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Here's a question...What's the BEST off-grounds hotel?

Posted: Apr Sat 03, 2010 3:42 pm
by TikiTikiRoom
Let's just say i'd like to head down to Disney World at some point but do not want to/have the funds to stay in a Resort. What would be the best value/best overall hotel off WDW grounds to stay at? :)

Posted: Apr Sat 03, 2010 4:16 pm
by boilerbabe
I'm afraid I'm no help here, we always stay on property. I do believe there are some nice properties around the Disney area though.

Posted: Apr Sat 03, 2010 4:20 pm
by TikiTikiRoom
boilerbabe wrote:I'm afraid I'm no help here, we always stay on property. I do believe there are some nice properties around the Disney area though.
Yeah I know, When my family and I go, we always stay on the grounds. It's just what we like to do.

Posted: Apr Sat 03, 2010 5:01 pm
by withspirit
We usually stay off-site on the first night (after a long drive and the "I'm too excited to sleep") then get to our resort early in the morning . We stay at the Clarion on 192, about 4 miles southwest of the main gate. It has an okay breakfast menu too.

This one can be gotten for my Choice points, so there is no cost for me, your mileage may vary.

Posted: Apr Sat 03, 2010 6:20 pm
by boilerbabe
TikiTikiRoom wrote:
boilerbabe wrote:I'm afraid I'm no help here, we always stay on property. I do believe there are some nice properties around the Disney area though.
Yeah I know, When my family and I go, we always stay on the grounds. It's just what we like to do.
I hear ya, for us, it's the only way to go. This way we don't have to worry about renting a car, just use Disney transportation.

Posted: Apr Sat 03, 2010 6:40 pm
by Amy
boilerbabe wrote:This way we don't have to worry about renting a car, just use Disney transportation.
Amen!

Posted: Apr Sat 03, 2010 7:49 pm
by Pluto23
I have the best luck with using Priceline to stay offsite & save. If you pick the Disney area, you will be very near Downtown Disney. Those are pretty nice, and we often pay $35-$50 for a hotel that is normally $100-145 a night. Bookit also has some good deals, and you will know exactly what hotel you are purchasing. Priceline you bid for a star value in an area.

I like the Best Western Buena Vista. I also like the Hotel Royal, but they now charge $8 park & $8 resort fee. Both are nice hotels to stay in, but you don't get the Disney feeling from them. The Radisson Resort Celebration is another nice hotel of a similar quality.

Posted: Apr Sat 03, 2010 9:25 pm
by TikiTikiRoom
Pluto23 wrote:I have the best luck with using Priceline to stay offsite & save. If you pick the Disney area, you will be very near Downtown Disney. Those are pretty nice, and we often pay $35-$50 for a hotel that is normally $100-145 a night. Bookit also has some good deals, and you will know exactly what hotel you are purchasing. Priceline you bid for a star value in an area.

I like the Best Western Buena Vista. I also like the Hotel Royal, but they now charge $8 park & $8 resort fee. Both are nice hotels to stay in, but you don't get the Disney feeling from them. The Radisson Resort Celebration is another nice hotel of a similar quality.
But the real question is, why would you stay offsite to get the Disney feeling? To me, you'd just stay off grounds to sleep and maybe eat. But I get what you're going for.

Posted: Apr Sun 04, 2010 12:00 am
by Len90
I have only stayed at one off site hotel. The Marriott World Convention Center. It is a massive hotel and very impressive to look at. It is located just off the WDW property and you really can't miss seeing it from I-4. I believe it is across the street from the nickelodeon hotel.

Posted: Apr Sun 04, 2010 11:31 am
by TikiTikiRoom
Len90 wrote:I have only stayed at one off site hotel. The Marriott World Convention Center. It is a massive hotel and very impressive to look at. It is located just off the WDW property and you really can't miss seeing it from I-4. I believe it is across the street from the nickelodeon hotel.
I was just mentioning this to some friends on Facebook and they all started harassing me for info. Ah man, I love getting the down-low on all the info.

Posted: Apr Sun 04, 2010 11:39 am
by withspirit
I just learned we are staying at the Celebrations Hotel in late May. I'll give a report when I get back. :)

Posted: Apr Sun 04, 2010 12:48 pm
by Pluto23
TikiTikiRoom wrote:
Pluto23 wrote:I have the best luck with using Priceline to stay offsite & save. If you pick the Disney area, you will be very near Downtown Disney. Those are pretty nice, and we often pay $35-$50 for a hotel that is normally $100-145 a night. Bookit also has some good deals, and you will know exactly what hotel you are purchasing. Priceline you bid for a star value in an area.

I like the Best Western Buena Vista. I also like the Hotel Royal, but they now charge $8 park & $8 resort fee. Both are nice hotels to stay in, but you don't get the Disney feeling from them. The Radisson Resort Celebration is another nice hotel of a similar quality.
But the real question is, why would you stay offsite to get the Disney feeling? To me, you'd just stay off grounds to sleep and maybe eat. But I get what you're going for.
That is what I was trying to explain - that offsite is out of the magic. There may be a gift shop and a bit of theming, but you are not immersed in the magic as you would be in a Disney hotel.

We try to go twice a year, and we have to go on the cheap for one of those trips. Unless there is a super sale, we choose a moderate off site to a value on site - and still pay less. This works since I have an annual pass and don't pay an extra $14 a day to park.

Posted: Apr Sun 04, 2010 3:48 pm
by TikiTikiRoom
Pluto23 wrote:
TikiTikiRoom wrote:
Pluto23 wrote:I have the best luck with using Priceline to stay offsite & save. If you pick the Disney area, you will be very near Downtown Disney. Those are pretty nice, and we often pay $35-$50 for a hotel that is normally $100-145 a night. Bookit also has some good deals, and you will know exactly what hotel you are purchasing. Priceline you bid for a star value in an area.

I like the Best Western Buena Vista. I also like the Hotel Royal, but they now charge $8 park & $8 resort fee. Both are nice hotels to stay in, but you don't get the Disney feeling from them. The Radisson Resort Celebration is another nice hotel of a similar quality.
But the real question is, why would you stay offsite to get the Disney feeling? To me, you'd just stay off grounds to sleep and maybe eat. But I get what you're going for.
well certainly sounds like the best way to do it.

That is what I was trying to explain - that offsite is out of the magic. There may be a gift shop and a bit of theming, but you are not immersed in the magic as you would be in a Disney hotel.

We try to go twice a year, and we have to go on the cheap for one of those trips. Unless there is a super sale, we choose a moderate off site to a value on site - and still pay less. This works since I have an annual pass and don't pay an extra $14 a day to park.