Grandpa needs advice for next October
Walt Disney World: Planning a trip next October with grandkids and parents.
We are thinking about a trip next October to WDW. There are 3 couples (grandma & Pa, 2 sets of parents and 2 small children (4 and 5) for a total of 8). I've been there twice, but that was 20 years ago. I would appreciate advice on where to stay (inside or out) etc. Cost is a consideration. Thanks for your help
i know a lot here do not like DDP but it was nice on our trip to do a character meal on most days with our 6 boys who loved them. i would do again but make ressies early. the boys are still asking to go back.
I liked the DDP, but it was too much food (strangely)and you have to plan most of your meals out in advance. If you like doing that, be my guest with the Dining Plan, but we sometimes like to plan on the spot.
What kind of resort were you looking for? Really nice? Really cheap?
My old standby no matter who asks are Carribean Beach and Port Orleans.They are my favorites because they are in the middle of the action and in the middle of the price range.
If your looking to stay off WDW property, call around to the local hotels on both International Drive and 192 (Irlo Bronson Highway). That time of year many will offer weekly rates which are discounted from the daily rate price. My husband and I often get two weeks for about $300 on a weekly rate, which helps us out price wise and lets us spend more time doing whatever we feel like.
You can also check out the combination tickets if your plan to do anything outside of WDW. Their often a good deal as are the Disney combo tickets, the longer you buy the cheaper the price is.
Good luck and enjoy your trip!
Wel, I have never stayed at a WDW hotel, so I can't really advise on that aspect (Heard they are pretty expensive...) But for a cheap, motel style place where its clean and I personally love it is the Quality Inn International on International Drive - although, it doesnt offer free shuttles to Disney...which might be a hinderence for you? - Shop around, there are lots of reasonably priced hotels on Int Drive, or if your willing to pay a little more, stay at a Disney Hotel :)
Try checkng out any of the hotels at Lake Buena Vista, my 12 year old grandson Zachary and I have stayed at the Comfort Inn four times and it's clean and cheaper than Disney. There are also plenty of other hotels nearby and restaurants.
Your about a mile or so from Downtown Disney at LBV. Comfort Inn also provides free bus transportation to Disney but they only take you to Epcot and then you must transfer to a Disney bus to go to one of the other Disney parks. And Comfort Inn also provides free bus service to Universal and Sea World. The other hotels around LBV uaually provide bus service too. But the downside to the free service is you have to schedule your day around their bus times.
And being so close to Disney as compared to International Drive or even 192 hotels(and we've stayed at both places)is if you don't have a car, the taxi cost will not be as bad going to LBV because I have used the taxi service too.
I've also stayed on Disney and will be next year when Zachary and I go down again. If you can afford the cost, stay at one of the value resorts such as the All Stars Movies,Sports,or Music or even the Pop Century. The children will love the All Star Movies which Zachary and I have stayed at twice. Staying on Disney is an experience in itself and I would recommend it if you can afford it, otherwise stay at one of the LBV hotels it's close and fairly cheap. Hope this helps.
Bobby, formally known as Bob & Robert!!!!!!!
I have never stay at WDW hotels I have been to Orlando four times and this past week we stay at a Days Inn in front of Universal Orlando and it was very cheap with the reservation made in advance they have a shuttle to Universal,Sea World, Aquatica and WDW and the time before that we rent a villa for a very nice price some of my friends that stay at WDW hotels said that they are very expensive an the dinning plan doesn't worth it. In International drive there are many restaurants and great buffet deals and in Bush Gardens,Sea World, Aquatica and Universal the all deal meal worth it you can eat a lot every time you want.
From steve lee
Posted November 2, 2010 at 12:44 PM
A big factor here is whether or not you're going to have your own transportation.
If you're looking to maximize your value, you may want to look into renting a house instead of messing with the whole hotel thing. With three couples involved, assuming you're splitting costs, you should be able to find somewhere where you'll be paying less than $50 a night per couple - far cheaper than anything on property but far nicer than most of the hotels you can get in that price range. The downside to this (as opposed to staying on property) is that they will get you on parking fees at the parks.
While I do not know the pricing to it, Old Key West, my home resort for DVC has gigantic rooms that can easily accomidate you
EDIT: I just checked on a random Feb week and it would be over $200 a day per couple. So maybe not
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