Staybridge suites Orlando for Disney

[Anonymous]

We are looking at a Disney trip this November (I know we're quite late to be booking).

We have an 8, 6 and 3 year old and we can get a two bed suite at Staybridge Orlando for about $1300 for 7 nights. Free shuttle to the parks.

if you have stayed at Staybridge Orlando for going to WDW before, how did you find it?

The resort hotels seem prohibitively expensive and the kids will be so amazed by the parks anyway... a bit torn though, this will be our one and only trip to Disney as we move back to Europe 6 months later...

[Anonymous]

Check out the various vacation clubs down there too, you may be able to get a good deal. Look on marriott.com and search for that brand. The Cyprus harbor Marriott is great, has 3 pools and kitchens and bedrooms with doors. Only 10 minute drive from wdw.

We always rent a car on Hotwire and it is usually about $200 a week in Orlando, well worth it.

I would stay in staybridge suites, sounds like a good deal for your family. Staying on property is fine for some but staying off property has its advantages.

Also check out allears dot net, and mouse savers for other wdw tips. Have fun!

[Anonymous]

When in November will you be going?
If it's Thanksgiving week, I wouldn't do it. It is SO crowded and staying off site will make it even more difficult.

[Anonymous]

The free shuttles from off site hotels are not good! Look into renting DVC points and stay off site. It's worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The free shuttles from off site hotels are not good! Look into renting DVC points and stay off site. It's worth it.

. *stay on site

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When in November will you be going?
If it's Thanksgiving week, I wouldn't do it. It is SO crowded and staying off site will make it even more difficult.

We went last Thanksgiving, stayed offsite (SO much cheaper, get a Disney campsite to get all the onsite benefits) and had the greatest time! We also planned a TON a head of time so by the time we were there we could just enjoy everything. Yes, there were lots of people but we didn't think it was as insane as we prepared ourselves for. We were also at MK on Thanksgiving day.

The keys to us having a great time were:
1. Get there before rope drop (30ish min before they open). We did SO much in the first 2 hours it was awesome. Before there were lines.
2. Hit the popular ride first. For us at MK that was the Seven Dwarves Mine Train. We ran straight there and was off it within 15min (wait was 90min when we exited).
3. Book fast passes for afternoon when it's most crowded.
4. Book lunch/dinner reservations for sit downs 6 months in advance (you're past this OP so I'd make your decision sooner rather than later so you can get something). You have until 24 hours before your reservation time to cancel without penalty.
5. We rented a car, which was fabulous because we weren't relying on a shuttle schedule. Booking the campsite got us free parking (plus access to magic hours) - we also have 2 cars (9 of us on the trip) so parking alone virtually paid for the campsite.
6. In MK utilize the train. It runs every 5ish minutes, takes only a few min to get you from one side of the park to the other (and lets you sit briefly).

DH, DD (3.5) and I had a wonderful time and will continue to go over Thanksgiving, mostly because we won't need to pull DD from school and the weather won't be sweltering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When in November will you be going?
If it's Thanksgiving week, I wouldn't do it. It is SO crowded and staying off site will make it even more difficult.

We went last Thanksgiving, stayed offsite (SO much cheaper, get a Disney campsite to get all the onsite benefits) and had the greatest time! We also planned a TON a head of time so by the time we were there we could just enjoy everything. Yes, there were lots of people but we didn't think it was as insane as we prepared ourselves for. We were also at MK on Thanksgiving day.

The keys to us having a great time were:
1. Get there before rope drop (30ish min before they open). We did SO much in the first 2 hours it was awesome. Before there were lines.
2. Hit the popular ride first. For us at MK that was the Seven Dwarves Mine Train. We ran straight there and was off it within 15min (wait was 90min when we exited).
3. Book fast passes for afternoon when it's most crowded.
4. Book lunch/dinner reservations for sit downs 6 months in advance (you're past this OP so I'd make your decision sooner rather than later so you can get something). You have until 24 hours before your reservation time to cancel without penalty.
5. We rented a car, which was fabulous because we weren't relying on a shuttle schedule. Booking the campsite got us free parking (plus access to magic hours) - we also have 2 cars (9 of us on the trip) so parking alone virtually paid for the campsite.
6. In MK utilize the train. It runs every 5ish minutes, takes only a few min to get you from one side of the park to the other (and lets you sit briefly).

DH, DD (3.5) and I had a wonderful time and will continue to go over Thanksgiving, mostly because we won't need to pull DD from school and the weather won't be sweltering.

That's kinda lame that you're taking up a campsite from people who actually would like to use it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When in November will you be going?
If it's Thanksgiving week, I wouldn't do it. It is SO crowded and staying off site will make it even more difficult.

We went last Thanksgiving, stayed offsite (SO much cheaper, get a Disney campsite to get all the onsite benefits) and had the greatest time! We also planned a TON a head of time so by the time we were there we could just enjoy everything. Yes, there were lots of people but we didn't think it was as insane as we prepared ourselves for. We were also at MK on Thanksgiving day.

The keys to us having a great time were:
1. Get there before rope drop (30ish min before they open). We did SO much in the first 2 hours it was awesome. Before there were lines.
2. Hit the popular ride first. For us at MK that was the Seven Dwarves Mine Train. We ran straight there and was off it within 15min (wait was 90min when we exited).
3. Book fast passes for afternoon when it's most crowded.
4. Book lunch/dinner reservations for sit downs 6 months in advance (you're past this OP so I'd make your decision sooner rather than later so you can get something). You have until 24 hours before your reservation time to cancel without penalty.
5. We rented a car, which was fabulous because we weren't relying on a shuttle schedule. Booking the campsite got us free parking (plus access to magic hours) - we also have 2 cars (9 of us on the trip) so parking alone virtually paid for the campsite.
6. In MK utilize the train. It runs every 5ish minutes, takes only a few min to get you from one side of the park to the other (and lets you sit briefly).

DH, DD (3.5) and I had a wonderful time and will continue to go over Thanksgiving, mostly because we won't need to pull DD from school and the weather won't be sweltering.

That's kinda lame that you're taking up a campsite from people who actually would like to use it.

6:13 here, and I agree. Especially because you took it during a high volume time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When in November will you be going?
If it's Thanksgiving week, I wouldn't do it. It is SO crowded and staying off site will make it even more difficult.

We went last Thanksgiving, stayed offsite (SO much cheaper, get a Disney campsite to get all the onsite benefits) and had the greatest time! We also planned a TON a head of time so by the time we were there we could just enjoy everything. Yes, there were lots of people but we didn't think it was as insane as we prepared ourselves for. We were also at MK on Thanksgiving day.

The keys to us having a great time were:
1. Get there before rope drop (30ish min before they open). We did SO much in the first 2 hours it was awesome. Before there were lines.
2. Hit the popular ride first. For us at MK that was the Seven Dwarves Mine Train. We ran straight there and was off it within 15min (wait was 90min when we exited).
3. Book fast passes for afternoon when it's most crowded.
4. Book lunch/dinner reservations for sit downs 6 months in advance (you're past this OP so I'd make your decision sooner rather than later so you can get something). You have until 24 hours before your reservation time to cancel without penalty.
5. We rented a car, which was fabulous because we weren't relying on a shuttle schedule. Booking the campsite got us free parking (plus access to magic hours) - we also have 2 cars (9 of us on the trip) so parking alone virtually paid for the campsite.
6. In MK utilize the train. It runs every 5ish minutes, takes only a few min to get you from one side of the park to the other (and lets you sit briefly).

DH, DD (3.5) and I had a wonderful time and will continue to go over Thanksgiving, mostly because we won't need to pull DD from school and the weather won't be sweltering.

That's kinda lame that you're taking up a campsite from people who actually would like to use it.

6:13 here, and I agree. Especially because you took it during a high volume time.

A lot of locals like to camp on the weekends there and can never get a site because of this dishonesty.

[Anonymous]

And before someone comes and says "she paid. It doesn't matter". It's the same as buying the last bottle of water and throwing it away vs letting the person behind you buy it and drink it. No reason to let it just sit there when someone would love to use it.

[Anonymous]

Um, Disney is not exactly some kind of charity operation. It's not like they opened a campground to give sites away to families who didn't think to book in advance. It's like renting a hotel room that you only plan to use to change and shower, or stay for an hour. She is "using it."

[Anonymous]

I like the little kitchenette but the pool looks boring.

[Anonymous]

You can get a 2 BR condo at the Liki Tiki Resort for $136/nt at Thanksgiving. The pool is great for kids that age. No buffet breakfast though...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Um, Disney is not exactly some kind of charity operation. It's not like they opened a campground to give sites away to families who didn't think to book in advance. It's like renting a hotel room that you only plan to use to change and shower, or stay for an hour. She is "using it."

It's the kind of behavior I would expect from someone who can't afford a Disney hotel.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the tips. It would be before Thanksgiving. The kids are at an international school so have different vacation times.

We'll have a car so is driving in better than shuttles?