[tinkermommy]

As I sit here sad and depressed, I fear that we might have to stay off site if we want to do disney at all this year. My husband keeps telling me not to get my hopes up, but I just have to. We all want this so bad so if we have to stay off site to do it, then we will. Can anyone give my any advise on where and where not to stay off site? Our biggest point of sell would be #1-a good transportation system, #2-it has to have a whirlpool/jacuzzi, #3- it would be nice, but not imparitive that there be continental breakfast. Thats not asking to much is it! Lst time we stayed, we were at the HIFS and just loved it. We might end up there again, but would love to hear other's stories. Thanks a bunch!

[WDWaddict]

I hope someone comes along w/ some advice for you! I have stayed off site 3 times but we stayed at the HI Maingate West everytime for $47 a night(Hotels.com)..pool but no hot tub and they do not have Cont. breakfast.

[acarballo]

Have you considered staying at one of the All Star hotels? They do not have jacuzzi or continental breakfast but you will be at a Disney hotel and be able to use Disney's transportation.

Also, you can check the prices at the DTD hotels:
http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/. I believe they also provide free transportation to the parks and some might have continental breakfast.

Ciao,
Alfredo

[disneyguy]

DTD Hotels get expensive, but yes they provide free transporation. All-Stars or PC, are definetly an option, they probably run lower or around HIFS. I loved HIFS, it is wonderful and has everything you are describing, and so much more.

[WDWaddict]

Remember too that if you find a cheap hotel, you don't necessarily need a C. Breakfast. Mostly they serve muffins, donuts, small boxes of cereal..you can get a cooler and take all that yourself and save time by having breakfast in your room. We always take breakfast w/ us..muffins, donuts, fruit, string cheese, yogurt, chocolate milk for the kids and we just use the free ice from the machine to refill the cooler and keep things cold. Saves a ton of $ to do it that way!

[Dopey]

Good morning Tinkermommy---
I have been sitting here biting my nails waiting for the "O.K." to finally post messages on this website. Finally it came...
A few years ago we stayed at the Howard Johnson/Maingate and paid only $200.00 for 4 nights. A hotel with pool AND pool bar and the best thing was the IHOP next door where all kids under 12 eat free. The room was no worse than the one we paid $125.00 per night for in College Park, Maryland this spring! No frills but clean.
I didn't need frills, got those all day at WDW ;))

I hope this helps..............60 days and 5:30 hours to go until we will be at the PoP Century....hehehehe

[llama]

Any chance of camping at Ft. Wilderness?

I'm assuming that RV's can be rented, somewhere, down there. Or maybe you know someone with a camper? I know it's a long shot, but you'd be on-site. In value season, rates start at $36. per night.

[Dana]

Originally Posted by Dopey

Good morning Tinkermommy---
I have been sitting here biting my nails waiting for the "O.K." to finally post messages on this website. Finally it came...
A few years ago we stayed at the Howard Johnson/Maingate and paid only $200.00 for 4 nights. A hotel with pool AND pool bar and the best thing was the IHOP next door where all kids under 12 eat free. The room was no worse than the one we paid $125.00 per night for in College Park, Maryland this spring! No frills but clean.
I didn't need frills, got those all day at WDW ;))

I hope this helps..............60 days and 5:30 hours to go until we will be at the PoP Century....hehehehe

Welcome to Disney Central!

[fayemcdonald]

We stayed at Country Inn & Suites which was just a short distance from Downtown Disney. We booked over the internet at the Country Inn website. It was great!! Only $49 a night and included a fridge, microwave and exceptional continental breakfast. It is fairly new and very well maintained. The staff was friendly and helpful. There is a nice pool and gym facilities. We arrived early and were given a room right away. There is coffee, hot chocolate, tea and fresh baked cookies in the foyer at all times. There are many restaurants within walking distance and also transportation (free) to and from the parks ( we had our car and the parks were all within a 10 min. drive) $8 a day lets you park in any of the theme parks. I highly recommend this hotel as an economical option to staying on site. (We have stayed at Caribbean Resort and preferred this hotel at half the price. Four adults stayed in the room and we were not charged an additional fee.

[disneyguy]

Originally Posted by fayemcdonald

We stayed at Country Inn & Suites which was just a short distance from Downtown Disney. We booked over the internet at the Country Inn website. It was great!! Only $49 a night and included a fridge, microwave and exceptional continental breakfast. It is fairly new and very well maintained. The staff was friendly and helpful. There is a nice pool and gym facilities. We arrived early and were given a room right away. There is coffee, hot chocolate, tea and fresh baked cookies in the foyer at all times. There are many restaurants within walking distance and also transportation (free) to and from the parks ( we had our car and the parks were all within a 10 min. drive) $8 a day lets you park in any of the theme parks. I highly recommend this hotel as an economical option to staying on site. (We have stayed at Caribbean Resort and preferred this hotel at half the price. Four adults stayed in the room and we were not charged an additional fee.

That sounds very nice. I believe those are smaller hotels so not as many people to contend with.

[llama]

Originally Posted by fayemcdonald

We stayed at Country Inn & Suites which was just a short distance from Downtown Disney. We booked over the internet at the Country Inn website. It was great!! Only $49 a night and included a fridge, microwave and exceptional continental breakfast. It is fairly new and very well maintained. The staff was friendly and helpful. There is a nice pool and gym facilities. We arrived early and were given a room right away. There is coffee, hot chocolate, tea and fresh baked cookies in the foyer at all times. There are many restaurants within walking distance and also transportation (free) to and from the parks ( we had our car and the parks were all within a 10 min. drive) $8 a day lets you park in any of the theme parks. I highly recommend this hotel as an economical option to staying on site. (We have stayed at Caribbean Resort and preferred this hotel at half the price. Four adults stayed in the room and we were not charged an additional fee.

First of all, welcome to DC! Canajun, eh? (So am I) I agree with you about Country Inn & Suites. We've never stayed at the one in Orlando, but have never been disappointed in this hotel chain. They're clean, charming and very good value.

[jk8]

Originally Posted by fayemcdonald

We stayed at Country Inn & Suites which was just a short distance from Downtown Disney. We booked over the internet at the Country Inn website. It was great!! Only $49 a night and included a fridge, microwave and exceptional continental breakfast. It is fairly new and very well maintained. The staff was friendly and helpful. There is a nice pool and gym facilities. We arrived early and were given a room right away. There is coffee, hot chocolate, tea and fresh baked cookies in the foyer at all times. There are many restaurants within walking distance and also transportation (free) to and from the parks ( we had our car and the parks were all within a 10 min. drive) $8 a day lets you park in any of the theme parks. I highly recommend this hotel as an economical option to staying on site. (We have stayed at Caribbean Resort and preferred this hotel at half the price. Four adults stayed in the room and we were not charged an additional fee.

This sounds like a nice place. I looked for pricing during November and it is $79 per night. I wonder why the big rate change for November? We are currently booked at the Holiday Inn Family Suites but I am wondering if I want to deal with things being torn up for remodel over there.

[jessie]

tinkermommy,
How much is your budget? Do you have an AP? Did you try the value resorts? Try calling triple A and see what prices they have.
Jessie

[tinkermommy]

Well, thats a bit of a problem right now. DH is not sure he will be getting a bonus this year and that is what we take our vacation with. We won't be able to use our taxes, that is what we live on for the year. Were contemplating going to Cape Cod instead. Thinking it will be cheaper and only 5 hrs away compared to 20+. CC is my favorite place to be, and he wants to go there too. I just feel that we're taking away the memories and fun that my kids will remember, our 2 DD's ages 7 and 9. So if we do decide to do disney, it will probably have to be off site. Thanks anyway!

[JiminyCricket]

Hi Tinkermommy,

We just got back from WDW and we stayed offsite at the Sheraton Safari Hotel.
http://www.sheratonsafari.com/

-To answer your questions:
1. The transportation service that they use is a motor coach bus to all the parks provided by Bethany Transportation and is free, to park hop you use disney transportation.

2. They have a very large swimming pool, kiddie pool and large jacuzzi located near the pool, outside food/drinks (bar) cabana all located in a safe secluded center courtyard of hotel complex with no outside exposure.

3. Breakfast can be continental or you can order room service and they also have a fantatastic all you can eat breakfast buffet for $8.95, kids under 10 eat free for all meals.

4. Their dinners are fantastic and resonably priced. Excellent bartender!

5. Game room, gift shop, health club facilities.

6. Secure rooms safe in room and very comfortable beds.

We would not hesitate in staying there again. As a matter of fact the people we went with were very dissappointed to stay offsite but their tone changed after we ate and stayed their.

Pizza hut is next door as is Olive Garden (celebrated a birthday), Blank Angus (ate their once)Steak House, Sizzlers restaurant, Wallgreens.

You did not mention price but rates are reasonable...but you get what you pay for with the cheaper hotel rates...just my personnal 2 cents.

Sheraton also has their service promise for anythig wrong to please customers. We got a free 1 night stay due to air conditioning not working properly, they installed a working unit promptly.