One night early. Where to stay off-site?

[Lynn J Mc]

We are going to be arriving via car one night early. We want to stay as close to the magic as possible but still be off-site. Clean, safe and cheap are my only requirements. We will be staying at the Grand Flo when we get to WDW and it would have cost $433 to add one night. Any suggestions?

[Tygger7]

We always drive to WDW and run into the same situation...not wanting to spend big $$ for the first night since we're not sure exactly when we'll arrive.

I did a lot of checking, but still keep coming back to the Value resorts. For a first night, in an area that you KNOW is clean & safe, they're perfect. And, it's let us experience the values first hand. I know you said you wanted off property, but for $80-$120 (depending on time of year, day of the week, etc.) you can't beat it...and you're on property and can take advantage of being a resort guest.

For example, on our May 2008 trip, we arrived on Saturday afternoon and checked into Pop Century. We went to our room, changed clothes, and went to Downtown Disney, then to the Beach Club/Boardwalk area for dinner. It really works out great, and is a fantastic way to begin your vacation and get you even more in the Disney spirit.

[Lynn J Mc]

We have actually done that same thing before but they are so big and the lines so long at the check-in that it took us about an hour and a half to get to the room and we swore we'd never do that again.

[Mousemates]

We do the value resorts (and have missed out on the long lines that plagued you). But since you have ruled that out based on your bad experience, why not give the Gaylord Palms a try...you can often get a good rate there (since they are an intercot sponsor)...and the resort is very nice. DW stayed there earlier this year on business and thought it was on a par with some of the nicer hotels we've stayed at in florida through the years.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

If it were me, I'd book a night at one of the values.....we've stayed off site the first night our last two trips and I said never again!

[Mackflava99]

Actually gaylord palms is pretty nice for the money- check out the link to the site-

[kemps@wdw]

we usually arrive a day before we are to check in @ our resort and have always stayed in the DTD area on Hotel Plaza Blvd. They're very reasonable, we go to DTD that evening for a light supper and some shopping, and it allows us to check in early the next AM @our resort. We have a small overnight bag for our stay so we don't have to unpack ALL our things. (and we can use the bag for our souveniers). The next AM (@ 7:30-8AM), we check our luggage @ our resort, (specify what area and/or room we prefer...yes we know what room # we want and the earlier we check in, the more likely we are to get it, and there are no waiting lines to check in. Then we head on over to MK. When we return, usually around lunch or after, our room is ready and our things are there.

[MuchLovedMama]

My family loves Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista.

[MicMouse]

I second the nomination for the Country Inn & Suites on Calypso Cay Way. We stayed there TWO nights before we checked into the Polynesian - just last month. The rooms were great, the pools were wonderful and the breakfast buffet was better than the breakfast spread we had at the Poly's Concierge Lounge.

We got the room for around $89/night thru Hotels.com.

I would definitely stay there again.

Have fun!

[dnickels]

I'm sure someone will say "uggh Super 8" but before I moved to the area I stayed a few times at the Super 8
5875 W Irlo Bronson Hwy
Kissimmee, FL 34746 US

The rooms were always clean and a quick look shows prices for one night of $50-55 (55-63 including tax).