advice on Orlando hotels
Jul 30, 2014, 1:08 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 17
advice on Orlando hotels
Heading down to Orlando in October and considering the Marriott Grande Vista or Marriott Harbour Lake. Able to get friends and family rate so that's great; however, I'm wondering just how much of the savings will get eaten up by having to rent a car or take taxis to Epcot, Magic Kingdom, etc. I'm thinking that staying in one of these places and incurring the added transportation costs will still be cheaper than staying at a Disney property, but I want to make sure before I book anything.
FYI, I'm looking at getting a 2BR villa for about $1000 total for 5 nights (that's with the discount I can get).
FYI, I'm looking at getting a 2BR villa for about $1000 total for 5 nights (that's with the discount I can get).
Jul 30, 2014, 5:37 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 404
Good rate. Very good properties.
Does your visit coincide with the dates for the free dining offer? Would you be buying theme park tickets and hotel so as to qualify for free dining?
If you are looking for a Disney villa style place the absolute cheapest way to rent one is from a Disney Vacation Club owner. You can do it thru somewhere like http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29
Still gonna cost lot more than $1000.
Rental cars in Orlando are cheap. I usually expect to pay $160 or less for a week, midsize or standard. You have to add in $17 a day for parking at WDW.
When you stay onsite you get to use Disney transportation. Sounds nice and its usually quick but Disney themselves says to allow for an hour to get anywhere within WDW using their transportation.
Last issue is Disney 'magic.' Is staying in the Disney bubble important? For some people it is. Others don't care.
Either way, on site or staying at one of those Marriott's, you should have a blast. Beyond that I guess you do the math and then it's a personal choice. For our next visit in January we are doing a split stay; 2 nights on site at Art of Animation, then 7 at Floridays (nice condo style place like the Marriott's). For us that's the best way to do it, best of both worlds.
Does your visit coincide with the dates for the free dining offer? Would you be buying theme park tickets and hotel so as to qualify for free dining?
If you are looking for a Disney villa style place the absolute cheapest way to rent one is from a Disney Vacation Club owner. You can do it thru somewhere like http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29
Still gonna cost lot more than $1000.
Rental cars in Orlando are cheap. I usually expect to pay $160 or less for a week, midsize or standard. You have to add in $17 a day for parking at WDW.
When you stay onsite you get to use Disney transportation. Sounds nice and its usually quick but Disney themselves says to allow for an hour to get anywhere within WDW using their transportation.
Last issue is Disney 'magic.' Is staying in the Disney bubble important? For some people it is. Others don't care.
Either way, on site or staying at one of those Marriott's, you should have a blast. Beyond that I guess you do the math and then it's a personal choice. For our next visit in January we are doing a split stay; 2 nights on site at Art of Animation, then 7 at Floridays (nice condo style place like the Marriott's). For us that's the best way to do it, best of both worlds.
Jul 30, 2014, 9:19 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Chicago
Posts: 425
Heading down to Orlando in October and considering the Marriott Grande Vista or Marriott Harbour Lake. Able to get friends and family rate so that's great; however, I'm wondering just how much of the savings will get eaten up by having to rent a car or take taxis to Epcot, Magic Kingdom, etc. I'm thinking that staying in one of these places and incurring the added transportation costs will still be cheaper than staying at a Disney property, but I want to make sure before I book anything.
FYI, I'm looking at getting a 2BR villa for about $1000 total for 5 nights (that's with the discount I can get).
FYI, I'm looking at getting a 2BR villa for about $1000 total for 5 nights (that's with the discount I can get).
Jul 31, 2014, 3:44 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 404
I would rent a car. In big cities, it's easy and practical to do without a car. In Orlando, I consider it a necessity. I am from there (thank goodness I escaped!), so not much into Disney. Even if I were staying on property, I'd still rent a car. I just like having easy access to Publix, TJ's, restaurants, etc. The Disney transportation, while free, is horribly crowded and inconvenient. Great idea in theory. Terrible idea in reality.
Any resort on the monorail will get you to Magic Kingdom or Epcot super quick. Never had a problem with that. From Polynesian we could get to MK in like 10 minutes. 5 minute walk to the direct monorail to Epcot, 15 minute ride.
At Saratoga Springs, yeah, the buses sometimes sucked. Could take just 20 minutes to circle the property and get out of the parking lot.
From Animal Kingdom Lodge, never had a problem. That was peak time and because of the extra buses on service was flying. I've found that it's almost counter intuitive that way; during peak times there will be so many extra buses on that you move quick. During off peak times it's slow as you wait 20 minutes for a bus.
A good breakdown based on convenience can be found here:
http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-y...y-convenience/
All that being said if you are staying at any property that is not on the monorail and you need to go back to the resort mid day, like for a kids nap, before heading back to the parks, I'd say yeah, rent a car.
Jul 31, 2014, 4:52 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Chicago
Posts: 425
heh Can't believe I'm arguing on this side of this particular debate. Usually I'm the one slamming Disney transportation but Andrea Waters, imho that is a gross exaggeration.
Any resort on the monorail will get you to Magic Kingdom or Epcot super quick. Never had a problem with that. From Polynesian we could get to MK in like 10 minutes. 5 minute walk to the direct monorail to Epcot, 15 minute ride.
At Saratoga Springs, yeah, the buses sometimes sucked. Could take just 20 minutes to circle the property and get out of the parking lot.
From Animal Kingdom Lodge, never had a problem. That was peak time and because of the extra buses on service was flying. I've found that it's almost counter intuitive that way; during peak times there will be so many extra buses on that you move quick. During off peak times it's slow as you wait 20 minutes for a bus.
A good breakdown based on convenience can be found here:
http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-y...y-convenience/
All that being said if you are staying at any property that is not on the monorail and you need to go back to the resort mid day, like for a kids nap, before heading back to the parks, I'd say yeah, rent a car.
Any resort on the monorail will get you to Magic Kingdom or Epcot super quick. Never had a problem with that. From Polynesian we could get to MK in like 10 minutes. 5 minute walk to the direct monorail to Epcot, 15 minute ride.
At Saratoga Springs, yeah, the buses sometimes sucked. Could take just 20 minutes to circle the property and get out of the parking lot.
From Animal Kingdom Lodge, never had a problem. That was peak time and because of the extra buses on service was flying. I've found that it's almost counter intuitive that way; during peak times there will be so many extra buses on that you move quick. During off peak times it's slow as you wait 20 minutes for a bus.
A good breakdown based on convenience can be found here:
http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-y...y-convenience/
All that being said if you are staying at any property that is not on the monorail and you need to go back to the resort mid day, like for a kids nap, before heading back to the parks, I'd say yeah, rent a car.
Aug 4, 2014, 10:58 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 17
Good rate. Very good properties.
Does your visit coincide with the dates for the free dining offer? Would you be buying theme park tickets and hotel so as to qualify for free dining?
If you are looking for a Disney villa style place the absolute cheapest way to rent one is from a Disney Vacation Club owner. You can do it thru somewhere like http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29
Still gonna cost lot more than $1000.
Rental cars in Orlando are cheap. I usually expect to pay $160 or less for a week, midsize or standard. You have to add in $17 a day for parking at WDW.
When you stay onsite you get to use Disney transportation. Sounds nice and its usually quick but Disney themselves says to allow for an hour to get anywhere within WDW using their transportation.
Last issue is Disney 'magic.' Is staying in the Disney bubble important? For some people it is. Others don't care.
Either way, on site or staying at one of those Marriott's, you should have a blast. Beyond that I guess you do the math and then it's a personal choice. For our next visit in January we are doing a split stay; 2 nights on site at Art of Animation, then 7 at Floridays (nice condo style place like the Marriott's). For us that's the best way to do it, best of both worlds.
Does your visit coincide with the dates for the free dining offer? Would you be buying theme park tickets and hotel so as to qualify for free dining?
If you are looking for a Disney villa style place the absolute cheapest way to rent one is from a Disney Vacation Club owner. You can do it thru somewhere like http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29
Still gonna cost lot more than $1000.
Rental cars in Orlando are cheap. I usually expect to pay $160 or less for a week, midsize or standard. You have to add in $17 a day for parking at WDW.
When you stay onsite you get to use Disney transportation. Sounds nice and its usually quick but Disney themselves says to allow for an hour to get anywhere within WDW using their transportation.
Last issue is Disney 'magic.' Is staying in the Disney bubble important? For some people it is. Others don't care.
Either way, on site or staying at one of those Marriott's, you should have a blast. Beyond that I guess you do the math and then it's a personal choice. For our next visit in January we are doing a split stay; 2 nights on site at Art of Animation, then 7 at Floridays (nice condo style place like the Marriott's). For us that's the best way to do it, best of both worlds.
Should we maybe look into a hotel that's a bit closer to the parks that also offers free shuttles to the parks (if such a hotel even exists)? Although it does sound like having a car there would be advantageous anyway, especially since we'll certainly want to go to the grocery store, off-site restaurants, etc.
Aug 4, 2014, 12:16 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 46,919
I would strongly recommend renting a car. You can often get one for a week for under $200 AI.
As well, keep in mind that free dining really isn't free. You have to pay full rack rate for the room in order to get it. Now, if you have 2 teenagers and are staying in a value resort, then it's worth it to get the free dining.
While "free" dining used to be a pretty good deal, I've found that unless you spend your time seeking out the most expensive meal in a restaurant, all you are doing is prepaying your food and in some cases, limiting your options.
That said, it may very well be less expensive to use your friends and family rate and pay for Disney as you use it.
Do you really need a 2 bedroom villa?
Regarding nearby hotels with shuttles - yes, all of the local hotels have shuttles. The issue is that they only run at certain times of the day. You would have to check the schedule for the hotel you're using.
As well, keep in mind that free dining really isn't free. You have to pay full rack rate for the room in order to get it. Now, if you have 2 teenagers and are staying in a value resort, then it's worth it to get the free dining.
While "free" dining used to be a pretty good deal, I've found that unless you spend your time seeking out the most expensive meal in a restaurant, all you are doing is prepaying your food and in some cases, limiting your options.
That said, it may very well be less expensive to use your friends and family rate and pay for Disney as you use it.
Do you really need a 2 bedroom villa?
Regarding nearby hotels with shuttles - yes, all of the local hotels have shuttles. The issue is that they only run at certain times of the day. You would have to check the schedule for the hotel you're using.
Aug 4, 2014, 1:49 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 17
I would strongly recommend renting a car. You can often get one for a week for under $200 AI.
As well, keep in mind that free dining really isn't free. You have to pay full rack rate for the room in order to get it. Now, if you have 2 teenagers and are staying in a value resort, then it's worth it to get the free dining.
While "free" dining used to be a pretty good deal, I've found that unless you spend your time seeking out the most expensive meal in a restaurant, all you are doing is prepaying your food and in some cases, limiting your options.
That said, it may very well be less expensive to use your friends and family rate and pay for Disney as you use it.
Do you really need a 2 bedroom villa?
Regarding nearby hotels with shuttles - yes, all of the local hotels have shuttles. The issue is that they only run at certain times of the day. You would have to check the schedule for the hotel you're using.
As well, keep in mind that free dining really isn't free. You have to pay full rack rate for the room in order to get it. Now, if you have 2 teenagers and are staying in a value resort, then it's worth it to get the free dining.
While "free" dining used to be a pretty good deal, I've found that unless you spend your time seeking out the most expensive meal in a restaurant, all you are doing is prepaying your food and in some cases, limiting your options.
That said, it may very well be less expensive to use your friends and family rate and pay for Disney as you use it.
Do you really need a 2 bedroom villa?
Regarding nearby hotels with shuttles - yes, all of the local hotels have shuttles. The issue is that they only run at certain times of the day. You would have to check the schedule for the hotel you're using.
As for the room, a 2 bedroom villa is certainly not a necessity; however, I'm more than willing to pay the extra money to have the 2nd bedroom AND a 2nd bathroom. I just think it will make for a much more pleasurable experience for us.
Aug 6, 2014, 9:17 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 404
The dates we're going are the end of October until early November. I don't know about any free dining offers but yes, we will be buying theme park tickets. I've been shopping around for those as well, but it seems obvious at this point that they don't discount those tickets very much. Are you saying that there may be a way to qualify for free dining?
Should we maybe look into a hotel that's a bit closer to the parks that also offers free shuttles to the parks (if such a hotel even exists)? Although it does sound like having a car there would be advantageous anyway, especially since we'll certainly want to go to the grocery store, off-site restaurants, etc.
Should we maybe look into a hotel that's a bit closer to the parks that also offers free shuttles to the parks (if such a hotel even exists)? Although it does sound like having a car there would be advantageous anyway, especially since we'll certainly want to go to the grocery store, off-site restaurants, etc.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/sp...t-stay-dining/
As mary2e said you pay the rack rate. It's a good deal for some groups, not so great for others. Just gotta price it out and do the math. And despite what it says in the terms min stay for free dining is 3 nights hotel/4 days theme park tickets I believe.
Re getting a car, staying offsite I would always get a car. They are so cheap in Orlando. Flyertalk has some great discount codes or try costcotravel.com.
If you want a good two br that is close to Disney and can be had crazy cheap on some days try looking up Blue Heron on lmtclub.com. 4.5/5 on Trip Advisor. Close to the parks. Some nights it's been as low as $76. If you are not a member last promo code for free membership I saw was TURKEYSENTME. But like I said before, all of those Marriott properties are great.
Aug 7, 2014, 9:44 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: DC/SIN
Programs: BA Silver, UA GS
Posts: 41
You have a great rate, for Marriott friends and family, in a 2 BR. Rent a car and drive/taxi/uber to the park, which will be very easy with uber or taxi magic. We regularly über/taxi to the parks and nearby hotels. With a taxi there are no parking fees and if having dinner at a hotel can self park for free.
Oct 9, 2014, 10:45 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 17
Would you guys recommend maybe trying to find a property that offers free transportation to and from the parks? We are getting a great deal at the Marriott Harbour Lake but it's possible that all of our savings will get eaten up by the cost of the rental car or taking taxis everywhere.
Oct 9, 2014, 11:14 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Central Florida, US
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 634
Would you guys recommend maybe trying to find a property that offers free transportation to and from the parks? We are getting a great deal at the Marriott Harbour Lake but it's possible that all of our savings will get eaten up by the cost of the rental car or taking taxis everywhere.
Parking at Disney is $17/day unless you are staying on site in a Disney hotel.
Oct 9, 2014, 11:40 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 46,919
Would you guys recommend maybe trying to find a property that offers free transportation to and from the parks? We are getting a great deal at the Marriott Harbour Lake but it's possible that all of our savings will get eaten up by the cost of the rental car or taking taxis everywhere.
The savings may not be worth it.
