It seems that most of us stay on-site, but we're considering heading down for a few long weekend trips where staying off-site might better fit the budget. Any suggestions?
Suggestions for Off-Site Hotels
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Sun, 07/12/2009 - 15:30
Suggestions for Off-Site Hotels
Sun, 07/12/2009 - 17:49
I'd look at the ones at Lake Buena Vista across from Downtown Disney. It would be great to walk across the street and have access to all those busses!!!
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Sun, 07/12/2009 - 22:27
MouseTraveler wrote:
I'd look at the ones at Lake Buena Vista across from Downtown Disney. It would be great to walk across the street and have access to all those busses!!!
It seems that there are always good deals on those hotels, too. Also, Swan/Dolphin might be an option. Deluxe location for a moderate price.
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Mon, 07/13/2009 - 15:04
bali wrote:
MouseTraveler wrote:I'd look at the ones at Lake Buena Vista across from Downtown Disney. It would be great to walk across the street and have access to all those busses!!!It seems that there are always good deals on those hotels, too. Also, Swan/Dolphin might be an option. Deluxe location for a moderate price.
I second this. For a short, price-sensitive trip, these hotels seem like a great deal. That being said I haven't actually stayed there, I've just heard good things, so take my advice with a grain of salt.
Mon, 07/13/2009 - 15:27
That's a great question! I just saw it posted on twitter, so thought I'd come over and register.
I just read Arthur Frommer's blog post about a new site called getaroom.com - it was started by the guy that started hotels.com
I haven't used it yet, and when you go to the site, the room prices are comparable to the big hotel booking sites. His article says the difference is that you can call their number and find out what the unpublished rates are, which can be half off at times. He said the hotels don't want their unpublished rates listed, but are willing to tell you over the phone.
Anyway, I thought it was an interesting approach. Someone just emailed me and said they could not afford the value rooms at Disney, and wanted a nice, budget room offsite, so I thought it was interesting.
--- Disney Dean
Mon, 07/13/2009 - 15:44
The key to staying off-site for us was having Annual Passes. It paid for parking and intro to the Disney Dining Experience or Tables in Wonderland and that was a real plus. That being said, we got good deals with off-site lodging with winning timeshare weeks at skyauction. We also stayed at the Sheraton Vistana with some good discounts via AllEarsNet. Even though we did it, I don't recommend the discounted stays for timeshare sales pitches. There are two other places that we used that gives good discounts on Orlando area condos in the off-season, one is http://www.getravelop.com/ and the other was http://www.govarm.com/ My dh is a US government employee.
Mon, 07/13/2009 - 17:12
DisneyDean wrote:
That's a great question! I just saw it posted on twitter, so thought I'd come over and register.I just read Arthur Frommer's blog post about a new site called getaroom.com - it was started by the guy that started hotels.com
I haven't used it yet, and when you go to the site, the room prices are comparable to the big hotel booking sites. His article says the difference is that you can call their number and find out what the unpublished rates are, which can be half off at times. He said the hotels don't want their unpublished rates listed, but are willing to tell you over the phone.
Anyway, I thought it was an interesting approach. Someone just emailed me and said they could not afford the value rooms at Disney, and wanted a nice, budget room offsite, so I thought it was interesting.
--- Disney Dean
Wow--great info, Disney Dean! Thank you so much for the FYI!
Mon, 07/13/2009 - 17:14
disney_a_go_go wrote:
The key to staying off-site for us was having Annual Passes. It paid for parking and intro to the Disney Dining Experience or Tables in Wonderland and that was a real plus. That being said, we got good deals with off-site lodging with winning timeshare weeks at skyauction. We also stayed at the Sheraton Vistana with some good discounts via AllEarsNet. Even though we did it, I don't recommend the discounted stays for timeshare sales pitches. There are two other places that we used that gives good discounts on Orlando area condos in the off-season, one is http://www.getravelop.com/ and the other was http://www.govarm.com/ My dh is a US government employee.
Thanks for the feedback on timeshare pitches; we've been considering taking advantage of some of those "free" stays!
Also, good reminder of skyauction. I'd forgotten about that site!
Mon, 07/13/2009 - 17:26
Hey guys. Welcome to the forums! Thanks for the info. 
Mon, 07/13/2009 - 17:57
Annie wrote:
disney_a_go_go wrote:The key to staying off-site for us was having Annual Passes. It paid for parking and intro to the Disney Dining Experience or Tables in Wonderland and that was a real plus. That being said, we got good deals with off-site lodging with winning timeshare weeks at skyauction. We also stayed at the Sheraton Vistana with some good discounts via AllEarsNet. Even though we did it, I don't recommend the discounted stays for timeshare sales pitches. There are two other places that we used that gives good discounts on Orlando area condos in the off-season, one is http://www.getravelop.com/ and the other was http://www.govarm.com/ My dh is a US government employee.
Thanks for the feedback on timeshare pitches; we've been considering taking advantage of some of those "free" stays!
Also, good reminder of skyauction. I'd forgotten about that site!
For me, those (timeshare pitches) have been hit or miss. I've done a lot of them to get free goodies. I've had some mediocre experiences (still worth the freebies to me) and one terrible experience. The others were all positive. Never done it in Orlando though.
Mon, 07/13/2009 - 22:46
that govarm link is really handy. thanks!