Help Choosing A Hotel?

figmentaholic · Post by **figmentaholic** » Jan Fri 02, 2009 10:54 pm

spodie wrote:I would go with Port Orleans French Quarter. It's pretty centrally located to all of the parks and as previously mentioned, it's smaller than the rest of the moderates, which gives it a more intimate feel. The paths across the resort are paved in cobblestone, makes you feel like you're walking through the streets of New Orleans. You can also use Riverside's pools and can take a boat to DTD.

Try going on allears.net - they have descriptions of all of the resorts as well as a review section where people can post their experiences.

I have to second what this person said. Our little group of friends go every year in February. When only a few of us can go, we go to the French Quarter, which is what we are doing this year. If there are 5 or 6 of us, then the Fort Wilderness Cabins end up being a *REALLY* good deal. We each pay a lot less each for lodging than we would otherwise.

But going back to the French Quarter, it is really pretty, with lots of trees and pretty landscaping. It has nice pools and play areas for kids if you have any, and of course it is nice to have a food court when you get the munchies.

The only bad things are the lack of a full service restaurant in the French Quarter (you will have to go to Riverside) and it is kinda layed out wierd, but it is definatly a nice place to stay.

I will try as hard as I can to remember to repost here when I come back in February so I can give you a more updated review. Honestly it has been many years since I stayed in the French Quarter, but I will remedy that soon.

dwellsbct · Post by **dwellsbct** » Jan Thu 15, 2009 7:40 am

js3901 wrote:only "hotel" I've stayed at is Ft. Wilderness, and that was in a tent. I find that I'm not in the room enough while in WDW to splurge on an expensive resort. I would rather use the money I save on the hotel for souvenirs and such...

but to each their own.

I agree with js3901... I have stayed in the campground and the "all-stars" and "POP Century" resorts. Now that I have a Fiance' who isn't fond of camping we have stayed at Pop twice. POP Century is I think a little better than the All-Star resorts mainly from a transportation issue, the bus service for POP is dedicated only one hotel not three as the All-star tranportation goes. I just need a bed and shower which any hotel will provide, if I want atmosphere I can always go visit the other resort and their restaurants etc.

figment · Post by **figment** » Jan Sun 25, 2009 2:15 pm

tomdavo1 wrote:Thanks for the help so far!

2 Adults & 2 Teens (19 & 17)

TOM

The 19 year old is now considered an adult and will cost you an extra $25/night in a hotel. If the 17 year old turns 18 by the time you go, that will be another $25/night. Room rates are based on 2 adults plus $25/night extra for persons 18 and over.
I think it's a silly rule but it is what it is.
The coronado has the best food court and I'm pretty sure they rooms all have queen beds in them now. (I don't know if you get one or two rooms?)

But if you are willing to spend the money, you can't beat one of the hotels on the monorail. We love the Poly for that and many other reasons.

Post by **Len90** » Jan Sun 25, 2009 10:53 pm

figment wrote:But if you are willing to spend the money, you can't beat one of the hotels on the monorail. We love the Poly for that and many other reasons.

The monorail is a gret plus, but I personally found it not worth the extra money for those hotels. The rates are highest for the resorts on the monorail. Secondly, the monorail adds a lot of activity and noise (in terms of people) that you sometimes might want to get an escape from. I personally am a fan of a quieter resort like Wilderness and Yacht. IMO: The monorail is not worth the extra money. If you want to ride the monorail, go from MK to Epcot... or vis versa.

disneylandmom · Post by **disneylandmom** » Feb Sat 21, 2009 10:16 am

I have a question regarding staying off property. Having never been to Florida I have no clue about WDW and the area surrounding it and if off property means miles away or what. I found a Best Western in Kissimmee (I think that's the name) and I am wondering if it would be too far away from the parks? They say they have a free shuttle to the parks. Any info anybody could give regarding staying off property verses on property would be helpful.

Twirly41 · Post by **Twirly41** » Feb Sat 21, 2009 11:02 am

We love the French Quarter. It has great theming, a nice pool and it's a more compact resort - not a long walk to the food court or bus stop. It also has the advantage of the boat you can take to DTD.

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Feb Sat 21, 2009 11:32 am

We've only stayed off property once in my life and it was horrible. You're there, but you're a step away from the magic. You have to leave the parks drive back to your hotel and then drive back the next day. This may only be me that feels this way, but I would never stay off property if I didn't have to.

Post by **js3901** » Feb Sat 21, 2009 1:37 pm

I've stayed off-property many a time when going to WDW, and on-property only once (so far), so here's my take:

Off-property hotels in FL are a dime-a-dozen. most of them are nice, and are chains (Best Western, Days Inn, Motel 6, etc). they have the amenities that many people are looking for (pool, free continental breakfast, etc), and are fairly close to some of the OTHER attractions that Central FL is known for. But, where they are good for price and the other pluses I mentioned, they also have some drawbacks, especially if you're planning on going ONLY to Disney:

-You have to get up EARLY for the "free shuttle service" they provide. in the times I've used those services, they run for only a couple of hours in the AM, then again for about an hour or so after the general Park closing. The services also go to several other hotels in the area, so be prepared for full (or nearly full) buses. also at night, I've had to wait for a bus to show up for almost an hour previously. so be prepared for that possibility.
-when using these shuttle services, you can't just go back to your hotel for a swim whenever you feel like it. when staying on-property, you can just hop a Disney bus and do that.
-you cannot participate on the Extra Magic Hours benefit - getting in an hour early or staying 3 hours late. once the posted closing time comes, you have to leave.
-if you plan on driving down there, or renting a car when you arrive, you have to pay for parking at the parks. If you were to stay on-property, you can take the Disney transport everywhere, and if you rented a car while staying on-property, you can park for free. Added perks if you book through AAA - "diamond club" parking gets you as close to the gate as possible (ie - directly behind the handicap spaces and before the general spaces).

now, I could probably mention a few other drawbacks, but I'll let others do that. If you insist on staying off-property, Kissimmee/St. Cloud area is about as close as you can get. Orlando (the city) is actually a little further from WDW than the K/SC area. Though, depending on what AREA of K/SC makes a difference too. As boilerbabe mentioned, you have to drive to/from the parks each day. I know that the last thing I would want to do after walking around the parks all day is to drive back to my hotel.

hopefully, you can find a win-win way to go...

disneylandmom · Post by **disneylandmom** » Feb Sat 21, 2009 11:29 pm

Thanks for your input it sounds like I should save up to stay on property.

Post by **Len90** » Feb Sun 22, 2009 12:06 am

disneylandmom wrote:Thanks for your input it sounds like I should save up to stay on property.

Also, it just go a lot cheaper to stay on property. Disney has extended the Buy 4 get 3 free offer until 8/15/2009. This includes hotel and theme park tickets.

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Feb Sun 22, 2009 12:37 pm

Like Len90 said, take advantage of Disney's offer going on right now. And I have no idea what off site hotels are going for per night, but are they that much cheaper than the Value Resorts?! I would stay on property if you could, it's well worth it!

kellybus · Post by **kellybus** » Feb Fri 27, 2009 3:05 am

Caribbean Beach resort would be my choice. The resort is spread out and the rooms are nice. Food court is close to almost all rooms.

purple figment · Post by **purple figment** » Mar Fri 06, 2009 1:35 pm

If you are looking for a moderate on property (always stay on property if you can), I would recommend one of the Port Orleans.

I have never stayed at French Quarter, but it looks nice. One of the reasons that I suggest the Port Orleans hotels is something my hubby and I found out during our Port Orleans stay: you actually have 2 "get home" options at the end of the night. If you don't want to wait for your bus or the bus is too crowded, youcan take a bus to Downtown Disney, and a boat from there to your hotel.

I know that it sounds like a stupid reason, but at the end of the night, it really makes a difference. Also, if you have the munchies, want to get a drink, or need to do a little more shopping, it is a great option to go to DD on your way back anyhow. (I suppose it would also be a good option in the morning--get a breakfast on your way in.)

figmentaholic · Post by **figmentaholic** » Mar Fri 06, 2009 2:43 pm

purple figment wrote:If you are looking for a moderate on property (always stay on property if you can), I would recommend one of the Port Orleans.

I have never stayed at French Quarter, but it looks nice. One of the reasons that I suggest the Port Orleans hotels is something my hubby and I found out during our Port Orleans stay: you actually have 2 "get home" options at the end of the night. If you don't want to wait for your bus or the bus is too crowded, youcan take a bus to Downtown Disney, and a boat from there to your hotel.

I know that it sounds like a stupid reason, but at the end of the night, it really makes a difference. Also, if you have the munchies, want to get a drink, or need to do a little more shopping, it is a great option to go to DD on your way back anyhow. (I suppose it would also be a good option in the morning--get a breakfast on your way in.)

I actually just got back from the French Quarter, and I have to agree with everything that Figment says. The different ways to get home are nice ( though we never used the boat option) but the close proximity to the food court and all the stuff in the middle of the hotel is really nice!
The rooms are nice, and you can really crank the air conditioners after a long hard day of the parks.

If you have anywhere from 1-4 people, I would definatly reccomend the French Quarter!

The bus system was always prompt, and usually you were picked up and dropped off to the FQ first, only once did I have to go to Riverside first.