Advice needed!

[hannahr]

We are a family of six (three adults and three children aged 9, 9 and 11) and are off to Orlando on 5th December for two weeks. At the moment we have two rooms booked at the All-Star Music for the first week and two rooms booked at Coronado Springs for the second week - all at AP rate. However, my SIL is concerned about the children being in a hotel and the cost of staying onsite rather than a villa. We therefore have the following options:

1. Keep the booking we have ($1988).

2. Stay onsite but check the possibility of two weeks at the All-Stat Music at AP rate ($1512)

3. Book an off-site villa/condo at Windsor Palms ($1440)

Any advice you can give would be appreciated! Although I have stayed onsite before, the rest of the family haven't and I would like your opinions on what would be best.

Thanks!

Hannah

 

[rngclick]

Im not sure about the move from All Star to CSR but I would definitely say stay on-site. To us the convenience of being just a short bus ride away from our resort, especially when the children were younger, was invaluable. According to DH, no amount of savings is worth staying off-site.

Enjoy your trip!!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

It's kinda late to be trying to move your reservations around...If anything I would see if you could get the second week at AllStars but only if you can get the AP rate. (Just to help with cost) The children will be great in a hotel, at each Resort there will be a large playground but you will be at the parks most of the time....I think what you have now is perfect because it will give you a change of scenery. Stay on property, you know how great that is even if your sister doesn't. GOOD LUCK

 

[Phrebert]

Another point to consider is how long each day are you going to spend at your room? When I stayed at the Music Resort, we were gone by 7:45 each day and back when the parks closed, 10 pm or so.

 

[Kimberle]

My 2cents.
I'd keep your plans. There is just no comparison to staying on site. I've done both. You will not get the same "magic" staying off site.

You won't need a rental car. All members of your party can come & go as they like. Even thought we are a small family of 3, we enjoy starting our day together. Dh generally likes to return to the hotel about 1 or 2 to rent a boat or watch TV. Brittany & I like to stay and watch the parades, shop, or go on more rides. If we were off site and had to rely on a rental car, we could not do that.

 

[swilphil]

I'd stick with your current plans. If anything, I would move off-site for the first week instead of staying at All-Stars. You won't want to be off-site the second week because of the crowds (although I've heard people are having trouble booking the beginning of Dec. too because of conventions and the Mickey Christmas Party). I also think the CSR will be more appealing even though it is more money. You don't want to be off-site the second week. You'll spend so much time in your car stuck in traffic and in the parking lot that you'll be miserable. We stayed off-site on our first Christmas trip and NEVER again.

 

[mmeb144]

Stick with what you got. Being onsite will be a plus. Your SIL doesn't realize how nice it will be to be onsite.

Marie

 

[Lewski709]

I would try to change the ressie to make the stay completely at the All Stars. That will reduce the cost and the kids will like it just fine!

 

[goofy4tink]

Don't move off-site!!! If you want to save the money, then try to book Music for the second week. But I sure wouldn't stay anywhere other than on-site. It's just not worth it.

 

[cindyfan]

Another vote to stay on site!!!
Keep it as is, unless you really need to save a few $, then see if you can still get AP at All Star for the second week....
But.....CSR is an AWESOME resort and you got a great price!
The kids will love the pool there. And CSR will be much more relaxing for the adults.
Both have great food courts that really aren't that expensive.
With a condo you may have a kitchen, but I would not waste my time cooking while on vacation.
If you go with off-site....you will spend way too much time traveling back and forth.....stuck in traffic, etc.

Have a great time!!!!!!!

 

[hannahr]

Thanks for all your responses, they have been really helpful. I'll let you know what we decide!

Hannah

 

[Octoberbride03]

I vote with the others. Stay ON-Site completely. Byt the time you factor in car rental, gas, parking fees for the parks. You won't really be saving any money.

And I also vote for leaving the 2nd week at CSR. DH and i just had our honeymoon there and it really was the perfect spot. And the kids will love the Dig Site pool. I really think its worth the extra money to stay there.

Maureen