Disney Property 4 days or off site for 8

[kencrane]

I am just starting to plan our 1st trip to Disney
Me my dw dd 4 and dd 5 will be driving form Texas in June of 08. We are working on saving money now for our trip we don't want to use any of our credit cards to pay for the trip. The way things look now we are going to be able to afford 4 days on property or 8 days off.
We are not at all opposed to staying at super 8, best western type hotels. All we need is a couple of beds in a shower. A pool and small fridge would be great but not required.
The only problems I have thought of yet are -
1. Are we going to spend hours fighting traffic getting in and out of the World?
2. Is our trip going to much less "magical" sating off site?
3. Where is the best area to look for our cheap hotel?
4. Any suggestions on a good hotel to stay at?
5. We would love to have any opinions On Disney or Off Disney?
Thanks

 

[micmacmissy]

You're asking this question on the wrong board...people here tend to be passionate about staying on property!

But staying on property, even in a value hotel, is expensive. Some people have no problem maxing out credit cards to do this...which makes no sense to me, given the fact that there are MUCH cheaper alternatives if you're willing to stay off property.

It sounds like for your family, staying offsite makes more sense; four days isn't enough time to see all of WDW! Friends of ours rented a timeshare condo with its own pool, 3 bedrooms, for a whole week and it was only about $75/night, and 5 miles from Disney!

If you want a private home, townhome, or condo, try allstarvacationhomes.com, vacationrentalco.com, and ownerdirect.com to start with. You can also google and find a TON of listings!

If you'd rather have a hotel, the Unofficial Guide to Disney has a list of the top 30 offsite hotels...(their top choice is Celebrity Resorts Orlando, a 4 1/2 star hotel, which costs less than $100 a night and less than 15 minutes from the parks).

Yes, you'll have to get a rental car and get to the parks early...but your trip is as magical as you make it...you're still spending all your days at Disney!

Good luck planning!

 

[maxiesmom]

There are many nice hotels in Lake Buena Vista, right at the entrance to Downtown Disney. We have stayed off-site in that area 3 times, and if I had to choose between 8 days off site or 4 days on, I would go with the 8 days off.

But I must say that we did pay more than $50 a night for our room. And with Disney's Value resorts starting at less than $100 a night, I'm not sure that your 4 nights on 8 nights off math is right. Or maybe you plan on pricelining a room?

 

[MickeyNicki]

We stayed off site for many years and were happy with it until we stayed at a value resort...there is nothing like staying in any type of WDW resort. The buses are much easier than the parking lot and trams...the ease of park hopping and getting back to your room and the gift shops and food courts make it a plus for us.

 

[maxiesmom]

Ok, I just poped over to e x p e d i a, and the cheapest thing in Lake Buena Vista in June was $100 a night. I put in June 14-21, as a model. And really, if I stay off-site, I won't do off off-site. I won't drive for miles and miles, becasue that would get old really fast. So we strictly stay in LBV when we do off-site. If you don't want to answer, don't, but what kind of rate where you looking for? How much were you planning on spending for your hotel?

 

[kencrane]

We do not mind staying in super 8 or best western type hotel. We are not the type to "waste" any of our time a a hotel no matter how nice it is.

 

[EPCOTDUDE]

Gotta stay on property!

 

[bekkiz]

I think if you're driving ALL of the way from Texas, it would just be silly to turn around after only 4 days. As much as I love staying on site, I think it might make more sense for you all to stay off site.

I can't imagine the traffic will be too crazy. And once you've paid to park at one of the parks, you can park at any of them, so it's not like you would have to pay another 12 bucks every time you park hop.

The biggest disadvantage is it is a bit harder to take mid-day breaks if you have to drive back and forth, but by maybe making sit down lunch ADRs later in the afternoon, that could replace a hotel break

 

[raven69david]

H O W D Y from San Antonio. If you're going to stay off-site, then plan WAY in advance and secure a room at a hotel in Kissimmee. You can get an Econolodge or the like for about $30 a night during the off-season, but increase during the time you'll be there. You'll need as much time as possible as the lines and everything else during the Summer are brutal. If you're going to be staying off-site for about $50-$60 a night, i'd book an All-Star room NOW for about $82 a night ($93.xx w/tax) and wait for a code. Even if you don't get a code, you'll be able to start making payments on the trip now and you should be able to pay it off before you leave.

I'd do room-only and get your tickets somewhere else at a discount. If you live in a city with a military base, go there and find their travel department. You don't need to be in the military to go in there and purchase tickets. You'll save the tax on tickets which is quite a bit in Texas; at least it's alot in San Antonio (8.125% ).


Let me try to breakdown your original questions:

1. Are we going to spend hours fighting traffic getting in and out of the World? No problem with traffic as it's not that bad. Just park at Epcot as that's the park that's open the latest.

2. Is our trip going to much less "magical" sating off site? It will NOT be less magical, believe me. We did off-site before DD was born and we had a blast. It was that much more "magical" when we stayed on-site, but "magical" is what you believe it to be. A hotel isn't gonna make the trip more/less magical IMO.

3. Where is the best area to look for our cheap hotel? As stated above, in Kissimmee.

4. Any suggestions on a good hotel to stay at? Econolodge Main Gate, Motel 6, and an assortment of others which can be found here http://www.sidestep.com/hotels-rooms-l2783657-kissimmee_hotels_fl

5. We would love to have any opinions On Disney or Off Disney?

 

[chickenskin]

Also don't forget you pay per day for parking at Disney when staying off property, not a huge expense, but a perk of staying onsite.

 

[susieq76]

With the All Stars or Pop you most likely can stay longer.

1. Get the AAA discount on an All Stars room
2. Get discount tickets

I've stayed offsite and it was okay- not bad. I'd definantely stay off site if it was THAT much of a difference. But its not. With the cost for parking it comes out to maybe 25 a night. So maybe the difference of 1 1/2 nights?

 

[Shmily1]

If I was staying offsite, I would stay in the Kissimmee area. There are reasonable motels there, Travelodge, Ramada, Days Inn Suites (usually have reasonable rates), and lots of places to eat. For example, if you eat breakfast offsite before you go to the parks, you will save a little money too. Kissimmee is close (1 1/2 miles to entrance) and the traffic is not bad.

The downside to staying off property is having to pay the $12 parking every day. If your room offsite is $68/ night and you pay $12 to park, that is $80 and you could stay on property for about $89 if you choose the value resorts. If your room offsite is $44/ night. If you stay on-site, you never have to move your car.

Also, since we are talking money saving, if you have two small children and are eating in the parks, you may be better to buy for example, one chicken finger meal for them to split than to buy two. There is lots of food in one meal. The hamburgers are huge also! I can never eat all my food there!

Anyway, hope this helps and ENJOY planning and going on your trip!!! It will be magical no matter where you stay!!!

 

[mom22boys]

If you tell us your budget, most of us love to crunch numbers and find deals! Give us more specifics and we can help!

That being said, my personal opinion is driving back and forth from the parks to an off-site hotel would get tiring after 8 days. So if your plan is to hit the parks every day you are in Orlando I would find a way to stay on-site. Now, if you plan on seeing things outside of WDW and you plan on having some down time away from the Disney parks then maybe 8 days off-site would be a good thing. Also, I know you are from Texas and you said a pool wasn't that important, but I am guessing after some hot days in the parks in June you are going to love a swimming pool to jump into.

Two ways we have done a budget on-site vacation to Disney are through staying at Pop Century on a discount code ($72/night including tax in February 2006) and on another trip we rented a reservation from a DVC member to stay at OKW ($90/night in November 2005).

One last little suggestion, check out mousesavers.com. Mary has some great budget tips there. Also did you check the budget board here on the DIS?

Good luck!

 

[Chuck65]

As the above poster stated, signing up for the newsletter from mousesavers is a good idea. They can offer some pretty good deals at the hotels that are very close to DTD. A lot of these are within walking distance to DTD. Hope this helps and hope you have a great trip!

 

[jenseib]

I have done both. I prefer onsite, but if I only had the choice of off site, then I would do it. I don't think you will double your time staying off site though. I never found that great a deal off site. Check with AAA too. They have some good deals too.
When we stayed off site it would take us 45 minutes to get to the park each day and we were only 15 minutes away on International drive. And it took that long to go back in the afternoon for a swim or break, as well. The nice thing about staying onsite is that even when you go back to your hotel you are still at "Disney" And the values remind of that alot. The rooms are disney themed and the giant icons all around the resort are great. Even at the food court and gift shop, you never forget that you are at Disney. I think if you can stay 8 days off site, then you can stay at least 6 onsite.

 

[pwrflpills]

I am just starting to plan our 1st trip to Disney
Me my dw dd 4 and dd 5 will be driving form Texas in June of 08. We are working on saving money now for our trip we don't want to use any of our credit cards to pay for the trip. The way things look now we are going to be able to afford 4 days on property or 8 days off.
We are not at all opposed to staying at super 8, best western type hotels. All we need is a couple of beds in a shower. A pool and small fridge would be great but not required.
The only problems I have thought of yet are -
1. Are we going to spend hours fighting traffic getting in and out of the World?
2. Is our trip going to much less "magical" sating off site?
3. Where is the best area to look for our cheap hotel?
4. Any suggestions on a good hotel to stay at?
5. We would love to have any opinions On Disney or Off Disney?
Thanks

First of all, I would avoid the beds in a shower. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

There's lots of good suggestions already here, but I'm more than happy to submit my thoughts!

I'm from South Florida and I never stayed on-site growing up...and I didn't know what I was missing, which was great! There's your advantage, you guys won't either, especially your daughters. So unless you guys can score a great deal at one of the Value resorts on-property, I would avoid it. There's too many good options off-site to cut your vacation in half just to stay on-site. Personally, the Value resorts don't look too much better than your average Super 8, so they might even be a waste of money for you since you'd being paying up for the same level of stay. The only benefit, besides the large iconic decorations (not for me) is the transportation. But again, you're going to be dealing with the most crowded places at the most crowded time of year...might be worth $11 to get there quickly and comfortably yourself in A/C.

I have a couple recommendations just off-site (and one on-site!) that you might enjoy. Check out the Fairfield Inn in the Marriott Village just off Vineland Rd to the southeast of Disney property. It's a nice, newer hotel with free breakfast included! The breakfast can get a bit hairy (crowds-wise), especially if you must have a self-made belgian waffle (the lines for those are ridiculous! It's a waffle people!) But if you can get a room around $100 that includes a meal...score! And then you've got maybe a quick 10-15 minute drive to the parks. I say quick because you're already right there by the property. For me, I just take Vineland up to East Buena Vista Drive, take a left and, poof, I'm at Disney World (Downtown Disney to be exact). Then just follow your map to where ever you want to go on-property. No driving through traffic in other towns like Kissimmee to get there.

Another option is the Sheraton Safari, also on Vineland Rd. just outside the "gate" to DTD. This hotel is a bit dated, but also priced right around $100. Not bad for a Sheraton. The staff is wonderful and the hotel has a subtle African Safari theme. It's a poor man's AKL. And I think they also have a free breakfast buffet.

Finally, check out what the Wyndham Palace has to offer. You're on-property there (I lied, I stayed here once when I was a little kid, and I felt like I was royalty). They frequently offer promotional rates, it's across the street from DTD, and if you get a room facing the parks you can see the fireworks at night. I assume if you're there for 8 days you're not going to be at the fireworks shows every night, so it's a nice little bonus to enjoy with a beer or glass of wine.

Now, after all that, I'll attempt to directly address your questions:
1. Are we going to spend hours fighting traffic getting in and out of the World?
Not in my experience. However, if you don't time your entrance to the park correctly, I'm sure there's a mid-morning back-up to get into the MK parking lot at the payment gate.
2. Is our trip going to much less "magical" sating off site?
As I said, it won't be less magical. You have the advantage of not having been on-sire before, so you won't miss anything.
3. Where is the best area to look for our cheap hotel?
I like the Vineland Rd area just to the east and southeast of the DTD area. For me it seems convenient to be in this area.
4. Any suggestions on a good hotel to stay at?
See above.
5. We would love to have any opinions On Disney or Off Disney?
See above.

 

[G8RFAN]

There are some great deals off site if you look hard enough. There are also a lot of condos that will rent out a week for an effective daily rate that will nearly half your cost with a value resort. You should note that some of these locations can state that they are minutes from WDW, but in reality you could be looking at 5-15 miles from one of the main gates and the distance alone can discourage you from taking mid day breaks even though it may only take 15-30 minutes to drive. That said, you could experience traffic jams within WDW during particular times of the day (especially before fireworks shows) as people offsite and onsite all tend to head to the same locations at the same time. If you plan properly, a trip offsite can be as "magical" as a stay on site.

 

[kencrane]

Thanks so much for all the feed back. It is going to be a tought decision!

I must be missing something BIG!! The lowest rate I can find for POP for June 7th - 15th is like 109.00 - 119.00 per night. We are not members of AAA so I am not sure if the discount would make up for the fees to join.
I have read about discount codes and such and have not been able to find any for the dates we have chose to travel.
We are wanting to stick to a budget of around 1200 - 1400 for tickets and hotel.
We have found some good deals of site for 50-55 per night. Like I said before a shower and a bed is a we really need. (well i said shower in a bed lol. We are not at all picky showering in bed would be a little much) Fridge and pool would be GREAT but not a requirement.

 

[erikthewise]

Just a word of caution.

Be cautious about staying someplace offsite that costs significantly less than Disney's value resorts. Yes there are some good deals but there are also some real ratholes. The Disneyworld area is terribly overbuilt and there are some run-down properties out there. In particular a chain you have found to be reliable and economical in other parts of the country may have a substandard unit here.

There are some places you can get ratings of offsite hotels/motels. One place is the Unofficial Guide. Another is tripadvisor.com , free but the ratings are not as reliable. All I'm saying is do some research to avoid a bad situation.

That said, 4 days isn't enough time for Disneyworld after driving all the way from Texas and back. By all means find a way to extend your trip.

 

[ldo]

I have no problem staying off-site if it significantly saves me $$---I love Disney, but everyone has a budget, and I have done both (onsite/offsite) many times.
In your case, I would book room only at POP---pay the 1 night deposit and keep looking for a deal. You can cancel 6 days in advance of trip and get all your $ back.
I love to stay cheap---but once you get really cheap in Orlando--it is worth an extra $20-30 per night to stay at a better place---TRUST ME! Also,for offsite locations, add Disney parking to the rate. You should consider entertainment card (about $35), you can search hotel websites and many give a decent discount with that, also try Costco, SAms--they have discounts.
When you get closer to travel date, it is possible that skyauctions, etc. will have Orlando timeshares and/or hotels for decent prices and you can try that.

If you don't get a MUCH better deal at a decent offsite place, I would stay onsite for the $109 or so and save for an extra 2 days---driving from Texas, you are going to want to stay at least 5-6 night, plus Disney ticket prices for 5 days are not that much more than 3 or 4 days--it is worth going over by a few hundred dollars for this trip--I would rather forgo movies, dinner out, etc. back in Texas to get stay 6 days onsite. Being able to take the buses, having a good food court and safe, fun place to stay is worth it.
We just stayed at POP and the theming a great, pools are fun and food is very reasonably priced.