First time staying off-site - what am I forgetting ?

[Zoebear]

I sadly realized that we're not eligible for EMHs. Oh darn.
Then I didn't realize I would have to pay for parking ($12??)

Any other little surprises / things I'm forgetting ? I'm not used to staying offsite.....

Also, what about the busses...we can still take them from park to park, right ????

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Allow extra time getting to and from MK since you will have to take the monorail or ferry in. THe one time we stayed offsite I was surprised how much time this added on.

 

[Singinglizzie]

I don't think you will have a card to the world (KTTW) to charge your purchases, so make sure to bring some form of payment. It won't be that bad, better to go to WDW and stay off-site, then not go at all!

 

[crusoe2]

If you have an ADR at a restaurant in the park for before the park opens, be sure you have your ADR number handy when you get to the gate. At MK you'll likely have to show it before you'll be allowed thru to get on the monorail. That was our experience anyway. It's awful to be in those crowds, in a hurry, and have to search thru your bag for your ADR number - would be even worse to realize you don't have it there with you.

I'm also beginning to think that the traffic coming from offsite may be heavier than in the past. I read today that, while park attendance isn't down that much, hotel bookings and in-park spending are down quite a bit. Must be lots of us making the switch to off-site. I guess my point is - make sure you allow some extra time for driving to and from the parks cause the traffic may be pretty heavy.

ETA - Just thought of something else. Not only will you not have the room card to charge things to, you won't be able to have packages sent back to the room. No biggie really tho - you can rent a locker to put your stuff in or, if you buy it early enough in the day, you can have it sent to the front of the park for pick up later. If you hop to another park, take your receipt from the first locker rental and get a locker at the second park without having to pay again. Or do like us and just drive yourselves - then you can leave your stuff in the car. (Just don't buy chocolate and leave it out in the heat.)

 

[mncherokee]

1st off... my DS3 is named Zoe and Zoebear is her nickname

We stayed offsite last year. If you have reservations for breakfast or Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, they will let you in early. All you need is your reservation number. We got into MK early this way.

Also, do you have AAA? We bought park tix through there and were able to get a parking pass. At Epcot, we basically parked right by the gate.

 

[Zoebear]

Thanks all !
GOod tips. No, I don't have AAA - we have CAA in Canada, but I"m not a member. Must look into whether it would be beneficial re: tickets etc.
I'll make sure theADR numbers are out and ready
Now to make them !!!!
PS Hi to little Zoebear !

 

[cjnix29]

I don't think the AAA pass gets you actually into the parking lot, just a better spot. You still have to pay the gate price. The parking situation does stink. We just stayed offsite for the first time and hated paying for parking. Does the offsite place you are staying have a shuttle? Maybe won't be convenient for the whole time of your trip, but maybe you could atleast shave one or two days of paying for parking with using the shuttle.

I found it was more difficult going back to the room for a rest. We did it once, and it just seemed like a big waste of time. We did have many more options for dinner though!

 

[mncherokee]

AAA (and I would think CAA) sells discount Park Tickets. When I bought them last year, it was like getting the tickets for face value w/o the tax or handling charges added on.

Yes you pay for parking, but the spots are great!

Also, depending upon where you stay, there are also discounts for the hotels and some restaurants with the AAA/CAA card.

 

[PhotobearSam]

When we go we always stay off-site but one of us gets an Annual pass. It gets you free parking at the parks...at $12 a day for parking, this can easily make up the difference between a regular ticket and the annual and then we get the 10% off at World of Disney Store at DTD and some places for lunch...Then it can be the tickets for 2 trips as well.

We love the extra space an off-site resort gives us.

 

[Zoebear]

Photobear Sam, that is one smarty pants idea !
Must investigate !!!

 

[*disgal*]

We were just there and were offsite. So they said on here to get there early anyway because they might let us in. They did! It was 7:25am and we were in the park. They didn't even give a glance to the ticket. Do you think it was because it was spring break and they thought, well, if they are willing to get here that early, we'll let them in? I don't know but it was great. MK was the only time we did it and it was only one day.

Parking, ......again, if you are there early, you won't have to worry about traffic. Not too many days worse than a Sat. before Easter.....that's when we were there. We left Windsor Hills at 6:53am and we were IN the park (MK) at 7:25am. That has to be a record but we've never been that early before either.

The money you save offsite is well worth the $12 parking. If you are getting hoppers anyway, the AP might just work. Otherwise, I don't think it would be worth the difference. An AP is about $500.

Packages.......just fill out a little green slip when you buy your purchase and they will send it to the entrance at the park. Then on your way out to your car, you just pick it up. We did this a number of times. I actually liked it because then I didn't have to go down to a gift shop at a resort to get my package.

Hope this helps.

 

[*disgal*]

oh, and yes....feel free to use the buses from park to park, monorail, etc.

 

[Zoebear]

Thanks - these are really great pointers

 

[tinkminimickey]

Great tips everyone! We have stayed both on and off site.THe one thing we always do now that we know we can is bring snaks,drinks(a water bottle a piece and a few juice boxes) ,lunchables ect with us in a back pack. a soft freezer pack in a ziploc storage bag works wonders. Also you can get free cups of water from any stand.

 

[HayGan]

If you decide to go the route of the AP, you would not have to get one for everyone in the group - just one person. Now with the 10% off on APs (referral card needed) you could really make up the difference between your ticket and the AP very quickly!!! You could even purchase a ticket from a broker (like Undercover Tourist using the Mousesavers newsletter link) and save even more! That is because you buy the tickets at a discount, use them once and then upgrade to an AP. This method can save you another ~US$30!!! The disconts thru AAA aren't nearly as good as the Undercove Tourist prices! Plus most AAA/CAA offices won't give you a parking pass (which just is for preferred parkig - not free parking) unless you purchase a Disney World package (room, tickets, etc.) thru them.

 

[JoanneNC]

Thanks from another 1st timer off-siter in less then 4 weeks..

 

[kreed]

I have AAA. The difference in prices between the mousaver link to undercover tourist and AAA is about $5.00 per ticket depending on the ticket. I went to my local AAA and purchased one ticket and asked and was given a parking pass. I decided to purchase our tickets for august every couple of weeks so that I was not having to pay $1000.00 at one time. The clerks were very nice and gave me my parking pass and explained its use. As others said, you still must pay the $12.00 but there is a reserved area for AAA parkers that is very close to the gate. The AAA clerk did say that the area will fill up but if you plan on getting there first thing this is when it can be very helpful. We have stayed both on and off site and although there are things we miss off site, the extra room we get more than makes up for it.

 

[mncherokee]

I have AAA. The difference in prices between the mousaver link to undercover tourist and AAA is about $5.00 per ticket depending on the ticket. I went to my local AAA and purchased one ticket and asked and was given a parking pass. I decided to purchase our tickets for august every couple of weeks so that I was not having to pay $1000.00 at one time. The clerks were very nice and gave me my parking pass and explained its use. As others said, you still must pay the $12.00 but there is a reserved area for AAA parkers that is very close to the gate. The AAA clerk did say that the area will fill up but if you plan on getting there first thing this is when it can be very helpful. We have stayed both on and off site and although there are things we miss off site, the extra room we get more than makes up for it.

I also purchased tickets only at AAA and received the parking pass. I LOVED the parking spot at Epcot. Right next to the gate .

 

[Puget Peach]

Even if you stay off site you can use the Disney transportation system to go park to park or to any of the resorts, DTD or water parks. The trick is to remember you have to get back to the lot where you parked the car. This is only a problem if you start the day at a park that closes early (Animal Kingdom, for instance) and the buses stop running! I try to park where I plan to END my day, so I don't do the schlep back to the car when we are tired.

 

[Lisa P.]

When offsite, you may not get all the Disney channels and infomercials but you'll probably get a wider variety of cable channels at your resort instead.

Day Guests may not use resort delivery of purchases but you may still use free gate pickup for purchases. It works very well as long as you don't expect to leave the park for at least 2 hours. The pickup area is in Lost And Found near the gates for each park. Saves you having to carry souvies.

Also, remember that several things are good for the whole day, even with park hopping. So whether you pay for a parking pass, a stroller/wheelchair rental or a locker, the fee is good for the day - don't pay a second time if you park hop.

Since the parks all provide free ice water cups for the asking, bring packets of drink mix (like iced tea, lemonade, koolaid, crystal light, etc.) to pour in for money-saving drinks. If you bring juice boxes or water bottles, freeze them overnight at your condo and they'll make it to lunch time, still cold. Wrap in a paper towel to prevent condensation from getting in your carrier or backpack. Snack ziplocs of trail mix, granola bars and/or peanut butter crackers can help ward off the grouchy grumbles while waiting in ride queues or putting off a lunch break until the busiest mealtimes are over.

Consider leaving a little something to drink and maybe a snack or treat in a small cooler in the car - cold fruit, M&Ms, carrots. It's nice for the kids when park hopping or going back to your resort for a swim/nap or at the end of the day. An ice cold drink is especially welcome when you first get into a warm car, if you're vacationing in summertime. Don't forget the Disney music CDs too.

We love having a full sized coffee maker in our condo kitchen. Buy or bring a fun souvenir travel mug for hot or iced REAL coffee drinks for your drive to the parks. It's so much easier to have a GOOD breakfast cheaply in a condo kitchen too.

Have a great trip!!!