Advice for split stay offsite and onsite.

[writingmachine]

There will be 8 of us attending a convention, non work related, in July 2017. I just got information today that it will be held at Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista. I'm not booking as of yet because their will most likely be a discount code for our group. What I'm not sure about is a split stay or to stay at Hilton the entire trip. The dates of the convention are July 18th-22nd and the schedule is packed so we want to stay an additional 4 days and leave the 27th in order to visit the parks. A few questions:

1. Would it be worth it to stay at Hilton (we fly in July 17th and convention starts July 18th) for just the days of the convention and then move on the 22nd to a value (currently looking at 2 rooms at the Pop or ASMU) because of convenience? I know we will not receive magic bands and will have to pick fast passes at a kiosk which I've seen get backed up. I've also really enjoyed having extra magic hours on my last trip I just got back from on Saturday and I'm assuming we won't get that perk as well. We also like the idea of the convention and park days being two separate entities (almost like two different trips) Are those reasons worth moving to onsite?

2. Does anyone know what kind of room discount we will likely receive for a convention? As it stands now it will be $273 per night with the added hotel fee of $24. I'm assuming even with the room discount a split stay at Hilton and then Pop or ASMU will be cheaper than staying the entire time at Hilton.

Should we go for the split stay or would it be too much of a hassle?

 

[misse336]

I don't know the answers to many of your questions but I can tell you that if you are staying offsite you can choose your fast passes online before your visit and don't have to get them at the kiosks. The difference is that you can only choose yours 30 days in advance if you stay offsite and if you stay onsite you can choose them 60 days in advance.

You will also not get magic bands if you stay offsite. It sounds like you were just there though so you can use your magic bands from that trip and wouldn't need new ones?

There are no magic hours if you stay offsite. That perk is reserved for onsite only guests.

 

[BigredNole]

I may not be correct in this, but offsite guests can only reserve the day you are at the park. AP holders can reserve 30 days out. May want to check that to be sure though.

I would stay onsite if it is just 4 days. You are talking ~$120 per night vs over $200 per night. This gives you all the benefits of a resort guest. However, 2 rooms will not really cut it for 4 adults in a room. Those beds are small for 1 adult and 1 child.

 

[Flutter-butter]

I would recommend that you stay onsite your first night. You'll be able to take Magical Express from the airport for free, you'll be able to put your park passes on the magic bands you'll receive from your onsite stay and you'll be able to make FP+ reservations 60 days ahead of your stay. I think that you'll be able to make them for your whole trip, but you might have to wait for a rolling day by day to make them in the 60 days. I'm not 100% sure how the FP+ works with a single day reservation. You can then uber from the value resort to the Hilton. If you stay at the value after your convention you will also get Magical Express back to the airport.

 

[spiceycat]

you get magic hours - this is a Hilton at Disney Springs - would call the place - but think they do have magic hours - which is why they now have 3 of hotels at Disney Springs. This is an older hotel - but it is still very nice.

if you get a good discount - see if they (hilton) will continue that price for your entire stay.
http://disneyspringshotels.com/hotels/hilton-orlando-lake-buena-vista-disney-springs/

they are NOT advertising magic hours and they use too - don't know if they cancelled the service or what? would call an ask or get your company too.

 

[KristinU]

I may not be correct in this, but offsite guests can only reserve the day you are at the park. AP holders can reserve 30 days out. May want to check that to be sure though.

Nope, anyone can book FP+ 30 days out, not just AP holders. You do need to book each day, though, rather than the FP+ booking window opening at the 30 day mark for your entire stay. (I hope that makes sense!)

For me it would come down to how good the rate is at the Hilton and how much better the accommodations are than the Values. Will you have a rental car? That would weigh in for me as well.

 

[GreatLakes]

I personally would just stay at Hilton the whole trip. I hate the hassle of split stays and even without a car it is only about a half mile walk to Disney Springs where you can grab a bus. I am not 100% sure if you can go right from DS to the parks but that is easy enough to remedy by just going to the closest resort and changing buses or walking.