Disney Hotels-- Calling WDW Experts!

We are going to Disney again this January-- I am tagging along with DH for his conference. We don't have as many options as we did last year with hotels, so we can't stay at the same place.

Our choices are the Caribbean Beach Resort or Port Orleans. Both look somewhat walkable to Epcot on the map-- but I know from the last time we were there, the map can be deceiving. DH needs to be able to get to the Dolphin and Swan easily since that is where the conference is.

We are hoping a room opens up at the Beach Club again, because we liked it, but this may be our only options.

Thanks for the advice!

Re: Disney Hotels-- Calling WDW Experts!

I've stayed at both of them, although Port Orleans back when it was Dixie Landings. I wouldn't call them walkable to any of the parks, but Disney has great bus service from one area to another. Also, there was a boat from Dixie Landings to Downtown Disney.

Of the two, I would reccomend Port Orleans, I thought that was nicer than Carribean beach.

Re: Disney Hotels-- Calling WDW Experts!

I've stayed at both the Carribean Beach and Port Orleans. I definately like Carribean Beach better, but that was almost 10 years ago...

From what I remember, neither of those resorts is walkable to Epcot. Your DH would either have to call a cab or take Disney transportation to Epcot & then walk or catch a boat to the Swan & Dolphin. Obviously, a cab ride will be much quicker, but not free as would Disney transportation. Are there no rooms available at the Swan & Dolphin? I think either of those, the Yacht & Beach Club or Boardwalk are your best bets, but I do know that all except Beach Club were booked when we went last month.

HTH.

Re: Disney Hotels-- Calling WDW Experts!

thanks-- we'd love to stay at the Beach Club again-- but there is no availability. Perhaps we'll just keep calling and try to get in there.

Re: Disney Hotels-- Calling WDW Experts!

We recently stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter and loved it. It was not easily accessible to Epcot, though, as another poster said, there is a ferry to Downtown Disney. It was fairly quiet, and there seemed to be less children than at the other resorts.

Also, there was a guy playing jazz at the bar nightly, which was nice.

HTH!

Re: Disney Hotels-- Calling WDW Experts!

Of those two resorts, I prefer Port Orleans (Riverside or FQ).

Caribbean Beach is just huge and really spread out - we stayed there once and it was a 10 minute walk to the food court. Plus their main pool is going to be closed for rehab.

Neither are walking distance to Epcot. Your DH would have to take the bus to MGM and either walk or take the boat to the Swan/Dolphin. The bus to Epcot would leave him at the main gate and he would have to use a park ticket and cut through the whole park to get to the hotel.

Yacht Club and the Boardwalk are also in that immediate area for easy access to the Beach Club.

Re: Disney Hotels-- Calling WDW Experts!

Why not just stay at the Swan and Dolphin? They are both walkable to Epcot and offer a boat to Epcot. You also get to see the Epcot fireworks from your room every night if you request a view of Epcot.

Re: Disney Hotels-- Calling WDW Experts!

thanks everyone...

The issue is that rooms are ONLY available at Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans or All Star Sports. Everything else has no availability for the conference (and at the conference rate). So, those are our only choices.

I can't remember when we booked last year, but there was no problem getting into the Beach Club. I am a little upset, cause of course when it's free-- you want the best room you can get! Also, I will be on my own during the days-- and I liked that last year, I could just walk over to Epcot and walk around.

For now-- we are going to book POFQ and see if anything at the Beach Club or Boardwalk opens up.

Re: Disney Hotels-- Calling WDW Experts!

Def keep trying -- final package payments are due 45 days prior to arrival so there may be cancellations around that time and some thing may open up for you.

Re: Disney Hotels-- Calling WDW Experts!

Re: Disney Hotels-- Calling WDW Experts!

I was referring to guests that are not part of the conference cancelling.

It's my favorite area too! There's so much right at your door step!

Good luck!

Re: Disney Hotels-- Calling WDW Experts!

I love POFQ!

Re: Disney Hotels-- Calling WDW Experts!

Never stayed at POrt Orleans but have stayed at Carribean Beach twice, and loved it. I would stay there again. It gioves you the best of both worlds...The Disney and Caribean feel!

Re: Disney Hotels-- Calling WDW Experts!

Randella we are going in January too. What week? We are going 1/6-1/13