Where to stay?

[pmac]

Had friends over last night who have already been to Orlando. They stayed in a villa and therefore recommended that to us. Either that or stay on site at a disney hotel.

So what do you guys think

1. A hotel on I-drive (eg Best Western Plaza) £600 - this was our original choice
2. A disney hotel (eg All Star Movies) £950
3. A villa with pool £1100 to £1500

We want to see the disney parks, seaworld, the universal parks...oh and I want to go to the Ponderosa for breakfast at least once :)

So advantages and disadvantages please.

Trish

[rjh812uk]

I've stayed at Altamonte springs.kissimmee,international drive and on site,I've not stayed in a villa ,there's only 3 of us.
Each time we had a fantastic time ,if you have loads of money stay on site if not in my opinion as long as you get a clean hotel/motel in a safe area it doesn't really matter,you will be spending all your days out and about anyway.
So what if you have to drive a bit it's all part of the fun,and all the money you save on your accommodation can be spent elsewhere.
Most hotels/motels i have been in have all had 2 beds, shower,a/c,and a telly that's all i need some have been posher than others but all have been adequate.

[windbag]

why not split your holiday for say half or just over the time at IDrive or a villa if your driving (more space and you can do your own thing a lot easier) and then part of the holiday at a Disney resort. That way you could do all the non-Disney things first then chill in the luxury of Disney for the end of your break and immerse yourself in just Disney without the hassle of driving. Doing this could also work out cheaper as rooms at Disney can work out costly when you add on food etc. OR you could send me on a reccie...and Id let you know when I got back!!!! LOL

[lisaw]

The first two times we went we stayed in a villa which was great and the last time we stayed at ASMo which I would highly recommend :D

It really depends on how much 'Disney magic' you want (can't have too much IMHO :D ) We really enjoyed the villa but since staying on site I now hopefully will always stay on site for the added convenience and the magic and just the feeling that you are really a part of it all :)

We always have a car and do still drive off site for shopping and some breakfasts and the other parks so that is no problem.

Main advantages of staying on site are being able to charge stuff to your room key if you want and having things shipped back to your hotel, transportation system, ease of booking restaurants etc, early magic hour, refillable mugs in the hotel etc etc...

You will have a great time whatever you decide :)

[Isafari]

We have only ever stayed on International Drive - doing so again in December.
My dream though.............AKL :sigh:

[marivigi]

Since this will be your first time in Orlando, I would recommend staying on site, simply put... no one will take better care of you than Disney.

As Lisa has mentioned, staying on site has lots of benefits, and you still can go to other places.

Having breakfast at Ponderosa shouldnt be a problem, you can do it on a day when you visit a non disney park, or go shopping

Whatever you choose, I am sure you will have an excellent time, but for a stress free vacation I would stay on site :)

[highlander447]

You will get more magic on site whether its Disney or Universal but u do save quite a bit off site but if u can afford it on site is best especially for first time

:)

[pmac]

You will get more magic on site whether its Disney or Universal but u do save quite a bit off site but if u can afford it on site is best especially for first time

:)

Yes there is quite a saving to be had if we stay off site = extra spending money :D so at present we are swaying towards off site.

[ukwdwnut]

defo go for the villa, and they are all close to the parks too, but you can get a real nice villa for less than you have quoted £1100+, we got one for £800 3bed inc pool heat for 14 days

[pmac]

defo go for the villa, and they are all close to the parks too, but you can get a real nice villa for less than you have quoted £1100+, we got one for £800 3bed inc pool heat for 14 days

that sounds an ok price - who did you book with / where did you stay?

[ukwdwnut]

that sounds an ok price - who did you book with / where did you stay?


hiya pmac

i booked thru www.cheapestflights.co.uk flights with virgin in oct for £345 too thats real cheap as virgin direct wanted over £600 ask for JAY BARDSLEY he was real helpful always phone too i always get better prices when i phone than thru the internet on any website :)

[ukwdwnut]

stayed mostly at calabay parc also on esprit but we got robbed so we had to move villas, on hwy 27 about 20-25 mins from wdw