Doing a split stay on site or off site

[autkidd]

So I had a change of plans for my honeymoon due to the free dining. Originally we were staying at POR from Dec. 13th-19th, but I changed for the FD to stay Dec. 15-21 at CBR. We are still coming down on the 13th, but I'm trying to decide whether to stay onsite or off for the 13th and 14th.

I would prefer to stay onsite, but money is a big deal. I know that we can stay at the sports resort for those 2 nights for around $246 including taxes. We will be flying into MCO so I know we get the convenience of the Magical Express, but is there a convienant off-site that may help save some money?


Also, I have the 7 day park passes with my stay from the 15th-21st. But could I use them on the 14th? I want to try and have a day during the middle of our stay that we don't go to any parks, but take a nice relaxing stroll through some of the resorts to check out the Christmas Decorations and give us a "lazy" day.

 

[LisaCM614]

If you stay offsite you'll need to rent a car or hire a car service to bring you there from MCO and then to CBR. You'll want to add that into your math. I really don't think you'd do better than the $123 / night at All star sports. What do you think about staying at POP instead? Maybe it isn't available but it is a very nice resort. I might be worried about the kids from POP Warner staying at All Star Sports during my honeymoon- not sure of the week they will be there this December.

I don't know the rules around your package and the start date of your tickets. But I'm sure someone else here will!

 

[autkidd]

I looked at POP, but it is a its a little bit more than the sports. Also we are both sports nuts as well, (I'm an Auburn guy and she is an Alabama girl; we made it through the 2013 Iron Bowl where Auburn returned the kick in person; I know we could deal with some kids running around for the first couple of nights).

How complicated is it from leaving the first resort and going to the second? Is it something we will need to rent a cab for to move the luggage or could we take it on the busses?

 

[cruisingmom1977]

How complicated is it from leaving the first resort and going to the second? Is it something we will need to rent a cab for to move the luggage or could we take it on the busses?

If you stay onsite, its super easy...you leave your bags with guest services (I believe its guest services...it might be the bell hop) and go to your park of choice for the day. Later on, you take the bus from the park to your new resort and check in. They will have your luggage. I would def stay onsite. If you stay offsite you would end up losing a ton of time to moving your bags, returning a rental car, etc. I honestly don't think you'll save any money by staying offsite. Even if you do...the convenience would well be worth the possible extra $50.00 IMHO...good luck!! and Congrats!!!

 

[jandlinz]

Just a suggestion, but maybe you should look into renting dvc points.

 

[Hopefully]

If you do an onsite split stay Disney will move your luggage for you if you like. You take it to the Bell Services desk and they will move it. You go off on your day. Know though that the luggage transfer time to the new resort is about 3 - 5 PM, so you won't have your luggage until then. If you have it delivered to your new room, you should tip the person who delivers it to you.
In the past it was possible to get package tickets up to 3 days in advance of the package start. That way you could go into the parks on the 14th. I believe you have to go to a Guest Services desk and you also need a knowledgeable CM to help you. There is a "ticket Sticky" thread here with the details

 

[autkidd]

!

Just a suggestion, but maybe you should look into renting dvc points.

I've thought about that as well. This is my first trip actually planning it, been quite a few time with my parents when I was younger, and she has never been.

Can you fill me in on some details regarding that?

If you stay onsite, its super easy...you leave your bags with guest services (I believe its guest services...it might be the bell hop) and go to your park of choice for the day. Later on, you take the bus from the park to your new resort and check in. They will have your luggage. I would def stay onsite. If you stay offsite you would end up losing a ton of time to moving your bags, returning a rental car, etc. I honestly don't think you'll save any money by staying offsite. Even if you do...the convenience would well be worth the possible extra $50.00 IMHO...good luck!! and Congrats!!!

Excellent. Did not know they would move our luggage for us. That makes the deal right there.

If you do an onsite split stay Disney will move your luggage for you if you like. You take it to the Bell Services desk and they will move it. You go off on your day. Know though that the luggage transfer time to the new resort is about 3 - 5 PM, so you won't have your luggage until then. If you have it delivered to your new room, you should tip the person who delivers it to you.
In the past it was possible to get package tickets up to 3 days in advance of the package start. That way you could go into the parks on the 14th. I believe you have to go to a Guest Services desk and you also need a knowledgeable CM to help you. There is a "ticket Sticky" thread here with the details

Thanks for the tip!

 

[LisaCM614]

Regarding renting points - you can estimate it would be about $15 / point. You can use point rental charts to tell you the cost for those two nights. If you were able to get a Boardwalk or OKW Studio for those 2 nights you could estimate it to cost $150 a night or $300 for both nights. Nicer yes -but not cheaper. Although you'll have a little kitchentte so you could have some breakfast and lunch groceries in the studio to save you the money of eating breakfast and lunch.
I think the other resorts are more expensive.
There are very reputable firms that you can use to rent points. You can find them through sites like Mouse Savers or a simple google search will bring the 2 well known ones right to the top.

 

[jandlinz]

I sent you a pm regarding renting points.

 

[sbd78]

Also, if you are booking a room only for the first 2 nights, you can book on Orbitz and they almost always have a 15% off coupon that's good on Disney resorts. That isn't a ton of savings, but it's something if money is an issue! Looks like the current 15% off code is ONMYWAY. You can still use the magical express when booking through Orbitz.