Are we making a mistake by staying off Disney property?

[scrapcreator]

I'd love your opinions, please! We going on our first Disney Cruise 10/16 We're arriving a couple of days early to check out WDW & Epcot, but the main focus of our vacation is the 7 day cruise. We didn't want to spend a lot of $$ on our room (more $$ for the cruise), so I booked a room at the Ramada Inn Maingate ($79/95 w/breakfast). It's supposed to be close, but even looking at all the maps, I can't tell how far/close to WDW and Epcot it really is. They have a shuttle - we won't have a car.

I'm getting cold feet - are we going to regret staying off-site? Have any of you stayed there or do you know anyone who has?

Thanks for your help.

Jeanne

 

[sherry8253]

How many people are in your party. If cost is a factor, POP or one of the All Stars may be even less expensive. And if you can get a moderate with one of the discount codes, the price would be about the same. I personally would try to stay on property if I could find a room for about the same price. Disney transportation would be worth it in my opinion. Have a great trip.

 

[dalt01]

yes you will

 

[harlock_jds]

They have a shuttle - we won't have a car

that's going to be your biggest issue, make SURE you check the hotels bus schedule and destinations, and make sure it's enough to suit your needs. This is a bigger issue for you since you are trying to cram the MK and Epcot into a day each which is surprisingly tough.

 

[simonmunro]

I think you'd be wise to stay onsite. Don't know your party size but I would look into Pop Century for one or two rooms. Onsite is the only way for us.

 

[gm]

I also think you will.

You may be able to get the ALL STARS Cheaper and have great disney transportation and stay in the magic of it all.

I believe RAMADA is not that close. Please check their reviews at travelocity and other sites before staying there.

Also for the Price that you are paying for the RAMADA you may be able to get the DISNEY Moderate Resorts with a code etc.

 

[Pig Pen]

No matter what. Beg, borrow, steal, find a code on Mousesavers, but definitely stay onsite.

 

[Andrew015]

As my personal experiences dictate, once you stay on property, you wouldn't want to go back to off property.

However, if money is a factor, I feel that there are some options that would get you on property. I'm not a huge fan of the All-star resorts, and in fact have never stayed, but the rates are pretty reasonable.

The option I would rather pursue, and my family has done this numerous times, is to stay on property in Buena Vista at the DownTown Disney Resorts. Disney has hotels located near Downtown Disney that are not actual disney resorts. Disney owns the building and the property, but rents them out to hotel chains. There is a Hilton, a Holiday Inn (which is where we used to stay... charming building, very reasonable rates and good breakfast.) and a Travelodge (may have changed ownership again). There are other resorts as well... the Buena Vista palace, the Grovesvenor, and the Royal Plaza. All of these buildings are beautiful hi-rises, and most are reasonably priced. They're definitely worth looking into, as they get you on property for cheap. Busses run to and from Downtown Disney, where you can go anywhere on property, and to the parks themselves. The walk to downtown disney is also very feasable.

Here is a link to the Downtown Disney resorts. Normally, they are around $100/ night. Right now, the Hilton, which is the most expensive, is at $139/night. The Holiday Inn, which I reccomend, is at $89/ night. Definitely worth looking into.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resort.htm

Personally, most of the magic for me comes from the resort experience. Since our first stay at the Wilderness Lodge back in 1994, we won't stay anywhere but WL. But if money was tight, I wouldn't mind going back to the Courtyard. Many good memories from those trips, and it beats staying off site!

 

[scrapcreator]

There are just 3 of us: dh, dd (9) and myself. We'll fly in Wednesday, do Epcot Thursday, WDW Friday and leave for our cruise Saturday. It sounds like I need to spend today shopping around on line. Best places to look?Not a good weekend to contact the resorts themselves - they have their hands full.

We will come back another year and do the whole, full blown Disney experience. This was just meant to be a sampling of WDW, with the focus being our Disney Cruise.

Thanks! Keep those ideas coming! I'm glad I found this board

Jeanne

 

[Andrew015]

Jeanne,

Check out this link.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resort.htm

Definitely worth looking into the DownTown Disney Resorts.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I stayed offsite for the first time ever in Feb.

I have to say, I did not mind, since my main goal on this trip was to spend as much time in the parks as possible and the offsite place I stayed was a time share.

It was a huge condo, 2 BR, 3 Bath, enourmous living room, dining area, kitchen, patio and right next to a large pool. We also got this place for next to nothing (a few hundred) because it was my BF's moms time share, and she had to have someone use it or she'd lose the week.

That said, I really enjoyed the quiet of coming back to a big area after busy days in the parks. We left the condo at 8 am each day and usually did not return until after midnight (we're just two adults). We did not take any afternoon breaks, unless you count nice sit down lunches and resting in the parks.

I did not feel like we were missing the magic at all. We had a car though, and I timed it one day; 11 minutes from our parking lot to the MGM Studios parking lot. Parking was never a problem.

But my main worry with your plan is that you do not have a car. Staying offsite without a car is not something I could so. Those shuttles from what I hear are not the most reliable, plus you end up locked into their schedule.

Also, if you are doing this just to save on cost, I think you'd be better off staying at an onsite Value. They cost about the same, and actually, if you can get a code off of www.mousesavers.com you may be able to even save some money.

Do you have AAA? You might also be able to get a AAA rate.

Regardless of what you end up doing, I'm sure you will have a great time!

I'd post in the Orlando Attractions board or the Community board and ask people for reviews of the hotel you currently have booked.



Sheri

 

[bridgettesmom]

I just went into WDW website and I looked up your dates for Pop Century .. I believe your dates are Oct 13-16...POP is available for $74 a night plus tax. There is also a BAP code from Mc Donalds that I think it brings the rate down to $55...Get on the phone right now and make a reservation .. you will not regret staying onsite!!!!


http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/special/offerDetail?id=FallHolidayResortSavingsOfferPage

 

[robinb]

How are you planning to get to the cruise? Transfers from a Disney resort to the cruise might also be easier from Pop Century (my recomendation) than from an off-site resort. Your rate of $79 is way too much for off-site, even if it includes breakfast. You'll save more by staying onsite and you will get to and from the parks much easier. If you really want to save money, consider using Priceline. www.biddingfortravel.com offers a lot of help with Priceline and it will tell you what others are getting for your dates.

 

[RoLaren]

With more trips than I can count behind me, my advice would be to stay on property, especially with a child.

The Disney transportation to the parks alone is worth it if you don't have a rental car. I have done the shuttle from other hotels thing in the past and it was always a pain; they didn't run at the times we wanted, we ended up waiting...it's much better to stay at a value or Downtown Disney resort if you can get a room.

 

[StrwLady]

I have stayed off site but had a car. Although I would always encourage someone to stay on site, off site is doable with a car. I wouldn't rely on the hotel shuttle. When we stayed off site the hotel did have a shuttle but the times that the shuttle ran was horrid. It were set times not all through out the day.

I checked Disney's site. They have a holiday special rate available to the general public

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/special/offerDetail?id=FallHolidayResortSavingsOfferPage

You can get 3 nights All Star Sports or Pop Century for $250.86 including tax. No way would I pick off site hotel over a Disney Value resort when the cost was similar or for a free breakfast. (Checked moderates the Port Orleans would be $314.46 and the Coronado Springs would be $364.62)


My opinion go to that link above. Book your Disney hotel and cancel the Ramada.

Hope you have a great trip!!!!

 

[scrapcreator]

OMG! I've been checking out your links and comparing resorts. Those are great deals! I'm very tempted to upgrade to the Port Orleans just to be closer. It's got to be worth it, right? Any experience there? Can I use the BAP code for Port Orleans, too? Do I use it when I book? (Sorry to have so many questions. I don't have much experience and you all do!)

Also, should I get the park tickets now as part of the package? We are just going to do WDW one day and Epcot another day. Does the Dream Maker save money or get you in earlier?

You guys are awesome! I soooo appreciate your help!

Jeanne

 

[BevS97]

I have stayed off-site and probably will stay off-site again, but the Ramada for $79/night does not strike me as a particularly good deal. If you were staying in a condo or a suite with extra facilities, or were getting a really cheap room then yes, I would go with offsite (although I would only stay offsite with a car), but in your situatoin, no car and $79/night, I think you could definitely get onsite for very similiar money.

the shuttles at our hotel were once in the am and twice in the evening - it's not like disney transportation!

 

[BevS97]

we must have posted at the same time!

I would compare the price of the Dreammaker and buying your tickets seperatly, I don't think the package is usually the best deal.

All the codes can be used at all the resorts during that time period, but there is limited availability - your best bet is to phone and ask them to check a number of resorts, or to have a play on teh Disney website and see what you can find for your dates.

 

[Kallison]

I would not stay offsite w/o a car and by the time we factor in the rental cost it is easier to just stay onsite.

 

[scrapcreator]

OK, here's what I did: We've got reservations at Port Orleans Riverside for $314.46 total From the sounds of it, we will be much closer (and happier) than at the Ramada Inn Maingate and the price isn't that much different after figuring in taxes. The Dream Maker Package would have upped the price to 965+ so, at this point, we are leaning toward single day park tickets (since we are only going to WDW one day and Epcot one day).

I'll be searching the board for more helpful hints. Thanks so much for helping! I feel pretty good about the decision. Now to contact Costco and find out where we can get picked up for the cruise (they were going to pick us up at the Beach Club)

Thanks again!

Jeanne

PS Where can I find those countdown tickers?