Off-Site newbies

[auprincess]

Our next trip isn't even on the books ~ but I am really considering staying off-site. It will be our first time as a family of 5 (well, a family of 5 over the age of 3), and I am just having a hard time justifying the cost of staying on property (but it's not out of the question).

So, my question is ~ where do I start in looking for a good off-site place to stay? We will drive, so buses/shuttles to the parks aren't a big deal. I would like to be close to the parks (what are those places around Downtown Disney)? I don't really care if it is a hotel or a condo ~ but I would like something that is at least the same size of the deluxe rooms (if it is a hotel). We are on vacation, so while a fridge and a microwave are a must, a full kitchen is not. And I'd love to have something with a nice pool (my girls would love a slide)!

Any suggestions ~ I've started looking and it just seems overwhelming. Thanks so much!

 

[alice99]

Many of the timeshares have weekly specials.

I got a 2 bedroom at Vistana for 89$ per night, just by doing an online search.

Good Luck!

PS - I could never justify spending the $$ to stay on-site either.... I went from being an off site visitor ... to being a DVC owner.

Also, maybe you should look into renting DVC points while doing your off-site comparison. You may be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Spunky946]

We have stayed at the Hilton Grand vacations club at Sea World. It's beautfiul and right across the street from Sea world and 3 or 4 exits from disney world. Right now most dates in the fall are $134 per night for a 1 bedroom King size suite with a sofa bed. it has a kitchen, huge bathroom plus a living room, dining table and porch.

We loved havig the extra space. We were looking to go in Jan/Feb but may now go in Dec to get the rate. They also have a 2 bedroom suite.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

There are so many good options around. I've also booked Sheraton Vistana for round $90/night. The Vistana has a few pools to choose from - and a whole lot of activities for kids going on all the time. I can't remember a slide at the pool in my section - but I seem to remember a big inflatable wet slide there somewhere - anyway - may be check it out to see what they have.

I think any of the Hilton Grand Vacations Clubs would be a good choice - and either of the Sheraton properties (Vistana or Villages) - again you'll have to check each for the pool/slide.

Wyndham Bonnet Creek has a pirate ship pool so they might have a good slide and are basically on Disney property!

I also love the Hilton Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria - basically on Disney property - but no slide at either though the Hilton has a lazy river pool.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

My DD loves Marriott Harbour Lake. It is small and has 2 pools, all units are only a few minutes to the pools.

 

[conniehar90]

Windsor Hills! We always rent from www.disneyneighbor.com. Great rates, beautiful units and a nice pool (has a slide). Nice and close to the parks ( 10-15 minute drive)

 

[Rosebud123]

Wyndham Bonnet Creek!!! Approx $120 a night for a gorgeous 2 bedroom with a balcony, full kitchen, w/d, etc. Several pools, 2 slides, 2 lazy rivers on site, as well as mini-golf, volleyball, etc. Closer to the parks than many of the official WDW hotels.

It's right next door to Caribbean Beach resort, so you never leave the WDW "bubble" unless you want it.

We stayed offsite for the first time (in my adult life, anyway!) last April and I don't think I could ever go back to onsite again!! At least as long as WBC is around....

Check out all the threads on here about it....

 

[Grog]

Welcome to the dark side

 

[nessz79]

Windsor Hills!

 

[mikkiwikki]

Welcome to the dark side

Right!!
...Once you turn to the dark side.....
..... you can never go back...

Maniacal Laugh...Maniacal Laugh...
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Evillaugh.ogg

 

[Chelley00]

Welcome to the dark side

And don't tell anyone you stay offsite. It starts a riot


We usually stay in a rental house (vrbo.com is a good place to start, or try Windsorhillsrents.com) This time we are trying Wyndham Bonnet Creek.

 

[Grog]

And don't tell anyone you stay offsite. It starts a riot


We usually stay in a rental house (vrbo.com is a good place to start, or try Windsorhillsrents.com) This time we are trying Wyndham Bonnet Creek.

Especially on the Theme Park boards. If you don't worship at the altar of the mouse 24/7 you're obviously some kind of heathen, fit only to go to Six Flags, Vegas, and other "lesser" destinations

We're tentatively planning a trip for around this time next year and Wyndham Bonnet Creek is at the top of my list so far. I like what I've seen and read about it.

 

[mikkiwikki]

And don't tell anyone you stay offsite. It starts a riot

If only they *KNEW* what they were missing

 

[mikkiwikki]

Especially on the Theme Park boards. If you don't worship at the altar of the mouse 24/7 you're obviously some kind of heathen, fit only to go to Six Flags, Vegas, and other "lesser" destinations

agree with the general sentiment around -offsite frequenters...
Basically My family can never go back on-site...for what Disney asks - We get 3 bedrooms + many more facilities for the same price as a VALUE at Disney. AND EMH are NOT a draw at all....No 'bennie' there for our family

 

[auprincess]

Thank you so much for all the suggestions!! I am definitely going to check these out! I have a lot of time to decide (no trip on the books ~ probably not until 2014 ~ boo).

A big reason we liked staying on property was to do the dining plan, but with the price increases, we really might as well pay for food out of pocket; and we are a family that likes to eat a sit down meal, but would be happy with just 3-4 during a week trip. I also like the idea of the EMH, but with young kids we won't be utilizing them in the evening and since we live in the central time zone, we don't use them in the morning either. Looks like I really may be heading over to the dark side, lol!

 

[goodfood4ursoul]

We just booked a $59 King suite at Orlando Courtyard Suites near All Star Movies/Music resort.
We had been looking at the room only discount for this fall were quoted $69 a night for a room at AMU with no guarantee of a fridge or anything.

Orlando Courtyard Suites has a full kitchen, bedroom, living room, bathroom, etc.

We don't plan on spending that much time at our hotel, just want to be able to make breakfast and pack a lunch to take to Typhoon Lagoon all week and have some room to unwind at night.
We've done the other parks numerous times but Typhoon Lagoon is our happy place...

We're getting the annual waterparks and DisneyQuest passes ($130 pp) and plan to drive down 2 more times in the next year for budget "save our sanity" trips

 

[4HppyCamprs]

We are also newbies to staying "off site" and while we have enjoyed "onsite" we just cant justify paying the same price to stay in a two bedroom suite as to stay cramped in POR with 1 room and 3 adults and 3 children (1 infant). The big draw before was the dining plan and we rebelled and went sans dining plan last time. We spent the same as we would have to purchase the dining plan but ate what we wanted. The dining plan has really really become limited in what you can order snack wise. Anyways since we are newbies as well I am watching this thread

 

[momfeez]

We just booked a $59 King suite at Orlando Courtyard Suites near All Star Movies/Music resort.
We had been looking at the room only discount for this fall were quoted $69 a night for a room at AMU with no guarantee of a fridge or anything.

Orlando Courtyard Suites has a full kitchen, bedroom, living room, bathroom, etc.

We don't plan on spending that much time at our hotel, just want to be able to make breakfast and pack a lunch to take to Typhoon Lagoon all week and have some room to unwind at night.
We've done the other parks numerous times but Typhoon Lagoon is our happy place...

We're getting the annual waterparks and DisneyQuest passes ($130 pp) and plan to drive down 2 more times in the next year for budget "save our sanity" trips

We always stay off site...I can't justify paying so much when we are in the room/at the hotel for such a short time. I thought I had seen every hotel in and around WDW. I was wrong....so going to check this out for our next trip. I can't believe what you get for the price! Thanks for the info!

 

[aoffhaus]

I am a newbie to staying offsite too. I will be staying at Bonnett Creek in Feb 2013. I am looking forward to the extra room without the extra cost!! My only concern is that we will not be on the dining plan. Those of you who have done this before, did you notice a difference in what you spent money wise on food? We will be eating breakfast at the condo before we go to the parks.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Again we are offsite newbies but we did go without the dining plan on our last trip. I ordered Garden Grocer to be delivered to the POLY and we ate out when we felt like it. We have some favorite restaurants that we did not want to miss. What we found is that we did not save any money by going sans dining plan (we did not try to though) but we purchased what we wanted and only what we wanted. If we wanted a Rocky Road caramel apple then that is what we got. On the dining plan that was a no go. We also found that we actually broke even with what the purchased dining plan would have cost.

That said if you have had "free" dining in the past you are likely going to notice the cost. We had free dining our first two trips and you do get a amazing amount of food. Plus you just hand over your card and there is no need to settle up for real cash.

All that said my family once again prefers to go without the dining plan where ever we stay.