Am I REALLY missing something by staying off-site?

[spiceycat]

get 2 value rooms....

emh - is the extra magical hours - you can stay an hour earlier in the morning and 3 hours in the evenings.

here is this site
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/earlyentry.htm#exmagic

I have a problem with the sun. EMH allows me to enjoy the parks during hours when the sun is not trying to kill me....

you must stay at a WDW resort to get this benefit. also if I was flighting (which I do only once in a long while) - I would appreciate the DME - disney magical express
http://allearsnet.com/acc/mexpress.htm

 

[spiceycat]

the Polyn is the summer - garden view - $369 with taxes $411.

FW cabins in the summer - $279 with taxes $311

value resort Pop Century (the other have slightly more taxes) $99 with taxes $110.38 - 2 rooms - $221

you can see on Disney website
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/resorts/resortRates?id=PolynesianResortRatesListingPage

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...ortWildernessCampgroundResortRatesListingPage

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/resorts/resortRates?id=PopCenturyResortRatesListingPage

 

[5boyz]

Thanks alot Spicy if the prices were for me!!! That's great!! I am actually looking at either 2 rooms at Pop Century or Port Orleans....or the family suite at All Star Music!!!

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I stayed offsite the first two visits and then onsite ever since. When I stay onsite, I am totally lost in the magic and can leave the real world behind for the short time that I am there. A TRUE vacation for me. I guess that is why I love it so much, a vacation for the body and mind and soul.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

And if you stay on-site, you don't have to lug your purchases around the park with you. You can have them delivered to your hotel free of charge.

 

[johnnyh14]

i have stayed both on and off site. onsite is a better way to go. i lived in central florida so i know the area and have stayed in rented condos, good hotels and in luxury campers while on vacation for disney. the whole onsite thing is magical. the dw and dkids like it better (we all know its easier when they are happy) and in the long run we get better service and cost savings over off site.

 

[5boyz]

1000th a girl after my own heart......SHOPPING!!!!!!!!! Ok can anyone help me this is my first day on here and I want to know how to put all the cool stuff you guys have like where you have stayed and when and all your little fancy art works and things!!! Also how do I do my profile?

 

[MiaSRN62]

And we have the convienience of just hopping in the car....not having to wait for a bus and worrying about wether we will have a seat or not. Seems like MORE of a hassle if you have kids & a stroller, not less. The bus thing does not appeal to me in any way.

While I really enjoy our offsite accomodations (Vistana), we also love staying onsite. I've stayed at the Contemporary, WL, Dixie Landings, BWV, OKW, All Stars and POP. Loved them all. The perks, as Spicey mentioned above are a great perk. I agree with her post. Try it if you have not---even for just a night or two. The EMH are great---we like the mornings ones especially. We can walk on just about all the main attractions before the real crowds come in. Makes a big difference in the day for us. Also, the package delivery is great----don't have to carry all those souveniers around all day.
As for the busses.....sometimes I feel they're faster and other times about the same as offsite driving (depending on where your offsite resort is). But there have been instances when we stayed on site and one of our kids got sick. Instead of everyone having to return to the hotel, it was nice for one parent to take the sick child back for a nap while one of us stayed with the other kids. This happened on several occasions over the years. One of us just hopped on a bus----no worries about having to drive back in the car to pick the rest of the family up. And now that my kids are older, my teen son especially, loves the independence he has of just hopping on a bus when he's done with the parks and going back to the resort for a swim----something that would have been a hassle if we had to drive him back to the resort and then drive right back to the parks again. Also, and you may not agree, but there is just something more magical (as cliche as that sounds) about being in a disney resort. There's just little touches of disney everywhere. You feel like you really don't quite leave the parks.

Now mind you I stayed at the Fort Wilderness Cabins....don't get me wrong they are nice but too much travel time!!! We had to take at least 2 of everything each way.....plus too quite there for me.....I like to feel like I am on vacation in Florida not up North (from Canada) at a cottage!!!

Maybe Ft Wilderness wasn't the resort for you ? There are many different types of resorts on property to fit all needs and preferences. Also, what do you mean you took 2 of everything each way ? Usually one bus will take you directly to a park/water park ?

So, we often split our stays between on and offsite. We find the best of both "worlds" this way

 

[Aimeemee]

I could see where if you wanted to split up having the convienience of heading back to the hotel without worrying with a car would be great. Sometimes hubby gets burned out by the crowds and there have been times where Iwish I could just get rid of him because he's being a downer, but youre kinda stuck when you drove in together. Crowds dont ruin a thing for me, I'm ecstatic to be there even if it is crowded. So that is a nice option. Plus if my little one gets tired we can head back and let her nap while one of us could take DS to the pool. Last trip as we were leaving MK, we hopped on the monorail to check out the poly and it WAS so easy just hopping on....we were there in a blink. That was nice, and we ended up eating at the Kona Cafe & really enjoyed the meal. The CM's were very nice & our waitress was excellent. There is a lot of truth to how excellent the CM's at Disney are.

 

[5boyz]

Hi Mia!!! When I said that we had to take 2 of everything I meant...we had to take a bus from our cottage( which was a good hike to the bus stop) to the bus depot and then take a bus to whatever park we were going to. We took a bus to the Ferry for MK. Plus to walk to the pool was a hike! Like you said it was just not for me!!! I like busy and hustle & bustle (my husband liked it). I think the kids would prefer to be in some place like me with lots going on!!! But it is very expensive for a family of 6 for 10 nights!!! I have tried all sorts of things!!! But we will stay one way or another cuz the kids really want to and like you I have 2 teens who liked coming and going as they pleased last year. I liked it too!!! Didn't have to drive them everywhere like we have to here!! LOL!!! Anyway I am up for any suggestions people have for my big family!!!

 

[PrincessDadx2]

Some things are magical - you can't get them somewhere else. We stayed at the Contemporary Tower Magic Kingdom view because I always wanted to stay in the hotel where the monorail goes through it. Quite a unique place with a great view of the fireworks and castle from your balcony. I also thought that AKL was very cool - can't get that Savannah view anywhere else that I know of.

The other onsite places we stayed at were just hotels and we prefer our Marriott timeshare for the room, activities and cost. I have been in my timeshare in 20 minutes after illuminations including walking out of Epcot and that is faster than Disney transportation just about anywhere.

I did like the evening EMH if you kids can stay up late.

Anyone can have packages delivered to the front of the park so you do not have to carry them. We found the package delivery was slow and we usually did not get them until the next day.

For larger families the new All Star Suites might be a good choice if you want to be on site.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Anyone can have packages delivered to the front of the park so you do not have to carry them. We found the package delivery was slow and we usually did not get them until the next day.

True you can get them delivered to the front of the park, but if you park hop alot like us, then you'd need to drag them to the next park you go to. We're fine with the packages being delivered the next day. If there's anything we need right away, we just keep it with us. I think the package delivery is a nice perk.

Hi Mia!!! When I said that we had to take 2 of everything I meant...we had to take a bus from our cottage( which was a good hike to the bus stop) to the bus depot and then take a bus to whatever park we were going to. We took a bus to the Ferry for MK.

Hi Aimeemee,
I wasn't aware of this with Ft Wilderness ? No other WDW resorts are like this to my knowledge. It's one bus from your resort to the park. I love hopping on the disney bus at OKW and then getting dropped off right near the turnstiles to the MK----totally bypass the TTC. Ft Wilderness is the one resort that must not do this. I think you'd def find the other resorts and their transportation much different.

 

[5boyz]

Thank you Mia!!! Like I said we are going July 24-Aug 3. My 3 places I am looking into are Port Orleans (2rooms) Pop Century (2rooms) and All Star Music Family Suites. Has anyone ever got the Dining Plan before? It looks great when you do it singular, but to add my family together and then times by 10 days it is really expensive!!! Too bad you couldn't pick the number of days you wanted!!!! We are driving from Canada so we have the freedom to go out of Disney!!! We are also staying 10 days but only getting 7 day park passes (well plus 6 days water and stuff) but can do 2 different things in 1 day!!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thank you Mia!!! Like I said we are going July 24-Aug 3. My 3 places I am looking into are Port Orleans (2rooms) Pop Century (2rooms) and All Star Music Family Suites.

I stayed at POP last year for 4 nights and found the bus service to be very good there. Have fun whichever resort you decide to stay at
I can't comment on the Dining Plan as I haven't done that. We usually stay at a DVC resort and it hasn't been offered to us until just this spring. I may try it this summer. I would think you could find some good info on it on the WDW Dining boards ?

 

[5boyz]

thank you Mia!!! I'm sure we will have a good time....we did last year!!! All these people keep telling me get the food plan, it is great!!! This is coming form people that have 2 small kids and were there for a week....I have 2 teens and 2 small kids and with all of us for 10 days it works out to $1852.46US. We would never eat that much in 10 days!!!LOL!!! Last year we barely ate we were so hot we just drank water water and more water!~!!

 

[jeff968]

We did both a few years ago. Animal Kingdom Lodge for a few days and then a week at OLCC. Disney is top notch for sure and you do get the entire experience. That said, it is pricey and you lose all that room. i like your combo idea and hopefully you have nive weather and don't have to spend much time in the room. You know, Disney has some suites as well but they cost as much for one night as what you can find outside for an entire week!! We always go offsite now. the Marriotts and Hiltons are great and they have plenty of room. Good luck

 

[MiaSRN62]

I have 2 teens and 2 small kids and with all of us for 10 days it works out to $1852.46US. We would never eat that much in 10 days!!!LOL!!! Last year we barely ate we were so hot we just drank water water and more water!~!!

I can agree with this. We eat light when we're in WDW too. In fact, my 2 dd's and I usually share meals because we just can't eat a full meal at one seating, so not sure it would be worth it for us either.

 

[tripplanner2]

you should look into DVC points - but you can't do the Poly on points - well not and save money.

You can however easily do the VWL on points. It has boat and bus transportation to MK. It is the closest (so far) DVC resort to MK.

or you can do my choice - get 2 rooms at a value - definitely cheaper than the Polyn. you have 2 rooms so you put your child to bed in the other room.

you can look into the family suities at all Star Music. but right now WDW is pricing them MORE than 2 rooms. So for many families this is not an option.

now none of these choices include the monrail. If you want the monrail then the Polyn, Cont or GF are your only choices. I would also go with the Polyn stayed there many times it is a wonderful hotel. However I think the Cont is a better value money wise. It doesn't have the atmosphere of the Polyn, nor the pool. but it might work best for your family. If you are doing mainly the MK.

now if you want to do Epcot or the other parks - then go back to the Polyn.

I also split our stays... but I am worst than you. I plan the entire trip for offsite - then doing that stay I will go to either OKW or Pop for a day (generally EMH at the MK).

but mother is 84 and asking her to do without a room from 10:00am (the time most offsite timeshares require you to check out) until 3 or 4pm (when WDW will allow you to check in) - well she can't do it...I am allergic to the sun - so this is not an option for me either.

Are you really allergic to the sun or just the Florida heat? My doctors told me this years ago and I couldn't believe it. I have never heard of anyone else having this problem. My husband thought I was just making it up. I did take pictures of the horrible purple bloches on my legs from my trip to Cancun.

 

[spiceycat]

to the sun.

when I was in high school I broke out in rash - my doctor say it was allergic to the sun - so he wrote me an excuse - well the pe teacher throw it away and make me sit out on in the sun again - this time it was worst - I pass out.

I don't know what my doctor say to this teacher - but I was never to forced to stay out in the sun again.

I couldn't even consider Florida until sun screen.....one of the best inventions!!!!

but I still must avoid the sun from 10:00 to 4pm. I am not alot of fun be with during those times. I can go to indoor malls - but I have to make sure I am not outside any longer than 20 minutes...

off season the sun is not so bad - but I won't take chances.... once you have that particular rash plus the awful stomach cramps that goes with it - you would avoid it too.....

in offseason it is generally 11:00 to 3:00pm.

it is the sun because if I wear long shelves and pants the sun does hurt - but the heat and humdity are worst.....I also must take a hat and umbellra..... silly right....

 

[tripplanner2]

I was in high school too. I had used a tanning salon for the first time and had a rash all over my entire body. It itched and burned to touch it. It was really terrible. Ever since, I get a rash whenever I have exposure to the sun. Same as you, as long as I use sun block and I am okay. I get it bad on my face around my eyes so I ALWAYS have sunglasses on. I can't believe that I found someone else with the same problem.

Have a great trip this summer, even with the sun!