First time staying offsite...?s

[beeplaysbass]

My fiancé and I are going to Disney World in October for our honeymoon, and we received a VERY generous gift of a stay at a timeshare called Orange Lake Resort from a family friend. We're both poor graduate students so this was a big help for our budget. Staying offsite brings along with it a lot of worries, though, about transportation and the overall stay.

The website for the resort says that they have a shuttle going from the resort to any of the parks for $13 per person round trip, but you have to call beforehand to reserve it and it only leaves at :05 after certain hours. The return time is :30 after every hour, but again you have to reserve it. I'm nervous about this because, for the last 6 times I've been to Disney, we've used their transportation. Has anyone had experience with something like this before? Any suggestions/comments to put my mind at ease?

The resort is very close to Animal Kingdom, and the resort website states that you can get to AK for $7. We have Park Hoppers, so we were thinking of possibly taking a taxi to AK and then the buses from there to the other parks to save money. We're afraid this will greatly affect our time though...

Renting a car is out of the question, as both D(future!)H and I will both be JUST under 25 when we go, so the Young Renter's fee puts it far out of our budget.

I'm just really scared that this shuttle will bite us in the butt somehow. I'm so used to not having to worry with Disney transportation...but the free resort stay is worth this extra stress to us rather than our wallets!

One last question. I know it's Disney policy to reserve EMH for people who stay on resort, but how strict is this policy? I know it's cheating, but we would really like to take advantage of EMH in the evening at some places...do you think this is possible?

 

[a1tinkfans]

sorry no insight onto off site Q'd but wanted to say

CONGRATULATIONS on your upcoming wedding! Lucky you to be going to Disney. Have an amazing time making memories together!

 

[imthatgirl]

For $7 a day per person I would just take the bus to AK every morning and then use WDw transportation.

How early do you need to reserve the ride home? thats the only part I can see it being frustrating. Maybe book yourself coming home on the last bus everyday?

Or if it's really close to AK...would a taxi home every evening work?

As for EMHs...you can't be serious. You want to save money by not staying in the park BUT also use the perks that people staying in the park get? Every heard of a simple thing called personal integrity? Whether or not you could "get away with it" shouldn't even be in the question.

 

[mesaboy2]

One last question. I know it's Disney policy to reserve EMH for people who stay on resort, but how strict is this policy? I know it's cheating, but we would really like to take advantage of EMH in the evening at some places...do you think this is possible?

Disney's website is not crystal clear on the exact EMH policy for off-site guests. Some interpret it to mean that all off-siters should leave as soon as EMH begins. Others interpret it to mean that off-siters are not allowed on the attractions. I think the answer lies in Disney's enforcement practices.

In general, Disney stations CMs (to check for on-site room keys) at attraction entrances for evening EMH only. For morning EMH, all guests entering are checked for on-site room keys at the park's turnstiles.

I'll let the debate club--who I see has just arrived--answer any lingering questions.

 

[chartle]

I have never read a post that said "Wow our off site shuttle was the best".

Mostly "After two days we couldn't take it anymore and took taxi's or rented a car"

You can only add up the cost of these shuttles and or taxis and see how it compares to the under 25 fee and also factor in how much time you will waste. It may work out better than you think.

As for evening EMH you can stay but can't ride the rides or maybe eat in any restaurants. So you walk around and look at stuff and buy stuff.

You won't be able to do morning EMH at all.

 

[RichmondTiggerFan]

I would definitely see if there is ANY way to have a rental car (even if it's the cheapest, smallest car they have). Since those shuttles only run at certain times, you give up a lot of flexibility. What if one of you is not feeling well & wants to return to the condo? What if you decide to do a different park that morning? What if you decide that you're having such a good time at a park & don't really want to leave when it's time to catch the shuttle?

 

[Brian Noble]

I would *really* encourage you to get a car, even if it carries an underage driver fee. Even if it means you have to cut back in some other area---fewer sit-down meals, etc.---it will be worth it in the end. If you shop around, you can probably keep the cost at least close to reasonable.

 

[momto2js]

I would come armed with a few things for the rental car companies and see if you can work it out. Things like military ID, AAA, and the company or school work for or attend maybe helpful. Ask about contracts with all of the above that waive the under 25 fee. If you also consider the airport transfer cost and the getting around price it may indeed be less expensive to rent a car.

One thing that streches the budget (at least enough to cover parking) is eating off site and even a few meals in your room. Use that car to hit up Walmart and purchase a few snacks and save money that way.

Orange Lake is a nice location with a car but I don't think I'd do it with out one.

 

[jkh1978]

Similar gift was given to us in San Francisco for our honeymoon. Ended up spending so much time on the train to get into SF, and had to be careful what time to get the train back.

One suggestion you may have considered is to plan to get the shuttle in the morning, but take a taxi back. Last time we went we stayed at AKL, and took taxi to GF for V&A dinner (since we can't have kids, tried a vacation in a family spot doing aduilt things). That was about $20. We also tried the minigolf another day, and got stuck behind a slow group. That caused problems with the schedule, so we had to get back to the AKL fast. Ended up needing to use a town car from the Swan. That was a set $16.

 

[chelebele]

We got a standard car for a week for $150 using hotwire. I know you have to pay the underage fee but it would be worth checking.

 

[AvaandJoshmom]

Orange Lake is great, we have stayed there many times. I don't think I would stay there without a car though. We have seen shuttles few and far between. I would research the rental car thing and see what sort of deal you can get.

 

[jmddcj]

We also booked a full size car from hotwire for 150.00 for the week. Just go through the registration process, they will rent from only reputable companies with pick up at the airport. Otherwise check out the Entertainment book 2011 there are a lot of discounts for rental car in there. Then it also gives you the flexibility to dine whereever you choose, the Ent book also has many buy 1 get 1 dinner coupons in there. Congrats on the trip!

 

[DaveFoto]

I've been an owner at Orange Lake for over 10 years and I wouldn't do WDW without a car. The shuttle is not very reliable at Orange Lake and you have to be on time or you're stuck with a taxi. Be sure to take a look at hotwire for car rentals if you can swing it.

As much as I love Orange Lake, this will be my last year there as I'm finally graduating to DVC

 

[Danibelle]

For $7 a day per person I would just take the bus to AK every morning and then use WDw transportation.

How early do you need to reserve the ride home? thats the only part I can see it being frustrating. Maybe book yourself coming home on the last bus everyday?

Or if it's really close to AK...would a taxi home every evening work?

As for EMHs...you can't be serious. You want to save money by not staying in the park BUT also use the perks that people staying in the park get? Every heard of a simple thing called personal integrity? Whether or not you could "get away with it" shouldn't even be in the question.

Trying to sneak into EMH when you are staying offsite is NOT cool!

 

[chartle]

[/COLOR]

Trying to sneak into EMH when you are staying offsite is NOT cool!

As long as she is in the park when EMH starts she is not sneaking around. She can't really do much though.

And it would be pretty hard to sneak in anyway.

 

[Planogirl]

Some say that you can stay for late EMH but you can't ride anything or really do much. You might be better off going to the Boardwalk or Downtown Disney after the parks close.

I agree that it might be a good idea to price a rental car. You would lots of flexibility with that.

Congratulations on your marriage! Also, enjoy that timeshare. Many of those are NICE.

 

[beeplaysbass]

Thanks for all the prompt replies! You guys are a big help!

All the estimates I've seen of rental cars are $500+ for the amount of time we wanted. We definitely can't drive (we live near Canada in Northern NY, which would be a 21 hour drive at least, and my mother said she'd kill me if we did that) so I guess we'll have to look in to renting further. I am a AAA member, so maybe they offer a discount through there. Again, I'm going into this blind...I hate to turn down a wonderful gift like a free stay at a resort, but it's looking to be a bit of a hassle, and if $500 extra for a rental car is going to be the case, we're better off staying on Disney property.

Thanks for those who posted about the EMH. I guess I ruffled some peoples' feathers. I'm more looking for it in the mindset of making dinner reservations, as we eat pretty late, typically 7-8:30 at night...and I don't necessarily want to make reservations and then have to cancel because I'm not allowed in. If I had it my way, I'd have enough money to stay on Disney property and not have to worry about this, but since I do, I thought I'd ask. I'd also love to stay later and do some shopping.

 

[lilwhiterabbit]

They won't kick you out if you have dinner reservations shortly before EMH starts as far as I know. I don't know about the shopping. You won't be allowed on any rides without the wristbands obviously, but if you make ADRs for 7:00 and eat until after EMH starts at 8:00, for example, I don't think they'd have much of an issue with it. I would probably check on the dining board to be sure, however.

What I might suggest doing is taking the monorail to one of the resorts after EMH and eating at one of their restaurants, however, so you wouldn't have to worry about that at all. We ate at Kona last trip and it was fantastic.

I also wouldn't rely on the shuttle from the timeshare. I think you might end up spending as much in taxis as you hoped to save from not renting a car. I would definitely look into whether AAA has any discounts, though, since I'd be really surprised if they didn't.

 

[jkh1978]

Thanks for those who posted about the EMH. I guess I ruffled some peoples' feathers. I'm more looking for it in the mindset of making dinner reservations, as we eat pretty late, typically 7-8:30 at night...and I don't necessarily want to make reservations and then have to cancel because I'm not allowed in. If I had it my way, I'd have enough money to stay on Disney property and not have to worry about this, but since I do, I thought I'd ask. I'd also love to stay later and do some shopping.

I was about to chip in, but now I think I'm confusing stories I heard about EMH and ticketed parties like the Mickey's Christmas party. I heard you could make reservations that would extend past the time, but then they would escort you out. But for EMH, they probably arent that strict. So I would think dinner would be ok if you start before the park closes, but I'm not sure about shopping.

 

[mesaboy2]

Thanks for those who posted about the EMH. I guess I ruffled some peoples' feathers. I'm more looking for it in the mindset of making dinner reservations, as we eat pretty late, typically 7-8:30 at night...and I don't necessarily want to make reservations and then have to cancel because I'm not allowed in. If I had it my way, I'd have enough money to stay on Disney property and not have to worry about this, but since I do, I thought I'd ask. I'd also love to stay later and do some shopping.

I expect Disney will be happy to accept your money for food or shopping during EMH. They're under the impression it's legal tender 24/7.