WWYD with my budget?

[dijid]

DH and I decided to help "stimulate the economy" with our child tax credit and planned another trip to use our APs for 9/26-30. DD 4 and DS 2 will be going with us. Since we're flying, our budget for a room is only $125/night; $500 total for the 4 days. We will spend most of our mornings at the MK, most evening at Epcot, with a trip to MGM for Beauty and the Beast thrown in. We'll definitely be napping in the room every afternoon.

Apparently I'm not postcard worthy, and I've given up on getting an AP rate. Since I've sworn I'll never stay in an All Star again, I feel I'm forced to stay off site. I've already made a rental car reservation. Right now I'm leaning towards the mousavers rate at the Doubletree in DTD. But there's a few hotels (not the Swan) popping up on Hotwire, and I'm wondering if I should take a gamble on one of them.

Would we be happy at the Doubletree? Are there other options I should consider?

 

[soccer mom]

I would wait a few more days for an AP rate before you lock yourself into something. I really think it will happen for you.

 

[Magic2000]

I've read quite a few posts recently of people who were happy with the Doubletree! I would also suggest waiting a little longer before trying Hotwire or something that would be non-refundable! My sister and her family just returned from Disney and stayed at the Holiday Inn Family Suites - I believe she paid $99/nite and it included a buffet breakfast. They were very happy with the hotel - it had a great pool and games, etc.

I'm sorry you don't like the All Stars! We've stayed at the Movies twice now (and we'll be returning in Oct) and we've had great stays! The room was great - very quiet and not that far from the food court/bus stop; and bus service was some of the best we've ever had!!! My little one LOVES this hotel - she was so happy when we stayed in 101 Dalmations! (In fact, last Dec, we stayed at the Grand Floridian, and she kept asking to go visit the Movies)

Good luck!!!

 

[Liv2CdWorld]

The Swan and Dolphin are offering AP rates right now at $139/night with a free upgrade.

Here's the info:

1) New Annual Pass holder's Rate
(Rate Code = AP)

For the remainder of 2003, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin will be offering the following benefits to Annual Pass holders:

Special rates starting at $139.00 per night, available at BOTH the Walt Disney World Dolphin, as well as the Walt Disney World Swan.
One category complimentary upgrade on room (Purchase "Standard" rate, be upgraded to "Lake View", as an example)
Complimentary 4PM late check out at both properties.
* Based on rate schedule availability
Call 1-888-828-8850 for reservations

 

[Tina]

I recommend checking out the Swan as well. We booked the $139 rate for 9/25 - 9/28. I know its a little higher than your budgeted amount of $125, but it just may be worth the added expense.

 

[kellympmo]

I don't know if you have tried this yet or not...we are going 9/19-9/30 (HRH & BWV) and just for fun I was trying out the package prices on hotwire. I tried hotel & car for the 9 nights. The prices were unbelievable for some hotels (like $350 per person for hotel & car for nine nights!!). I checked for the last few nights (close to your dates) and the prices ranged around $200 per person for car & hotel. Because there are just 2 of us, it was a good deal, not sure if that would be the case for 4. You might not have to enter the kids into the search and just add at checkin (if possible). I couldn't get the Swan or Dolphin to come up either. The hotels that seemed to come up the best/most were the Courtyard at DTD and the Renaissance.
Just a thought...
Have fun!

 

[swilphil]

I would go for the Swan/Dolphin, too. I know it's a little more, but could you cut back somewhere else?? You will not need a rental car at the Swan--that should save a lot of money.

We just stayed at the Dolphin for 4 nights with DS 3 and DS 1. It was wonderful. They loved the grotto pool and the beach play area. DS 3 wanted to go back to the hotel. You might want to go with the Swan since it is the same price and they have finished renovations. The Swan is the first stop on the bus route and they have the Westin Heavenly Beds. There are lots of busses to MK and it's not too long. The Swan/Dolphin is great for Epcot and MGM. At MGM, check out Disney Playhouse and the Muppet Show. Our kids also liked the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Play Area and Pizza Planet.

If you don't want to pay extra for the Swan, look at Priceline. Several posters here have gotten rooms for under $100!! You might do a DIS search for more info. They have links to websites that tell you what to put in to get the Swan.

 

[lmhall2000]

Have you called about rates??? I was fairly certain that AKL and WL were available for $109 a night through September for AP holders- I think it was officially supposed to come available 8/5 or 8/6- keep checking- you'll find something.
Tara

 

[swampkatz]

I'm in agreement with the majority, might not hurt to hold out a bit longer. I checked the Mousesavers rate at the Royal Plaza in Downtown Disney for your dates and they had availability. $50.00 Mousesaver rate for a standard room all the way up to $90.00 for an "all the bells and whistles" room.
Never stayed there and only know what I've read but it might be an option.
Sending pixie dust your way!

 

[milmore104]

What about a Mod.? Rack rate is $133 for that time frame. Also I would have to ask why rent a car? If your flying get transfers to and from the airport and use the bus system. R/T is $25 for you and your DH and $20 for your oldest child your youngest is free! Your only going for 4 days so save the expense of the car. this should give you a little extra $$$. Also are you a Disney Club member? You could save a little on the hotel.
Okay I have to ask Why don't you like to AS?

 

[dijid]

Thanks for the quick responses. When you add in the resort fee and tax, the Swan/Dolphin are out. I got a great rate on the rental car so that it's equal to a town car, so we don't save anything there.

I'll give it a couple days on the AP rates, but I'm getting frustrated. You'll laugh, but this is the furthest out we've ever booked a WDW trip, and the first time we've ever had flights but no hotel. Our last trip was a sublet of an OKW villa purchased off ebay just two weeks before we left! We weren't planning on going back til next year, but after an experience our family recently went through, we decided we needed to look forward to a trip to the "Happiest Place on Earth." I think I just need to take a deep breath and stop stressing.

Magic2000 - It's not that there's anything wrong with the AS resorts. It's just that after a couple hours of overstimulation at the parks, we really need to go to a relaxing, quiet hotel for a while. I fear my DS Would be beyond hyperactive if we stayed there with him!

 

[milmore104]

Just checked CBR for your dates and it was only $444. So you would be under budget. I would book it and then hope for AP rates if not you would still be under budget and on site.

 

[3MGIRLS]

I understand your budget! We are AP and we have stayed at most moderates and deluxe hotels including the Dolphin 2 years ago. The dolphin is okay, but I don't think worth the extra money. We stayed for a week last year at the Doubletree DTD, and it was badly in need of a renovation. The pool was also covered in leaves and ants. I also agree with everyone else on the post that the Sunspree is grimy.

We are not totally spoiled by Disney either. We have stayed offsite many times too (we go 4-6 times a year, its a sickness!).

Have you stayed at the Moderates before? Not a lot of room here either, but we have stayed at Coronado(food not great) and Port Orlean's riverside (decor just not me). Both are clean with fun pools though.

Have you tried the Sierra Suites LBV? It sounds nice and has also had great reviews. The rate is 55.00 on expedia now. What about the Radisson Resort Parkway? Mary at Mousesavers.com rates it as excellent and it is also a great rate.

WE have stayed at the Springhill Suites at Lake Bryan (April 2003) and it was nice and roomy.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide! If you are like me, you will change your mind and reservation a couple of times before you leave!

PS, I'm a Cincinnati native, are you an east sider or a west sider? I miss Skyline and LaRosa's!!!!! ANd GRAETER'S too!!!!

 

[hawt1]

I would go onto skyauction and reserve a place ona Ready Set Go auction and then win one for about $50. Add in the $195 fee and the $15 admin fee and you are at $260 for your entire stay with all taxes covered and youa re staying in a 2 bedroom unit with full kitchen etc.

I will email you more details if you have email address on this board.

 

[dijid]

Originally posted by 3MGIRLS

PS, I'm a Cincinnati native, are you an east sider or a west sider? I miss Skyline and LaRosa's!!!!! ANd GRAETER'S too!!!!

Obviously, you are from the west side if you even ask about it! LOL! Considering 71 is only 3 streets off of being my backyard, I guess you'd have to say I'm east side. We are big skyline fans, too, and my 2yo DS LOVES the stuff and actually will ask for it when he gets a craving. My room budget would only be $100/night if we lived close to a graeters.

We're leaning towards the Holiday Inn Family Suites right now. Although CSR is on the list of places we eventually want to stay at, the $69/night rate at HIFS that includes breakfast and gives the kids their own room is just going to be hard to pass up. It's over $40/night less than CSR with the AAA discount. If AP rates do come through, we really want to try WL or may switch to CSR.

 

[3MGIRLS]

How did you get the $69 night at HIFS? Are you sure it is a kid suite? They usually don't fall below $99. Make sure you are not at the Sunspree!!

I agree with the other post, try Skyauction for a condo.BUT if you want the total Magical experience, hang on for the AP rates and do one of the lodges (AK or wilderness)!

Eat a scoop of Graeters for me, or a nectar soda, Yum!!

 

[dijid]

Thanks for the heads up about the HIFS. It was the Holiday Inn Maingate East that has the $69 rate for the kidsuite, $79 for a 2 room suite. Looks like the two room suite includes breakfast. It's $109 at the HIFS. Any other differences between the two besides location?

 

[3MGIRLS]

I have stayed at the HIFS, not the Holiday Inn Maingate East. But, if you have the book The Unofficial Guide to Disney, it ranks the Maingate rooms a 71, and the suites a 66. HIFS is ranked 82. Have you tried to search the other posts, or read the best and the worst? I'd be leary unless you can find some info on it.

While HIFS is nice, it is getting a little worn, and I don't know if I would want to stay someplace worse than that.

Do you always obsess about where you are going to stay until the last minute? I go through planning withdrawals once I'm done!

Good Luck!

 

[dijid]

Actually had just pulled out the Unofficial Guide yesterday and was looking at it. Didn't really clarify anything for me. Right now our line of thinking is that if a AAA discount is the best we can do, we'd prefer to at least get a suite type room with a fridge and possibly a separate bedroom area for the kids for the same $. Hopefully divine inspiration will hit and we'll figure something out.

I love obsessing over planning a Disney trip. I'm well on my way to becoming a Disney nut, and it just really gives me something to look forward to when I know we've got a trip coming up. Actually, I think I do this for any trip we go on. I guess I just love to travel!

 

[Gillian]

Did you decide yet?

If you weren't going for a long weekend, renting points for OKW would be good. But for your dates a studio is $560.