First time staying off site

[KKB]

We have done value resorts for 3 trips, but now that our children will be 16, 19 & 21 when we go next year, they are just too BIG for double beds. (heck, so are we)

There are 6 of us with Mom; driving 20 hours to save $3500+. (6 drivers--3.5 hours avg each is pretty reasonable; not sure all will, but it seems doable).

So have been wandering around VRBO--looking only at those with many reviews. Have found a very reasonable 4BR with pool for $865 for 9 nights (avg. 4.9/5 stars). Blows me away how much cheaper this is than even an offsite hotel. 8 miles from WDW (we plan a couple days at Universal as well)

Plan to eat at the house, lunch at park & dinner either at park of offsite, possibly cooking at the house some days.

Any advice regarding timing & parking?

 

[ZellyB]

I'm not sure exactly where you are staying off-site, but 8 miles depending on where that is exactly could mean a fairly long drive. We've stayed offsite a few times but been at Windsor Hills and Emerald Island ( I think they are both only a few miles from Disney property). We would usually give ourselves 15-20 minutes to get to our designated parking area (it only took about 10 to get to AK from those places). If going to MK, you have to allow some extra time to get from the parking to TTC and across to the park. But, going early we never had big issues with traffic or getting into the parking lots. Parking is well organized and we were usually parked, out of the car and headed to the gates within a few minutes of paying at the booth. If you come later in the day after the park is already open, it might take a bit longer, but we found it to be quick.

 

[BeerMe]

Until 2008 we only stayed offsite once and onsite bunches of times but since 2008 we have stayed offsite 18 times and onsite 19 times - we generally stay at time shares through the military - for about $300/week. We love doing both onsite and offsite but even onsite we get very good discounts. We are staying in 4 different time shares during F&W and the farthest away is about a 20 minutes drive. We know lots of short cuts and the drive doesn't bother us. We both have APs and that takes care of parking. It's free with an AP. You may want to consider having one member of your family get an AP. WE also visit water parks a lot - love TL. Water Parks and more add on to your tickets is relatively inexpensive. We come from Buffalo and the drive is roughly 20 hours/1200 miles. We have only driven twice - this fall will mark the third drive. Have fun

 

[disneysteve]

Any advice regarding timing & parking?

I'm not entirely sure what you're asking.

Timing: Where exactly is the house? 8 miles sounds awfully far. Check out Windsor Palms and Windsor Hills if you haven't already. I'm pretty sure those are well under 8 miles from property.

Assuming the house is somewhere along 192 West of I-4, you will be closest to Animal Kingdom. From Crestwynd Bay (which is adjacent to Windsor Hills), it is about a 6-minute drive to the AK parking lot. As mentioned, leave extra time for MK since you don't actually park at the MK but rather at the TTC. Epcot is farther than AK but at least you park right there. And DHS is close, too, perhaps 10-15 minutes.

As for parking, each park has their own lot. Parking is $20. If one member of your party gets an Annual Pass, parking is included so it might be worth it due to that and the discounts you get with an AP (pretty much all merchandise purchases and sit down restaurants but not counter service).

 

[KKB]

8 miles sounds awfully far? Why?
Windsor Palms/Hills were twice the price...

 

[disneysteve]

8 miles sounds awfully far? Why?
Windsor Palms/Hills were twice the price...

I'm surprised there is that much of a difference, though the $96/night rate you found is extremely good. What time of year is that for?

Obviously the closer properties command a premium based on location. Depending on time of day, traveling 8 miles on 192 (I'm guessing the place you looked at is somewhere out 192 west) may take 20-30 minutes or so. Just factor that into your planning.

The good thing is that the 192 corridor is filled with all types of restaurants, a few supermarkets, a Target, and everything else you might need.

 

[NH-to-FL]

Welcome to the off site crowd. Our home is in the Champions Gate area, exit 58 off of I-4. We used to plan for 20-25 minutes to get to the parking lot. Recently the morning traffic at the I-4 entrance has gotten worse and it is taking us a few minutes more. Almost enough to start weaving around through the backroads to avoid the traffic.

We have AP's so we save the $20 parking fee. Also note that the parks are now charging $15 more for close in parking. Either a longer walk or you can take the tram.

The park where this time really adds up is MK which is one of the furthest to drive to combined with the additional time to ferry/monorail/bus over to the park. We now leave at 7:30am to make 9am opening MK Welcome ceremony.

 

[Woodview]

Does the extra time to drive 8 miles really matter ?

Enjoy the freedom of seeing the real Florida .. go and explore .

Think of what you are getting for $ 96 total per night ..... 4 bed , 2+ bathrooms . kitchen & Pool

& Space ..... you might even see the fireworks ( in the distance ) for free.

Walk into any eating place that takes your fancy ( might have to wait a bit ) .

 

[mckennarose]

IMO, 8 miles is not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Have you ever seen the actual distances between the Disney resorts and parks? http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/resort-distances.htm
Add to that Disney transportation and it can take longer for onsite guests to get to the parks than it would take you to drive those 8 miles. (Granted, I don't know where the house is though.)

 

[disneysteve]

IMO, 8 miles is not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Have you ever seen the actual distances between the Disney resorts and parks?
Add to that Disney transportation and it can take longer for onsite guests to get to the parks than it would take you to drive those 8 miles.

This is very true. I'm always amused when people insist on staying onsite because they want to be "close". Then I tell them that from one of the places we stay offsite, it takes us under 5 minutes to get to Animal Kingdom. How long does it take to get there from the Poly? A lot more than 5 minutes I'll bet.

Yes, in the big picture, 8 miles isn't bad. I wouldn't stay that far personally because I know there are plenty of cheap places to stay much closer. The house we rented last month and in January was $75/night for a 3-bedroom house and only about 3 miles away. If you scan VRBO and contact owners directly (not the management companies) you can find some really great deals out there.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

8 miles is nothing, you'll be fine! We've spent tons of time onsite waiting for busses. (and waiting, and waiting...) We love staying off site - gives SO much more freedom in the dining budget as well. You'll have a wonderful trip!

 

[mckennarose]

This is very true. I'm always amused when people insist on staying onsite because they want to be "close". Then I tell them that from one of the places we stay offsite, it takes us under 5 minutes to get to Animal Kingdom. How long does it take to get there from the Poly? A lot more than 5 minutes I'll bet.

Yes, in the big picture, 8 miles isn't bad. I wouldn't stay that far personally because I know there are plenty of cheap places to stay much closer. The house we rented last month and in January was $75/night for a 3-bedroom house and only about 3 miles away. If you scan VRBO and contact owners directly (not the management companies) you can find some really great deals out there.

It's also amusing to me when onsite people tout not having to pay a parking fee at the parks. The cost of parking for us is less than a table service meal.

OP, you will have a wonderful time and enjoy all the room and savings!

 

[disneysteve]

It's also amusing to me when onsite people tout not having to pay a parking fee at the parks. The cost of parking for us is less than a table service meal.

That too. They happily pay $200/night to get "free" parking while we stay offsite for $75/night and pay $20 to park only on our 5 park days so $100 total for a 14-night trip. Which is the better deal?

 

[Tommy_B]

8 miles is "not nothing" and when vacation homes claim that is 8 miles to the Disney property, but they don't say how far to the individual theme parks or how long it takes to get to each park.

When you go to the Magic Kingdom, for example you have to park, ride a tram or walk to the Transportation & Ticket Center and THEN ride a boat or monorail to the park vs being dropped at the front gate when you stay onsite.

Coming and going is not as easy when you are off site either. It is very easy to take breaks during the day when you are onsite; offsite it isn't just the 8-12 mile drive back to the vacation house, but the time to get to your car as well.

The reason the vacation rental is cheap is because it can't command a higher price due to its inconvenience. That is why closer in communities cost more.

 

[mckennarose]

OP, if you are concerned by the "8 miles from Disney", check out a map to see for yourself. You can get a good idea of travel time by googling directions from the house to any of the parks. Just research and make an informed decision. The beauty of a Disney vacation is having options that fit for you and your family.

MK does take a little longer to get from the parking lot inside, but I am speaking from experience and maintain that you still may be getting into any of the parks quicker than those onsite. We have family that owns DVC and stays onsite and we vacationed together last year, but we stayed offsite at the Sabal Palms. Every day we met up with them, we left our resorts at the same time and had to wait inside parks for them. Even MK. And when we left the parks at the same times it took them a lot longer to get to their resort than it did for us. (we check in via text)

For us staying at the Sabal, it takes literally 5 minutes to get to Epcot parking and breaks are very easy. We have not had any problems taking mid day breaks or dealing with driving in or out of the parks. Just as onsite people factor in travel time to their resort, you do too. Travel for us in Disney is as simple as walking out my resort door, traveling 5 min to Epcot, or 8 - 10 min to MK and parking. When you're onsite and grabbing a bus, how far will you be in 10 minutes? Possibly still waiting for a bus? (they run about every 20 minutes) This is why there are transportation tips online and I've seen it mentioned for onsite people to give themselves one full hour for transportation. I'm sure it doesn't take that long normally, but you are relying on someone else's schedule.

I'm just throwing our experience out there. YMMV.

 

[spiceycat]

hey stay at both -
BLT can WALK to the MK in 5 to 10 minutes. BCV can walk to Epcot is 8 to 12 minutes.

since I am cheap will not pay the $15 for close in parking - that walk is now for me around 15 to 30 minutes (depending upon where the car is parked) to get to Epcot. Have an annual pass. AK was not so bad.

live about hour away from WDW - so sometimes stay at home - otherwise will stay at a close to WDW timeshares when not staying at DVC.

you also have check what the 8 miles is - too many times it is talking about how far they are from WDW property. Not any of the parks - so don't be disappointed - if your driving times takes between 30 minutes to an hour.

kept in mind that even getting into the parks can be a problem when driving - sometimes they have a bunch of parking attendants other times you are luck if 2 or 3.

 

[leanne11]

Until 2008 we only stayed offsite once and onsite bunches of times but since 2008 we have stayed offsite 18 times and onsite 19 times - we generally stay at time shares through the military - for about $300/week. We love doing both onsite and offsite but even onsite we get very good discounts. We are staying in 4 different time shares during F&W and the farthest away is about a 20 minutes drive. We know lots of short cuts and the drive doesn't bother us. We both have APs and that takes care of parking. It's free with an AP. You may want to consider having one member of your family get an AP. WE also visit water parks a lot - love TL. Water Parks and more add on to your tickets is relatively inexpensive. We come from Buffalo and the drive is roughly 20 hours/1200 miles. We have only driven twice - this fall will mark the third drive. Have fun

Can I jump in and ask about TL.. willl it b good for a 6 yr old?

 

[KKB]

Thanks for all your help; I did some more searching & found a 3BR condo in Windsor Hill for $699/9 nights!! It is fairly updated & has many very good reviews.
We did compromise with a pool (not private) & bedrooms/beds--when DH & my mom discussed it we realized we stayed in MUCH more cramped accommodations at POP and had to share the pool & we still had a blast.
The price, amenities & location cannot be beat--thanks for the tips!
(PS MK is the kids least fav park--so we won't go more than one day there, so I think we can make the hike from parking!)