First time offsite...lots of questions!

[mom0299]

I wasn't sure where to post this, but this seemed like the best board.
We've been Wyndham owners for about a year now so we decided to stay at Bonnet Creek for our next trip. We have a reservation for this fall, now I don't know what to do next. Our last trip was summer of 2013 before MagicBands and FastPass+.
Questions:
1. If we order MagicBands from the Disney Store how do we connect them to our tickets?
2. Can we make dining reservations, and how soon? Is it 180 days for offsite?
3. Is there any way to get a deal on parking?
4. What's the biggest difference between staying onsite vs. staying offsite?

 

[lorilori]

1. Create (or log into your existing) My Disney Experience online, click on Magic Bands and Cards and scroll to the bottom of the page. There will be a LINK button to add the MagicBand ID number (found on the back of each MagicBand).
2. Yes, 180 days.
3. Not sure on parking discounts.
4. The biggest differences for us are more space for less money, plus having two bathrooms and laundry in the villa. Our family of 6 have stayed at Bonnet Creek many times and it is so close to the parks when the kids were younger we had no problem going back for midday breaks, lunch, etc. Enjoy!

 

[Brian Noble]

Over the years, we've taken about half of our family stays onsite, and about half offsite. For us, the two kinds of vacations are much more similar than they are different.

There isn't really a way to get a deal on parking. It's $17/day, but you only pay once each day, no matter how many times you come and go---even to more than one park in the same day. The "secondary" attractions don't charge, IIRC. So, if you have a waterpark-only day, you won't pay for parking that day.

You're timeshare owners, so you already know the difference between a timeshare condo and a hotel room. To replicate that experience onsite requires a stay in a DVC villa, and those are generally a lot more expensive.

The biggest difference for us is that, offsite, you really have to drive everywhere. We always rent a car, even onsite, but we will sometimes take Disney transportation. Offsite, there are often shuttles, but they are not nearly as convenient as the transportation offered by a Disney resort. But, if you've never driven before, you'll be surprised at how convenient it is, particularly from Bonnet Creek which has a great location. If you both want to have a second glass of wine with dinner, etc. you'll need to take a cab or call an Uber.

The other differences aren't as important to us. We usually avoid parks that are hosting Extra Magic Hour, so missing that isn't all that terribly important to us. The +10 period for ADRs and 60-day FP+ only makes a difference in a very few situations. It doesn't seem to me as though charging to the room is any more convenient than charging to a credit card as I go. We aren't big souvenir shoppers, so the package delivery option isn't a big deal. About the only things we used it for were ride photos, and now that those are digital-only, it's even less of a big deal. We never get the dining plan---we spend less just eating what, where, and when we want than the "appropriate" dining plan would cost.

We can sometimes stay in DVC units very affordably, and when that's possible, we do so. But, if that were no longer possible, we'd happily take all of our future WDW vacations at Bonnet Creek and never look back.

 

[bankr63]

3. Is there any way to get a deal on parking?
4. What's the biggest difference between staying onsite vs. staying offsite?

IF you plan on making a couple of trips in a 12 month period, consider an Annual Pass. This provides free parking, and depending how many days you plan to spend in the park, will save you on admission too. Run the numbers to see.

I kind of like leaving the Disney Bubble at the end of the day, and going to my Economical Luxury bubble instead. I also find I can go back to Disney much more often with the money I save by staying offsite.

 

[mom0299]

Thanks for all the replies. Some things I didn't mention:
1. We will be driving so we will have a car AND we can bring food.
2. We considered an annual pass, but with our schedule we just just don't know if we will be able to get back there within 12 months.
3. It will be me, DH, and DD(16). DS can't come because he will be in his first year of college. It will be different without him, but I don't feel too bad since he is going on a cruise without us this summer.
4. We are going in October and it's our first time during that time of the year. We are looking forward to the fall decorations and the Food & Wine Festival.
5. We usually go during Christmas/ New Years or June. Will the crowds be that much different the week of Columbus Day?

 

[mom0299]

Also, how much of a disadvantage is it to get FastPass+ at 30 days instead of 60? Are we going to be able to get the big rides?

 

[bankr63]

Also, how much of a disadvantage is it to get FastPass+ at 30 days instead of 60? Are we going to be able to get the big rides?

So far, easy. My 30 day window is opening up right now (I have 3 days left to book for MK) for Ontario March break. I'm not having any problems getting the rides we want with a good variety of times. Anna and Elsa meet is the only hard get right now, but that's even hard at the 60 day window...

Another poster (might have been Brian?) linked to the DIBB site a few days ago with a great view to availability that has proven helpful: http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=835236

 

[rosieposy]

We stayed offsite in December and I had no problem getting all the fast passes we wanted. I had to keep checking to get SDMT and Anna and Elsa, but I was eventually able to get them without too much effort.

 

[mom0299]

bump

 

[100AcreWood]

For us, staying offsite is all about more space and more money. It's nice after a busy day in the parks to return to a big space vs a small hotel room.

 

[HopperFan]

Most your questions were answered.

No deal on parking but the amount you are saving more than makes up for it.

FP+ - you will have to work harder at 7DMT, TSMM and Anna & Elsa but having gotten those 1 week out over MLK weekend, it is possible. You may have to check often.

To me the biggest loss of offsite is no EMH. We can accomplish so much during that time that makes our regular hours less hectic. That said I stay 5-6 weeks a year and about 40% of that offsite. Love Bonnet Creek, you really don't feel like you have left Disney property which is why many don't like to stay offsite.