taking granddaughters to disneyworld help on accomodations
 

We're planning a trip for 4 nights in October (the girls are 6 & 9) and interested in staying close enough to drive to Magic Kingdom, Universal, maybe Epcot. Want a 2 BR suite with kitchenette and fun pool for them. Are there rooms like this on Disney premises? up to $350/night
Thanks!

There are absolutely places like this, but it is tricky to get one for $350 a night.
If you are willing to be farther away from the Magic Kingdom, but still on Disney premises, try the family suites as the All Star Music Resorts -- they go fast, they require a long-ish (30 minute) bus ride to the parks, but they are under $300.

The Villas at the Wilderness Lodge is fantastic, a short boat ride from the Magic Kingdoom, but expensive -- you can get a 1 bedroom for over $400. But the 1 bedroom sleeps 4, because the living room couch folds out to a double. The pool at these villas is beautiful.

Saratoga Springs or Key West resorts are onsite as well -- these are farther away from the Magic Kingdom, but a little less expensive. Still over the $350 mark.

Forgot to mention one option: Holiday Inn's Nickelodeon Family Suites hotel. Downside: it is not on Disney property. But it is, therefore, less expensive, and they do have a shuttle to Disney. (I always prefer staying onsite, but if you're going to Universal as well, this might be a good choice)

I know there are more options around -- these are just the only ones I have more than passing knowledge of, so hopefully someone else will have more ideas for you.

It doesn't have to be on the Disney
premises....maybe a 10-20 minute drive?

Most of the hotels and resorts near WDW have shuttles but it's not nearly as convenient as staying on WDW property. You won't have a kitchenette but the All-Star resorts are cheap enough to get 2 adjoining rooms for well under $350/nt. If you decide to do that, pay the extra to have a more conveniently located room (nearer to the lobby) because the rooms in the back of the comples are a LONG way from the lobby and food court.

There are all kinds of resorts close to Disney that aren't on Disney property but will fit your budget. The lower cost of the rooms will more than make up for the daily parking costs at the parks. I've stayed at Marriott Grande Vista before and it's convenient to all the theme parks and is high class. A quick look on the Marriott website shows a 2BR villa at Horizons by Marriott for $216/nt (no availability for the Grande Vista on the dates I picked).

We spent a night at WorldQuest Resort, which is a 5 minute drive to the gate of Magic Kingdom. We booked a 2 bedroom suite, and were upgraded to a 3 bedroom. We had a kitchen equipped with everything, washer (with soap) and dryer. It was extremely spacious and comfortable with an eating area in the kitchen, living room, lanai and dining room table. Each room had its own flat screen tv. (Of course, we were barely there!) You get a free continental breakfast. We also loved the pool - although it didn't have a theme like the Disney Resorts.

I found WorldQuest on Tripadvisor.com. You should easily get a 2 bedroom suite for under $200 a night. One thing - these are condos, so they come and clean up the kitchen and change linens, but they don't vacuum every day. You can request that as a special service (or bring a broom).

How about a five minute drive off property, with a private pool for the kids and a hot tub for those tired feet.. Themed rooms for the kids and a game room as well.Much less than $350 a night.
http://www.coconutsky.com/HoneyPot/
I stayed there last December and love the place. The owner was great to work with also.

There are lots of recommendations
at disboards.com. Have fun with your
grands.

In October, you should be able to get a decent package deal with rooms and tickets at Disney, for a sale price.

If not and you decide to stay off-property, check out HolidayVillas.com, or the Buena Vista Suites.

We stayed at the Floridays resort over Labor Day and the accommodations were very nice. The main pool area is fun and includes a Starbucks, snack bar, and bar area. It is very convenient to everything including a Publix grocery around the corner. Rates in October for a 2 bedroom look to be around $213 per night. They also have a shuttle to the various theme parks.
http://www.floridaysresortorlando.com/

Did you think about a Marriott Vacation Club villa? There are seven of them scattered along the corridor between Disney and Universal, and the starting price for 2BR villa is $250-$312 depending on which property the villa is at.

Also check cabins at Fort Wilderness. They start at $255.-, and October looks like $299.-. I do hear it's not as conveniently located as other properties on Disney property.