Where to stay??? Too many choices.

[kaekae]

Hello, I am overwhelmed with so many Resorts to choose from! I have not stayed onsite so I really don't know where to begin. We will be traveling with 4 adults, 3 kids, for 7 days. My husband seems to think staying offsite will be fine, he doesn't care either way. But me being the kid at heart would like to stay at a Disney Resort. With this many in our group we will have to get 2 rooms, any suggestions for the lower end Disney Resorts. Would you give in and stay offsite? Any reccomendations for close by offsite Hotels? Our youngest will be 2 1/2 so I'm trying to convince the others staying onsite will be easier for the little ones to come back take naps/breaks, not to mention the other perks for staying onsite. Honestly, I don't think my husband would mind staying at one of the more $$$ Disney Resorts, but the other couple traveling with us doesn't have the extra money, and we will be in one car only makes sense to stay at the same place. Any suggestions???

 

[the kabuki]

Look into staying at a value resort-Pop Century or one of the All-Stars(movies, music, or sports).

In the past there has been many posts regarding onsite vs offsite. Hands down the winner is onsite. IMHO, it just not the same staying offsite. Did it one time and it was the last time. Plus with staying onsite, you can take advantage of Extra Magic Hours in the evening/mornings that are only available to those staying on site, along with the buses, and the theming in these resorts can't even compare to staying offsite. Don't give in. Check out allearsnet.com for discounts/codes for the value resorts.

 

[travelin' tigger]

As previously mentioned, the benefits are great, especially with small children (ie park breaks, etc.). There's a magic at the Disney resorts that you can't find anywhere else. Also, the value resorts aren't much more than other resorts - during value season, the AAA rate is only about $68/night/room.

I'd definitely look into staying at Pop Century or All Star Movies!!!

 

[ciera321]

On-site is definately worth the extra. We usually stay moderate, sometimes deluxe, but if I had to stay at a value or off-site, I would certainly stay at a value. You just get that Disney feeling all the time and the transportation with small kids is a nice benefit!!! The values have the larger than life icons that kids will love, too...

 

[addlema]

The Values are so well priced that if you add gas prices and car rental to the price of an offsite the onsite becomes cheaper!

+Free transportation all around the parks
+Theming
+Breaks in the day
+Extra magic hours
+no traffic

 

[DisneyaholicRaquel]

Don't forget the Magical Express after May 5. If you are flying into MCO they will transport you & your baggage for free (roundtrip). Also, if you stay at a Value resort it's really not more than staying off site when you add all the perks in! Last but not least don't forget the EE.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Remember when you are getting your rates too that moderates come with a refrigerator and values charge $10 a night. Onsite is definitely worth it. I would rather stay in a value on site than the nicest hotel offsite. Also you are right with little ones staying onsite is so convenient for coming back to your resort for a nap/swim break.

 

[mommykds]

Check out this link..it gives you details & photos of all the resorts..I agree that 2 rooms at a value resort would be a good bet. Have fun!

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_hot.htm

 

[Grumpy92]

The moderates are wonderful resorts. We favor POFQ & POR, CSR. IF you are going with the value I would suggest Pop or ASM.
You will find the close proximity, early admission and the ability to take midday breaks all benefits of staying on property.
We go early then leave about lunch time, when the heat & lines are bad, return to the hotel for a swim or nap. Then go back to the parks at night.
You also might check out mousesavers.com and see if any of the discounts apply to you.

 

[kaekae]

Wow! Thanks for all the info. and advice. That's it we must stay onsite! Even if we have to help out the other couple. Now where to stay? Whats your pick between the Values and Moderates? If possible I'd like to stay near Magic Kingdom, for the little kiddies that is.

 

[travelin' tigger]

Wow! Thanks for all the info. and advice. That's it we must stay onsite! Even if we have to help out the other couple. Now where to stay? Whats your pick between the Values and Moderates? If possible I'd like to stay near Magic Kingdom, for the little kiddies that is.

Unfortunately, the only resorts near MK are deluxes.

As far as values go, Pop Century is the newest and I think has the best busses, whereas the All Stars sometimes share theirs. AS Movies would be your best pick for All Stars - the kids will love the larger-than-life icons.

Moderates: I'd go with PO French Quarter. It's the smallest of the mods so you only deal with 1 bus stop, also more centrally located. Plus they have a great slide and was just recently refurbished.

But I'm sure you'll get lots of different answers!!!

 

[copper68]

I agree wholeheartedly that if you can stay onsite, then you should...however, several years back when we used to stay offsite (how foolish of us) we would always stay at the Vistana Resort...it's owned by Sheraton and is about a mile from Downtown Disney...The place is absolutely beautiful...the rooms are very nice...you can get a 2 bedroom/2 bath condo that will sleep 7 (we did it with 7 a few yrs back- 4 adults and 3 teens)...the master bedroom has a whirlpool bath, and the second bedroom has 2 beds and it's own bathroom...there is a full kitchen and dining area...a living room with a deck or patio...the best part is the price...It goes for about $140-$200 a night...compared to the 2 bedroom units at the BWI (where we stay now) at over $500 a night, it's a bargain...now again, if you can stay onsite, there are many benefits...as I said, I would only stay onsite from now on...I am just offering up an option for offsite...

 

[kaekae]

I really would like to stay onsite, but the offsite Vistana Resort... is in our price range, and we will need the Kitchen. We are driving down, so we'll have transportation covered. My husband can get through traffic, and prefers to drive. But oh how nice it would be to be within walking distance or on the path of the monorail. Does Pop Century or the All Stars offer double rooms, with Kitchen? If the other couple doesn't end up going, I'd like to stay at the Poly or Contemporary. I have heard Good and Bad comments.

 

[copper68]

I have never stayed at one of the values, but the only Disney rooms with kitchens are the 1 and 2 bedroom home away from home resorts...it is convenient staying onsite, but Vistana isn't that far from things...when we used to stay there what we would do is park at one of the resorts and then take Disney transportation around...if you're doing MGM/Epcot, you park at the Boardwalk and you have immediate access to both theme parks...if you want to do MK, you park at the Poly and catch the monorail over...after the parks close, you hope the monorail back to the Poly and get your car...another option is to park at DTD, which is one of the Disney transportation hubs...if you decide to stay onsite, you won't be disappointed...there are food courts at the value resorts which aren't that expensive...another option, depending on the length of your stay may be to split resorts...you can stay at Vistana for a few nights, use the kitchen/laundry facilities, and then switch to the Poly or CR for the last few nights...we split our stay every time between an Epcot resort and a MK resort...

 

[rcraw45425]

Copper68, whenever we arrive at a resort they always check to make sure we have a reservation, if not, they'll turn you away. I believe that since 9/11 you must be a registed guest or have a PS to park at a resort. If you have a PS you are given a permit good for a couple of hours max. Otherwise everyone would park at the hotels leaving registered resort guests with no available parking.

 

[MBW]

Would be to rent points from a DVC member for two deluxe studios over at Old Key West. In a "Choice" season, you need 8 points per night for each, and points generally go for around $10 each = $80/night. You get two queen beds, and a "kitchenette", with refrigerator, sink, microwave and coffee pot. The grounds at OKW are gorgeous, and transportation is good.

Other Home-Away-From-Home resorts also rent studios for between $99 - $120 a night, depending upon the points needs and the going price for points. Many of these HAH resorts are attached to Deluxe hotels (WL, BC, BWI) so you get that resort's theming, but at a bargain rate.

Have fun.

 

[blitzkrieg048]

Nothing beats staying onsite. All the value resorts are extremely disney themed. The little one would love ASMo. You said you needed a kitchen. OKW is A DVC resort but they do let other guests stay there if all the rroms are not booked up by dvc members. The one and two bedroom villas's come with kitchens and the rooms are very spacious.

Good luck