where is the best place to stay

[lindabacker]

We always stay at Days Suites Oldtown in Kissimmee. It is about 2 miles straight down the road from the entrance to Disney. I got room for this trip for $39 a night, but we have never paid more than $59 a night and it has a private bedroom with 2 beds, a full kitchen with dining area, bathroom and living room with a Queen
Murphy bed. I love the value, the layout and cleanliness of this hotel, it also has more than one pool, a couple are heated. The website I use for them is www.thhotels.com Hope this is of some help!

 

[Deb & Bill]

With kids 7 and 3 how can you NOT stay on Disney property? Just the little things will keep them really happy. Like the Mickey soap and shampoo. Or the hidden Mickeys in the rooms. Or Mickey's wake up call. Or, well, you get the drift.

Stay on site.

And if you decide to rent points from a DVC member, now is the time to do it. If you are going in June, a member can make a reservation at their home resort for you at 11 months out. If you get a one bedroom, you'll get a full kitchen, plus a washer and dryer. You'll have Disney transportation right from your resort to the parks every 20-30 minutes.

But if you decide to do a moderate, Coronado Springs is very nice and has a great pool. The food court has tons of different things to choose from and the Maya Grill has a great buffet breakfast.

Moderates and values have double beds. Deluxe resorts have queen beds. Older resorts tend to have slightly larger rooms than the newer ones.

 

[Lesley]

I tend to agree with Deb. My own kids are 8 and 3...so I understand your situation. I think on-property is the way to go because of the immersion in "Disney Magic".

I really cannot comment on the All Stars yet...but we're staying there in 2 weeks. We picked the resort because its inexpensive and we thought our kids would like the theming. Actually, it wouldn't have been much more expensive to stay at a moderate, but as we've stayed at all the moderates that are currently open already, we wanted to try something new. And as it happens, we won't fit in a room for 4 much longer!

The moderates are all very nice (we've stayed at all of them except POFQ)....I suggest that if the $ is not too difficult to pick one of these based on which theme you and your family most prefer....We've enjoyed them all! Unless, of course, your children would prefer the All Stars.

Depending on your budget you can also occasionally get great deals at the deluxe WDW resorts. We've had rates of $169-$189 at the Polynesian (garden view...but we could see some beach, the GF and the monorail) and AKL savannah view. Not bad.

The suggestion of renting DVC points is also a good one. A DVC one bedroom is the ultimate accomodation with kids because you have a washer and dryer in the room (and a whirlpool tub for you to relax in!). And a kitchen. But the studios are also nice...and the kitchenette is handy with the kiddos too.

I just think there are so many great options on-site, I would have to be really pressed for cash to give up the advantages of being right there in the action. Also, on site you don't need a rental car (its useful, but not a necessity)

Hope this helps!

 

[999thghost]

from my own experience off site can be cheaper and much more spacious. we stayed at double tree suites just outside the gate to downtown disney.this is a beautiful hotel and its right in the heart of the downtown/disney/pleasure island area.i admit that staying onsite will give you a bit more feel of the whole disney thing,but most of our time is spent inside the parks and not in a hotel room.so if you want cheaper without feeling like a disney outcast look into one of the disney run offsite hotels. p.s. most hotels offsite have multiple restaraunts/pools/gamerooms.do yourself a favor and rent a car.we have every time and enjoyed the privacy and instant air conditioning.nothing worse than waiting for a bus or a monorail at park closing time.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We just got back from three nights at the Doubletree Guest Suites at DTD. While they weren't bad, they sure wouldn't be my first choice. We got a great deal to stay there, plus two 5 day adult tickets to Sea World. We have stayed at the Wyndham Palace at DTD for one night and would choose that over the Doubletree. Room smelled musty/moldy until we turned the AC way down. Decor a bit dated and run down. Room for six, but the sleeper sofa was not good. The two double beds were more comfortable, but too small for two of us to sleep together. We didn't use their park transportation - we used our car if we went somewhere or walked (to DTD).

While these hotels are listed as being on Disney property, they sure aren't on property resorts. But you are entitled to e-night privileges at these hotels.