Staying in park or nearby - which is better

[frost5000]

I am planning on going to Disney this fall. My family thinks I'm nuts because we're so poor, but my kids want to go soooo bad. Anyway, I found a rate for Howard Johnsons Maingate East (2 miles from Disney) for 28.00 a night!!! We already have a rental car (we're driving to save $$). I was told by disney that I could book All stars for $49.00 a night - we're staying about 8 nights - is it really worth the extra $150+?? Do you get anything extra for staying in the park?? Or will I just feel obligated to eat/spend more in the park? thanks for your input. This may be our only trip to Disney for a long time so we want to get as much as we can out of it.

[singitalto]

Hi,I stayed at the All Stars last fall. We then went back this winter, we stayed out at HIFS. The All Stars offer early entree and e ticket nights. We didn't use EE but we did use e ticket night.

I honestly think if you are on a tight budget, go where the money gets you the most. I would stay outside.

And a little advise, if you are positive you are going, I would look into priceline. I just got Courtyard by Marriott in Downtown Disney for $38 a night total money(It was only $18 a night out of pocket because they had bonus money which is no longer available). I would definatly try it if you are on a budget.
Good Luck :D

All Star Sports Oct 2000
HIFS & Sheraton World Feb 2001
Courtyard WDW May 2001
HIFS & AS Movies Sept/Oct 2001

[babus]

The best part about on property is the bus service. How well do you like parking way way out in a huge lot and taking a parking lot tram up to the gate? Also, when you are way tired at the end of a long day and it is rainy, dark, and you take the wrong turn to get to the hotel, unless of course you are really familiar with the area. With the bus, you wait in a covered area for the bus to take you home. There is a $5 per day disney parking charge, too. My hubby liked the no driving anywhere, bus routine. the all star food court(which is pretty decent food at good prices) is as good as any offsite McDonalds or other cheap eating,except for a free breakfast buffet that some hotels offer, I am not sure if the maingate east does or not. If it is your only trip I would stay at the allstars, unless of course the extra $21 would cause you to have to remortgage your house. $21 a day for someone else to do the driving was well worth the money! After all you will pay $5 or $6 per day to park at the parks if you decide to drive.

[Mskanga]

First of all not at that Howard Johnson's but another one not too far from there I was mugged while going from my car to my room, security was nowhere to be seen and I found out the hard way. Ever since I refuse to stay at other hotels if it's not inside Disney, if I can't afford it I simply won't go. The $49 a night rate is half of what regular price is and you are not obligated to eat on Disney property at all, we usually go off property at least half of the time not only to save but also because we like to see other things besides Disney.
You get the Early Admission to selected parks on selected days and E-nights if they have them when you are there. Transportation is a big plus for us , although we have a rental car we choose to let Disney do the driving! And you also get to take an afternoon break and just hang out at the pool and also don't have to worry about paying for the parking everyday, I believe the charge now is $6 daily.
For all of that I would pay $150 more, but only you know your budget

[mikesmom]

First of all, that Howard Johnson's is 2 miles from Disney only if you're a pigeon and can fly. Until you get to Orlando, you don't realize just how bad the traffic situation is and how long it takes to drive "two miles".

Traffic in Kissimmee (which is where you will be) is always heavy, but with the road construction lately it is a nightmare! Believe me, it could take an hour to get back to your hotel.

I've been where you are financially and I know that extra money really does make a difference. With 2 kids though, I'd make the stretch. Being able to get back to your room and pool for a break mid-day will make all the difference in your vacation. And not having to navigate roads to get home at night will help your lucky kids from not having a frazzled mother.

[macymichelle]

WE ARE GOING IN SEPTEMBER AT THE 49.00 RATE. WE HAVE BEEN BEFORE AND STAYED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. I HAVE BEEN ON THESE BOARDS SINCE I FOUND THEM RESEARCHING OUR ENTIRE TRIP WE ARE A FAMILY OF FIVE WE ARE GOING FOR 1100.00 FOR EVERYTHING, WHEN I FIRST STARTED PLANNING IT WAS A LITTLE OVER 1900.00 SO I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH ON HERE. STAYING ON SITE IS SO MUCH MORE MAGICAL, SO I WOULD DEFINITELY TRY TO DO THAT. WE WILL BE EATING BREAKFAST IN THE HOTEL ROOM. WE WILL BE BRINGING PLENTY OF SNACKS WITH US, SO THAT WILL DEFINETLY SAVE. STAYING IN THE PARK ALSO SAVES YOU ON PARKING . PLUS WE ARE PLANNING ON SPENDING 1 DAY OF OUR TRIP ENJOYING THE POOL AND JUST RELAXING. SO WE BOUGHT A 5 DAY PASS INSTEAD OF 6. I GUESS TO IT JUST FEELS SO SAFE STAYING INSIDE. IF I COULD I WOULD DEFINITELY STAY INSIDE. HAVE FUN

denise

[tinaluis]

We've always stayed off-site and always saved a FORTUNE thru Priceline. We always have access to a car, either a rental or we drive down, and traffic really isn't that bad. We live in Chicago and we're used to a little traffic. We have a November trip planned with 11 nts. of lodging (9 in Orlando and 2 on the road because we're driving) for under $200 thru Priceline. We've been to WDW 6x and I've never felt unsafe at any of the hotels we've stayed at (and we don't always stay at fancy places). I'm not saying that crime doesn't happen but we've always managed to get thru unscathed.

That said, considering that the rates at the All-Stars are so low, you may want to just go with them. The room size is rather small, but I'm sure no smaller than what you'd get at the Howard Johnson.

We've never been able to justify the cost of staying on-site (even at $49/nt. because we get a great room through Priceline for about $13/nt. which is much bigger and usually nicer). We always end up spending so much on tickets, food, etc. that we like to save on lodging if we can. Just my two cents!

[Lewisc]

If you stay off site you have to pay $6 /day for parking. Some hotels offer a free breakfast buffet. Depending on how much you eat you might realize some savings.

[frost5000]

you all work fast - my post has barely been up 12 hours!! Thanks for all of the advice - I'm starting to lean towards in the park - I waitress and can prob. pick up the extra shifts in the next couple of months to pay for the difference. Where do you park if you stay in all-stars?? Is there on site parking for each hotel? is it free? Thanks A Lot!!

[Disney Fool]

Parking is free at hotels. But, save the money and use the Disney Transportation. The buses at the All-Stars run more efficiently than others; you won't need a car unless you plan to do a lot of things off disney property. The buses will get you anywhere you want to go on Disney. You'll save a bundle.

http://www.micres.com/disney/disney%20animated%20gifs/Other%20Animated%20Gifs_files/anithemeparks.gif

<font size="2"><font color="#F0000"><font face="Comic Sans MS">
<marquee>Charter Member of the Swan/Dolphin Cheerleading Team!!</marquee></font></font></font)

[macymichelle]

i hope it all works out for you when are you going we are going september 22-28.

denise

[Hygiene99]

stay in park it is a much better trip , just think no driving for the whole time unless u go out to dinner off site ? and some of the show r late like the one at epcot, and the one at mgm
then it is easy bus ride back to resort , if kids get tired during day u can just pop back to room. and then go out a little later after nap
will NEVER stay off site again... Peter
worth extra money i think have great trip

Jenn & Peter Rollins
DVC members 2000, Last trip Disneys California Adventure Opening Day
Next trip June at Dixie Landings and December at BWV and on the Wonder 3 day 12/6/01

[Cyndy]

Besides the security and tranportation issues it is still about all the magic, and since your kids want it sooooo bad, let them help. What are they willing to give up between now and the vacation to help contribute. Our kids are grown now and using the same logic with their kids. If you allow them the opportunity to contribute they really feel a part of the planning and as we have found after many visits, planning and anticpation are really a big part of the fun!
Have a great time and be sure and let us know what you finally decide!

[Muffy]

I would vote for staying on site. The transportation alone is worth it!

Muffy

[#1 TITANS FAN]

If you stay on site without a rental car, remember you'll be stuck eating Disney food at Disney prices. Go to www.wdwig.com (http://www.wdwig.com) and look under Menus of the World to get an idea of prices. Still,$49 is as cheap you'll ever find for an on site room and your kids will love the AS resorts. I'd say go for it and bring an extra suitcase full of breakfast foods and snacks.

[dbail2]

Try to stay in Disney if you can afford it. It's like you never leave the MAGIC...Hard to explain. We have done both and believe it is worth the extra money to stay on Disney Grounds. :)

[Keeva]

I vote for on site also.Bring snacks and a cooler for sandwich foods.Their are toasters and a microwave in the food court that you can use Ice is free for your cooler bring your own bottled water and soft drinks, also the refillable mugs are worth the money and make great souviners Eat a late lunch in the parks or at the food court at Allstars if you take a break in the middle of the day Adults can buy kids meals at any fast food or food court ( a lot cheaper and just about the same amount of food) You can't get kids meals at sit down but 2 adults can share The portions are Huge!makes prices a lot more reasonable driving from off site and getting to the parks and back to the hotel can very easy take 2 hours off your day I have done both and I would say on site with the great rate you will not regret it

Keeva
81-off site
84-off site
86-off site
ASMU 1/96
ASSP 9/97
CBR 6/98
DxL & ASMO 7/99
ASMU 6/00
ASMU 10/00 ASMO 2/01 May 25-31 2001

[bobcat]

I've been where you are and I would say if you can come up with the extra money ti is worht it to stay on site. Our first trip two years ago was done on a very tight budget but we managed to stay at All stars with similar rates. We also drove to save money and after 18 hours in the car the last thing I wanted to do was drive to and from the parks. Also Kissimee trafic and construction can easily add a lot of time onto your commute. Staying onsite with kids makes it very easy to take a break from the parks and go back to the hotel when someone is hot and/or grumpy. If one persons grumpy then no one is happy.

You will have a wonderful trip whatever you decide. You made a smart move looking to these boards for info.

Disney IS a Life Skill!

[ddickson]

We've stayed on and off.

We had an awful experience with the busses, so I would not stay on-site based just on the transportation. Except for MK, we found it was quicker to drive to an off-site hotel than take the bus.

Search the Orlando board for ideas for hotels. If you can find an off-site hotel that offers buffet breakfasts (and a refrigerator) for $49, it's a much better use of those additional $$. I'll bet by the end of the summer you'll see some pretty good deals out there.

[zurgswife]

Suggestion book the Allstars now. Only one night deposit is due. Then you have all summer to continue looking and or deciding.

We have always preferred staying on site. The suggestions like bring your own snacks, splitting the food, and coolers in your room help bring down the cost. The other thing is if you could find an off site hotel with a breakfast buffet that could save you some money. Also, if you drink coffee, or sodas I'd buy a refillable cup. It pays for it self in short time. I'd use coolers to store milk for breakfast, bring cereals or bagels, poptarts. Also, if you buy food once your down there get directions to superwalmart great prices. I've kids that like PB&j so they also had lunch in the room. We'd buy lunch meat for us about two days (I wrapped in ziplock bags and buried in the cooler we keep in the room)worth so at least two of the days the adults could eat in the room.

Though the warning about construction on 192 is real. They are doing major construction we just got back and my sister stayed about 2 miles out side disney to 1 1/2 hours to meet us one morning they left at 7:00am. So, that is a big factor to someone like me. I'd rather spend the money I've spent on passes in the parks and not on the highway

<IMG src="http://members.home.net/dunlapsdisney/images/halloween/halloweenMK1_small.jpg" ></P>
CBR Dec '95, Sept '97
BWV Aug '98, Mar '99
ASM Nov '99
BWV Oct '00, Mar 01
Zurg, Barbie, Buzz, Buzz, Jessie & Tinkerbell

Visit http://badshoe.com

[This message was edited by zurgswife on 04-08-01 at 09:18 AM.]

[rosiecorolla]

I am in your same boat and we are going in May. I thoroughly researched everything, and will be staying at the Allstars for $99/night.

My rationale: life is short. The smiles and wides eyes and glee I expect to see on my daughter's face is worth the money to me.

Have fun :)

[Cornell]

If it's your first and only visit to Disney then stay onsite. Keep reading the deals here and keep calling for the best rates. Have fun!

[Chesdan]

I have lots of reasons I would take the Allstar. If you are going to Disney you will have the maximum enjoyment for the cost if you stay on site. You will not need to drive to the parks the buses are great. The price for the Allstar is very low for a Disney Resort so I would grab it. We always pack our breakfast stuff when ever we travel. It saves more time and arguments with teens then it will ever amount to cash wise. If your children are younger I would go and scrimp whenever you can. When ours were young and we were poor we still went every year and the memories are PRICELESS. I had set aside a set amount of money for souvineers and that helped. My children had the money amount given to them before we left and they were allowed to spend it however they wanted. They made good decisions and they learned the value of the dollars they had to spend. It made learning math worth while to my artsy child. I hope you choose what is best for you. A family vacation is a treasure you can hold in your heart forever. Have a wonderful safe trip.

[tink2dw]

I FOUND OFF SITE HOTELS TRY HARDER TO PLEASE AND WILL ADJUST YOUR BILL IF THINGS AREN'T WHAT YOU EXPECTED!!!

WE spent 10 miserable days at the All Stars!! We checked in at 4:00pm.
There wasn't even a luggage cart to take our bags to the room.Which was on the Parking lot side that was shared by another All Stars, so we were constantly getting their themeing,not our carefully chosen themeing.

FIRST thing in the room,the carpets were WET!! We got there just in time for room shampooing. We called to complain,NO ROOM CHANGE!!! WE were to turn the air conditioning on to 40 degree to dry it!! After 3 days the carpet in front of the bathroom was still wet and starting to STINK we called,NO ROOM CHANGE,somehow while we were at the park the dryed the carpet and Deoderized it.

THE Wall paper in the bathroom had men on it staring at you while you tryed to do your business,there was one partuclar Learing pervert that really BOTHERED me!!

The beds are really High and the sheets don't stay on the mattresses by morning there was exposed mattess at our heads and feet,yeakyyyy. WE called to complain and found out they don't change the sheets daily,we requested that they change ours daily,they didn't the same black spots stayed there all weekend.

Getting sleep was patchy,due to sorers in our family[at HIFS there was a door on the master bedroom!!]

The only Adjustment we got was a refigerator that a gallon of milk wouldn't fit in!! [WE had to keep the milk iced in our calapsible cooler!]It took 3 days for the frige to get cold enough to get a coke cold enough to drink.

And for this I paid through the nose,cuz our dates were in PEAK SEASON[chosen to disrupt DD schooling as little as possable]I paid $104. a night.

OUR first night was at the cheapest RED ROOF I could find. $65. It had room on an inside corridor. And was DIRECTLY across from a Universal Enterance!! They were checking in a bus of girls but the manager came to the desk to check me in so there was no wait,they apploigized that there weren't any luggage carts available but 2 employees came out to help get the bags to the 3rd floor thru a side entrance right by the elevator!! We spent a very comfertable night!! And DD was Pleased to start our trip watching the Disney channel on the TV.

OUR next four nights were spent at the Holiday Inn Family Suites. Our oldest daughter and grandbaby joined us.

THEY arrived by Tiffany Towncar what a wonderful service!!! It came back 4 days later to return them to the Airport!! The Driver was Freindly and took charge of the luggage!

Making the count 4 adults and 13 mo.old. The crib was a real small crib not a play pen!! Service to the room was a little slow but we just called well in advance of the needed service pillows,coffee that sort of thing.

The Suite was a KID suite w/Disney theming[I found it much better than ALL STARS]
THE master bedroom had a huge king size bed!,TV,ceiling fan!and a Door.

THE kids room had two long bunk beds,a tv,cd player,nintendo 64,a phone that the kids called to get bedtime stories,table and chairs,drawers and a shelf,the speakers for the tv were in the bunks.

the livingroom,kitchen was more cramped than I thought But it worked. THE fridge was really cold. there was a microwave and sink and cupboard space. The bathroom was large!

ONE thing I would caution Everyone about is the PIZZA Delivery 3 med. pizza's cost us $70. I Didn't realize that INCLUDED the tip!!

WHEN we complained about not getting enough towels 2 days in a row,the aplogized and took money off the bill. NOW THATS SERVICE!!!!

************************************************** P.S. I forgot to mention that HIFS is right on the road into Epcot.It is a short mile from the WDW gates!!! It is closer than the Marriot World Resort that is talked about so much here on DIS!!

http://members.aol.com/DisneyNnut/tink.gif

[This message was edited by tink2dw on 04-10-01 at 01:15 PM.]

[deena]

I noticed that you mentioned that your savings will be around $150 so if you feel that this saved money will be better applied to other expenses such as food, souvenirs, or misc. costs (like gas, etc.) then I think you may find offsite an allround better option.

Also, a last consideration is the amount of time spent in your room vs. touring parks. If you will be gone mostly during the day and return at night, then your room (even if onsite) is going to at best serve an eating, sleeping, and showering function. If you or family would like as much maximum room as possible when stretching out then off property rooms tend to be bigger in comparison.

The hotel that you posted along with many others is less than a 10min drive up the road so your car may just get you to the parks or downtown disney sooner than onsite buses. I know others have reiterated on this board that their onsite stay did not always automatically guarantee a quicker arrival to the parks.

Also, like you last touched on in your post if you do stay onsite you definitely will be subjected to paying higher prices/spending more money for lunch as well as dinner meals, snacks, and so forth during your entire 7 day stay.

So, if you find yourself wanting or needing less expensive or even more varied dining/shopping options; you will likely use your rental car quite a bit during your stay to get to less costly options available offsite anyway.

Just my humble opinion; whatever you decide I hope you have a great time at Disney.

[mmagique]

If you can stand the suspense, reserve a room for one night wherever you want to stay, and when you get to Orlando, look in the yellow pages under ticket brokers. Not only did I get a great price for a hotel room, but i also got a rental car for $99. for one week. :cool:

[frost5000]

I guess in the end it's different strokes for different folks... I can cancel my current hotel room up to 48 hrs. (5 mths. from now) before I arrive without any pentalities. I think I'll check out priceline again, and see if maybe I can get a better room for the same $$ - that way it's up to fate to decide in or out. Thanks again - I'm sure I'll be posting again before I leave (at the next crisis). We were planning the beginning of Sept (right after labor day) is this a good time for low crowds? Are there fall specials I should be looking for?

[LeahA]

If your choices are the Howard Johnson's Maingate East for $28.00 a night and All Stars for $49.00 a night, I would pick All Stars.

I have never stayed at either,but, I'm thinking the standards of an on-site resort might be higher than an off-site Howard Johnson's.

You might also want to try Priceline. If your 100% sure your going, you can find incredible hotels, for amazing prices! :)

[goofymom/pop]

and if you can swing it stay on site...it is worth the magic...you can save by buying snacks and keeping them in your room, eating kids meals they are more than enough at breakfast and lunch, by the refillable mugs if your big coffee or pop drinkers it will save you tons of money. Plus you didnt mention the kids ages...if they are teenagers they can use the buses to go where they want and you can go where you want, very safely. Having a car is a huge bonus as you can eat off property, and there is a McDonalds about 1/4 mile from the gate of ALL Star hotels...we would be staying on in May if they had room for 5....but I couldnt afford two rooms and DXL was just too crowded with the trundle, so we are offsite at HIFS. I am sure it will be fun anyway...oh and by the way, they are not kidding when they say the traffic to Kissimee is horrible, I have never been so aggravated in my life trying to go to Wal Mart last year for film, if I had known what the traffic was like I would have paid park prices for it...You will sit in bumper to bumper traffic for a lifetime.

Caribbean Beach 91
Off site 92
Off site Caribe Royale 97
All Sports 00
HIFS 5/01http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/yesears.gif

[Kay1]

LOL, Tink2WD, I finally met someone else who's afraid of those ghostly guys! They really creep me out.
Anyhow, I just wanted to say we go to Disney a lot and stay both on and off site. I really have no preference. We have AP's and don't have to park so we save tons by using Priceline and get a lot more for our money than when staying at Disney. We don't care for the Disney bus service so that's not a problem either. We do stay onsite when we can get a really good deal and i think $49 is a really good deal.
I don't think driving is a pain at all but we stay very close to Disney and have never once experienced traffic. We usually stay at the Courtyard Marriot, HIFS, MOWC, or a DD resort and they are really only a couple of minutes farther than the Disney resorts. When we stayed on East 92 at the Hyatt, it took four minutes to get to MGM. Just look at a map before you decide.
I just wanted to let you know that if you need a few sundry items go down the " hotel row " at DD, turn left when you hit the end of the road ( at the Crossroads mall ), and in a couple of minutes, you will hit both a Walgreens and an Eckerds. I found this out when I needed a prescription filled. There are also a lot of very affordable restaurants down that way and I ended up stopping at a Subway.
I think you and your family can and will have a magical trip wherever you stay.

[Beckles]

I would strongly recommend Priceline, you can do a lot better than HoJo's or even the All Stars for $38/night.

Also, since you'll have a car anyway, you can use the money you save to pay for parking and not be at the Mouse's mercy for transportation ...

If you need any help using Priceline, feel free to e-mail me at beckley@sprintmail.com .