Refund Check Is Here......Not So Patiently Waiting - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Refund Check Is Here......Not So Patiently Waiting
to book my trip. I now have enough money saved with what I put away since Christmas and the tax refund to pay what I budgeted for the room for 18 nights, four 6 day PHP's, our Universal & Sea World tickets for four and all four airline tickets (at current prices), and our rental car. The only thing left to save between now and when we leave June 10th is our food money, souvenier money, and misc spending money.
I have done the debate between off site and on. Since my room budget will only allow for a value resort, the comfort of more beds in a off-site suite hotel won out. (I don't have to share a bed with my mom or my kids) I thought about a shorter vacation to stay at a moderate or deluxe but wasn't willing to do that being this was my daughters first trip to disney world and I was not sure I could afford to bring them back before they were adults. Especially since my oldest will be 14 when we go.
I have researched several suite hotels, checked trip advisor on the reviews for each, and am pretty comfortable with the ones I have narrowed down.
So, basically, there is no reason why I can't go ahead and book the room, buy the tickets from floridaorlandotickets.com right now. I am happy with the prices I have found. So, why do I wait???? I am sure that as soon as I book, some better deal is going to show up. The minute I book a non-refundable deal, something better is going to come along.
How do all of you keep yourself from going crazy wondering if now is the time to book, or when it is better to wait and see? I want so much to go ahead and make it "official" by booking. What is the longest you wait to make your arrangements?
Re: Refund Check Is Here......Not So Patiently Waiting
I don't wait to book - I was getting nervous when I waited until late July to book our May vacation, as the prices for airfares etc. were out in the middle of June. I was convinced all the flights would be full and we wouldn't be able to get the dates we wanted for our DVC points, but of course everything was fine...
Re: Refund Check Is Here......Not So Patiently Waiting
I'd book ASAP! 18 nights! So cool! I'd go ahead with booking at the Value resort, but then I'm partial to staying onsite! Go ahead and book your room only, I'm sure a discount will come out soon for your June stay and you'll be able to apply it!
Re: Refund Check Is Here......Not So Patiently Waiting
I'd book now. In fact, book 2 or 3 if it makes you feel comfortable as long as there are no cancellation penalties. I have several reservations that I just need to cancel within 24 hours of my arrival date. I'm sure we'll have decided before that time, but it's nice to have options. And if a better deal comes along, you can bet I'll have no problem with rebooking. Same thing with our rental car -- I check our rates once a week and will do so more often close to our dates as the best deals seem to come about 3 months before your travel date.
As for tickets, buy them before prices go up! It's bound to happen in the next few months and you'll have saved some money.
Re: Refund Check Is Here......Not So Patiently Waiting
Teacher Kim,
I have narrowed my choices down to four suite hotels.
http://www.comfortsuites-orlando.com/ has exceptional rates (cheap at about $70 a night average during my June stay), but still great reviews at tripadvisor.com. The hotel website had the best rates. It offers two queen beds and a pull out sofa. The bedroom has an open doorway, but since DF is not coming this trip, that is not a concern for me. It comes with microwave, fridge, coffeemaker, safe, hairdryer, two telephones with dataports, they charge a "resort fee" of 2.14 a day, but that covers all local and 800 calls and free parking. It also has a free deluxe continental breakfast with your normal cold foods, plus pancakes and waffles. This hotel appears to be located near the Radisson Resort Parkway that is advertised on this board and mousesavers.
The second place I am considering is http://www.qualitysuitesmaingate.com/suites.htm. They offer one bedroom/one bath for approx $120.00 a night, and two bedroom/two bath for $180.00 a night. (for June checkin) The reviews from tripadvisor were exceptional as well. This hotel offers everything comfort suites does except the resort fee is 2.00 and is considered a safe charge, In addition, it has a stove top/diswasher/all dishware. Also, the bedrooms are actually separated by doors. The 1 BR is 600 sq. ft. and the 2 BR is 830 sq. ft. It appears to be located right on 192 closer to AK on the map that I have. They have several different bed options.
The third and fourth places I am considering are because they are located in Lake Buena Vista. Though I don't mind driving (I would drive regardless of where I stayed including on property)
The first is the country inn & suites in Lake Buena Vista. http://www.countryinns.com/hoteldire...p;origin=Hotel Directory&backURI=%2Freservation%2FhotelPrefer ence.do%3FlocationUni%3D12347%26dno%3D061004062804 22 This seems to be more of a budget place but does include mini fridge, microwave, free local calls, all at about $65 a night for their internet savers rate. I can't tell what size beds though. However, the reviews were very good at tripadvisor.
The last place I am considering is the AmeriSuites in Lake Buena Vista. The rates are about $79 and it offers about the same things as Country Inns except phone calls are $.50 cents per local call (that info is thanks to WillCad on this board). The tripadvisor reviews are not as good as the others, but WillCad on the board gave a positive review of the place.
I have listed these basically on order of appeal to me. They all seem to be in different areas that might be a consideration for you. Except the last two that I believe are right next to each other. If you have stayed at any of them in the past, let me know what you thought of them.
Re: Refund Check Is Here......Not So Patiently Waiting
Hi Crackers,
WE recently went to Disney,stayed at the Wilderness Lodge for an extended amount of time.We booked a 14 night stay.
When I started researching prices for our trip I was concerned about the same thing. I didnt want to miss a good deal.I ended up going to mouseearvacations.The agent I used was Pam Schuck. You might want to e mail her for a quote.She is phenomenal!!I expected to pay double what I ended up paying.Even better, she watches for better deals before your vacation and if it will save you money she will get that deal applied for you.Whenever I had questions I just e mailed her and she always got back to me in a matter of minutes.She even sent my kids a special surprise before our trip, and a welcome home card when we got home!!!I dealt with her almost completely over the internet but I felt as If she were a good friend.It was very personal service.She also will book any priority seatings you might want as well. We will absolutely use her again.
Our vacation included 14 nights at the Wilderness Lodge,and our length of stay pass hoppers as well as a few extras.We booked a standard room and ended up being upgraded to a courtyard view,very nice.For a family of 4 it ended up costing about $220 a day,(Deluxe hotel room and passes).Not too shabby!!
I highly reccomend you email her for a quote,Shes awesome!If you would like to say that you heard about her through me that would be fine with me.Her email is pams@cruisingco.com.
Re: Refund Check Is Here......Not So Patiently Waiting
Another one impatient here. Last trip I had everything booked about 10 months in advance (except air). Then I stressed out about getting codes, and watching for those.
This year, I have left the room up to Your Magical Journeys, and they will hunt for the codes, etc., when they come out. I just don't have the time this year. Add that to the stress I had just watching the airfare go up and down, and I had had enough!
Glad you seemed to have narrowed your choices, it certainly helps! Hope the rest of your planning goes smoothly
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