Where would you stay?

[Minnie_me]

We went to Disney in 2007 and stayed at Pop Century. My older daughter is graduating in June, and wants to return before she goes to college. I've been saving for over a year, and have about $3k so far. Since both DDs are Harry Potter fanatics, we want to include a visit to Universal Studios. I've been told that two days at Universal would be plenty, so we're planning to spend 3-4 days at WDW and 2 at Universal.

Where would you stay if this was your plan?

Should we stay off-site for the duration? What about a condo? Since we live in NY, we will be flying, so we won't have a vehicle. I want this to be as simple as possible.

I admit I know next to nothing about the ins and outs of Disney (and even less about Universal), so any advice would be appreciated.

 

[java]

Stay on site at Universal for the font of the line bonus! You can stay only one night and get 2 days of it! Check in through checkout day!

Since you won't have a car I would guess onsite as Disney is easiest as well. Although i know tons of people stay at Bonnet Creek. Check out that thread on the "offsite reorts" board on the Dis

 

[HeatherC]

For Universal, I would stay at one of their onsite hotels because you get unlimited front of the line access for the time you are there. So if you check in at 6am one day, you get FOTL access for two full days.

For Disney, we stay at Bonnnet Creek Resort. We rent a three bedroom villa for $120 a night which includes all taxes. Beautiful resort, onsite but not Disney owned. You can't even stay at one of their budget resorts for that price. And it also allows you to use your money on other things besides the lodging. The location cannot be beat.

You would have to rent a car....which can be done cheaply, and pay the daily parking fee. But you will still come out ahead financially and not have to wait on Disney buses which are a pain after a long day.

Many others will suggest staying onsite...which can also work as well. This is just what we have found to work for us. It gives us extra space, we love the resort and location, and we have money left to use on things like character meals, special treats, etc.

Have a great time!!!

 

[Marionnette]

We went to Disney in 2007 and stayed at Pop Century. My older daughter is graduating in June, and wants to return before she goes to college. I've been saving for over a year, and have about $3k so far. Since both DDs are Harry Potter fanatics, we want to include a visit to Universal Studios. I've been told that two days at Universal would be plenty, so we're planning to spend 3-4 days at WDW and 2 at Universal.

Where would you stay if this was your plan?

Should we stay off-site for the duration? What about a condo? Since we live in NY, we will be flying, so we won't have a vehicle. I want this to be as simple as possible.

I admit I know next to nothing about the ins and outs of Disney (and even less about Universal), so any advice would be appreciated.

I agree with the PP - for me, the only choice would be onsite for both Disney and Universal for such a short visit. EMH at Disney and FOTL access at Universal will be worth the cost of the room.

If cost is a factor, Orbitz often has codes that work for Disney and Lowes hotels. If you book one night at Universal, you get FOTL access for both your check in and check out days. EMH is good at Disney until midnight of your checkout day. You can use DME for one-way transportation airport/resort and then use a cab or shuttle for the Universal part of the vacation.

 

[dpswift]

I agree that you should stay onsite as well. You would have to stay at one of the three older more expensive hotels at universal to get the front of the line access but it is so worth it.

In your situation I would stay at POP again. It is a great hotel for the money and you get all the onsite privaleges.

 

[msb578]

For Disney, we stay at Bonnnet Creek Resort. We rent a three bedroom villa for $120 a night which includes all taxes. Beautiful resort, onsite but not Disney owned. You can't even stay at one of their budget resorts for that price.

You can certainly stay at a Disney value resort for less than that per night.

Unless you meant specifically for a 3 bedroom villa. I'll agree that Bonnet Creek is great for that.

 

[LemonNeko]

I would stay on site as well as you don't want to waste too much time traveling.

 

[msb578]

I agree with the PP - for me, the only choice would be onsite for both Disney and Universal for such a short visit. EMH at Disney and FOTL access at Universal will be worth the cost of the room. If cost is a factor, Orbitz often has codes that work for Disney and Lowes hotels. If you book one night at Universal, you get FOTL access for both your check in and check out days. EMH is good at Disney until midnight of your checkout day. You can use DME for one-way transportation airport/resort and then use a cab or shuttle for the Universal part of the vacation.

Definitely try Orbitz. Orbitz lists Disney's discounted rates (when there is a current room discount). And these promo codes will then take even more off- sometimes as much as 20% more. Keep an eye on mousesavers and retailmenot for Orbitz codes.

 

[Sleepy425]

You can certainly stay at a Disney value resort for less than that per night.

Unless you meant specifically for a 3 bedroom villa. I'll agree that Bonnet Creek is great for that.

The $120 she quoted was with tax. Looking at the late winter discount, i`t would be about $98/night for All Stars without tax. Since January is a cheaper season, she wasn't off in saying that you can't find those prices on property. Without a discount, a value is $130 before taxes when we are going in May.

 

[Lees3rwe]

I really recommend staying onsite for the one night for Universal!
We did that trip a couple of years ago and got totally spoiled with the FOTL access.

You could certainly do enough in 2 days at the parks as well. It is a fun trip.

 

[msb578]

The $120 she quoted was with tax. Looking at the late winter discount, i`t would be about $98/night for All Stars without tax. Since January is a cheaper season, she wasn't off in saying that you can't find those prices on property. Without a discount, a value is $130 before taxes when we are going in May.

Fair enough

Two months ago, I paid $73 per night at All-Star Sports including taxes. But it was the last week of August- so yes, value season.

 

[Sleepy425]

Fair enough Two months ago, I paid $73 per night at All-Star Sports including taxes. But it was the last week of August- so yes, value season.

I miss the days when $73 was the normal rate for values. Anywhere else I would never pay over $100/night for a motel. At Disney I just shrug and hand over the cash (now I've gotten even worse - we have too many people for a value room so I went and bought DVC!)