Value vs Moderate vs off property

[sirabe76]

While I have been trying to save for our disney vacation in March 2011, Financial things have been coming up. Now, I fear we may not have enough moeny to pay for it. I am thinking about either downgrading from a moderate ( POFQ) to a value or even off property. This would be so that we would have more $$ to spend and play with.

Also, We have a quick service dining plan.

I dont know what to do. and a bit upset at this. I guess, my question is what are good off property places to stay and how are the value resorts?

 

[GrandFloDrms]

Ughhh I have this same debate every Disney trip.

Personally, it kills me to know how much it costs to stay on property... and that ill pay it just for the experience and feeling of being on Disney property.

That said, there are two 5 star hotels within 15 mins from Disney.
J.W. Marriott/Ritz Carlton, and Rosen Shingle Creek. For about $120 - $200 a night you can get luxury service and rooms in a resort type hotel. I mean (for me, and ive stayed at both) Disney hotels don't hold a candle to them. In terms of service, rooms, amenities, and overall "luxury hotel" atmosphere. From getting chilled water with fruit in it brought to you while your simply waiting to check in, to the late night bonfires, or lazy river pools. Yet Disney hotels are more "magical" and less "luxgury".

However when I go to Disney, i want that magical Disney feeling 24/7 and if i leave the property i feel like i loose it. So thats why i stay in a Disney "deluxe" hotel. But its always in my mind that its dumb to pay $350 - $1000 for a deluxe Disney room, when i know i could be in a world class hotel 15 minutes away and save over $1000.00.

I guess you just have to make the decision you can live with or makes you the most happy. This December we will spend our arrival day at Rosen Shingle, and our last night at J.W. with a Disney Deluxe in the middle. So it will be the best of all worlds!

 

[WizardLarz]

Can You arrange the Dates you go so you can get Free Dining?
If you do a Value during Free Dining you get the Quick Service Plan!

 

[maxiesmom]

I have stayed off-site before. There are some very nice places right by Down Town Disney, and many of them include breakfast in their price. However, those usually cost about the same as a on-site Value room.

Are you paying out of pocket for the dining plan, or are you booked for Free Dining?

 

[mjp12831]

While I have been trying to save for our disney vacation in March 2011, Financial things have been coming up. Now, I fear we may not have enough moeny to pay for it. I am thinking about either downgrading from a moderate ( POFQ) to a value or even off property. This would be so that we would have more $$ to spend and play with.

Also, We have a quick service dining plan.

I dont know what to do. and a bit upset at this. I guess, my question is what are good off property places to stay and how are the value resorts?

You mention you are concerned about having $$ to spend and play with - being on the qsdp (no tips) and staying on property, you literally can go without an extra dime and have a great time. If your trip is paid, consider keeping fq

 

[KELLY]

I would go with a value resort. We are also on the QSDP we do spend money as we have 2 girls. We are also doing 3 ts meals and one being T-rex. I can't leave T-rex with out doing build a dino. I do tell my girls they can't get something every day. Usually every other day for a 9 day stay and it has to be 20.00 or under.

But I do agree it can be done with minimal spending. You just need to make it happen. I know myself and I tell my girls every time we go somewhere they can't get something. So when we go to Disney I do spluge. I have also stayed at POFQ alot and we really enjoy it but now we have to stay value.

 

[CajunMomof3]

IMO the dining plan you would lose staying off property would lessen the savings of doing so. We stayed at the POR and loved it, but the kids loved staying in "Andy's big room" (aka All-Star Movies). Good luck with your planning!

 

[cbg1027]

I would switch to a Value resort. I find them to be perfectly acceptable. And you still get the in the magic feeling 24/7 and all the other Disney perks.
Also, you won't be able to keep you DP if you stay off site - that's only available to people booking a package staying at a Disney resort.

Off site probably won't be much cheaper than a value resort because you have to factor in the cost of parking at $14 a day and possible transportation. A lot of the off site places will also get you with hidden charges once you get there like resort or parking fees.

The biggest drawback of an off site place for me is the location and losing part of my day in transportation time. I much prefer to be on site.

 

[Snappy in OK]

I would compare the costs of all 3 options (Mod vs Value vs Off property) and see how it works out for starters. When you look at staying off property, you need to factor in parking fees, meals, and a rental car if you are using one. Disney announced several specials for 2011 already. Have you looked to see if any are available during your stay? If one is, call and have it applied to your reservation. That alone could make the difference. If not, can you change your dates to make use of one of the specials? We had FD last fall, and I figure it saved us lots of $$ - more than what we spent out of pocket for an extra meal or 2 out of pocket, souveniers, etc. And that is with 2 kids under 5.

Like PPs have stated, staying on site gives you the Disney magic 24/7. We stayed at POP last year, and we really enjoyed it. The resort was very nice, having transportation to the parks & DTD without having to drive & pay for parking was great, and we really enjoyed being part of the magic the entire time. We are planning a trip for fall 2011, and we are already looking at the different resorts to see which one we want to check out next year. We are leaning towards POR or POFQ for a little more space, the double sinks, having a fridge in the room - and the boat to DTD sounds nice!

Good luck! I hope things work out for you.

 

[sirabe76]

I have stayed off-site before. There are some very nice places right by Down Town Disney, and many of them include breakfast in their price. However, those usually cost about the same as a on-site Value room.

Are you paying out of pocket for the dining plan, or are you booked for Free Dining?

We are paying out of pocket for the dining plan

 

[tony67]

I am in the same boat as you.

I really think it is worth going to a value resort.
The money you will save on the QSDP and the time you save traveling to parks is going to be worth it in the end.

If you stay off site I assume you are going to rent a car, maybe you can skip the car rental and save a few dollars. Someone else mentioned the parking.

The ME from the airport is great and the busses will get you everywhere you need to go on property.

Also I would assume you can get free dinning for your trip.
For a family of 4 that is a big savings.

Oh and if you have to go to Universal for a day I have seen deals on universal tickets with Mears transportation.
I do not think it was much more than just a Universal ticket.
I plan to do that on my next trip.

One other thing to consider is the Disney visa.
If you pay for your trip with it you get 0% interest for six months, just make sure you pay it off before they start charging you interest.

 

[sirabe76]

I am in the same boat as you.

I really think it is worth going to a value resort.
The money you will save on the QSDP and the time you save traveling to parks is going to be worth it in the end.

If you stay off site I assume you are going to rent a car, maybe you can skip the car rental and save a few dollars. Someone else mentioned the parking.

The ME from the airport is great and the busses will get you everywhere you need to go on property.

Also I would assume you can get free dinning for your trip.
For a family of 4 that is a big savings.

Oh and if you have to go to Universal for a day I have seen deals on universal tickets with Mears transportation.
I do not think it was much more than just a Universal ticket.
I plan to do that on my next trip.

One other thing to consider is the Disney visa.
If you pay for your trip with it you get 0% interest for six months, just make sure you pay it off before they start charging you interest.

We are driving there..so no rental.
we are planning on making one day out to to Universal for a Disney break (for my husband)..

Unfortunately, no free dining.

 

[sirabe76]

Another thing, If I do decide to change to a value resort. Which one would you guys reccommend for a family of 4 ( 2 little girls..3 and 6)

 

[tony67]

We are driving there..so no rental.
we are planning on making one day out to to Universal for a Disney break (for my husband)..

Unfortunately, no free dining.

Ok - I see that it is not free in March.

Well that can change, they may offer some deal depending on how busy they are.

Also I would expect room only discounts for that period at some point as we get closer to it (hopefully).

So if you book it you can switch it when the change comes.
Also did you look for a AAA rate? It is avalable yet for 2011?

 

[Brian Noble]

We are driving there..so no rental.

If you are flying, it is really hard to beat the bottom-line price of a Value resort. But, as you are driving, offsite can be a really good bargain, especially if budget is an issue. Is being onsite a little nicer? Sure is. But, only you know whether the extra money is something you can afford right now. Personally, I'd rather make the trip and stay offsite than not go at all.

Order yourself a copy of the Unofficial Guide (the 2011 version) from Amazon. It's about $13, and has a *great* section rating the offsite hotels in the area. In particular, they have a list of "best deals". Even with having to pay for theme park parking, you are likely to find a much better deal offsite with your own car than a Value, unless Disney comes out with a whopper of a discount for March.