I have stayed at the Animal Kingdom Hotel and I don't think it was worth the price. I like staying in Disney for the convenience of inter-park travel, but the hotel was over $200 a night. We had a handicapped room and it was still very small.

I like some of the other moderately priced hotels, like Port Orleans, Coronado Springs, etc. My ultimate favorite though is the Yacht Club. The Yacht Club and Beach Club are both within a short boat ride or walk to the countries entrance to Epcot.

Hope you have a great time!!

Barbara

My Rheumatologist stayed there a few months ago - they loved it.

He did get a very good deal on the price - look for special offers.

My SIL stayed at Port Orleans and liked it. We are going in April and booked at Carribean Beach. All the hotel options are overwhelming!!

i have never stayed there but i have a co-worker who is all about disney (worked there, goes every other week lol) who has recommended a certain room to stay in there. she loves animals (used to work at a zoo in miami) and stays often in a corner room where the animals walk past to come in and out for the night/day. i will message her and find out which corner and floor...

are you coming down to see harry potter? i have seen pics of it (shhhh lol) from a co-worker who got in to help them w/ buying plant material from us. we shipped a ton to the exhibit a few weeks ago. looks cool! i'm not a big potter fan but i can't wait to see this in person! ~ liz

Yes, Liz, that is the basic reason for the trip. We are H.P. nerds, at least Alex and I are. LOL!

Lauren wants to "swim with the dolphins" and I want to go to Disneyworld. I don't know where we are going to swim with the dolphins or if you can, have to go search Seaworld's website.

We've stayed st the Carribean Beach a couple of times....I liked it.

We just got back a few days ago. May I suggest a couple of things?

In Downtown Disney (no charge to go there), there is a helium balloon ride. Goes up 400 ft above the grounds, and you can see all the way to EPCOT. The balloon holds a variable number of people (depend son the wind speed) - there was about 8 people on our ride. Lasts only 6 minutes, but well worth it.

An airboat ride on lake Tohopekaligo...link is below, only a 1/2 hour drive (straight line) from Disney. If you've never been on one - it's a great experience....from high speed turns to drifing through the high grass spotting alligators, blue heron nest, etc. Beautiful scenery - an hour ride, bring camera.

In Disney's Hollywood Studios theme Park, there is an auto stunt car show that is well worth seeing.

Ah,...back a week and I miss it already.

Here is a link that might be useful: Airboat ride

yes you can swim w/ the dolphins at Discovery Cove, a division of seaworld. i don't know what it costs for out of state residents but FL residents are discounted to $200 a person on many days of the yr. we were suppossed to do that last nov but had to cancel our date :-( dh had an internship interview. i still very much want to go there, they have alot of other things to do also. i think there are places in south FL and the keyes that also have dolphin swins. if that is out you might think about a kayaking tour in the indian river lagoon by cape canaveral, they are fairly cheap. there are often wild dolphins swimming there and usually manatees too. my dh does A Day Away tours sometimes and has seen both swimming in the warmer months.

BTW if alex is still looking at colleges we have the 3rd largest in the country here in orlando, University of Central FL ;-))) my dh is graduating this aug w/ his BS in mechanical engineering w/ 2 semesters left to finish his MS. if you are interested in touring let me know, my dh can take you around. it's about 45 min. northeast of disney. ~ liz

Here is a link that might be useful: a day away kayaking

Wow, that much, Liz? We may have to wait for the next trip. It's already going to cost more for a few days there than the 16 days I'll be in Hawaii. Crazy. Alex has decided to go to UK in Lexington and been accepted. Thanks for the offer, though.

Monica, the boat ride looks like fun and the balloon ride also. We'll check out the balloon ride and see about going, depending on the cost and time we have. We're only going for a few days, four at the most and Alex is already talking about just hanging out at the hotel to relax instead of running around all over the place. So, not sure we will do the boat ride this time around but I've saved the website. Thanks.

I love the Animal Kingdom Lodge but only in the Savannah rooms. But my very favorite place to stay is the Yacht & Beach Club, you can walk to Epcot and go in and out the back entrance.

Discovery Cove is pricey, but a once in a lifetime experience for most folks. Hope you enjoy yourself!! If you hurry and book Disney bfore March 27 they have an offer that gives you a gift card for $300, 500 or 750, depending on the hotel you select.

I saw that Lynn, about the gift card offer. Have any of you who've been recently used the food card thing they offer? I know the food in and around the parks is expensive, but the offer is $45 per person for a fast food meal, snack and sit down dinner per day. Seems really high to me.

I treated PJR, his dad and his mom to the Disney World Resort Package > Disney's All Star Sports Resort. That was nine years ago.

Used my travel agent and she did everything.

Kathsgarden, that $45 a day is a bargain, food is not cheap at Disney and you can eat at over 100 restaurants, including buffets. There is an all quick dining plan as well, 2 quick service meals and 2 snacks per person per day PLUS unlimited soft drinks at your resort. That is $31.99 per adult per day, $9.99 for kids 9 and under. But I like the sit down meal each day.

Well, crud, I was planning this all and Alex realized he has a financial aid appointment during the time we were planning to go on this trip. So, we will have to do it at a later date. ) :

Lynn, I like a sit down dinner too.

$45 per person for a fast food meal, snack and sit down dinner per day

Some sit down dinner restaurants cost you 2 dinner allowances.
I never bought the meal plan because I felt it restricted us. Running around the parks all day, we often didn't have a sit-down meal.