First time offsite... Reccomendations?

[wyvernhero]

Good afternoon all!

We are making another trip to the world next January, and decided that this time we are going to be driving (from Western Wisconsin) and staying offsite. A new adventure for the kids, and a trial for us. If we successfully drive it, we can go more often as the price of gas versus the price of airfare for 4 of us... yeah.

So we are looking at offsite resorts. We want to stay somewhere that has a kitchen, and is cheaper then staying onsite.

Pricing things out, we found quite a few options. Some looked great but seemed to be quite a ways away (Liki Tiki Villiage), some look good but we need to do some more digging (Legacy Vacation Club Lake Buena Vista - yes, we know it's a timeshare rental and we will get a sales pitch). Then some looked... i dunno. So many mixed reviews (Suites at Old Town).

So we wanted to open the question to you, our fellow forumgoers.

Granted, we might be missing something either onsite or even a whole other category. So feel free to mention that if we missed it. But here is what we need reccomandations for:

- Under $1000 for the week after taxes
- 20 minutes max to DTC, and preferably no toll roads
- Must have a kitchen
- 1 bedroom preferred, although we know there may be some 2 bedrooms out there

Thank you all!

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Last summer we stayed at Vacation Village at Parkway. It was great! It's right off Irlo Bronson Highway (behind Arabian Nights). It was very close to the parks, just minutes from World Drive. We could be at the DHS parking lot in about 5 minutes. We never hit any traffic either coming or going. I know we were home snug in our beds while many onsite folks were still waiting for busses back to their resorts.

It is a timeshare property that also rents units. The units (all 1 bedrooms) are clean and spacious with full kitchens and washer/dryers in the A side units (1000 sq ft), partial kitchens in the B side units (500 sq ft). Some B units have washer/dryer, some don't. The pools are nice. They are shared by every three buildings or so.

You do not have to go to a timeshare presentation if you stay here. Just tell them at check in that you are NOT interested and they will leave you alone.

We traded our timeshare for a unit but I looked at the rental rates for a friend of mine and they are very reasonable. The earlier you book and the longer you stay, the better the rate. I'll post the website with rates for you in a bit.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Here is the website for Vacation Village at Parkway rentals.

http://www.dailymanagementresorts.com/resort.aspx?resort=5

The 1000 sq ft A side one bedroom is the Deluxe King. The 500 sq ft B side is the Queen. The two bedroom is a combo of the two. There is a locking door from the resort hallway to the A/B units hallway and then two locking doors off the A/B units hallway - one for the A unit and one for the B unit. So the two bedroom is not a true two bedroom.

The extended stay rate for a 6+ night stay in mid July is $94 a night for the Deluxe King one bedroom. It comes in under $750 total for the week.

When you are looking up the rates Vacation Village at Parkway is also called Vacation Village Orlando, just so you don't get confused.

My family would stay there again in a heartbeat. Hope this helps you in your search!

 

[JimMIA]

Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort! We recently did our first-ever offsite stay there and LOVED it! WBC is actually "inside the gates" and surrounded on three sides by WDW property. It has tons of amenities -- 5 pools, 2 waterslides, 2 lazy rivers, free minigolf, etc, etc, etc., and it REAL close-by. It's actually closer to the parks than most onsite moderate resorts, or any onsite value resorts.

For info on the resort, go to wyndhamvacationresorts.com, click on the Explore Our Resorts button, click on Florida on the map, and then Bonnet Creek.

You'll also find a ton of info here on this board in the Love BC thread, the BC photo thread, and several threads about renting from a BC owner.

But here is what we need reccomandations for:

- Under $1000 for the week after taxes

We're Wyndham owners, so I'm not up to date on rental prices, but the ones I've noted were somewhat under $1,000 for a 2 Bedroom Deluxe, for an entire week (7 nights).

- 20 minutes max to DTC, and preferably no toll roads

< 15 minutes PARKED at any WDW theme or water park (or Downtown Disney), no toll roads.

WBC also has free scheduled buses to all of the theme parks + DTD if you want to avoid the $14 parking fees, but we did not use them.

- Must have a kitchen

Full kitchen w/full compliment of appliances and kitchenware, washer and dryer, dishwasher, etc.

- 1 bedroom preferred, although we know there may be some 2 bedrooms out there

There are also one-bedrooms, but why? Get a 2 bedroom well within your budget and get a king bed, jacuzzi tub, two doubles in the second bedroom (may vary with some units, but that's what the floorplan shows), two FULL bathrooms, big balcony, and abundant room.

 

[4forMe]

In addition to Bonnet Creek, I would suggest looking into Windsor Hills. They have two bedroom condos that can be found for under $100 per night (some under $80 per night during low season). We suggested Windsor Hills to friends who usually stay onsite (they're a family of four). They just got back and said they will only stay there from now on. There is a wonderful pool are with a large waterslide for the kids. They also have a rec center near the pool with an arcade, pool tables, and ping pong tables. Our family loves Windsor Hills.

You can find private rentals through:

www.vrbo.com
www.homeaway.com

Also, you can check with the following management companies:

www.allstarvacationhomes.com

www.floridasunvacationhomes.com (this is who we use).

Good luck with your search! It is well worth the money saved (and extra comfort and amenities) to stay offsite IMHO.

Edited to add: Windsor Hills is the closest rental community near Disney - less than 10 minute drive to the parking lots.

 

[wyvernhero]

thank you guys

We'll go over these tonight

 

[JimMIA]

They have two bedroom condos that can be found for under $100 per night (some under $80 per night during low season).

That's the same ballpark I remember seeing for WBC -- $600-700 for a full week in a two-bedroom. I didn't want to throw a price out there, because we use our Wyndham points and I'm not sure.

The Orlando area is seriously overbuilt with vacation housing, and there are a LOT of great bargains offsite...including just barely offsite. You should be able to find something very nice within your budget without any difficulty.

 

[wyvernhero]

Looked everythign up - i have to say, I'm suprised january isn't listed as their Slow time, September is? Will have to make a note of that for future trips...

Regardless, now we are down to either Bonnet Creek or Windsor Hills... Thank you all again, as on-siters we never realized how inexpensive nice places like these could be!

 

[FrankieDplus3]

I'll recommend the only off-site location we have ever stayed...Sheraton Vistana Resort. (There is also the Sheraton Vistana Villages). Both are close to WDW, but, the "Resort" is closer, 5-10 mins from WDW.

They are a timeshare, but, they rent available rooms. They do not haggle to join. They'll ask, but, they leave you alone.

They offer one and two bedroom units with kitchens and in room laundry. They have lots of pools. I booked again this year for Aug/Sept and used the "Dreams" rate code to get a one bedroom for $99/night. (I think the 2 bedrooms are $149 w/ the rate code.)

All units have been fully renovated.



Edit: Sorry, there is no Dreams rate code for January. (I didn't originally see that you are looking for January.)

 

[momto2js]

The reason January is slightly more expensive for condo type place especially VRBO type places is because the snow-birds often will rent a place for a few months. In September there are no snow birds to compete with. It is still a nice time to go!!

 

[minnie mouse ears]

You may want to consider some of the other housing areas close to Windsor hills as well as they tend to be cheaper. Windsor Hills is the newest and most popular so it tends to be more expensive. Try looking at Indian Creek, Windsor Palms, etc. - things in the Formosa Gardens area. These housing areas will be the closest to Disney. We stayed at Indian Creek this year and had a great experience.

 

[Disneyliscious]

Yep. I also recommend checking out other places before you decide. Windsor Hills is prob the most expensive of the communities right now. I have seen many 2 and 3 BR townhomes and condos within 3 miles of Disney for $49-$69 per night. I always use VRBO because they have the biggest selection and since you are dealing with the owner, you dont have to pay management fees. It has always been cheaper in my case.

 

[conniehar90]

No question - Windsor Hills. You may never go back to onsite.....

The owner we always go with - www.disneyneighbor.com

Have a great trip!

 

[TotoToo]

I wouldn't recommend a first time jump from on site to Windsor Hills (or any other house based rental). That is usually not much of a "resort" feel vacation - more like having your home temporarily relocated to Orlando. You still need to make the beds, cook the meals, etc. and they often don't have the many amenities that a great resort offers. Many timeshares also don't offer daily maid service but they do have a much more resort vibe.

To add to those already listed remember to look at Cypress Pointe Resort, Cypress Pointe Grande Villas and Bluetree. They are 2-3 bedroom condos in a planned community 1 mile from Downtown Disney - 5 from the TTC. You can walk to virtually any restaurant or service you want - including the free Disney Transportation at DTD - and they are full featured resorts.

 

[conniehar90]

We love Windsor Hills and don't feel like we are at home. It is nice having a kitchen but we don't really cook meals. Eating breakfast is very helpful, but we usually eat lunch at dinner at the parks or at a local restaurant. And not having a maid to make the bed doesn't bother me - I just leave them messy - I'm on vacation! It is just so nice to not have our family crowded in a one room hotel. The pool is great with lots of kids and the units are nice and quiet.

DD and I tried WL last summer because it was just the two of us and she asked to go back to WH. I was so glad because even though it is a deluxe resort, I felt like it was a cramped hotel room with super thin walls.

 

[Loveallthingsdisney]

We love Windsor Hills and don't feel like we are at home. It is nice having a kitchen but we don't really cook meals. Eating breakfast is very helpful, but we usually eat lunch at dinner at the parks or at a local restaurant. And not having a maid to make the bed doesn't bother me - I just leave them messy - I'm on vacation! It is just so nice to not have our family crowded in a one room hotel. The pool is great with lots of kids and the units are nice and quiet.

DD and I tried WL last summer because it was just the two of us and she asked to go back to WH. I was so glad because even though it is a deluxe resort, I felt like it was a cramped hotel room with super thin walls.

Another vote for Windsor Hills. Love it! Perfect location! Lots of great choices! Condos, townhomes, houses! There are great deals-you just have to spend a bit of time looking. Try vrbo #'s 89676, 65739, and 12168. All 3 bedroom condos. We have stayed at 2nd and 3rd. First looks nice and is reasonable.

 

[Loveallthingsdisney]

Another vote for Windsor Hills. Love it! Perfect location! Lots of great choices! Condos, townhomes, houses! There are great deals-you just have to spend a bit of time looking. Try vrbo #'s 89676, 65739, and 12168. All 3 bedroom condos. We have stayed at 2nd and 3rd. First looks nice and is reasonable.

Last one should be www.vrbo/126168.com

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Another vote here for Windsor Hills. We loved having our own space but also having the resort feel with the pool, clubhouse etc. We have looked at all options for our next trip but keep coming back to this. Its just hard to pass up.

 

[newmouse2008]

Check out Dreams Villas. Wonderful option!!

Here is a link

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/DreamsVillas/

 

[danalee]

Thanks so much for all the info on these places, exactly what i came looking for!

but if I can throw something else out to you guys....

I am an onsite girl, never gave it a thought to stay offsite but our next trip my BF's family is coming along and her hubby is wanting to save money and ask me to check into offsite. (how I ended up here )

anyway...so with staying offsite you still save money even with food & park tickets?

They are a family of five with two kids under 10 & a 12 yr old staying at POR w/ park hoppers & dining plan quoted roughly $3400 for 5 nights and 6 days

Its vacation and no cooking will be involved in this vacation so it will be park foods most everyday and we like to park hop....

any in sight would be greatly appreciated