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21:07:07 [Moley] Welcome to the Tuesday night Mickey Mic chat. Will is guiding us through Out of site, but not out of your mind. Offsite hotels and attractions.
21:07:08 [Crackers] net
21:07:12 [Crackers] explorer
21:07:17 [MargaretJ] Hi guys
21:07:20 [Moley] How's that, Will?
21:07:39 [Moley] All riiight, Crackers made it back in!
21:07:42 [WillCAD] Perfect Moley.
21:07:52 [WillCAD] But no attractions, just hotels.
21:08:04 [Moley] Good, cause you will see it a lot. 
21:08:18 [Moley] oh, correcting.
21:08:31 [DisneyBUff] NOONE ever stay at teh knights in maingate. it is nasty
21:09:12 [WillCAD] I've heard some bad things about that place in the past.
21:09:34 [Moley] I've stayed there, Disney Buff. It had purple crushed velvet bedspreads and red drapes and carpet.
21:09:56 [Crackers] yuck
21:10:16 [MargaretJ] Sounds like Elvis' home.
21:10:18 [Moley] In Arkansas, we call that good decorating.
21:10:59 [WillCAD] Never been to Graceland.
21:11:02 [DisneyBUff] oh no the one we stayed at had nasty brown carpet stains ofr free, and the bed spreads were from like 1950. the towels had stains and were like stiffer tehn stiff.
21:11:45 [MargaretJ] And the rooms you are describing is exactly why I stay onsite.
21:11:57 [DisneyBUff] it was/is down toward old town
21:12:04 [MargaretJ] I am afraid I will get a nasty room.
21:12:20 [Crackers] yes, but what off site hotels has anyone really liked?
21:12:29 [DisneyBUff] that is why we will only stay onsite now. we prommised our selves.
21:12:58 [Moley] Will, which ones get the best reviews?
21:13:03 [DisneyBUff] the howard johnson's arent too bad
21:13:03 [WillCAD] But MJ, the point is, crummy places like that are the exception. There are wonderful resorts offsite that are as nice as Disney for far less money.
21:13:13 [MargaretJ] I think the Hyatt is what they had on the Travel Channel the other day - it looked nice.
21:13:29 [WillCAD] Well, naturally, the most expensive places tend to get raves.
21:13:48 [BetsyAnn] back - sorry
21:13:54 [Moley] Many people love the Holiday Inn Family Suites.
21:13:56 [WillCAD] Marriott Orlando World Center, Gaylord Palms, places like that.
21:14:29 [WillCAD] HIFS is the perfect example Moley. It is a great place that offers something Disney doesn't at a reasonable rate.
21:14:31 [MargaretJ] I have had friends stay at Holiday Inn Family Suites. They were very happy. Onsite does not make sense to them with 4 kids.
21:14:35 [BetsyAnn] Will - where have you stayed off site
21:15:05 [WillCAD] Most of my off-site experiences were with friends in Kissimmee.
21:15:12 [BetsyAnn] I stayed at the DT Hilton - wonderful
21:15:16 [Moley] House rentals get very good reviews, too.
21:15:32 [WillCAD] But I have stayed at the Days Inn LBV (next to Crossroads), Vistana, and Parc Corniche.
21:15:35 [BetsyAnn] Have Also stayed at timeshare in Kissimee which was great!
21:16:05 [Moley] Did you like Vistana?
21:16:07 [WillCAD] Once I stayed in a pink flamingo place in Kissimmee. My friends and I instantly dubbed it the Hotel Coral Essex.
21:16:27 [Moley] lol
21:16:45 [DisneyBUff] any recomendations on good house rentals or time shares?
21:17:10 [WillCAD] Vistana was one of the nicest hotels I have ever seen. I happened to be in a brand-new unit.
21:17:43 [Moley] Vistana is a time share, literally right around the corner from Disney property.
21:17:50 [Moley] wb, Crackers.
21:18:31 [WillCAD] Vistana is a nice time share, but pretty expensive.
21:19:13 [Crackers] thank you
21:19:17 [Crackers] hate aol
21:19:44 [BetsyAnn] http://www.venturaresorts.com/vrkissimmeerates.html here are some house rental sites
21:19:52 [DisneyBUff] we have stayed onsite but with 3 kids and only us 2 parents(not like there is more) the ALl Stars just don't work anymore
21:20:05 [Moley] Thanks, Betsy Ann!
21:20:32 [Moley] Have you tried the two room route yet at All Stars?
21:20:35 [DisneyBUff] ty
21:20:39 [BetsyAnn] http://www3.cyberrentals.com/FLC/FLC4.html
21:20:40 [WillCAD] DisneyBUFF, Holiday Inn Family Suites or Vistana would be perfect for you.
21:21:02 [Moley] another good one.
21:21:06 [Crackers] I've read conflicting reviews on Parc Corniche. We are considering it in June.
21:21:28 [WillCAD] Parc Corniche or Caribe Royale would be pretty good, too.
21:21:38 [DisneyBUff] no my youngest just turned 3 so she was still a porta crib baby.
21:22:09 [WillCAD] Crackers, Parc Corniche is not as nice as Vistana, but it is clean and well-maintained.
21:22:16 [WillCAD] Good choice for the price.
21:23:29 [Crackers] I just figure that the less I have to spend on a room, the longer I can stay at WDW. But, don't know the area and am afraid of getting a dump.
21:24:14 [Moley] That's why looking at planning boards and doing searches for offsite hotels can sometimes land you just the right bargain.
21:24:21 [BetsyAnn] Just an observation from a Disneyland lover -- we have never stayed on site at DL -- always choose a Best Western very close by -- once in the Hilton which had a great rate -- big difference between the two coasts and expectations of the hotels
21:24:28 [Crackers] that's why I am here
21:24:45 [WillCAD] True Crackers. Always check out a new place on the various Disney boards before booking.
21:25:09 [Moley] You can also use Hotwire and put in what kind of hotel you want, such as 4 star and a price for your dates, like $60 per night. Many times you get a fine hotel for that price.
21:26:07 [WillCAD] I like Value Trips http://www.valuetrips.com/Cities/orlando.htm for finding off-site bargains.
21:26:21 [Moley] Frequently the Dolphin or the Marriott at Sea World come up at that price.
21:26:28 [WillCAD] And FLHotels too http://www.flhotels.com/orlando/lake.html
21:27:16 [Crackers] ok, here is another issue. What do you think is better? A nicer offsite hotel room, or a maybe 3 star type suite with kitchenette? Not that I plan to do alot of cooking while I am there, but is the price difference worth it for maybe just breakfasts in the room.
21:27:19 [WillCAD] Using Valuetrips, I found an AmeriSuites just off-site for $49 a night the first week of December.
21:27:21 [MargaretJ] Crackers maybe after the chat you can post on the Resorts Board & ask for decent offsite hotels that others have stayed at. I am not much help since once I stayed onsite I was hooked onsite.
21:28:20 [BetsyAnn] I love having atleast a refrig and a microwave in the room - breakfast and snacks are great to eat there!
21:28:22 [Crackers] I've done alot of research and think I have it narrowed down to a handful. But, I have time to decide since we are not going until June.
21:28:53 [Moley] That's a lot of time to ask questions and get good answers. Good for you in starting so early.
21:29:18 [WillCAD] Crackers, which places are on your short list?
21:29:29 [BetsyAnn] Crackers, you could post your top few picks and see if anyone has recent experience there -- and June will be here before you know it!
21:29:36 [Crackers] Figured I better considering I was 10 years old the last time I was there, and nothing but MK was there then.
21:29:52 [Moley] To me, that's the benefit of an offsite hotel. They are frequently willing to throw in extras, like suite accomodations, free breakfasts, a frig in order to entice you to book.
21:30:05 [MargaretJ] Oh wow will you be surprised Crackers. How long are you staying?
21:30:54 [Crackers] Parc Coniche, HIFS, Raddison Resort Parkway, Sheraton Safari, and the Hotel Royal Plaza, and anything else that might hit my fancy now and then. lol
21:31:05 [Crackers] Staying two and a half weeks.
21:31:28 [Moley] Perfect amount of time for June!
21:31:46 [WillCAD] Of those choices, I'd say HIFS probably gets the best buzz on the boards.
21:31:57 [Moley] I agree.
21:31:59 [MargaretJ] Oh what a trip. I would definitely try to get something with a kitchen. Have you thought about the cabins at Fort Wilderness?
21:32:07 [BetsyAnn] That is a wonderful amount of time -- you can take lots of breaks in the heat of the day -- a kitchenette would be great
21:32:26 [Moley] Is the Hotel Royal Plaza in the Downtown Disney plaza complex?
21:33:34 [BetsyAnn] Sorry what is HIFS?
21:33:49 [WillCAD] Yes Moley on Hotel Plaza Blvd
21:33:52 [Moley] Holiday Inn Family Suites.
21:33:56 [BetsyAnn] Hey Ahnalira!
21:33:58 [WillCAD] Holiday Inn Family Suites.
21:34:01 [MargaretJ] Hi
21:34:04 [Moley] Hi Ahnalira! Welcome to the Tuesday night Mickey Mic chat. Will is guiding us through Out of site, but not out of your mind. Offsite hotels in the Orlando area.
21:34:06 [BetsyAnn] thank you, moley
21:34:07 [Ahnalira] Evening, all 
21:34:11 [MargaretJ] Hi Ahnalira long time no see
21:34:20 [DisneyBUff] i was told u can rent rvs and use them at fort wilderness also
21:34:36 [Ahnalira] Great topic!
21:34:37 [WillCAD] http://www.hifamilysuites.com/
21:35:14 [Ahnalira] Tanks, MargaretJ I'm always
delighted when I stop in and find a chat happening!
21:35:20 [Moley] Ahnalira, what does your travel company recommend in offsite hotels?
21:35:24 [WillCAD] Yes DIsneyBUFF, if you have an RV you can camp at Ft. Wildrness. Camp sites are very inexpensive.
21:35:54 [BetsyAnn] Thanks Will - they really look great!
21:36:20 [Ahnalira] Holiday Inn Family Suites is one of the ones we use alot. We also recommend the Summerfield Suites
21:36:49 [Moley] I've heard excellent things about them. Forgot about them almost.
21:36:56 [Ahnalira] HIFS has very large suites for the price!
21:37:15 [Moley] they do and they have complimentary breakfast.
21:37:23 [Moley] yummmm
21:37:34 [WillCAD] http://www.summerfield-orlando.com/
21:37:51 [MargaretJ] Hey Cheri
21:37:54 [Moley] Hey Lime Green! Welcome to the Tuesday night Mickey Mic chat. Will is guiding us through Out of site, but not out of your mind. Offsite hotels in the Orlando area.
21:37:55 [BetsyAnn] Hey LimeGreenCheri!
21:38:09 [LimeGreenC] Hey Everybody, sorry I'm late
21:38:24 [BetsyAnn] That one also looks great Will
21:38:33 [Ahnalira] Summerfield has a benefit of being one of the "good neighbor" resorts so Disney will package park passes and sometimes discounts for it
21:38:33 [MargaretJ] WB Crackers
21:38:42 [WillCAD] Hi Cheri
21:38:53 [Moley] The Summerfield properties are usually well maintained.
21:38:55 [Crackers] ty, sorry about that. This is why I gave up playing games on the internet
21:38:57 [Ahnalira] Evening, Cheri
21:40:07 [Crackers] by the way WillCAD, thanks for posting this site on other message boards. I would have never have found it otherwise.
21:40:44 [WillCAD] You can thank Jen and Dave for letting me post on the Passporter boards.
21:40:49 [Ahnalira] Has anyone heard anything on the progress of the Four Seasons resort opening at the end of World Drive in Celebration?
21:41:04 [Moley] I love Passporter. Such friendly people.
21:41:17 [Crackers] yes, me too
21:41:26 [MargaretJ] Passporter best guidebook out there.
21:41:27 [Ahnalira] Jen and Dave are wonderful!
21:41:28 [LimeGreenC] Have we talked about Renissance World Gate yet?
21:41:42 [WillCAD] Nope, haven't heard anything lately Ahnalira.
21:41:48 [Moley] Nothing, Ahnalira. Isn't the scheduled opening buzz pretty far out, like 2005?
21:42:04 [WillCAD] No Cheri, we haven't. Been there?
21:42:27 [Ahnalira] That's the last thing I heard, too, Moley. I drove by there last week, though, and it's coming up FAST!
21:42:56 [Moley] Maybe it will be bumped to next year. It should be a pretty exciting resort.
21:43:06 [LimeGreenC] yes, we stayed there for one night, got it off priceline, and it is a very nice hotel. Huge garden tub. very clean and only2 minutes from MK
21:43:18 [Ahnalira] I'll be really curious to see how extensive their
transportation to the World is since they most assuredly won't be
offering lower rates; > 
21:43:26 [Crackers] the only that worries me about HIFS is that my kids are real little anymore. They will be 11 & 14. Plus, they are about 150 a night. I would like to spend less than that.
21:43:28 [WillCAD] Hi Dave
21:43:31 [MargaretJ] Hi Tagrel
21:43:34 [Tagrel] Ack! I forgot about the chat tonight! 
21:43:36 [LimeGreenC] Hi Tagrel
21:43:43 [Tagrel] Hi all!
21:43:50 [Moley] Renaissance World Gate is one of the 4 stars you can vie for on Hotwire, Value trips and the like.
21:43:50 [BetsyAnn] Hey Tagrel!
21:43:51 [Ahnalira] Evening, Tagrel
21:44:10 [Moley] Hey Tag! Welcome to the Tuesday night Mickey Mic chat. Will is guiding us through Out of site, but not out of your mind. Offsite hotels in the Orlando area.
21:44:14 [Ahnalira] Crackers, Summerfield is smaller than HIFS but it costs less, too
21:44:20 [BetsyAnn] What seems like a reasonable rate for an offsite near WDW
21:44:42 [Tagrel] Good topic! I like the name too!
21:44:42 [LimeGreenC] We didn't swim in the pool at Renaissance World Gate, but it looked very nice and very clean
21:44:44 [Moley] $60 per night on a Priceline deal.
21:44:57 [Crackers] okay, will check them out. I think I liked what I heard about them too.
21:45:00 [WillCAD] For what type and size of room BA?
21:45:02 [Ahnalira] Betsy Ann, depends upon location and whether it is a suite or not
21:45:34 [LimeGreenC] I think I paid $45 for RWG on pricline last September
21:45:42 [BetsyAnn] Give me a couple of options - how about suite and standard room
21:45:46 [Moley] HIFS can cost over $100 but most folks find it worth it in the Peak Season.
21:45:52 [MargaretJ] Crackers I read a trip report on MousePlanet the other day & the guy stayed at some condo for about 99.00 a night. I think it was the last guy under Spring 2003.
21:45:55 [WillCAD] Crackers, you can get a better rate thru ValueTrips http://www.valuetrips.com/FL/ORL/HIFSR/HolidayInnFSR.htm
21:45:57 [Ahnalira] Priceline usually always has the "real deals"
21:46:07 [Moley] Wow, lime green, huge deal!
21:46:38 [MargaretJ] I wouldn't have to read at MousePlanet so much if LimeGreenCheri would finish her Trip Report :-)
21:46:44 [Tagrel] oops, fell out of the chat room!
21:46:48 [Crackers] yes, but priceline doesn't guarantee room for four, just two. They don't have to give you two beds. Not good if you are bring kids with you.
21:46:55 [Moley]
21:46:56 [Ahnalira] I've seen the Marriott in Downtown Disney as low as $20 a night, Betsy Ann
21:47:10 [Moley] very true, Crackers
21:47:23 [Crackers] thanks for the link will
21:47:26 [MargaretJ] That's true Ahnalira they have that special every once in awhile.
21:47:33 [LimeGreenC] This is true Crackers, but we've always lucked out with 2 beds
21:48:16 [Tagrel] I've found its tougher to get a King room than 2 doubles or 2 queens. We used Hotwire once - $55 for the Windham Palace. Not too shabby.
21:48:17 [Ahnalira] A suite for $99 a night or less is a good deal, usually
21:48:25 [DisneyBUff] we got the dolphin for 70 a night on price line
21:48:29 [Crackers] don't think I want to chance that and be sleeping on a floor for two and a half weeks. lol
21:48:47 [Ahnalira] LOL, Crackers!
21:49:04 [Tagrel] How did you like the Dolphin Buffy?
21:49:09 [LimeGreenC] I got the Dolphin for $60 on priceline in July, well worth the $$$$$$$$$
21:49:11 [WillCAD] Priceline is terrific for bargains, but the limitiations make it tough for families.
21:49:22 [Crackers] Though their vacation packages allow you to choose four people, and choose your hotel. But, you have to get your flights through them as well.
21:49:25 [Tagrel] LOL, very true Crackers!
21:49:38 [DisneyBUff] We loved it. exspecialy the view.
21:49:40 [Ahnalira] You know another interesting way to get a good deal if you are driving is not to make a reservation and stop in at one of the Disney information centers... they offer some very LOW rates for resorts that have availability there
21:50:48 [Crackers] too long of a drive from the Baltimore area for me with two kids. Think I will stick to flying.
21:51:22 [WillCAD] That can give you a good rate Ahnalira, but it's a gamble.
21:51:28 [Moley] I have to duck out now. Will, thank you! Goodnight
everyone.
21:51:30 [LimeGreenC] what kind of rates have you heard of at the Disney information centers Ahnalira?
21:51:40 [DisneyBUff] we drive down each year with 3 kids. they were 5,3,2 our last trip
21:51:51 [MargaretJ] Nite Moley
21:51:54 [Crackers] goodnight
21:51:59 [WillCAD] Thanks Moley, goodnight.
21:52:05 [LimeGreenC] night Moley
21:52:26 [Crackers] I don't have that kind of patience. This is a vacation
after all.
21:52:59 [Ahnalira] I've seen moderate resorts at $50 a night, Cheri
21:53:17 [MargaretJ] I actually like to drive now, course I am fairly close. With security it takes too much time to fly now.
21:53:20 [DisneyBUff] we leave at night and take our game boy,leap pad etc.. lol
21:53:31 [WillCAD] Would that be off-site moderates Ahnalira?
21:53:31 [Ahnalira] Of course, you have to be the kind of person who is comfortable "winging it"
21:53:52 [LimeGreenC] Wow Ahanlira!
21:53:54 [Ahnalira] I like to drive now, too LOL
21:54:11 [Crackers] That counts me out, I plan to death.
21:54:30 [MargaretJ] Yes you do have quite a drive Ahnalira.
21:54:33 [BetsyAnn] Sorry got interupted!
21:55:05 [Ahnalira] I think it's a great idea for value season... like right now when there is availability in almost every resort
21:55:44 [DisneyBUff] wow you mean mods at disney?
21:56:08 [Ahnalira] Yep, when we lived in Celebration we couldn't justify
staying overnight, but now that we are a whole half hour away it seems
like the perfect drive for a real vacation; >
21:56:12 [WillCAD] I'm in Baltimore too. 14-16 hours in the car.. I'll fly, thank you very much!
21:56:17 [LimeGreenC] can you get more than one night that way Ahnalira? or just that day?
21:56:40 [Ahnalira] Yes, DisneyBuff... I know I lost sight of the chat topic for a moment... got too excited.. LOL
21:56:55 [DisneyBUff] i am in NY so it takes us around 21 hrs.
21:57:06 [DisneyBUff] and that is only with potty breaks.
21:57:15 [MargaretJ] Man that is one long trip. 6 1/2 hrs for me.
21:57:18 [Ahnalira] You can get your entire stay that way, Cheri, as long as there is availability.. that's the gamble part
21:57:31 [Crackers] couldn't agree with you more will. Though, I have an
extra 40 minutes or so, am actually in PA just over the state line.
Though work in Baltimore. Could leave from work and make that time I
guess. But, BWI is my first choice.
21:58:39 [LimeGreenC] I may just have to try that sometime Ahnalira.
21:58:45 [BetsyAnn] Days from here- it would take days!
21:58:59 [Tagrel] We did the drive from NY once, and it was about 21
hours for us as well. Liked driving all night. The kids slept half the
way!
21:59:17 [WillCAD] Crackers: New Freedom? I'm in Cockeysvile.
21:59:38 [Ahnalira] It's especially fun if you decide to go on short notice anyway, Cheri... adds magic to the trip when you find that GREAT rate. Just make sure you have a plan B, just in case
21:59:41 [Crackers] Yes, new freedom
21:59:59 [Crackers] I work in Towson, used to be in Hunt Valley.
22:00:01 [WillCAD] I've done the driva many times. Overnight twice. It's great to get to WDW first thing in the morning, but I'm so tired i can't enjoy it.
22:00:30 [LimeGreenC] plan B is ring a ling Ahnalira, we're staying at your house. LOL
22:00:32 [Ahnalira] OK, back to photoshop and the "list"... Great chatting with y'all!
22:00:51 [LimeGreenC] Hi DisneyPam
22:00:52 [DisneyPam] hey kids
22:01:00 [MargaretJ] Nite Ahnalira
22:01:06 [MargaretJ] Hi Pammy
22:01:09 [DisneyBUff] how do we know which disney boothe things to stop at?
22:01:11 [LimeGreenC] bye Ahnalira
22:01:15 [Ahnalira] LOL, Cheri... I'm so glad I saw this before I logged
out! Let me know so I can put fresh sheets out for you
22:01:35 [BetsyAnn] Hey DisneyPam
22:01:54 [Tagrel] We drove 21 hours. Got to WDW around 2pm, went to the park after checking in, came back, dinner, and then while the family went to bed I walked around the WL taking pictures! (And I drove about 95% of the way down!)
22:02:00 [DisneyPam] nice to see everyone...just got home from work.
22:02:01 [MargaretJ] Gotta run all, sorry I missed you again Pammy.
22:02:06 [Tagrel] I just don't sleep on vacation!
22:02:22 [Tagrel] night Margaret
22:02:24 [WillCAD] Ahnalira might let you sleep in the barn, if you muck out the stalls to pay your way.
22:02:28 [Tagrel] hi Pam!
22:02:37 [Tagrel] How is the job Pam?
22:02:38 [DisneyPam] bummer, MJ. Another time, I hope. Take care
22:02:44 [WillCAD] Hi Pam
22:02:55 [LimeGreenC] I could do that Will, I'm a pro at being in pooh. LOL
22:02:55 [Crackers] drove to daytona five years ago, but it was an adult trip only. Don't want to do it with kids asking are we there yet.
22:03:14 [DisneyPam] I really like the job...the hours, or lack thereof
stink. But the company is good, the dinner is yummy and the show is
fabulous.
22:03:24 [Tagrel] Oh, and boy do they ask THAT crackers!
22:03:43 [Crackers] yes, only every five minutes.
22:03:56 [BetsyAnn] Thanks Will for the great chat
22:04:02 [LimeGreenC] Tagrel, you say "we going to Lake Buena Vista" and you aren't lying. trust me, been there done that
22:04:04 [Tagrel] How is the show doing? Getting the crowds that they hoped to get?
22:04:12 [BetsyAnn] Good night everyone - have a good night and a great tomorrow!
22:04:29 [WillCAD] Nite BA
22:04:40 [LimeGreenC] I need to go too, have a great night, thanks WillCAD
22:04:41 [Tagrel] That is EXACTLY what I've told them about Dec. Mommy
and Daddy are going to Lake Buena Vista!
22:04:44 [Tagrel] Night BA
22:04:57 [Tagrel] Sorry I missed most of the chat!
22:04:59 [LimeGreenC] you're catching on quick Tagrel!
22:05:00 [DisneyPam] well...it is always a slow start...but we were sold
out tonight. And our first
show on Saturday is also sold out already!
22:05:03 [Tagrel] Night LGC
22:05:31 [Tagrel] Sounds like it is catching on. That is good. Lots of
competition in Orlando!
22:06:09 [WillCAD] Yeah, who wants to go to a boring old lake?
22:06:26 [DisneyPam] yeah..but we are the MOST FUN place to eat.
22:06:33 [Crackers] you would think that the not so nice hotels would close down in Orlando with all the competition offsite?
22:06:33 [Tagrel] Exactly WillCAD!
22:07:06 [WillCAD] No Crackers, there will always be fleabags and roach motels.
22:07:34 [Tagrel] Well, I have to run myself. Have a great night
everyone! Thanks for the Chat WillCAD.
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