All Disney split stay or off-site/on-site

[michygoomy]

Not sure the best place to ask this question, but I thought this board might be more open to it.

The story: I booked CBR in June with hoppers and dining for 9 nights, then had to change my dates due to problems getting flights. Now I can't get CBR for my full stay at my discount code, so I have three nights I have to deal with. I'm calling every day looking for availablity to open up, but I'm not very optimistic that it will happen.

I'm on a strict (but, I feel, generous) budget, and the difference between what I have reservered and what I have budgeted is about 800 bucks. So, I'm looking to spend about that for the first three nights of our trip.

My choices are:

1.) 3-nights at POP at rack rate, no dining, 2-day park hoppers before moving on to CBR. That keeps me close to budget.

2.) Take those three nights off-site, go to Universal or Sea World. Pricing it out seems to put me over budget, but DH is leaning toward this way because Disney doesn't seem to want me to spend all my vacation money with them, no matter how much I beg.

The travelers are me, DH, DS12, DD10 and DD1. I had hoped to get away with no rental car. I haven't been to Universal in quite a few years, before IoA was opened. I've never been to Sea World in Orlando, but loved the one in Ohio before it closed.

I'd love to hear any opinions or suggestions!

 

[isla bonita]

I think your husband has the right idea. Get a taste of it all.

 

[Vivianne]

I think your husband has the right idea. Get a taste of it all.

I second that. Variety is the spice of life.

 

[hobogary]

We quite often do a split stay, when off site we do all the other things in the area.

 

[spiceycat]

if you want to do both US/IOA and SW - a car is necessary....

that say you can do SW - just stay at hilton grand vacation club...

www.hgvc.com

you could rent from an ower
http://www.tug1.org/tugads/1-1dname1.html#ad45796

but most of time they will want to rent for the whole week...not just a few days.

there is also the
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/MCOSR

they recently had a fire - but I think everything has returned to normal.

 

[hercamore]

If it were me,

I'd buy an AP and get a discounted room at CBR or another mod if available. Then buy a DDE card for 20% off food.

Rent a car for the week (they're cheap with Alamo codes on Mousesavers).
Take a day or two and go to SW or Universal.

herc.

 

[Foladar]

I would take the three days and enjoy US/IOA. Three days is good, one day at each park and a third to enjoy your favorites!

 

[dgaston]

And while it's just off DTD check out hotelkingdom.com for great rates at Cypress Point. A 2 br could really spoil you there and just be 15 minutes from Sea World and Universal (which could really spoil your older children).

 

[PattiPB]

Here's my opinion:

Get a rental car at the airport for just your Universal days. Have a great three days exploring that awesome place.

Return the rental car to the airport, and use DME to get to CBR. Enjoy the rest of your vacation!!!

I suggest putting UO first, because if it's at the end you may feel the "it's just not Disney" thing some people get. The other option is to return the car on site at WDW, but returning to the airport and taking DME works just fine---we did it last time.

You really can't lose, can you???