Sunday at BLT. But I will need a place to crash for Saturday night. I am torn between using points for a studio (20 at Saratoga) or getting a value resort with our annual pass (@125). We will not be enjoying either resort on Saturday as we will go to BLT on Sunday morning (Chef Mickey reservation at 9am).

 

[taaren]

If you have the points to spare use them. I never have extra points so Id go w the cash room personally.

 

[mrsswiss]

I'd go with the value resort. Your 20 points are worth around $10/pt if you rented them out on the boards which would bring your $200.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

If you can spare the points, I would use them.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

Anytime we have added a day, we have always used points(usually borrowed). I am pretty sure we are only going to get 48 years out of our 50 year contract. I would rather borrow now and have no points in 48 years. Use them while we are young!!

 

[Disneypubgal]

Agree with some of the other posters... use annual pass for cash discount but maybe to a mod instead!

 

[Granny]

We will not be enjoying either resort on Saturday as we will go to BLT on Sunday morning (Chef Mickey reservation at 9am).

We often drive and arrive late the night before a reservation. My suggestion would be to use Priceline to get a low cost off-site hotel in the area. Then head over to BLT to check-in and eat in the morning.

Our philosophy is we really wouldn't be doing anything that night anyway, so why use points or spend $125 on a place to sleep. And it's just as easy to head to BLT for check-in from an off-site location as a Disney resort. Either way, you're just unpacking enough to get through one night...not even worth the baggage transfer service IMHO.

Of course, if you intend to hit the parks on Saturday night, you'd probably want to stay on-site. In that case, I'd probably use the points if you have enough to spare.

 

[LIFERBABE]

When we drive and arrive early, I prefer to stay onsite. Don't like the idea of leaving all our belongings in the vehicle at a hotel offsite

I know crime happens onsite but that's my comfort level.

That said, I just can't pay $125 for a Value resort so I would use points.

 

[mouseaider]

I've never driven to WDW from Rochester. But I do know that the older I get the lazier I get.

I think I'd probably sleep in on Saturday and leave around 9:00 AM and then drive until I'm a couple hours from WDW and grab a motel for the night and finish the drive in the next morning.

No sense starting your vacation tired and cranky !

 

[ebo64]

Thanks for all the opinions. I decided to stay at the Hilton in Downtown Disney. This will allow us to leave the car and stretch our legs after 13hrs in the car. I got a package rate for $185 that included 4 passes to Disney Quest, which we will use the passes sometime later in the week. My kids like DQ, so if I subtract the cost of DQ we are getting the room for about $55.

We will most likely walk around DTD, grab dinner, then go to bed and leave the Hilton early for our BTL stay.

Getting excited, but the kids don't know so I have to contain my excitement.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Thanks for all the opinions. I decided to stay at the Hilton in Downtown Disney. This will allow us to leave the car and stretch our legs after 13hrs in the car. I got a package rate for $185 that included 4 passes to Disney Quest, which we will use the passes sometime later in the week. My kids like DQ, so if I subtract the cost of DQ we are getting the room for about $55.

We will most likely walk around DTD, grab dinner, then go to bed and leave the Hilton early for our BTL stay.

Getting excited, but the kids don't know so I have to contain my excitement.

That's a great deal for the kids with the Disney Quest tickets. Don't forget about the Earl of Sandwich at DTD.

 

[Splash Mountain Fan]

Sounds like a great deal and good choice. We have the same dilemma when we drive.