Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

KarenG

FluffyFiFi wrote: »

I really want to go to some of the Disney hotels for a meal, can anyone recommend the best ones. I don't mind splashing out on one or two expensive meals but would like a good view. Husband really likes his steaks but I prefer the seafood. Does anyone know if it is possible to use the Disney transport from resorts to the parks if you are not guests?

Thanks.

Yes, you can use the transport, no problem at all.

For the "best" view of the fireworks, I would suggest one of the Magic Kingdom resorts. The better ones are: California Grill (Contemporary), Narcoossee's (Grand Floridian) and Citrico's (Grand Floridian). All will do steak and seafood.

Other lovely restaurants include Flying Fish at the Boardwalk (fab for people watching), Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge (stunning resort and great for watching the animals), and Yachtsman's Steakhouse (Yacht Club).

The ones I've listed are what Disney calls its signature restaurants, with price tags to match. There are some others but I've not eaten at those.

Away from Disney, there are loads of other really nice restaurants, with equally nice (if not better - and certainly cheaper) food. Restaurant Row springs to mind, with Seasons 52, Bonefish Grill etc etc.

socrates

KarenG wrote: »

It's hard to recommend anything without knowing some specifics. Disney hotels vary from reasonably cheap (sub $100/night) to massively expensive ($500+/night). Do you have a budget in mind?

Probably around $200-300 and flying from London

blue_monkey_2

socrates wrote: »

Probably around $200-300 and flying from London

If you stay in a Disney resort you get free transfers to and from the airport so you would save some money there. This has to be pre-booked at least 24 hours before you fly though.

As for choice - well there is a lot to choose from. If you go to http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/ you can look though the resorts they have available.

Resorts: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/

I personally, would not stay in a hotel room again as in Nov we stayed in one of the Disney 'deluxe villa resorts' and had a kitchen and washer/dryer in the apartment and it made everything so much easier (and cheaper!!). With a hotel you are replying on buying food which can work out expensive. If you can wash clothes then you do not need to take so many (a huge mistake we made) so can save on luggage space.

Have a look at Old Key West or Saratoga Springs as they always have offers on these accomodations and we stayed there, in a 1 bedroom apartment, for a week, with full dining plan, for £1000 so well within your budget. And if you get dining plan and are saving on food then you might be able to afford more? I am not sure on the dates for dining plan this year but if it is available for when you want to book it will say so in red when you put your dates in and the results come in.

One thing I would say is that Kidani Village/Animal Kingdom Lodge is gorgeous but you are really limited on food and it is quite tucked out of the way so getting anywhere is a real of a pain. We paid $100 for a return taxi to and from Universal and if you are there for 2 weeks you might need to think about driving. We stayed at 2 different Disney resorts so maybe this is an option too if you want different experiences.

Here is a list of the accomodations in the Deluxe Villa catagory: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/hotels/?sortBy=nG:hasResortCategoryFacet&fv_78265=on These are the resorts that Disney Vacation Club (Disney Timeshare) use but anyone can pay to stay there. You will not get any bother at all from DVC to buy but there are certain benefits that DVC members get that you would otherwise pay for (such as Internet Access and DVD rental). However, you will be able to choose from a Studio (no washer/dryer and partial kitchen) to a 1 or 2 bed apartment (full kitchen, whirlpool bath and washer/drier).

Depending on when you go you may also get free dining which saves A LOT of money and makes no difference to the price you pay for the accomodation. You get a good dining plan with table meals (can be used for Character meals), for a hotel costing the same you only get the Quick Service plan.

However, if you are not bothered about all of that you can stay somewhere like Pop century hotel which is a budget hotel and will cost you around £60 a day and you still get to use Disney Transport. The thing I did not like about the hotels was having to traipse across the resort to go and get something to eat or to get a coffee in the morning. They are on the site too and will come in when you put yours dates in.

The villa resorts are not avalable from a travel agent and can only be booked with Disney but they only take £50 deposit with balance due 8 weeks before travel.

Hope this helps.

blue_monkey_2

socrates wrote: »

Probably around $200-300 and flying from London

To see Seaworld and things up Internation Drive area, you might want to consider staying here: http://www.hilton.co.uk/orlandoseaworld

We stayed here for week 1 and it was brilliant, even had a blow up cinema screen that went up twice a week by the pool at night so you can swim while watching a movie!!

It is walking distance from Seaworld and Aquatica and get the I-ride to do everything else such as shopping.

wannabe_moneysaver

Happy New Year!

I'm wondering if someone could help me decide between Disney properties please.

We are thinking of going in October and have 2 kids who will be 5 and 3. I have been swaying between one of the Port Orleans hotels and Old Key West. I've read so much about both but still can't decide so hoping someone has been in a similar situation to us might be able to help.

I like the thought of Port Orleans because I've read that one of the hotels, can't remember which now, is fairly small compared to the other larger resorts and it might be a bit easier for us to get around with the wee ones. Plus ds would love the taxi boat! We would have the free quick service dining but I think I would upgrade to the dining plan for more choice and I don't fancy 2 weeks of fast food.

But then I also like the thought of the Key West studio and having a little kitchenette, mostly for breakfast. However, I think OKW is larger and further away from the parks?

There is only around £70 between the 2 (with the upgrade to DDP at PO) so the cost isn't deciding it for me!

Sorry I've ended up rambling on, I really want to get this right!

Thanks for reading.

blue_monkey_2

wannabe, there is NO comparison between the 2 to be honest. Hotel room or apartment for the same price?

There is not a huge amount of difference on time between POR and OKW and OKW does have the water taxi to DTD. However, anyone can take the water taxi, you do not have to be staying at the resort. You can also get one from MK, Epcot or Hollywood Studios and do a round trip if you want to go on one.

OKW has a bus that gets you around the resort so getting around is no trouble at all and I have a 6 year old with a disability so we had his big buggy with us. There are bus stops everywhere and you just hop on a bus.

The difference between the 2 is that OKW is like a home so if you want a coffee or a sandwich you can make one instead of going out to get one. Also with the little ones, when you have a kitchen you can get up in the morning have breakfast cereals/toast and go out when you are all fed and ready, you do not have the little one worrying you for food while you have to get everyone up and dressed to go and get breakfast at the restaurant/counter - which tends to be muffins, deep fried stuff and other calorie laden stuff.

PS. I posted the incorrect link for the Villas, it is this one: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/hotels/?sortBy=nG:hasResortCategoryFacet&fv_78265=on will end above too.

Procrastinator333

Looking to get tickets and probably in advance of travel this time. There is a link off one of these threads to attraction tickets direct. Are they safe to use as far as you guys know? Anywhere else you would suggest?

Thanks

Procrastiantor

wannabe_moneysaver

Thanks very much for the info Blue Monkey. I was originally set on OKW but I thought the resort might be too big for us. I do like the idea of having the kitchenette as you say it would be easier for breakfast but our budget would really only stretch to the studio, as much as I would prefer the 1 bedroom! I've read on here before about the layout of the studio being a bit odd.

Thanks again for your comments. It does seem like a no brainer! Good to know too about getting about with a buggy. Thanks.

Now for flights......!

KarenG

Wannabe moneysaver, I've stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter and Old Key West so I can do a direct comparison for you. I'm assuming you are looking at a studio at OKW rather than a 1 bedroom (which is 3 times the size of a studio and includes full kitchen, living area, jacuzzi bath etc).

In terms of location for the parks, they are basically opposite each other, so no difference there.

Both have a (lovely) boat ride to Downtown Disney.

Rooms at Old Key West are bigger with a very lovely balcony (as long as you don't end up with a ground floor room with overhanging shrubbery!), and the kitchenette is handy, but not, IMO, significantly better than what you get at POFQ. Both have a fridge & coffee maker. OKW also has a toaster, but I can't for the life of me think that it has anything else extra? There are paper plates and bowls too. I don't personally think OKW offers particularly better breakfast making facilities in room that POFQ does.

Themeing is lovely at both.

POFQ is a lovely compact resort, and no matter what room you have you will not be far from the food court, swimming pool, play park and other communal areas. This is a big advantage for many people. OKW is a pretty big and sprawling resort which can be less good if you get put down the end and have no car. Yes, you can catch the internal resort buses to get around but that's never as handy as a quick stroll to the food court.

The big advantage I would say POFQ has over OKW is the food court. The quick service food offerings at OKW are extremely limited (to the point of almost non existent) compared with POFQ's excellent offerings. This won't matter to you if you wouldn't use them (ie staying in a 1 bedroom villa and cooking in, or only eating away from the resort).

We found bus service comparable at both.

As I say, I've stayed at both so hope to have been able to offer a view of the pros and cons - you have to decide which are the biggest pros and cons for you.

KarenG

Just missed something.. sorry!

Studio layout could be said to be odd at OKW, but not in a bad way, and it does work OK