[1farmmom]

On our first day in Orlando we will be arriving very late - after 10:00 pm so I am looking for recommendations for a cheapo hotel for that first night until we can transfer to Disney POR?

Here is another thought, can I book just a room at Disney POR for that night, with no park tickets. Between the cost of a cheapo room and the extra cab ride is it basically almost the same money so I should just save myself the headache of the extra transfer? Obviously we will not have independent transportation so cab fare and hassle factor matter here.

Thanks.

[mj7379]

I would just stay on site that first night especially if the cost will be about the same. Do you really want to start your first day on vacation with all the hassle of getting to the resort. Moving rooms in the same resort is much less stressful then moving from one hotel to another.:)

[mickey]

When we fly into Orlando, our flight usually lands around 11:00 PM, so we usually stay at a hotel by the airport. We usually rent a car, so it is no big deal, but I believe most of them provide shuttles in between the hotel and the airport. We have stayed at several of them, and the nicest was the Sheraton Suites. It is right at the main entrance to the airport, and was very nice. It had a small front room with fold out couch, small kitchen and a nice, big bedroom. I think their rates are about $70 per night. We slept 6 there one night. I wouldn't want to do it for our entire trip, but it was OK for one night.

I would also suggest you consider a towncar service. Your total cost from airport, round trip, should be about $70, which will be about the same as taking a cab. They will also stop at the grocery store with you, and it won't cost you any extra.

If you can get POR for anywhere near the same price, I would go for that. That way you can wake up and start your Disney vacation without worrying about repacking, finding a cab, checking in, etc. Right now, with the special codes they just released, you can get a room at any moderate for about $99, so I would go for going directly to POR.

[BDavis932]

We always book an extra night at the beginning of our trip at our resort, so that we are not paying for the tickets for that day. It always works out really well and you can start your first official day in the park without any lost time moving from hotel to hotel. (We all know how those check in lines can be!!)

I would rather spend the extra $25-$35 bucks to not have to move our bags twice!

Good luck!!

[trishb]

Go ahead and get that extra night! It will be worth it.

[Scanlonsgirl]

We are doing the same thing and couldn't figure out which one to do. But then I looked at the Days INN website and saw some awesome rates.. We are booked for one night on a Suite that has a little kitchen and two rooms for 44.00! They also have a Days Inn right down the street that they are quoting at 27.99 a night.. We are planning on staying there and visiting all the things around Kississame.. (not spelled right sorry) I'm sure it won't be the Poly but we'll be ready for it when we get there! The choice is up to you but thought you might find the rates helpful.

Goodluck

Lisa :)

[1farmmom]

I'll be with a group of eight other kids and adults. Their consensus was that they wanted to be on site at Disney. The cheapskate in me wanted to do otherwise but I knew this was a battle I wasn't going to win. Especially since DH, a dairy farmer, never gets to sleep in, I figured that I would head out early with the children and let him catch up with us when he wanted. (One thing I have to remember to do before we leave is to switch our cell phone plan to a nationwide plan so we can avoid a huge roaming bill.)

I really envy your suite. I know we won't be getting anything that nice at POR. I've seen pictures of the rooms and to me they look like something less that a Holiday Inn but better than a Super 8 (no disrespect intended to Super 8, they're great for the price).

Hopefully the convenience of POR will make up for the price and lack of amenities

[mickey]

Don't worry about POR, it is one of my favorite resorts. You will be plesently suprised by the quality of the rooms. They are very nice, the resort is beautiful and is one of the nicest resorts I have ever stayed in. One nice touch is the maids will do special layouts with towels and your kids toys. It was always a think we looked forward to when returning. Overall, it would blow away any Holiday Inn I have ever seen.

I think POR is the best value at WDW, including all the hotels off property. The rooms are a little smaller than the deluxe resorts, but you get just about the same amenities for less than half the cost. I would suggest you request a room in the Aligator Bayou section, I think the rooms are nicer, and the buildings are more spread out, not to mention the buildings are closer to the main building and the main bus stop.