Disney property - yea or nay?

[imlazar]

We're looking into a trip to Disney for new year's. We've been there numerous times in the past (see our signature) and have always stayed on property. I'm wondering if it would make more sense to stay off property this time to save some cash (given the price of airline tickets these days).

Our goal - to find a nice place close to Disney, with a good pool scene for two young boys (8/5). We want a place we can enjoy one or two days if we don't feel like going to the parks. We plan to spend all our time at the Disney parks, but it is rare that we take advantage of the bonus hours. We would like to be a suite with a kitchenette so we can save some dining money.

We're looking at Coronado Springs again, which we enjoyed on our last visit. Would we be better off staying at a resort outside of Disney? And if so, which one?

Thanks!

 

[sympatico]

You could try Windsor Hills. It has condos, townhouses with private splash pools and 4 - 6 bedroom pool homes. You will need a car to get around. It's about 5 min. to Disney AK and of course more to the rest of Disney. Each property is individually owned and you can rent directly from the owner. There's a huge pool with water slide, big castle playground, mini movie theatre where you can book a movie to watch, games room etc. (All free to those staying there)
This website will show you the resort and also has lots of listings: www.windsorhillsrent.com
Listings are also on the www.vrbo.com site for Kissimmee.

Map to show you where it is: http://www.thedibb.co.uk/villa-map.php

 

[amw]

My DDs are 8 and 6 and LOVED our recent stay at Bonnet Creek Resort. It's located right beside CBR, accessible only by Disney roads -- you can't get any closer than that!

What was nice was the down time at the resort. They have daily activities for the kids. They have a lazy river which my DDs adored, a zero entry pool, a pool with a circular slide, playground, and mini-put, as well as 3 large hot tubs. If all that fails to entertain, your unit will have at least 3 televisions to keep everyone content.

We were also able to see the fireworks from Epcot and MK from our balcony at night.

Check out listings on:
http://www.myresortnetwork.com/Cond...field-Orlando-at-Bonnet-Creek&SORT=start_date

 

[imlazar]

Bonnet does look very nice - thank you!

 

[Darcy03231]

Just keep in mind that you will need to rent a car, pay for parking and pay for gas when staying off-site. I've done both. With a large group I've found its definitely much less expensive to stay off-site. If everyone can get into one hotel room and depending on when you're going, I've done much better by staying on-site and booking a package with DDP. I will say that I really like staying off-site because of the extra room, private pool, having a full kitchen, etc......

 

[dzone1]

AMW, do you know which tower or wing you were in to see the fireworks from your balcony?

 

[spiceycat]

the problem with staying offsite is that Disney can and does close the parks to offsiters - when the parking lot gets full.

so remember to get their EARLIER.... as earlier as you can.

offsite is fine.

now the really cheap sites - won't have ny week - it does not on the whole get exchanged but sometimes owners will can get you that week.

www.myresortnetwork.com

look for both Fairfield and Wynham Bonnett Creek (Fairfield is cheaper)

www.redweek.com - you must join this one

www.tug2.net - look in the classified ads

www.skyauction.com - can't help right now - but in Dec if they get a cancelation from RCI it might show up here. (this is one of those cheap sites)

sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.

 

[amw]

AMW, do you know which tower or wing you were in to see the fireworks from your balcony?

Yes, I had room 626 in Building 1 according to this map:

http://bonnetcreek.com/bcgallery/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=125

The Epcot ball would be in the direction of where the sun compass is on that map. We had a room overlooking the lake, but because the way the buildings are angled, we could see back in that direction too.

Here are some shots from our balcony, taken with my cheap Kodak camera, not much zoom on it:

Epcot ball

view of fireworks

 

[spiceycat]

you can see the Epcot fireworks pretty easily - they are really close. the Mk takes alot more planning and exactly which way to look.

always see the Epcot fireworks (unless at the parks) from Pop Century or CBR.

 

[amw]

you can see the Epcot fireworks pretty easily - they are really close. the Mk takes alot more planning and exactly which way to look.

always see the Epcot fireworks (unless at the parks) from Pop Century or CBR.

That's true. The week we were there we had zero humidity and hardly any clouds. The MK fireworks were exactly in the same location as the Epcot ones. However, had it been cloudy I'm sure we wouldn't have seen them ... or if it had been windy.

 

[spiceycat]

That's true. The week we were there we had zero humidity and hardly any clouds. The MK fireworks were exactly in the same location as the Epcot ones. However, had it been cloudy I'm sure we wouldn't have seen them ... or if it had been windy.

now that is strange.

seeing them along bw - there are directly between yc and bc - Epcot are to the -right - where Epcot is.

for I would assume they would be more to the left than Epcot fireworks?

 

[MiaSRN62]

always see the Epcot fireworks (unless at the parks) from Pop Century or CBR.

I've also seen and heard them from OKW. I could even hear the music from Illuminations from our balcony at OKW.

AMW, what a cute pic of your daughter pointing towards Spaceship Earth from your balcony !