where to stay?

[tonysgal34]

We made our reservations for ASMo for November and they didn't have any discount codes for then(not even AAA). Now I see that the Howard Johnson Maingate East has rooms for only $39 a night. Even with taxes and fees, it is only like $46 a night and ASMo is $86. Do I save myself $40 per night and change our ressies or do I bite the bullet and wait for a discount? Anyone stayed at either place and liked/didn't like something? I get the feeling from reading the descriptions of the resorts, the ASMo is very simple....like a motel....and the HJ is like a regular hotel with coffee in the room, TV, etc. Any opinions??

 

[tonysgal34]

BUMP!

 

[MJames41]

Our preference is to stay on site. For us, it's worth the extra dollars. And, there may be discounts yet for your time.

 

[tonysgal34]

bump

 

[Lewisc]

If you have a car offsite is fine. You'll have to pay for parking. I might look to pay a little more and get a place that offers a complimentary breakfast.

 

[tonysgal34]

I have been looking for just that and all the hotels seem to offer are two things: either you get breakfast(like juice and a muffin)or they offer "kids eat free" stuff, but that's only if they are under 12 and our daughter is 12, so that doesn't work for us. I need a cheap Hampton Inn near there.......they have the most wonderful breakfast buffet!!

 

[CarolA]

The HoJos in the area vary greatly. Please be sure you check yours out closely. I stayed at one that I reserved thru Dreams Unlimited and it was fine, but not someplace I wanted to stay for a week. (Way too much concrete and not any charm! LOL!) I just stayed for a cheap hotel the first night.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi there ~

You really get that Disney feeling staying at a Disney Resort...

The theming is fun at the Allstar hotels and if you stay there you get transportation to the parks. You can utilize any early entry days or E nights.

Staying at one allstar ~ you can go swimming at the others.

If you buy things at the parks you can have them sent back to the hotel so you don't have to lug them around. You can pay for everything on your keycard so you don't have to carry cash.

I think it is worth extra to stay at a Disney Resort unless you are on a major major budget and the extra cost will be really hard to swing ~ don't put yourself in financial difficulty for a holiday and stay at the lower priced hotel.

Good Luck

>>^..^<<

 

[Kimberle]

Be really careful when staying at the budget motels in the Orlando area. Some are in really "shotty" areas.

Last year we stayed at the Country Inn & Suites in Calypso Cay. We had a suite (bd rm. LR) plus microwave, fridge & coffee maker. Outside, there were lots of grills. We only paid $60 per night. It included breakfast (donuts/cereal/waffels/bagels/juice/fruit etc). We really loved it. The only drawback was there was no resturant onsite. There were 3 pools, one a zero entry. Plus playground, mini golf (no extra charge) and a waterslide.

We drove around alot & saw lots of "bargen" motels that I really wouldn't have felt safe in. So, just be careful if you choose to stay off-site.

 

[tonysgal34]

Thanks everyone. Very good things to consider. I really do want to stay onsite. Wondering has anyone done better than the prices at the Allstars because of discounts? Or will all the discounts in the world not get any other onsite lodging down to the full(value season)price at AllStars($86/night)??

 

[XStAnt]

Staying off site can always be done cheaper than staying on site. There will always be a cheap/discount motel that is less $$ than the All Stars. However, they are just rooms, and some of them are quite a drive from Disney. They may only say they are 2 miles away, but that is from the entrance to Disney property. You would then have another approximately 6 mile drive to MK (and other distances to the other parks). Plus you will have to pay $7/day parking. You then have to take the time to walk or ride a tram/monorail to the entrance to the park. Alll of this adds to the commuting time.

At the AS you can take a bus right to the front entrance of each park. It is a lot easier to take an afternoon break and go back to your room to rest. Plus, kids seem to love the theming of the All Stars. Plus it has a great food court (with Disney prices) right on site. It's very convenient to grab something to eat. I think it's open 24 hours.

Whehter or not there will be discounts in November is the great question right now. In prior years there usually were discount for early November (before Thanksgiving). It's a little soon for them to be available now. You may want to book the room and keep an eye out for discounts. If you book through CRO you can cancel up to 5 days before check in and get a full refund.

If your choice is staying at the All Stars or staying at a budget motel nearby I would recommend the All Stars if you can afford it. (It's a little different than the choice of staying at a moderate Disney resort and a luxory off site resort). If the $$ is too much of a concern then go with the discount motel off site.

 

[susy]

The All Stars is worth the $40 a night extra. You will love the convenience, the theming, extra magic hour, the buses. It's funny...when we arrive at our resort, we are "IN DISNEY". It is as exciting checking into a Disney Resort (All Stars included)as it is arriving at a park! We get so exited. We are cheering and saying "yipee!!!!". I have yet to do that arriving at a Marriott (much less a HOJO).

There might very well be discounts (last year they were $49) and then you will be kicking yourself. Budget for the full price and then whatever you get back, put back into your pocket. $86 a night is not a lot for a hotel room in Orlando. Even though the All Star rooms are basic hotel rooms (very nice, though) you are paying for the resort experience. Does the Hojo have:

security- you have to use your key to get in the gate
free parking at the parks
buses
extra magic hour
purchases sent to room
charging on room keys
A Disney store
disney movies to entertain kids in the lobby
a great arcade
an awesome food court
a pool bar
-need I go on?
Okay,
hairwraps
themed pools,
cool disney icons
mousekeepers
Round the clock"I'm in Disney World" feeling
the "yipee" factor upon arrival....