budget busters from staying offsite

[rockundergirl]

I recently found out that parking is like 15 dollars a day if your not staying on property. Now I'm wondering what some of the other consequences could be?
What can you think of? I always drive so I will have my car.

 

[mnrose]

I recently found out that parking is like 15 dollars a day if your not staying on property. Now I'm wondering what some of the other consequences could be?
What can you think of? I always drive so I will have my car.

Nothing. The parking fee is the worst downside financial hit for staying off site. But, the money you save other places, makes up for it (and then some). I save more than $15 a day being able to have breakfast and coffee at my off site villa.

Have a great trip!

 

[mrsklamc]

Nothing. The parking fee is the worst downside financial hit for staying off site. But, the money you save other places, makes up for it (and then some). I save more than $15 a day being able to have breakfast and coffee at my off site villa.

Have a great trip!

Agreed. Unless, as you mentioned, you need a rental car.

 

[kbheap]

The only other downside that I can think of is losing the EMH's.

 

[Promomx2]

I was able to get a AAA parking pass in the trading forum. So you might look into that.

 

[dizneechic]

We're staying off site and well and going to purchase an AP so the parking will be free. It may be worth looking into.

As for other benefits lost for staying off site... you can't participate in the dining plans (if you do a lot of character dining this would save you money), EMH's, resort pools and being surrounded by the mouse 24/7.

 

[Darcy03231]

We've stayed both on-site and off-site (and we have to rent a car when staying off-site). Overall, I find even with paying for parking and renting the car its less expensive to stay off-site.

1. We tend to eat a lot more meals in the rental home. We always eat breakfast in and tend to eat dinner either in or in a restaurant outside the parks.

2. Depending on the time of year, you can rent a vacation home for a lot less per night that on-site lodging at WDW.

 

[dizneechic]

I was able to get a AAA parking pass in the trading forum. So you might look into that.

The AAA pass doesn't qualify you for free parking though. Only parking up closer near the handicapped area, so you don't need to take the tram to get to the main gates (but it is more walking to do so).

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

This on-site / off-site delema is killing me. I just can't decide and keep making reservations and canceling......

 

[mlynn]

We stay off site. Food is cheaper so that off sets the parking for us.We rent a car from carrentals.com and right now they have a 8.95 a day in orlando(Just got this email this morning)
We also are Holiday inn points rewards. So my husband makes sure he stays in one everytime he is out of town for work.So we get some free days there.

There is a pro's and con's for both staying on and off sight.Just pick what is best for you.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Free dining ~ assuming it's available when you visit. I don't want to cook on vacation. Dining was a BIG part of our trip last year.

 

[mickeymaker2003]

You also need to plan for gas driving back and forth to the parks.

 

[littlbugmom]

We've done both and staying off site comes out thousands of dollars cheaper. Factoring in car rental, gas, groceries and parking...we still come out way ahead.

It depends on how you vacation and what is important to you. For us, a villa is a must. I can't vacation in a room. The difference in cost for a 1 bedroom villa at WDW compared to a 3 bedroom condo offsite is HUGE.

We don't like WDW transportation. Even while at OKW, we rented a car....but some people swear by it.

We don't use EMH, in fact we plan around it...but some people love it and want it.

Even if we factored in a free dining plan (we won't be there when it's offered), we still save a lot of money staying off site. It all comes down to what you want out of a vacation. For what is important to us, off site is the way to go.