Please tell me the benefits of staying off site

[Ms. Diz]

For our first trip we are planning on saving money and staying off site. Please tell me the good things...:D

[Channel1tv]

I would just say on site at the all stars. 87.00 on average, a nite. There is no real benefit to staying off site if Disney is all you came for.
The money you may save is not worth all the traffic on 192 to get to the parks in the morning and don't belive anyone that states there are no trafic problems.
I live at 27 and 192
I live the traffic every day after 9:30 am 192 is grid LOCK.

Not to mention paying 6 dollars a day to park and not getting to early entry days to the park and other perks as a resort guest. BEWARE OF FREE TICKET VENDORS or Discount 2 tickets for 20 bucks booths…..enough said, take my advise as I am LOCAL!

[MAKmom]

The only benifit I can think of is getting at higher Star hotel at less money.....but when you add in rental car. time ect... is it better? If you are only going to go for 1 day or not take any breaks maybe it is worth it to you. Even with a rent a car I could'nt stand the thought of driving, parking, taking a tram to the front of the parking lot. also remember the MK is 20 min from the front gate of Disney so a off site hotel who says they are 10 min form WDW means the front gate.

[nativetxn]

Hi Ms. Diz. Welcome to the DIS, we're very glad you found us.

I'm going to move this over to our Orlando Hotels and attractions board where you will find some great advice on this topic.

Katholyn

[puckdad]

Our first trip was last year. We were a group of 5, 3 being teen age boys. To stay at a Disney resort that would ADEQUATELY accomodate us all, would have cost close too if not over $200 a night. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Family Suites for $110. We were there for 2 weeks. There was NO significant traffic from the hotel to the parks and back. We were to the parks, in less than 15 minutes. I planned for a rental car all along since I prefer not to rely on any kind of public transportation the monorail system not included. We visited the other non-Disney parks and the KSFC center during our stay. Parking for our days at the Disney parks cost me about $36 total. A drop in the bucket compared to the total cost of the trip.

It all really depends, some feel the need to only stay onsite which is fine, though many think its not as "magical" when you stay off-site. We found other things that impaired the magic beyond not staying on-site. As was stated, you can get better value for your hotel dollar by staying off-site. I'm heading down tomorrow and staying off-site again.

[Figment22]

If this is your very first trip to central FL and your plan is to concentrate on the Disney theme parks, I would advise you to stay onsite. We have stayed both on and off site, but to truly experience Walt Disney World for your first visit, you should stay at a Disney hotel. Splurge
for your first visit--go the cheaper route next time.

If, however, you are also planning to experience Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure,
Sea World, etc. then an off site hotel would be fine.

Whatever you decide, have fun.

[Lisa AF]

We've visited Disney both ways. Our last 2 visits were on Disney property at the All Star Hotel.
Our children were young at the time and it was very convenient to return to the room for afternoon naps. We also loved the early entrance to the park. But those, in my opinion were the only real perks.
Our room at the All Star Hotel was not clean. It was so filthy (blood on the comforter) that we had to phone housekeeping. But, I must say that all problems were remedied in perfect Disney fashion.
Our biggest complaint was bus service. When the parks would close the ques to wait on the buses were full. Some nights we waited up to 45 minutes (thats a long time when you have sleepy children). Then, because we were in the least expensive of Disney's hotels, we would make many stops before we arrived at our hotel. If you would stay at an All Star Hotel be sure to request a room near the front of the complex. It can be quite a hike if your in one of the back units and buses only stop at the front!!
We are planning to stay off Disney property this visit. We have found many homes for rent by owners. The homes all have their own private screened in pool and 3/4 bedrooms. Being able to cook breakfast in the morning and a dinner when we get back will save us a lot. And what could be more perfect than eating beside your own pool!! We're very excited!!! The homes we have found range in price from $500 to $600 a week. I've done much research to compile my list and would be happy to send it to you if you like. That is as long as your not visiting the 2nd week in May (I haven't made definate reservations yet!!! :)
Happy vacationing!!!!

[siouxi31]

You didn't say where you were planning to stay. Based on which hotel you select there are positives and negatives. I was just there last weekend and we stayed at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista. I can tell you that for $99.00 per night the service was excellent, the hotel, rooms, restaurants and gift shops were more than what I had expected and equal to those of the expensive disney resorts. The pool was beautiful. The positive note was that I had just had a very hectic week and it was a quiet hotel. There was not much commotion and I was able to relax with not many kids running around--I actually enjoy seeing kids have fun at Disney but I was looking at the positive angle--peace before I returned to the hectic pace of life.

[Lisa P.]

You've asked for the positives about staying offsite. Here's a good thread, aptly titled "How many of you stayed on-sight and didn't get hooked on staying on-sight? (http://64.225.125.24/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14253&perpage=15&pagenumber=1)" Hope you are able to get a few tips there.

For us, staying at offsite timeshare resorts means our family of 5 (sometimes, plus guests) gets to stay in luxurious 2-BR/2-bath villas that's more affordable than a single tiny motel room at the All Stars (under $350 per week & no extra room taxes). The grounds & resort amenities beat the All Stars too. If I had to choose between an offsite Motel 6 or Days Inn and All Stars, the All Stars would win due to the transportation. But just ONE NIGHT in an onsite 2-BR villa for 8 costs about what a similarly sized offsite villa costs for a WHOLE WEEK! The offsite savings allows us to enjoy more vacation time, more sightseeing expense and nicer dining.

Our children and DH also get over-stimulated when staying for more than a couple of days at Disney's onsite resorts. They get tired of the Mouse more quickly. Sometimes, we just want to relax at a resort without the constant reminders of Disney and its money-making machine. Staying offsite is more restful for all of us. We don't feel as compelled to run, run, run all the time. It helps us appreciate the Disney parks more, I think.

Hope this helped.

[Planogirl]

I have stayed both offsite and onsite and to me the biggest advantage to offsite is that it seems easier to see other attractions besides Disney. I don't know why exactly but it does seem that way. We like to sometimes stay offsite just for that reason. Next year, we intend to go to the Universal parks so we'll stay offsite at least part of the time.

We stayed in a nice hotel last year just around the corner from one of the entryways into the World (in Kissimmee) and getting to the parks was a breeze. Early entry is TOO early for us and we rarely use it when we stay on site. I would miss e-nights but there's not a guarantee that Disney will have an e-night when you go anyway.

I don't have a problem with offsite. I like the bigger rooms at better prices but I would recommend a car in any case. JMHO.

[KProuty]

I had read all of the posts about how it was imperative that you stay onsite. If you have young kids and can afford a monorail or an epcot lake resort, I can see the reasoning. Anything else, I just can't see. We have stayed in a two-bedroom timeshare with three TVs, VCR, full dining room table, full kitchen, two full bathrooms (one with a jacuzzi.) I personally can't abide the Disney bus transportation. We wanted to eat at other Disney hotels, go to Universal, visit outlet stores, do things that just REQUIRE a car. (Even if you stay at Disney, ask yourself how you would try and eat at the new Animal Kingdom Lodge without a car? How much time would you waste just in transportation?) How much money can you save on breakfast, snacks, being able to easily heat up leftovers after a great meal? Furthermore, depending on your party and your room, you can close the door and go to bed early!

To see some great prices for timeshares, check out www.skyauction.com. (Just be careful of the tax/fee of $195 on top of the bid. Anything with Marriott or Hilton should be fine. Disclosure: we own a Marriott.)

[kristikae]

One benefit of staying offsite for us is space! I am going with three teenagers in December and staying in a rental home. I know after a day or two of parks by the time we get back to the hotel they will be tearing each others hair out. This way they can split up and have time to themselves. In December most of the parks are closed by 7 and now we won't have to be cooped up in a small hotel room. There is also the cost advantage. I have 4 kids so I would need 2 rooms. Even at the All-Stars that puts me up to almost $100 a night. I have found a 4 bedroom home with private pool for $600 a week. Now we will be able to eat breakfast and our evening meal at home. (hey...I just realized I'm going to be stuck cooking on my vacation!) To me the privacy of being able to lounge poolside in my pajamas and drink my coffee in the morning is worth it! I'm sure you will enjoy yourself whatever you decide on.

[Jane E.]

Our reasons for staying offsite have involved money and space. Our last trip included 8 nights offiste. Our stays ranged from $39-$49. We usually saved money by eating at TGIF, Bahama Breeze, The Pub (in Celebration). We stayed at the Rosen Centre, World Renaissance, Radisson LBV, and The Courtyard at WDW Village.

Space has been another reason. Last year we stayed in a one bedroom condo. It was a quiet complex. We felt we could relax in the evenings, and we had plenty of room. Every evening, dh and I would retire to the tiki pool bar for a drink before dinner. Meanwhile our sons could swim in the pool. For sleeping, our teens took the pullout couch and, we had our own bedroom. We've also stayed at HIFS. We had gotten a rate of $95 a night which gave dh and I our own bedroom and a buffet breakfast in the morning. We always have our own car with us. I know that there is no way we could afford this much room onsite at Disney.

Because of money constraints, we've only spent one night onsite. The cost was $189. I've decided that because of early entry, it might help us to actually stay onsite next time - just for a shorter vacation - maybe 4 nights instead of the nine nights we had last year.

[Lisa P.]

Jane E., that's what we've found works for us. Whenever I've/we've gone to WDW for just a few days (3-4 nights), staying onsite has worked out very well. With a short trip, the parks are everything. And if I/we had no car, it didn't matter.

With any longer trip (like a week or more), staying offsite in much larger accommodations was far better. We've had many times when an offsite trek to Wal-Mart, a pharmacy or a walk-in clinic was necessary and the longer the stay, the more the chance of that. So having our own car is more important to us on a longer trip. The drive to the parks matters less, with a car. Also, on a longer trip, everyone needs the added space and privacy. 7-14 days in a single hotel room is just too long, for all the kids & parents alike. Space, privacy, romance, luxuries and convenience (2 bathrooms, kitchen, etc.) are all better in a big villa. When we've paid for that, onsite, we've found that it was grossly overpriced, to us, especially if we're spending a lot of time at the parks and leaving that overpriced room/resort vacated all day! :eek: ;)

Go ahead and try a shorter trip onsite. You'll probably enjoy it a lot! We like to add a couple of days onsite in a discounted deluxe Disney hotel room, to our offsite week. The pool areas are fun for our kids and we hardly visit the parks then. But everyone needs to see what works for them. :)

[nhrenee]

Great reasons to stay off property:

We LOVE renting a house! All that space, a pool and a full size washer and dryer. It is so nice to have what WE want for breakfast and when we want it. We only cooked dinner 1 or 2 nights. The others we went to a restaurant or got take out. I love being able to freeze drinks to take to the parks with us. We also like have fruit, sandwhich fixings, etc in the fridge in the full kitchen. Our 3 br/2b house was $600 incl tax for 6 nights.

It took us 10 minutes to get to the WDW main gate (our house was 3 miles away) because we like to get to the parks when they open. We like the freedom to go where we want when we want to without waiting for buses or fighting for a seat. Even if you only wait 10 min for a bus, it'll take at least 10 minutes to get to a park. That's 20 minutes min!

We like to eat off property if we feel like it. It's a nice break on the wallet.

Our first trip to WDW we stayed at the Caribe Royal (2 room suite) and it took us 7 minutes to get to the Epcot parking lot!

Different people want different things from their Disney vacation. This is what makes a relaxing time for us!!! :smooth:

[Mouser]

Many people are absolutely hooked on on site and would not even consider going and staying off site..but we have never actually stayed on site, other than Disney village and that only once so far....

You can get terrific deals on the hotels on the internet, something you cannot really do with onsite ever...as they do have discounts but only for certain AP holders or members of other organizations...MANY of these hotels on 192 are just as close as the All Star Hotels are to the park and you can often get there faster if you are driving than they can on their transport system...

There is the convenience of being able to eat meals in fast food or chain restaurants that you know....at a much lower price than any Disney food court price. All Disney food even in the resorts is grossly overpriced....You have to pay it when in the parks but you can give your wallet a break if you eat breakfast or dinner in some non Disney restaurant...It would be a major hassle to have to drive off site to eat all the time so most folks just eat at their hotels onsite. There is also the convenience of stores for sudden necessary items which always seem to come up, only grocery store is Goodings which is very high in price. A wide range of grocery stores and discount stores on 192 and in the local area to use for off siters..save a bunch that way too.

As far as it being less magically....well, I do not find these long waits for bus rides, less and less service for the money, unclean resorts, rude CMs etc very magical at all..but if you want onsite and it works for you fine...I have terrific vacations off site for maybe 75% less in cost for lodging than the on site folk....No one can tell me that my vacation is any less fun because I am not spending hundreds more on lodging. I know I would have less if I had had spent so much needlessly. Offsite continues to meet our needs and the price cannot be beat. We go to the parks and stay all day and just come home at night...We also visit Universal Studios and IOA for a couple of days..

Make the best choice for you..but there are many of us out there who do not stay on site ever and feel we are getting the better deal..there are many perks to off site too. Look at the number of Off Site hotels, the majority of people who go to WDW do not stay on site, it is just too costly..If they did there would not be that number of off site hotels in the area, if there was not a big need for them to exist.

[deena]

of how many didn't get hooked on site...... that Lisa P. posted the link to but thought I would devise a Top 10 list for benefits of staying offsite in which we have personally enjoyed and those that I have talked with:

1. greater number of different style properties (and newer ones) to choose from whether resort hotel, suite, villa, rental home, condo, timeshare


2. bigger accomodation sizes that allow families lots of in room space to spread themselves out along with personal items; more privacy


3. more available amenities such as microwave, refridgerator, larger t.v., jacuzzi tub, complimentary breakfast, video game component...... etc.


4. neighboring a wide variety of restaurants, shopping venues, pharmacies, and grocery stores that are easily accessible with many being within short walking distance or a two second drive


5. generally decreases total cost of overall vacation


6. very convenient to other kinds of interesting and fun Orlando attractions


7. less overrun with constant hustle and bustle hyperactivity; more quiet as well as relaxing down time after touring parks


8. opportunity to experience a taste of real world/authentic Florida while in town


9. nearby outlet malls or stores that carry a large selection of quality souvenirs at reduced prices


10. loads of places literally right next door to the parks; within just a 10 min. ride you're at the gate

Hope this helps!

[Tyr23]

We're leaving Saturday for our vacation to the "World" and for the first time, we're not staying onsite. Since there will be 7 of us, we dediced to rent a house (4 bedroom/3 bath). I'm a little nervous but the cost/room factor outweighed the benefits of staying onsite. I'll let you know how it was when I return!

Wish us luck! :)

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks for putting that link up! :)

On-sight Lovers always say "Location, location, location." ....and "Themeing."

Off-sighters...WE say...."Savings, savings, savings....Space, space, space...more ammenites offered....and much more!!

As far as "Magic" 24/7, you can have the magical moment anywhere anytime. It's what you make your vacation to be. "Pixie Dust" can follow you anywhere if you let it! ;)

[Channel1tv]

8. opportunity to experience a taste of real world/authentic Florida while in town


Will you please tell me where this "REAL world/authentic" Florida is???

I live here, and I am puzzled by this statement.

[LeahA]

I have been to Walt Disney World 5 times and have always stayed offsite. I really would like to stay onsite, but, for me the $cost is always the reason I stay offsite. Sometimes the cost has been so significant my family and I are able to take a 2nd mini vacation in the year. Everytime I say that this time will be the time I stay onsite, I always find a good deal I can't resist.

As far as the magic, after spending 1 day at MK, 1 day at AK, 1 day at MGM, 1 day at Epcot, and a few nights at Downtown Disney, I'm ready for a quiet hotel with nothing more than a Mickey Mouse postcard in the lobby gift shop.

Just my 2 cents worth on the subject!

[TinkerPixie]

We always stay off site. There are several reasons for this. The first being money.....I refuse to pay 200 dollars a night for a bathroom and a place to lay my head. There are wonderful options available other than Disney. Options that enable us to extend our vacation and be in the parks more days. Reason two is space. We always pick places that give us plenty of room to move around. We have gone to the Allstars and looked around.....those places remind me of anthills. Very little space and too many people. Not for us!
We dont feel the need to stay at Disney to experience Disney..We go strictly to be in the parks during the day, a nice resort off property is fine when we drag our old bodies in late in the evening to sleep. I have used the Disney bus system before, during a trip to SOG,years back,it was crowded, loud and slow. By staying off property and driving we have learned which roads in Orlando get us to the parks quickly and easily. We stayed at Tropical Palms Resort last Christmas and we were so close to Downtown Disney that we only needed about 10 minutes to get to any park. Yes we paid daily parking,but add that 6 bucks to a 35 dollar a night room and you still come out cheaper than any Disney hotel. DH has a good job and so do I, no kids so we have the money to spend on an expensive room, but we wont do it.
My personal opinion is that no room is worth 200 dollars or more wherever it is or whatever it looks like. :wave:

[deena]

By authentic/real world Fla. I was referring to all of the locale, natural surroundings and general environmental habitat that exist outside of and totally independent of the WDW parks (which is considered FL). Not a specific place or entity, sorry about the confusion.

[Mouser]

Well said Tinker Pixie..I could not agree more...:) :) :) :) :)

[emmagata]

We've been to WDW 3 times in the last 4 years and stayed off site each time. We are going this Dec. and staying off site again.

The 1st two times we rented a house because there were more people than just my wife and I. It was wonderful. The traffic wasn't that bad. We wnet in April and late Sep. early Oct.

The last time we stayed at the HI Family Suites off International Drive. The room was small but nice. However, we could hear people out on the balcony stomping around. Breakfast was free and the food was good. The drive into WDW was a breeze. NO TRAFFIC!!. It was the 1st week of Dec. though.

I think that made a difference.


This time we are staying at a house.


The main reasons for us to stay off site:

1) a LOT more room.
2) our own pool
3) quiet neighborhood
4) costs a LOT less than moderate on site accomdations.
5) cheap breakfast and maybe dinner (we usually ate dinner out).


A co-worker took his family of 4 to WDW a year or two ago and stayed on site. They stayed at Port Orleans if I remember right.

They had a great time but I had to ask him "tell me again why you spent about $1000-1500 more than we did just to stay in the park?"

He had a number of reasons.

1)Early entry ( this is a not all it's cracked up to be. By the 3rd or 4th day, you tend to sleep later and later!!)
2)easy access to the room for clothes changes,naps or food.
3)???

I think that was it.

Not worth $1000-1500 the way I look at it.

We can almost get a second trip for $1500 (less expenses).

If you do stay off site and drive into the park, DON'T take the monorail to the MK. Take the ferry. It's a LOT faster. Trust me.



John and Donna

[LisaRex]

Had I not gotten a 1 bdrom villa at OKW for $215 a night (with a Mousesavers code) I would have definitely booked off site. In fact, I had already booked what looked like a marvelous 2 bedroom villa at a Marriott Vacation Club property called Sabal Palms. The rate was $165/night. You got your own kitchen, 2 bedrooms so you didn't have to tippy toe around while the kids slept, and a nice pool. I considered, and quickly dismissed, staying in a regular hotel room because of the lack of space and because of our family's personality. I like amusement parks as much as the next person but after awhile I get information overload. I want peace and quiet, too! A vacation for me always includes just sitting by the pool reading a book or playing with the kids.

OKW offered me the benefits of staying on-property (early admission being the principal one) with the advantage of an off-site villa (separate sleeping quarters, laundry facilities, and a kitchen). Had I had to pay $330 for the 1 bedroom I would have stayed off-site.

Put it this way. For the $800 I would have saved by staying off-site (vs. on) at the rack rate, I could have taken the whole family for a day at Discovery Cove. And while my daughter might never remember what her hotel room looked like, she will always remember kissing a dolphin. :)

Good luck!

Lisa

[SimonV]

I would definitely stay offsite IF:

1) saving money is a main priority

2) you want to see a lot more than just Disney

3) you don't mind driving a lot

4) you want more choice of what and where to eat

5) you need more accommodation space - i.e. a holiday home.

Basically, it is about saving money and spreading your interests around the whole of central Florida. I regularly stay both on and off-site and enjoy both immensely. Just being in the area is a real buzz


PS: channel1tv - the real Florida locally is all around you! Try Forever Florida (an eco-tourist conservation site in St Cloud), Wekiva River State Park (in Seminole County), West Orange Trail (biking and blading), Winter Park scenic boat tour, Boggy Creek Airboats at East Lake Fish Camp, Mead Gardens and Kraft Azalea Gardens (again in Winter Park), lakefront St Cloud, downtown Kissimmee's historic district, St John's River tours (on Rivership Romance or pontoon boat rides), Black Hammock fish camp on Lake Jesup, Thornton Park by Lake Eola, any early-morning balloon ride, Southport Park on Lake Toho, Disney's Wilderness Preserve in Poinciana, the Kissimmee Rodeo, the Mennello Folk Museum, Rollins College, and, for the full historical picture, the new Orange County History Center in downtown. I could go on...... ;)

[chloesmommi]

Having stayed on- and off-site, I can tell you some of the Disney properties are futher away from the parks than some off-site motels. Also, the WDW transportation system is not what it's cracked up to be. Even if we stay on-site, we always rent a car and use it to go back and forth to the parks. Our last two trips, we stayed off site and went back to our hotel for naptime for my 3-year old without any problems. If you are staying at a monorail resort and only plan on going to MK and Epcot, transportation is fine, but if you have to rely on the WDW bus system, taking your car is much faster.

[eeyore0062]

The only reason that I would stay off site, is if I didn't intend on going to the Disney parks! If I were going to Universal, IOA, or Seaworld, I would definitely stay closer to those attractions. If I were going to Busch Gardens, I would stay closer to Tampa.

[minijeanie]

I vote for doing both. Stay off site for the majority of your trip and stay onsite for the last 2 days. I have done this before and it works fine. I would vote to stay in a resort close to the MK. I think this is the hardest to get to by car. By the time you park, take the tram to the front, then either get on the monorail or boat it is a good 30 minutes. I

When we stay offsite, I usually opt for renting a timeshare. I prefer the Marriott but there are several in the area that are just as good. Having a full size kitchen, W/D is just the best

Just my 2 cents.

Whatever you decide, there is nothing better than being in or around WDW(and Universal)

[Robinrs]

I've done and will continue to do both.

I do enjoy the space of offsite and convenience of onsite, and really cannot say which I prefer. It really depends on how many people I'm with, and lately it's just been me and Michael, and how I intend to use my vacation.

As for Universal, I will ALWAYS stay onsite because of the convenience. There is no Disney hotel as close as USF is to HRH. That five minute walk is worth the price of any hotel, not to mention the FOTL!

My last stay at Disney was in a suite at the Dolphin. A mixture of the space of offsite and the convenience of onsite. Of course the rate was out of site for the average person, and I'm BELOW average :p, but I was blessed to get a great deal at the time. WITHOUT the deal, though, it would have been light years out of my range. But it CAN spoil you... :smooth: ...

My son is 8 and we go to the parks when they open and leave when they close. We hardly ever take breaks. Once we're back at the hotel, it's over. There is no way I'm going back. So the midday breaks that most people need have no effect on me. Neither does EE, which I don't use, E-night which I did once and my son doesn't stay up late enough for us to enjoy, package delivery (what package???) or charging with the card key (I did that once and they had the WRONG charge card on my key!!). As for Magic, just being in Orlando is magical for us. Don't need anythng else!

Both have their ups and down, pluses and drawbacks. I think it's an individual choice and whether or not you think it's worth it. My criteria changes per trip!

[LisaRex]

Update: Got back from Disney this past Tuesday. Stayed at Old Key West after wrestling for months whether to pay the bucks to stay on-site. For those wondering whether on-site is worth it, let me assure you that if I went back I would definitely stay off-site and save the money. My kids didn't want to get up early in the morning which ruined the Surprise Morning feature of staying on-site. We rented a car and drove to all the parks so the bus system was irrelevant to us. We drove around Orlando each day and had no problems driving to Seaworld, Discovery Cove, and off-site restaurants.

I really liked the one bedroom villa at OKW and definitely did NOT regret choosing a villa over a regular hotel room. My kids are 9 and 7 and we each had our own t.v. and bedroom. I could do laundry (note to self: cut the clothes you pack by half next time), which was great. We had a huge jacuzzi tub. Room was great. But the fact that it was on-site was really not important. I could have booked a two-bedroom villa at the Marriott vacation club for $164 a night and could kick myself for not saving the money.

Sooo, to those who think you'll miss the "magic," let me assure you that YOU make your vacation magical -- by being together as a family, by getting away from the routine, by spending time sipping pina coladas poolside while your kids have the big time in the pool. Being on-site is NOT a must.

Happy Travels!

[nhrenee]

Lisa,

Thanks for letting us know how things went. It sounds like you had fun!

[baileybrad]

When are you going? It is obviously usually cheaper in dollars to stay off-site. You do loose time. The US Today had an ad for $59 a night at the All-star Music and Sports for rooms booked before 9/30/01 in the 8/24/01 edition.

[apagano]

In my case, DW and I knew in advance that we were going to rent a car. We're heading down 9/28-10/7. We'll do Disney four days, one day at USF, one day at KSC and three days visiting with relatives in the Fort Lauderdale area. Since we knew we were going to spend at least $200 on car rental, we decided to get ourselves a better value and stay offsite. After all, we're going to be paying for the car anyway, so we might as well use it. If we weren't planning on driving as much, we would have skipped the car rental and spent the extra cash to stay onsite and use Disney transportation.