Where do you stay when you just can't stay onsite?

[LeahA]

I'm hitting alot of brick walls trying to narrow down a hotel for our March 2007 trip. We are travelling in peak season and it seems alot of the hotels are either booked up for the lower room rates or our just too high for me to pay. We have a family of 5 and would really like some suggestions for great off-site accomodations I might be missing for my family.

 

[spiceycat]

Cypress pointe
www.hotelkingdom.com

you do have pets
celebration world resort, Laquinta, amerisuites, sheraton safaris

you might consider renting from an owner - house, condo, townhouse

www.vrbo.com

you might also consider
www.skyauction.com - there might be more closer to your time

this site has good deals too
http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/index.html#wdw-top-Dreams

 

[sammielynn]

We stayed at The Villas at Fortune Place last May, bought it through Sky Auction for $265/wk. This place is about 25 minutes from the parks and some don't like to be that far out. But for us it was fine. We had a two bedroom with a huge kitchen. Not as fancy as some but almost as nice a home(we don't have sunken bathtubs at home so don't need them on vacation). We just look for a place to sleep and shower where we can have a kitchen and laundry. Some of the other folks that were there seemed to have issues with the place but I had issues in 05 when we stayed at a 5 star resort(fridge did not work, air conditioning never got the place under 75 and I payed over $1000 for that week).
Another reason it worked for us is we have many friends in the area and this was close to them. Just something to consider.

 

[crjack]

We've stayed at Windsor Palms, HIFS (pre-nick hotel), Summer Bay Resort and Windsor Hills. Our favorite was our first pool home rental in Windsor Palms. Loved it and have been hooked ever since. Great location too.

Check out www.vrbo.com for Kissimmee and check out a few condos or townhomes for Emerald Island, Windsor Palms and Windsor Hills.

Sheraton Vistana and all of the Marriott Vacation properties seem to get great reviews but they may be more money than you are looking to spend.

Hotel Kingdom use to have some great rates. They are another good source to check.

Most of the suite hotels (Staybridge, etc.) also get good reviews from the posts I have seen and most families really enjoy having the extra space. Many include breakfast in their price which is a nice savings.

Good luck with your planning. If you are looking for any specific requirements or ammenities let us know. Chances are someone can offer a suggestion.

 

[minnie29uk]

Have you thought about a private villa.
With 5 of you,it might be nice to have some space and all the extras a villa offers.

Happy hunting,
Lynn

 

[tink2dw]

Try Tropical Palms FunResort - really nice for large families!!
here is there link
http://www.tropicalpalms.com/room_details.asp
http://www.tropicalpalms.com/reservations.asp

and you get a discount with the FREE Orlando Magicard
http://www.orlandoinfo.com/magicard/

Have Fun!!

 

[spiceycat]

forgot - Universal has some nice hotels, too!!!

 

[kilee]

If the OP mentioned price, I'm imaging that the Universal hotels are probably out of the ball park on this one as well.



I know it's been mentioned but I'd really consider possibly renting a condo. You might find the pricing suprising. If you rent direct you can sometimes score a really good deal in the $60-70 range per night w/ tax included. You'd have plenty of space for your family as well.

I'd check a site like www.vrbo.com just to see if it would be an option for you.

 

[LeahA]

We've stayed at Royal Pacific twice, but both times it was a last minute special that they were running and got a rate under $200.00.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I like the idea of staying in a condo/villa but also want the resort atmosphere of the pool, playground, and other kids that my kids could talk to or play with by the pool. They always seem to make a new best friend when we go on vacation.

 

[spiceycat]

a timeshare would be your best bid.

www.skyauction.com

ask about any you find - before you bid (if possible)

Cypress Pointe would also be a good one.

So would Sheraton Vistana Resort - just about guaranteed they will meet someone here.

this site is having a special on Sheraton vistana (it sometimes get too high for my price range on skyauction).
http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/reservations/index.htm#blue-dreams

forgot you can't bid here so it can be more expensive than skyauction
www.condodirect.com

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

There are some Vistana March 2007 dates on SKyaution right now. If you could get that for say, $450 or so, that would be about $100 a night (including the $210 fee) for a two bedroom condo.

We've stayed here twice and would go back in a heartbeat!

 

[LeahA]

EEEKKK!!! I'm a little nervous about Sky Auction. It's non refundable/non changeable. Has anyone else used them before successfully?

They do have some great rates! I could possibly even get to fly to Florida instead of Drive with all 3 kids and dh for 20 hours!

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

EEEKKK!!! I'm a little nervous about Sky Auction. It's non refundable/non changeable. Has anyone else used them before successfully?

They do have some great rates! I could possibly even get to fly to Florida instead of Drive with all 3 kids and dh for 20 hours!

What dates are you going? I'm not sure the Vistana dates would work, but they might.

I have used SA 4 times, without a problem. Many, many others on here have used SA as well. I'm sure they will post something.

You are right, you can't change your dates, but I think there is a place on their you can buy trip insurance, is that right Skyautioners?? I can't remember because we have never used it.

We drive over 20 hours also. But I would never fly to Orlando, not with my three children. It's too much of a hassle for us, just our opinion. And we are going in hurricane season again. So much better to have control (at least transportation control) in a situation like that.

We were there in 2004 between hurricanes and we left Orlando the day before Frances hit. The airports were closed and it was a nightmare for some people flying. We had no traffic whatsoever on our ride home. Actually, it was the most beautiful day.......it was kind of freaky because we knew what was coming.

 

[isla bonita]

There are some nice town homes in Emerald Island. The resort is very pretty and it has a few amenities if you are having down days. Here is a website with a few on it.

http://emeraldislandresortvacationhomes.com

Both WIndsor Palms and Windsor Hills also have nice town homes and condos. I know some have their own splash pools wich I think are a nice add on if you come home late and the main pools are closed. That is why I like the pool homes and those new splash pool town homes.

My kids are part fish I spend all the money on tickest and they would be happy I think just with the pool.

 

[HeatherC]

I would also check out the Marriott resorts which are all very nice and very close to Disney. They have a couple bedrooms and are all very resort -like. As opposed to renting a private condo.

If you look on marriott.com, you can plug in your dates and see prices/availability. Be sure to type M11 in the promo code box to see if they offer any member only rates for your dates. You can then join marriott rewards for free on the site.

You can see pictures of their resorts at www.vacationclub.com.

Hope this helps!

HeatherC

P.S. Another very nice resort is www.orangelake.com. You can either call direct for a reservation there or rent a unit from a timeshare owner. The resort, however, is enormous...but a very easy commute to Disney.

 

[runwad]

I've used Skyauction twice and have gotten the trip insurance, it comes up after you've won the auction and submit your week. Recently I won Vistana for our spring break in March '07, got the trip insurance...have to admit am a little nervous but our last trip went off without a hitch at Cypress Pointe so I'm confident this one will too. Good Luck

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I've used Skyauction twice and have gotten the trip insurance, it comes up after you've won the auction and submit your week. Recently I won Vistana for our spring break in March '07, got the trip insurance...

That's good to know, thanks.

 

[LeahA]

We will be down in Florida for 8 nights. March 23-31st. I know the Sky Auction that I was looking at had an arrival date of March 25th.

I would have to purchase the insurance, does anyone know how much it cost's?

 

[dgaston]

Check out Windsor Palms and Windsor Hills for condos and townhouses too. We found a great condo at Windsor Palms for last Feb break for only $465 a week. No luck on Skyauction for us -- we travel at peak weeks.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Check out Windsor Palms and Windsor Hills for condos and townhouses too. We found a great condo at Windsor Palms for last Feb break for only $465 a week. No luck on Skyauction for us -- we travel at peak weeks.

Yeah, peak times are harder. But I found Vistana, which is my favorite, with weeks in Feb., March and April.

http://www.skyauction.com/action/offer/1179622