What is your favorite offsite location when staying at WDW?

[jodim]

We are a family of 7, so I am sure it will be more economical for us to stay offsite.

Where is your favorite place to stay offsite?

 

[joannalh]

I've only stayed offsite once, but we were very happy with Staybridge Suites (on International Drive).

 

[Zeebs]

We loved Windsor Hills, it is the only place we have stayed (we have only been once) but we certainly wouldn't hesitate to stay again. We loved all the space we had, it was easy to get to the parks and didn't take very long to get there.

Kirsten

 

[thenewgirl]

You can rent a house, which is an awesome way to go with a family! We are renting a 3 BR / 2 bath (bigger ones are available) with private pool, 10 minutes (or less) drive from parks, some fireworks visible from the home for less than $100 per night . We will eat breakfast in the home to make up for parking costs and we will cook a few early dinners (before heading back out after LO's nap) at 'home' as well to save a little. It's significantly more cost-efficient than staying on-site, and there are other benefits as well...2 bathrooms! everybody has their own bedroom (well, parents have to share )! plenty of room to spread out after much togetherness at the parks (much better than being closed up in a small-ish hotel room)!

 

[4forMe]

Windsor Hills! We rented a 4 BR, 4 bath home with a private pool that we absolutely loved. The commute to the parks is very close - less than 5 minutes to Animal Kingdom, less than 10 to MK.

We stayed onsite our last trip. It was nice to be onsite but VERY expensive!

We are returning next year and renting at Windsor Hills again!

 

[runwad]

We stay in a 3 bedroom condo at Cypress Pointe. Right outside downtown Disney. We love it there.

 

[Happiest mommy]

Love the Marriott Residence Inn Seaworld it has a kitchenette plus free breakfast the rooms are pretty spaciouse too

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Another vote for Windsor Hills.

 

[Tristen79]

We ended up staying at Regal Sun Resort, was pretty nice as it was right across the street from Dowtown Disney, and just rented a car

 

[pickleo]

Windsor Hills is my vote. Loved it...lots of room and close to the parks. We are staying in a house when we return in Jan. 2011

 

[maxiesmom]

Staybridge Suites, Lake Buena Vista. You can get a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom villa for less than a Moderate resort. And that includes a free continental breakfast. The location is great, it is right at the enterance to DTD.

We have stayed there 3 times, and loved it every time. Apparently it left an impression on one of my nieces, because while she didn't remember staying at POR before, she remembered Staybridge Suites.

 

[savannahcat]

My vote is for Windsor Hills or Emerald Island. Both are really convenient to the parks.

 

[MsMulan]

Jodim,
I think a lot will depend on what you are looking for in your vacation experience. Here’s my two cents. My DD and I have stayed at SpringHill Suites (LBV area) (2006) and thought it was terrific. The location is very close to WDW. The offer free breakfast, the room (Jr. suite type) came with a mini food prep area (mini frig, microwave and sink) and we were close to neighborhood restaurants and the outlets. The hotel does off transportation to/from the parks. I think it would be best to have your own. I am not sure if they have 2 bedroom suites and if they do not you would need at least two rooms to accommodate your group.

The next trip involved three of us (me, DD[10] and younger cousin [14]) and we did some hotel hopping this time around. Initially started off at the Hampton Inn (8150 Palm Parkway, Orlando). All I can say is that I will not go back there again. It was a one night affair until our room at the DoubleTree DTD (2305 Hotel Plaza Boulevard, Lake Buena Vista) was ready. I would definitely do this one again. Rooms were very spacious, breakfast was included in the price I paid and we used the DTD bus service (free for DTD hotel guests) to get back and forth to the parks on most days. The final leg of the trip was spent on-site at Caribbean Beach. As maxiemom indicated, my girls loved the Doubletree much more than the onsite stay.

The last trip (just DD and me) we stayed at the Windsor Palms resort (Kissimmee, FL). Initially, I had a hard time locating the property. But once found it was beautiful. We rented a three bedroom condo, enjoyed the club house, pool, movies, etc. We went to the grocery store and loaded up on breakfast foods, a few quick dinner items, water, dish and laundry detergent and snack foods. I believe most units come with cooking utensils, washer/dryer and dishwasher. We did not have made service so we had to tidy up behind ourselves, which is not awful I just do not like to do it on vacation. The only other downside I noted was the drive to/from the parks. Although, other posters have told me that you do not have to drive up I-4 to get to the parks. Obviously, I still have some learning to do in that area. Windsor has all types of housing and the rates are comparable to area hotels. You just gain a lot more space and after being together allllll day, it was really nice to come back and DD could go in one direction and I could go another. Overall, this was a very good experience.

My family is small in number compared to yours but hopefully some of this information can help in the decision process.

 

[josh0208]

I also favor the renting house idea. I have rented pool homes the last 2 times down that and plan to do it again when we go in April. I love the privacy and room it gives us...especially when we have 11 going in April.

Good luck making a decision.

Shirley

 

[scrapquitler]

We had an excellent experience at the Mike Ditka Runaway Beach Club resort in Kissemme on our last trip. We had a 2bedroom, 2 bath condo with a full kitchen. It was gorgeous, not very expensive and in a great location. I've since looked at reviews and they are somewhat mixed...I think it depedns on the particular condo you are in, and your expectations of housekeeping (there isn't any, they just bring towels). We would defintely stay there again.

 

[Syd-MikesMom]

We always rent a house, we have stayed in the communities of Rolling Hills, Indian Creek, and Emerald Island (all are in the Formosa Gardens area). It takes 5-10 minutes to get the WDW. (use the Sherberth RD short cut). Every year I ask my kids DS9 and DD11 if they want to stay onsite but they prefer having their own room and their own pool. The homes also have a game room with a pool table, air hockey, ping-pong, depending on what home you rent.

 

[jodim]

Thanks so much for all the advice!

Do any of you that have stayed at homes before and like them, happen to have links to the houses you stayed at?

I am overweight and *very* self-conscious, so I think I would prefer my own pool.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

We LOVE Wyndham's Bonnet Creek resort. It is right next door to the Caribbean Beach resort...so close to all of the parks. Read up on it on the Orlando Attractions and Hotels board. We book with Ken Price at vacationupgrades.com. It's a great value at a fabulous resort!

 

[cyndik1111]

LOVED IT! Windsor was the best!!!!!
http://www.windsorhillsrent.com/index.html
try this site- plug in what size house you want and search for ones that look good, check their prices and availability
Good luck and don't worry about "your size"
There are people of EVERY SIZE
Disney is the one place I don't feel self conscious, it seems like most people are "regular"

 

[LaneOT]

Love the Marriott Residence Inn Seaworld it has a kitchenette plus free breakfast the rooms are pretty spaciouse too

Second this hotel!!! We've stayed there twice, and had a great experience every time. The last time we had a two bedroom suite, which has a queen bed in one room and 2 queen beds in the other. 2 bathrooms and i believe a sleeper sofa.

Great value too.