Where to stay off site 1st night

[Josh&LiamsMom]

We arrive a 10 pm on a Friday night (December 5th) for a 7 day stay at SSR starting on Saturday. Since we arrrive so late and Fridays being more points, we thought we'd stay somewhere off site on the way to SSR. Cheap is best, but the accomodations must be of "nice" means. I was thinking of staying near DTD, but those rooms are not what I'd call cheap unless Mousesavers or AllEars have a promotion going on.

So where do you recommend staying? We're a party of 9 (2 families) and we can share a 2 BR suite if the price is right. Don't need any fancy pool or other amenities, just a nice place to put our head down for the evening. We have nothing planned for Saturday other than going grocery shopping and hanging out at the resort.

Thanks!
Kerri

[Pumpkinboy]

Well, I live by the following motto:

"Friends don't let friends stay off-site" :yes:

That being said, if you want cheap, you might find an AP rate at one of the Values or Moderates, since it's just for one night. It's fun sometimes to shake things up a bit and stay at other Disney hotels; and you still get to use DME that way. Other times, we have done the Swan on sale or Starpoints for a night if arriving late and by car (but notice it's still technically on-site, tho not a Disney resort).

JMO, YMMV

[bigbahamadada]

Depends on what you mean by cheap, but when we come in on a Friday night flight, we always stay at the airport Hyatt. We then book ME for early the following morning -- and off we go.

The ability to skip the rental car entirely (not just the cost, but the hassle), and have the kids asleep within 30 minutes of landing, make up for the extra $ in my mind. It always seems to be around 199 for a friday night, though we've found it for $150 on a few occasions.

Rooms are nice, good staff. And you can grab a late night snack either at the hotel or in the airport.

This last trip, we boarded ME early on Saturday morning and had an entire tour bus to ourselves. Fun way to start the trip. Made it to WL, stored bags, had breakfast and made rope drop at MK with time to spare. There isn't a plane arriving on Saturday that will let you get there that early.

[PolyColleen]

The "Unofficial Guide to WDW" has a whole chapter rating local hotels. There were some in there that were quite affordable, under $100 per night.

We have stayed at Riverside a few times when we needed a "first night place." With a Passholder discount this was reasonable and it made it easy for me to get up super early the next day and check us in while my family snoozed.

[Leftcoaster]

You may even want to see about staying on property at a mod or value the first night.
The big advantage to this is that you can have the luggage transferred over to SSR without you having to hassle with it.

[Bobump]

Hey just a thought, but my family has got in the habit of staying at Pop Century that first night. They have a very good food court. And if you want to do something you can go to downtown Disney and either eat or walk. We have done Ranglan Road that night and even the sandwich shop ( name escapes me).
The price is only a little more:bowdown::bowdown: than staying off site, plus you get to use Magical Express and have luggage taken care of also. :fresh:

[Niki]

If you are looking for a 2 BR off-site, I suggest Hilton Grand Vacation Club on I-Drive. It is less than 10 minutes from BWV, BCV, OKW and SSR. You can often get them through HGVC as a rental for around 120 per night. Otherwise, owners sometimes rent points out, just like DVC. I might have a friend with extra points. PM me if you are interested.

[erikthewise]

Based on the original post, I'd suggest looking at the Marriott Village. These are well-known Marriott chain hotels offsite near DTD. See http://www.mousesavers.com/marriottvillage.html

[lmm1516]

We have stayed at the Lake Buena Vista Village & Spa Resort and it was great. They have 2 and 3 bedroom villas. It is on Poinciana Blvd. right next to the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores. The price is very reasonable and the resort is new. It is very clean and comfy. We have stayed there three times with no problems whatsoever. It is only a few minutes off property.:howudoin:

[tomandrobin]

I would check AP rates. That time of year is slow at the non-DVC resorts.

[Josh&LiamsMom]

Thanks everyone. We do have an AP, but haven't seen any discounts yet for early December yet. I'll keep looking.

I did check PC and they have rooms for $93 night (tax included). It would be nice to not have to rent a car and just use DME. Our friends are getting a car just so we can go shopping, but our family doesn't really need one. We've done Disney many times without a car and it has worked out well. Plus we could get Mickey waffles for breakfast the next morning (big treat for our DSs).

[Tink22]

We stayed at the Hilton on Hotel Plaza Blvd. one time when we arrived a day early. The room was very nice and the view was great. It wasn't cheap, but we had a suite. It had a king bed and a queen sleeper sofa and was a very large room. The food was pricey. The atmosphere was very business-like, not Disney-like. IE - not as friendly. The beds, however, were very comfortable and they had nice sheets, pillows, and DUVETS!

[Mary]

I have also stayed at PC or All Stars for the night before checking in to my dvc. I usually have a car but am going the end of July and am using DME for the first time--I am very excited! My question is this--how reliable is it to use Disney to move the luggage from PC to VWL? Is there a charge for this? How much do you tip on each end (party of 4) ?? Would it be safer to just grab a cab and move luggage to VWL myself? Also DH thinks we would be better off staying at a moderate or deluxe for the night as he thinks they will be more likely to move our luggage without a problem. Is this true or is it fine to go from PC? Thank you. Mary

[tammymacb]

I know my sis got the MCO Hyatt on Priceline. I think she paid $69.00 for a $200.00 room.

[crazywig]

My question is this--how reliable is it to use Disney to move the luggage from PC to VWL? Is there a charge for this? How much do you tip on each end (party of 4) ?? Would it be safer to just grab a cab and move luggage to VWL myself? Also DH thinks we would be better off staying at a moderate or deluxe for the night as he thinks they will be more likely to move our luggage without a problem. Is this true or is it fine to go from PC? Thank you. Mary

No problem or charge moving luggage from PC to DVC hotels. We do it all the time.

[kiapgh23e]

Until DVC all my stays at Disney we made by priceline. I got many stays at DTD for cheap. I love priceline b/c you pick your area and star rating, BUT you dont know the actual hotel until your price is accepted. But thats me.

http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timers/tickers/yusrp9xzw58ijz5h.png (http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timers/)

[Mary]

Thank you for the info on moving. Mary

[JimP]

BUT you dont know the actual hotel until your price is accepted. But thats me.

biddingfortravel.com (or something like that) used to be the best place to share data on actual bids accepted by individual hotels. Does that still work... or... is that still the best place to do research before placing a bid? I remember reading that you could virtually guarantee which hotels you would get by bidding wisely.

/Jim

[kiapgh23e]

i will have to check that out Jim thanks. I just usually shoot in the dark with priceline.:chef:

[spiceycat]

if your dates fall in Dec 1-14

if you were 8 - then would suggest AKV value studio - two of them - if you can find them.

16*$4 = $64 * 2 = $128

that is assuming you own DVC free and clear.

16*11 = $176 * 2 = $352 - if you don't.

for a friday night stay you might. Only a family of 4!

the 2-bedroom standard which will sleep 9 - is

49* $4 = $196

now if you don't want to use DME or have disney transportation your stuff - then
cypress pointe is not far at all - has okay 2-bedrooms.

you can generally find them here
www.hotelkingdom.com

these are the units
www.cypresspointe.net

that say most of the 2-bedroom want you to stay 3 nights.

there is also the DTD resorts

they are
www.downtowndisneyhotels.com

doubletree might work for you

sometimes this place has discount on the DTD hotels
www.travelzoo.com

[dgaston]

Whenever our flight gets in late, I use Priceline at the 3* or 2 1/2* level for MCO. For $50 to 60 I can get the Marriott, and for $40 or less the Amerisuites (which has a great breakfast in the am). We shuttle back to MCO to get the rental car (or you could put in a dummy flight for ME , retrieve bags with no ME tags night before and load them on the bus) and head to the resort for an early am check-in visit a park and return when our room is ready.

In July I won the Ramada Celebration for $36 (former Hyatt Orlando just outside WDW on 192) as we're getting in on an earlier flight.

I do use www.biddingfortravel.com to get an idea of what's coming up and going winning bids.

[Daitcher]

A great choice would be the Residence Inn LBV. It is right outsdie Disney gates and has nice 2 bedroom units priced very cheap. The pool is very nice as well and you get a free breakfast. I priced out a Friday in December to see and the rate was $169. Really a great place and location.


DAVE

[Josh&LiamsMom]

Spiecycat - thanks for the idea of booking 2 studios. We have the points (borrowing from 2009) so why not use them. Why pay $200 when we can stay for "free" on site. We were able to get into BCV for the night - 2 studios. I've only stayed at SSR, so it will be a nice to actually stay at a different resort. Hopefully the weather will be great on Saturday so the kids can enjoy Stormalong.

If anyone has helpful hints on where to request/not request with regards to room location, I'd love to hear them. Although we're only there for one night, it won't really matter - other than loud trucks or noises.

Thanks for everyone's input. All were extremely helpful (as I suspected MO to be). On our next trip, I'll remember to possibly stay at the airport thr first night (and get DME the next morning) or use priceline to secure a cheap room for the one night.

179 days and counting :)

[Daitcher]

Spiecycat - thanks for the idea of booking 2 studios. We have the points (borrowing from 2009) so why not use them. Why pay $200 when we can stay for "free" on site. We were able to get into BCV for the night - 2 studios. I've only stayed at SSR, so it will be a nice to actually stay at a different resort. Hopefully the weather will be great on Saturday so the kids can enjoy Stormalong.

If anyone has helpful hints on where to request/not request with regards to room location, I'd love to hear them. Although we're only there for one night, it won't really matter - other than loud trucks or noises.

Thanks for everyone's input. All were extremely helpful (as I suspected MO to be). On our next trip, I'll remember to possibly stay at the airport thr first night (and get DME the next morning) or use priceline to secure a cheap room for the one night.

179 days and counting :)


Congratualtions! You know what they say, "Once you go BCV, you never go back!"



DAVE

[erikthewise]

Wow! BCV is as far from "offsite" as one can get. Looks like the forces of enlightenment have triumphed again!

[Mary]

I've always requested an Epcott view when at BCV. Sometimes you can see the silver ball etc. Mary

[spiceycat]

well I would have gone for OKW, AKV (value or standard points) or BWV (standard points).

but if your points can go with BCV - it is a nice resort.

the only problem I see is trying to get your kid to leave that pool.... (remember he will have access until midnight of the day you check out)

[greenban]

Congratualtions! You know what they say, "Once you go BCV, you never go back!"

DAVE

Why? Is BC that bad, that after one stay she would never go back?

-Tony

[Snoopey]

Hi,

I would like some advice because I want to split my vacations in two different DVC, so basically I would like to know how Disney helps you with your luggage or do I need to pay a taxi from the original DVC to the new one?

Please give some advice and share your experiences.

Thanks,

Snoopey

[TinkWink]

Hi,

I would like some advice because I want to split my vacations in two different DVC, so basically I would like to know how Disney helps you with your luggage or do I need to pay a taxi from the original DVC to the new one?

Please give some advice and share your experiences.

Thanks,

Snoopey

Disney will transfer the luggage for you. We have done several such transfers and all have gone well with no problems. This works for all the WDW hotels, not just DVC to DVC. :)