Where should we stay?

[Princess Nancy]

SO DH and I just had the idea that maybe we might take kids to DW this summer. ACK! Swore we'd never go in the summer. But DS is headed into High School and hates to miss school. Doesn't like to "catch up" He's a straight A kid, but hates to play catch up. Also thinking another year and he won't be too tolerant of sisters and princesses!!!

Please give me your best advice for where to stay...
Here's my facts...
1.Want to stay somewhere nice and affordable. I am just not interested in POP.
2. I would stay onsite. My absolute first choice would be Beach Club I think, but it looks way pricey, I think my budget should be about 150 to 225 tops a night.
3. 5 of us. 2 adult, kids ages 14, 12, 8

Best place / way to book.
Thanks

 

[HappyLawyer]

really depends you must first decide if on or off property, if off, i suggest you go to skyauction and find something there, we always get great deals.

 

[Aliceacc]

There aren't quite as many choices for those of us with 3 kids. Here's the rundown:

A Family Suite at All Star Music. Disney took 2 rooms, and combined them into one. You and your husband would have a Queen sized bed in the bedroom, and the 3 kids would sleep on pullouts in the living room. There are 2 bathrooms

Port Orleans Riverside. They have some rooms that include a trundle bed. They're within your price range (starting at $149 in August) and the pool is supposed to be gorgeous!!

A cabin at Fort Wilderness.

Most of the Deluxes sleep 5. But I think they may break your budget.

One thing you can do is join AAA. They offer a discount of anywhere from 10-20% off the price of your room.

So.... here's what you do. Go to the AAA website and join if you're not already a member. Then to to http://www.allears.net/acc/faq_hot.htm Go down the left hand column and take a look at the fact sheets for ASMusic, POR and the other choices.

 

[Princess Nancy]

Aiceacc
What deal did you get at the poly?
How?
Can you help me out?
I might be willing to splurge for a reat room.

 

[NJ2Boardwalk]

Hi Princess Nancy,
We are pretty much in the same situation. Our budget was tighter than usual this year, so we had to find a deluxe that was in our price range. Also, our DD14 is starting high school this September, and like you said, it's hard to play 'catch up' during the school year. So we decided to go in late august, before the kids start school, but after the Florida kids go back to school. We went last year and it was great, very light crowds, didn't have to wait for anything more than 10 minutes. Our hotel choices were the Yacht and Beach, AKL, GF, Poly, and Contemporary. We also considered renting points, you can do that by going down to the Rent/Trade DVC thread. You can find great deals for the DVC resorts!! If you want you can PM me for the estimated price per night for each hotel [we did a lot of research]. Hope that Helps!!!
NJ2Boardwalk

 

[41694love]

I know it is NOT the same as staying in the parks - convenience wise - but I found a lot of houses on vacationrentals.com. Most average 700.00 for a week and that is for a full size house, with privat pool and jacuzzi and central air. Most are about ten minutes from Disney's main gate. With my four children now, it is impossible to stay in the park for this same price.

 

[Aliceacc]

Aiceacc
What deal did you get at the poly?
How?
Can you help me out?
I might be willing to splurge for a reat room.

I lucked into a random PIN code for 40% off. No one is really sure how they decide who gets them. Some people think that ordering the planning DVD &/or playing with the reservations websites (pricing different dates and resorts) may help.

 

[JodyLynC]

We are going to stay at FW in a cabin for a couple of reasons.

1) We like to spread out
2) There is a full size kitchen.
3) There is a sense of privacy with being in a cabin rather than having a neighbor in the next room.

Although FW cabins may be a little more than you want to spend a night, you might consider if having a kitchen will help offset the price of food. We plan on having most of our breakfasts and at least 2 dinners back at the cabin. The amount of $$ we will save on food will more than make up for having a higher priced place.