FOTL how needed is this perk in early October?

[SnowWitch]

I am debating between saving the cash for a room staying onsite or booking a DVC room at Disney. I have never been to US/IOA this time of year and I realize the WWOHP will factor in a bit but do you think its enough to justify staying onsite?

 

[Metro West]

I am debating between saving the cash for a room staying onsite or booking a DVC room at Disney. I have never been to US/IOA this time of year and I realize the WWOHP will factor in a bit but do you think its enough to justify staying onsite?

You should be fine in October w/o staying onsite since historically it's not really busy. HP will add to the crowds some but I doubt it would be worth it for you to stay onsite.

 

[SnowWitch]

That is reassuring. Anyone else? The teenager needs some convincing.

 

[uproar90]

Before last June, I had only done 1-2 days @ USO while staying @ WDW.

Last June however, we did stay @ the Royal Pacific and from that point forward... If I'm going to USO, I'm staying onsite.

The rooms are amazing, the walk to the parks is short and enjoyable, and when there is a wait of any sort, the FOTL perk is just awesome.

I may be overpaying for the trip, but this is one case where the resort makes the difference for me.

 

[spima3]

Before last June, I had only done 1-2 days @ USO while staying @ WDW.

Last June however, we did stay @ the Royal Pacific and from that point forward... If I'm going to USO, I'm staying onsite.

The rooms are amazing, the walk to the parks is short and enjoyable, and when there is a wait of any sort, the FOTL perk is just awesome.

I may be overpaying for the trip, but this is one case where the resort makes the difference for me.

Well, I can see doing so for June, busy season, but what about the slower season? OP mentioned Oct, we'll be there in Sept.

I don't see a justification for such an expensive room if FOTL isn't really necessary at that time of the year.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

jmho, but you have to stay somewhere, onsite is the place to be. We even stay there in Sept, Nov, Feb anytime. Once we tried it, we were so spoiled, we'll never visit US and not stay onsite. Also Oct is HHN time too so parks are more crowded.

How much of a savings is it? Worth waiting in lines for? Only you can answer that.

 

[Metro West]

Also Oct is HHN time too so parks are more crowded.

Well...HHN only really affects crowds at the Studios and mainly in the afternoon on those nights. I doubt you would see a huge increase at IOA or the Studios during the day...at least I never have.

 

[SnowWitch]

OP here. We have stayed onsite at all 3 resorts but that was during the summer months, crowds+heat+ lines =. Although October can still be pretty warm I was thinking it wouldn't be nearly as busy as summer break. We will be there for 6 days, my plan was to spend the mornings in the park and head back to the resort no later than 2pm. The teens would go back one night for the HHN while I and the 2 little ones chill at the resort.

I love the ease of touring onsite but I am torn between ease of onsite vs much larger space at a dvc villa. I cannot afford a suite with Loews, way out of my budget. I was hoping the frequent visitors or Orlando resedents would comment on general early October crowds. Thanks for the responses thus far.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Well...HHN only really affects crowds at the Studios and mainly in the afternoon on those nights. I doubt you would see a huge increase at IOA or the Studios during the day...at least I never have.

Sorry, that's what I get for assuming. I figured it draws people from all over the country so park attendance would be up overall.

 

[spima3]

How much of a savings is it? Worth waiting in lines for? Only you can answer that.

Well, I think that is what the OP is trying to determine.

What are the crowds like in Oct, so she can decide if on site is needed. I was originally considering late Aug and was going to spend a night at a US hotel. Now that we are going in Sept, it is harder to decide if I should spend what I consider a crazy amout of $$, just for one night, if it isn't going to be necessary.

My kids have been looking forward to going, but they have even mentioned postponing the trip until next year, but then I'll have 2 kids in high school, one in all honors program, so it gets a little dicey taking them out of school.

It would have been so nice if WWoHP had opend in early 2010!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Well, I think that is what the OP is trying to determine.

What are the crowds like in Oct, so she can decide if on site is needed. I was originally considering late Aug and was going to spend a night at a US hotel. Now that we are going in Sept, it is harder to decide if I should spend what I consider a crazy amout of $$, just for one night, if it isn't going to be necessary.

My kids have been looking forward to going, but they have even mentioned postponing the trip until next year, but then I'll have 2 kids in high school, one in all honors program, so it gets a little dicey taking them out of school.

It would have been so nice if WWoHP had opend in early 2010!

I didn't mean to be so 'not helpful'. I guess I'm basically saying that once you try the FOTL, it's really hard to go without it and I don't think I ever would.
We are AP holders and get awesome hotel rates so for us, it's a no brainer. We've had them for 3 years now and once they exp we won't be renewing.
Maybe then when I'm faced with rack rates on hotels, I might have a harder time deciding. Might just renew 1....

 

[SnowWitch]

The super saver rates rocks, 5 nights @131 per night or club for $191 at the RPR!!!! Can not beat that but if I don't really need FOTL access then why spend the $$$, stay DVC and have much more space in a 1-2 bedroom villa. But if crowds might be an issue I would forgo the extra space provided by dvc and stay at RPR because you cannot beat that rate! We do love RPR, short walk to IOA, very easy to get a drink at Jimmy's, great pool for little ones, great sunning area for the teens, and we really enjoy Jakes. I hate being indecisive!!!!