Best disney hotel that's not overpriced??
 

My family, including two young children, will be spending 4 days in Orlando in July. I was curious which disney hotel would be reccomended?

Check travelocity or your AAA office for discounts.

I would recommend Pop Century - it is the newest Value resort and is getting good reviews. See: http://disneylinks.net/Resorts/PopCentury/

Our family also loves the All Star Movies because of the theming. It is great for kids.
See: http://disneylinks.net/Resorts/AllStarMovies/ and http://disneylinks.net/Stephens-Resources/

Check for discounts on tickets at mousesvers.com

I always recommend this to families with younger kids because our kids loved it so much - There is a free Campfire Sing-Along with Chip & Dale at the WDW Fort Wilderness Campground. It generally begins around 7 p.m. during the fall/winter season and 8 p.m. after the time changes in April through the summer. It is held near the Meadow Trading Post in the campfire area. The program begins with a sing-along led by a Disney cast member - if you've seen "Barney", you know these songs - and a marshmallow roast around two campfire rings. You may bring your own marshmallows or buy them at the Chuckwagon Snack Bar (roasting sticks and marshmallows are $2, s'mores kit is around $5). You may also buy pizza, hot dogs, candy, nachos, juice, popcorn, sodas, coffee, beer and other refreshments at the Chuckwagon. While this is going on, Chip and Dale make an appearance to visit with guests and sign autographs. The sing-along lasts about 40 minutes.

Next, a Disney movie is shown on a large outdoor screen. Seating is available in bleachers or on benches. There is also plenty of room to lay out a quilt or blanket. The movie schedule is posted at all comfort stations. In the event of rain, the sing-along is still held on the porch of the Meadow Trading Post.

You can take a bus from your resort to the nearest Disney theme park, water park, or Downtown Disney. Then catch the bus there to the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. They have their own internal bus system with will take you to the "Meadow Trading Post" Area.

The campground also has a free petting zoo and pony rides (about $3 each) that close earlier in the afternoon. These are in the "Settlement Trading Post" area - take the Ft. Wilderness internal bus. The "Trail's End Buffeteria" is considered one of WDW's best buffet values. The Trail’s End also has a carry-out window called “Trails To Go” 16-inch pizzas and fried chicken meals – both individually sized and family sized. If you have a free day (or your arrival day), you can go early and see the petting zoo, have a nice dinner, and then head over to the Sing-Along.

It is one of Disney’s least expensive Character Meet and Greet experiences and a great low-key activity when you find yourself a little over-stimulated from the parks.

You can also rent boats or kayaks from the Fort Wilderness Marina.

Go to disboards.com and click on the "Disney Resorts" thread. You will find a ton of information at that site. Info on the parks, dining, etc. It is very helpful when planning a trip to Disney World.

I would recommend the Port Orleans French Quarter, which is considered a Disney "moderate" resort. Very nice atmosphere, great pool area with water slide. You can take a boat to Downtown Disney from this resort. Actually, any of the moderate resorts would be great for you. These include, Port Orleans Riverside (next to Port Orleans French Quarter), Caribbean Beach Resort and Coronado Springs Resort. It depends on what "theme" appeals to you.

Definitely go to disneyworld.com and take the virtual tours and do some research. If you plan to go in July, you have to get going. The moderate resorts are filling up. I just tried to help a friend make reservations for the end of June and couldn't find any availability. Of course, this changes from day to day because people change their plans, but don't want too long.

Have fun!

I don't know what the "best" unoverpriced resort would be, but we've had business conventions twice at the Coronado Springs and have been very impressed. They have free busses that will take you to the Disney theme parks and shopping areas.

It might be helpful if you had included whether or not you wanted one of the so-called "low" or "moderately" priced resorts, etc.

If your kids LOVE being in the pool then IMO the best one is at the Yacht and Beach Club which is also within walking distance of EPCOT.

Everyone here, probably rightly, assumes you want something cheaper but do you? And what priorities do you have in this regard, anyway?

If you are looking for a spacious and secluded vacation home or villa.

visit http://www.springvacationrentals.com

you will find a variety of vacation properties Direct by owner to cater to your needs.

We've stayed at a number of WDW properties and our favorite is Coronado Springs. Though with young children you may want to get as close to the Magic Kingdom as possible. Wildnerness Lodge is convenient to MK but usually without the high price tag of those deluxe hotels on the monorail. Check out Mousesavers to see what discounts you might be able to get - I believe Disney is running a free meal plan program currently. We did this last yearand it was fantastic.

The free dining plan is for travel between August 13th and September 30th. You must book the package by June 25, 2006.

I second the Pop century and all star recommendations. Stayed there while I was nannying young children and they loved it. Fun pools, food court, great place to stay for kids. Also stayed on my own with friends in high school and it was great for the $$$.

You need to decide what kind of experience you want to have and what your budget is. Some people love the "value" resorts, while others would never stay there. What are you used to? Is the ambiance of the resort important to you? Personally, I think the moderate resorts are the best value for the money. I would not stay in a value resort at Disney, but that's me. You may like it. If you give us some more information, we can be of more assistance to you.

I personally think all the Disney hotels are overpriced. :) That said -- they all look like fun and each has its own character. Definitely check www.disboards.com for resort reviews. You can also order a free Disney preview DVD from www.disney.com if you'd rather explore the resorts on your television rather than your computer.

With two young children my suggestion would be either the Pop Century or one of the three All-Star Resorts. If you stay in one of these resorts, I believe you can pool-hop from resort-to-resort among that group. Otherwise, pool hopping is not allowed in WDW.

You might also look into renting timeshare points to use there in July. There's a forum on DisBoards for their timeshare resorts, and I think that can work out to be a better deal than actually reserving a room at one of the Disney "vacation ownership" resorts at hotel rates. Be sure to check.

Have a great vacation!

www.mousesavers.com is the best resource for Disney hotel discounts.

I've gotten the All Stars and Pop Century for as little as $49 through discount codes on this site.

Just a heads up to you, if you are thinking of THIS July, you better act fast. I just booked my Dec trip and could not get what I wanted. When I called WDWTC, they said that June is completely sold out, not a room to be had.

Keep in mind July will be hot hot hot and crowded. With that in mind with little ones, you may prefer the convenience of being close to the Magic Kingdom. The Wilderness Lodge offers the best value for your money. You are a short boat ride away from your hotel, with the others, it is bus only and I have heard some not so good things about the bus service (crowded busses, long waits)...thing you don't want in the heat. I also recommend going to mousesavers, free dining will also be in efect, which is great with kids. Act fast!

Isn't anything associated with Disney overpriced? The words "a disney value hotel" is an oxymoron.

Everything in WDW is overpriced, IMHO. I have never been in the "value" resorts, but I do know they are motel style and the rooms are quite small. JM2C but in my experience the best thing to do is get the best value for your money..meaning even if the room is cheap but the rooms are small, and transportation inconvenient and far from everything it is not worth it, espically in the blazing July heat. A better "value" would spend a little more money and get what you want or close to it. One thing I have found, you get what you pay for in WDW. Even if you stay in a deluxe hotel and take a garden view you are still better off than the value resorts.

mah1980- I disagree.
I am not a huge disney fan. However I found our stay at one of the moderate resorts (Coronado Springs) to have a lot of value.
First, the rooms are generally clean and spacious. The staff is always extremely friendly. While the room wa s not luxurious, it was tastefully decorated in the resort "theme".
Also, there is reliable and frequent transportation to the resorts.
There is a nice pool with a slide and poolside bar.
You are also able to get into parks earlier by staying at the Disney resorts.
G_H -- The coronado was ok. The pool was very nice, though the resort is very spread out which makes for a kind of long walk for little kids. I have heard very good things about the Port Orleans - French Quarter.

I've stayed at the value resorts (All Star Movies, All Star Music, All Star Sports and Pop Century) and the rooms were not 'small' nor was the transportation inconvenient.

Anytime you cram four people in a room, the room gets small and at most of the value resorts, they are packed four in a room.

Granted, it isn't like staying on the club level of the Yacht & Beach Club or the Grand Floridian (I've done all three), but it is still great. It is Disney.

Transportation to the value resorts is no big deal either.

Again I say - free dining will not be effect in July. The free dining offer is for travel between August 13th and September 30th. The free dining package must be booked by June 25th.

As I said earlier, you must act fast to get a room for July, it's a very busy time and most resorts are booked up.

For a family w/ 2 young children, the BEST Disney hotel that's not overpriced is without a doubt the Grand Floridian.

It is a great hotel, great location, and therefore in my opinion appropriately priced.