Is is worth the extra $$$ to stay at a WDW hotel? We have 2 teens and plan an early Feb. visit. Can you get last minute DEALS after you arrive in Orlando? We got a great deal last year at Universals' Portofino Hotel by calling from our cell phone in the car in Orlando. They quoted 'high' price first, then when I hesitated, they offered the room for $100 less and we said yes. It was a fabulous hotel with THE BEST service, they even gave us a free brunch breakfast (over $50 value) - they discounted the room over $100 and we didn't have to stand in line the first hr. the park opened. Has anyone had this happen with any Disney Hotel? We may just go back to the Portofino - It was outstanding, that's for sure! Just hoping to do as well with Disney. We have family in Orlando, but still like to go to a motel for 1-2 nights so that it feels like a 'vacation' and the family doesn't get sick of us, ha.
CEE

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Suites Resorts in November with my family. The 2 bedroom suite cost $99.00 per nite with free full breakfast buffet. There were shuttle buses to and from WDW and we had no problems with this at all.

We have stayed at both on and off wdw and I will not stay off again. The cost of getting to the attractions and parking and walking wasn't worth it to me. The convienence alone is worth the extra not to mention the staff and "ambiance"

Yes, except you loved the other place and know what to expect. When you were at Universal, did you return to the hotel during the day? That is one of the biggest advantages to staying at one of the places in WDW along the monorail... but if you don't return and you loved the other hotel... then you have a problem..

I have never heard of any last minute deals within Disney but that doesn't mean that they don't exist. We have stayed both on and off and much prefer staying within the property. The feeling/atmosphere is so much better. We have never stayed on a monorail property but it is so easy to zip around with your car from property to property to dine or whatever. Mind you, I have no experience with the Portofino.

This topic has been debated numerous times on this site. However, having been 5 times in the last 4 yrs, I still recommend staying on property. I' stayed at a different one each time and have not truly been wowed by any. While they are all clean and have great pools, the rooms are small and the food is expensive and somewhat predictable. The good news is the convenience, the early admission to parks, and the pools. If you're only doing the WDW parks it's worth the money. If you're doing other things off site than I'd probably recommend off property

The convenience of staying on property, especially with teens, might make it worth the expense. To/from parks via the bus is very easy and convenient, and leaving the teens at the parks while taking the bus back to room, hot tub, pools is terrific. Having a car on property for the evenings would be ideal (we did not have a car) as taking the bus between resorts is not easy.

Early entry into parks is also a plus. They opened the parks even earlier than posted on some days we were there.

Be sure your teens go to Disney Quest at Downtown Disney as well. They'll love it.