Steve

Hi, I would like to plan a trip to disney world in Orlando during the last week of Oct 01'...Can you veterans give me advice on where to purchase the best air/hotel/car packages for this 7 night trip hopefully shooting for 10/27-11/3(I would like to stay in a suite style place with full kitchen ideally). Lastly where are the best discounted rates for disney and Universal tickets..are the online brokers trustworthy??


Thanks a bunch-HAPPY TRAVELS

Sarah

Steve: Disney offers packages on www.disneyworld.com or www.disney.com - if you are a first timer to Disney, you would benefit staying on location....try and see if they are running any specials for the Disney Institute where they have bungalows, villas, etc. - the suite style you are looking for - the Boardwalk also has villas with kitchens, and Key West - and a few others - but right now the deals on staying on the property are wonderful! This way you don't have to rely on anything but Disney transportation - you can get everything inclusive - I have been an annual passholder to Disney for a very long time - and I really do NOT like to stay off property when I am visiting Disney. But that is just my opinion, others find places they like off site - Universal now has its own resorts but they are new and still pricey. Sorry this is so long - but another reason for liking to stay on property - if you want to take a nap or a break you hop on a bus, boat or monorail and go to your room, rest, then hit the parks again - no fussing with driving in a place you don't know well or fearing missing your bus back to an offsite hotel....so much more convenient - Hope you have a great time if you decide to go - it is my son's favorite place and mine of course is Epcot!

XXX

Try mousesavers.com

garyt

Steve - Do yourself a huge favor and stay on the property. Sarah is correct on all counts, especially for a first time visitor to WDW. Also you should grab a copy of Birnbaums guide to Walt Disney World from your local bookstore. It will offer you invaluable tips on what to do and see and some scheduling tips that will make your stay easy and productive. Have fun!

Leah

Steve, Just check carefully on the packages. We have made 3 trips to WDW and each time we saved money by booking our trip components individually, not as a package. Just a thought! You will have a WONDERFUL time! We also like to stay on property as well. Have fun..... Leah

ilisa

Definitely stay on property. From what I understand (and someone correct me if I am wrong), Disney is offering great deals now on its resorts because attendance is down. For discounts, I use the Disney Club which gets me 10% off lodging and park passes. IF you aren't a Disney Club member but have AAA membership, you can use that for discounts. I never book a package because I always save by booking myself, like Leah does. Check out www.wdwig.com and www.wdwinfo.com for fabulous Disney information.

freewoman

Have been to WDW numerous times as my uncle helped to build the place and worked there until he retired. The last time we were there tho was eleven years ago. We stayed at the Days Inn Suites in Kissimmee (sp). It was wonderful. Two double beds in the bedroom with a lavatory, full bath, pull down bed in the living room and full kitchen with eating area. Couldn't believe it was $88 per night!! (But that has been a while back!!) It is only 2 miles from the front gate of WDW. Personally, I would NEVER stay inside. But that is just my opinion.

By the way, you are going at a great time of the year! One of the best trips we had there was in October. Kids in school so it was not so crowded and it was not so hot. Lines were almost non existent. We were able to make the whole Magic Kingdom in one day!!

Have fun!

Vic

I agree with everybody. Stay in WDW. It's just not the same when you stay outside.

We've stayed at the Hyatt just outside the compound and we have stayed at Disney's Yachet Club. The Yachet Club experience was much better.

Generally, the Disney packages don't save you any money. This is especially true, if you can get a deal on your hotel from Disney. I've found that the Annual Pass Holders specials are often quite attractive. Only one person need have an Annual Pass. The savings can be quite substantial.

Discounts on Park Hoper Passes tend to be minimal. The best I've heard of is the Wal-Mart in Kissemee. I don't think its worth the effort. You can buy them at the hotel.

At least in the past, staying at a Disney hotel provided for early Park admission and what Disney calls E-nights when the Magic Kingdom is open only to Disney hotel guests. I don't know what they are doing now, thanks to September 11th.

Have a great time.

Tom Morse

check out www.wdwinfo.com and read "main discussion board" for lots of tips.

xxx

Steve..go with the majority here and stay onsite! Did it last year for the first time and will never stay offsite again. And please don't take advice from someone who has not been there in 11years! The hotel she describes may have been nice then but consider 11years worth of use! You can't go wrong with Disney properties and the las time I checked the All Star resorts were being offered for $49.00 a night! A steal!

lena

Disney is expensive so be prepared to spend some bucks but it's magical. The hotels inside are all great. There are many nice new hotels outside the village but they're about the same price. There are also some horrible ones. I stayed at one last summer with a youth hockey league and it was probably the worst hotel in the entire Orlando area. If you're already spending the money stay inside. There are big price differences between the different properties so check them all out. Disney.com has some good information to find rooms within your budget. Take sunscree, comfortable walking shoes, light rain gear (it rains almost everyday in South Florida, probably in Orlando too) Say hi to Mickey for us all.

Judy

I have stayed both on and off property and there is no comparison - I will only stay on property in the future. I agree with what everyone has said, I will only add that staying on property is not just a convenience factor but it truly contributes to our overall vacation experience in a big way. We have had so much fun on the busses from the parks to the hotel - one bus driver lead the bus full of passengers in a sing along which was a blast. From one hotel we took the boat to Downtown Disney and the boat ride istself was a great and fun experience. When we were there with our kids (teenagers) it also gave us so much freedom. One day we stayed back at the Wilderness Resort and they went over by boat to the park and another night my husband and one son felt like an earlier, quieter night so they stayed back but my other son and I got the boat where we had a fantastic time over at Dowtown Disney. Also, I feel very pampered on property hotels. The hotels are always so well kept, the Disney staff are friendly and polite and really looking to make your stay special.This may sound weird but I feel a part of the Disney family staying on site. Not leaving really gave us the full experience of living the fantasy of Disney, not dealing with traffic, the outside world for a few days. We were booked in the Caribbean Resort once and when we got there the main pool was closed for renovation. We were none to happy, we use the pool alot. They handled the matter perfectly and speedily to our satisfaction and put us in another hotel. It seems like their attitude is really to please and it shows. On vacation, that is worth alot to me. I can't remember the author, but our Disney bible is a book called The Unofficial Guide To Disney World. It saved us so much time and gave us incredible tips.

aja

I like to stay off property. Homewood Suites is a straight shot to WDW. A suite hotel with bedroom, livingroom and kitchen. Breakfast included. All for around $90.00 a night. A trick I use to get the best rate on a car is to call several rental agencies (ask for quotes on ALL the taxes/airport fees ect.)then ask if the hotel can beat my best price. Like the post above I use The Unofficial Guide. Informative and a hoot to read. Your going at a great time of year!

Kay

I agree--the packages to Disneydon't save you money; instead you are paying for the convenience of someone else doing the research and arrangements for you. I've been there numerous times with family and I always book myself and my sister always takes a package. Go figure.

Do try for an on-site discount. Almost everyone I know who has stayed on-site was happy. I've never stayed on-site because I'm too cheap--when Disney discounts the off-site hotels discount even more. Many people have luck booking hotels through Priceline (see www.biddingfortravel.com). You may be able to book a condo accommodation directly from an owner such as through vacationspot.com or vrbo.com.
If you stay off-site, know that the traffic on Hwy 192 can be horrible, especially if any road construction is underway. There can be long backups when lategoers are on their way into the parks and when people are leaving in the evening. I've found the best place to stay off-site is not right near the entrance, but further east where another road from the parks curves down and intersects 192.

Sabrina

Hi: From a Disney fan with a pass - stay on site and give your kids the best vacation they could have! My rule of thumb, you get what you pay for - they have suites with kitchens at their resorts, and convenience makes a vacation with kids so much easier, less tension, less stress, and you can still be frugal!

Joule

Buy the book (or check it out at the library) called The Unoffical Guide to Disney. It will give you loads of info.

juli

Steve:
I have some pratical advice not accomodations related. I have been there about 15 times and here are some things I found to be valuable year after year.

1-Buy a cheap rain poncho at home and bring it to the park. Or bring garbage bags and pock holes in them.
It rains every day and you dont want to get soaked.

2-bring a dry pair of socks and underwear to the park.
There is nothing worse then sitting in a puddle and having wet underwear and walking through puddles and having wet socks.

3-A napsack is the best, to carry 1 and 2 plus grabbing snacks to hold you off until its mealtime. Especially if you have kids. The price of snacks can add up quickly. Especially drinks. You need them and they are pricey. A few water bottles go a long way.

You may not want to lug all these things but they have always worked for me.
Have a great time

Gina

Rent a LOCKER! They are located at the entrances of each park, cost a couple of bucks and you can store all your ponchos, umbrellas, extra socks, etc. We even put food in there along with frozen water bottles to keep it cool. I agree that there is nothing worse than walking around in wet clothes all day. The chafing is agonizing.