DISers stalking DISers...continuing our friendship!

[jjohnson]

Magical Express is wonderful and makes a very smooth transition from the airport to WDW that's part of the reason why it's so hard to go offsite. We will still use it to return home.

 

[Ragnrok23]

I never understood how staying off site saved money? I looked into it twice, both for 5 night vacations, and the difference between a value resort, and an offsite resort was not enough to cover the rental car and the parking fees. Did I just miss something?

 

[mandy200587]

I love Magical Express. We learned our lesson, fly in the morning then in the evening.

 

[jjohnson]

I never understood how staying off site saved money? I looked into it twice, both for 5 night vacations, and the difference between a value resort, and an offsite resort was not enough to cover the rental car and the parking fees. Did I just miss something?

If/when you have too many children you will understand We would also need 2 rooms and Disney will not given a definite, absolute, guarantee that we will have connecting rooms. I think this is the best option for us.

 

[Disneyolic]

I never understood how staying off site saved money? I looked into it twice, both for 5 night vacations, and the difference between a value resort, and an offsite resort was not enough to cover the rental car and the parking fees. Did I just miss something?

Depending on the hotel you choose and what type of rental car (or your own car) you have, it can definitely be cheaper than Disney. There are so many factors to add in. For some, off-site is the best cost effective way to go. For us, not a chance with a family of 5. We would have to rent that minivan and get probably 2 rooms somewhere or a suite.

 

[Ragnrok23]

If/when you have too many children you will understand We would also need 2 rooms and Disney will not given a definite, absolute, guarantee that we will have connecting rooms. I think this is the best option for us.

That's why I am stressing 2 kids when Scilla wants 4

Last time I went with my family, we stayed at Dixie Landing, and we were in total separate buildings

 

[Ragnrok23]

Depending on the hotel you choose and what type of rental car (or your own car) you have, it can definitely be cheaper than Disney. There are so many factors to add in. For some, off-site is the best cost effective way to go. For us, not a chance with a family of 5. We would have to rent that minivan and get probably 2 rooms somewhere or a suite.

I looked at middle of the road hotels. you know, one step up from a dump. they were only about $15-$20 less a night than POP, so to me it didn't seem worth it

 

[jjohnson]

Depending on the hotel you choose and what type of rental car (or your own car) you have, it can definitely be cheaper than Disney. There are so many factors to add in. For some, off-site is the best cost effective way to go. For us, not a chance with a family of 5. We would have to rent that minivan and get probably 2 rooms somewhere or a suite.

If you change your mind, I have a code for the hotel we are staying at. I booked an 1 bedroom Island suite, 800 sq. ft,sleeps 6 and includes a buffet breakfast for $139 per night. It's across the street from Marketplace. The minivan is $123 for 3 days.

For us it works. We were staying in that area anyway at OKW so it's not much of a difference AFA location goes.

 

[Disneyolic]

If you change your mind, I have a code for the hotel we are staying at. I booked an 1 bedroom Island suite, 800 sq. ft,sleeps 6 and includes a buffet breakfast for $139 per night. It's across the street from Marketplace. The minivan is $123 for 3 days.

For us it works. We were staying in that area anyway at OKW so it's not much of a difference AFA location goes.

No way Jose! I cannot wait to stay back at Port Orleans Riverside. I like to get settled in so no resort changing for us! Once we're in, we are staying put!

 

[sunlver]

I looked at middle of the road hotels. you know, one step up from a dump. they were only about $15-$20 less a night than POP, so to me it didn't seem worth it

Depends on what you need or want in a hotel room. FIrst of all, we dont spend much time in our room. We eat very cheaply as well. We always get a mini fridge and microwave, as to keep milk, yogurtand leftovers and other items in the fridge. We do breakfast in the room, unless there is a free cont breakfast at the hotel. I refuse to pay extra for a microwave and fridge at the other hotels, and I know Disney value hotels add daily fee for this, or I am sure I read that. We dont do the DDP, not worth it for our family. WE are driving down this yr, we have a mini van. The only added thing we have is the parking fee, but well worth it to us to come and go as we please and never have to wait for a bus.

I wanted to add.. when you are a one icnome family, and a family of 5, and you live paycheck to paycheck... you do what you have to ,to visit disney.

 

[Disneyolic]

I wanted to add.. when you are a one icnome family, and a family of 5, and you live paycheck to paycheck... you do what you have to ,to visit disney.

I hear you there! Sometimes you spend what you shouldn't spend to visit Disney...

 

[sunlver]

I looked at middle of the road hotels. you know, one step up from a dump. they were only about $15-$20 less a night than POP, so to me it didn't seem worth it

That is why there is Disney snobs..until you have walked in another persons vacations shoes, you truley will not understand.

 

[Ragnrok23]

I hope I'm not offending anyone.

When I was looking at offsite hotels, I just didn't trust a hotel that was $30/night. The next step up seemed to not be cheap enough to cover the cost of a rental car+parking. Since it would be a 24hr drive for me, I would almost definatly have to spend one night in a hotel on the way down, and could fly SW for the price of a hotel stay

 

[mandy200587]

Someone save me. I just spent two hours cleaning than as I finish my dad gets home, there goes my clean kitchen.


And it's going to take two hours to copy my music to my desktop. Coffee and tea anyone?

 

[Disneyolic]

And it's going to take two hours to copy my music to my desktop. Coffee and tea anyone?

Hot tea with lemon sounds great, thanks!

 

[jjohnson]

No way Jose! I cannot wait to stay back at Port Orleans Riverside. I like to get settled in so no resort changing for us! Once we're in, we are staying put!

okay okay I'll stop

 

[Disneyolic]

okay okay I'll stop

Such a pushy chic ain't cha?

 

[mandy200587]

Hot tea with lemon sounds great, thanks!

Shall I throw in a scone also? I think I can drive ten minutes to our tea restuarant, they may have something for ya.

 

[Disneyolic]

Shall I throw in a scone also? I think I can drive ten minutes to our tea restuarant, they may have something for ya.

Do you have a Panera Bread near you? They have the best orange scones!

 

[MAGGIED]

I'll take hot tea... just sugar please....

I totally get the hotel thing.. for us we like to stay on property for the convenience... our kids are teenagers and we are comfortable letting them go in and out of the parks without us... as long as they are together... if we were offsite we couldn't do this. While I do agree that you can get some great bang for your buck with the hotels off site (fee breakfast etc.) I think that some may have the bus waiting a little wrong... by the time you walk to your car (or take the ferry then walk to your car) you could be on a bus and on your way back to your hotel. I have been to WDW at least 12 times in the last few years and can't ever remember waiting more than 10-15 minutes max for a bus. So even if your little ones are having a melt down (I know mine did sometimes when they were little) by the time you walk to your car it really not much more than waiting for the bus.....

We are lucky in that we get to stay at the SOG often and their rooms are huge!!!! Biggest on property... my DH and I like to relax by the pool or be on the putting green knocking around a few golf balls and the kids go off and do their thing... for us it works out great....