Going back Dec 2016 - Jan 2017 looking for tips

[Papaspaldo]

Hi all, didn't realize there was an Aussie thread until tonight, I used disboards last year for our Disney Cruise and I've just booked another, we're going to book it all ourselves this time, even though we have a friend who is a TA, I thought I would get down and dirty and look to the experts..... you guys!
Planning on spending NYE in Orlando, thought about the NYC thing but we loved Orlando last time we want to spend more time there. I was concerned about the cold / hot packing for different seasons etc and co-coordinating to get from NY to FL.
In 2014 we spent a week in FL, then cruised Eastern Caribbean for 7 nights then back to LA for 9 nights, thought FL had more to offer even though all the glamour and glitz of LA was fun I don't feel we need to go there again, well maybe a visit back to DL and CA. We stayed at Staybridge Suites in LBV, such an awesome place, plenty of room, ease of getting around, but we were thinking should we stay onsite at a Disney Resort for a few days, either before or after the cruise.
Happy for anyone to give their feedback and experiences, the more the merrier and if I can share any info, I'd be happy to. Recently looked into renting DVC points seems like a good option if you can find something.

Family is my wife and I and kids aged 18 & 15 when we travel.

Cheers

Mike

 

[AussieTink]

Hi Mike!

I have not stayed off site but love staying on site! I guess you could start with what sort of themeing you like or what you would like to be close to? That way you could work out your priorities of what you like then that narrows it down?

I have stayed at various resorts, not DVC (will be soon though), let me know if you want some experiences of where I've stayed if that will give you some ideas/tips?

 

[Papaspaldo]

Hi Mike!

I have not stayed off site but love staying on site! I guess you could start with what sort of themeing you like or what you would like to be close to? That way you could work out your priorities of what you like then that narrows it down?

I have stayed at various resorts, not DVC (will be soon though), let me know if you want some experiences of where I've stayed if that will give you some ideas/tips?

Thanks very much AussieTink, were thinking AoA to dip my toe in the water so to speak, always looking for value for money, so will pay a little more if the experience is there. My wife wants to give it a go, we thought it might be a good idea over new years to stay onsite, we love Epcot & HS, looking to see if the perks of staying onsite are worth it and what perks are there?
Cheers
Mike

 

[PrincessInOz]

Welcome to the ANZAC section of the DisBoards, @Papaspaldo .


I've stayed on and off site and my preference is on-site. We normally stay at least 7 nights and have been lucky to hit WDW during discount periods; which makes the moderates and deluxe accommodation a bit more affordable. I've managed to get room rate discounts for moderates at 35% off and for deluxe at 40 or 45% off.
I've also rented points from a fellow Dis-ser for BCV.

The perks?
The biggest perk for us is the Disney transport system. I know people do complain about waiting for buses etc; but we've been pretty lucky with our wait times. Using Disney transport means that we've generally not bothered to hire a car for the time that we are on-site. This trade-off, together with not having to pay for daily parking, adds to that equation (aka Disney Fuzzy Maths) of whether to stay on or off site.
The other perk that works for my family is being able to get to the parks during EMH. We have used both morning EMH and evening EMH and it totally works for my family.
We used to be a total commando family when going to the parks. That seems to be fine for Anaheim; but it is a lot warmer and a bit more humid in Orlando. Lately, we've been hitting the parks early in the morning and then heading back to the resort in the afternoon to enjoy pool and/or room time...and then heading back to the parks in the late afternoon/evening. Staying on-site and using Disney transport gives us this ability.
These days, with the Magic Bands, staying on-site means I can book my FP+ rides 60 days in advance. I like to think I have more chance of getting the rides at want at the times I'd like to get this way.

There are other perks that Disney offer..but really, those are the ones that work for me.
And if you happen to be going when a Free Dining offer is available, with two teenage kids, that Disney Fuzzy Maths (DFM) equation may well work out completely in your favour.

By all accounts, AoA is an amazing resort. I hope the DFM works out for you and you do choose to stay onsite!

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Hi Mike

I second PIO - for us staying onsite is the transport system which always still seems quicker (and much cheaper) than mucking about with cars and parking and getting from carparks to the park; we also haven't experienced issues with wait times but haven't stayed at a value resort. We love taking advantage of EMH hours and being able to relatively easily (depending on the resort and the park of the day for WDW) getting back to relax in the afternoon at the hotel and going back in, in the late afternoon. Our teenage DD at the time also liked this. Our most recent visit sans DD, was our first experience of Magic Bands which were great and FP+ was good too. We also like being immersed in the Disney "bubble" for the days we are there. Lots of people who post here have used DVC points and that's our plan for our next visit (which might be some years off now). AoA does sound really good though. Good luck with your planning and welcome to the Aussie Boards.

 

[Papaspaldo]

Thanks very much guys, I had a little more of a look yesterday and have been also considering the moderate resorts, Caribbean Beach Resort for one, as we are going New years time, I'm assuming I'll pay top $$ for accommodation. I do like the idea of EMH, when we went last time we spent 4 days in a row going to all the parks (Commando Style! lol), what about doing other things not Disney related, Outlets, Universal etc, I assume their are shuttles that pick up from the resorts?
My experience has only been to get a shuttle to the parks (free of course) from our offsite hotel, this worked fine, but I guess the benefit of Disney is more frequent buses, going back to the resort relaxing a bit then out again? We used Cabs to get around then hired a car to drive to Port Canaveral.
We used Magic bands last time and were able to book fast passes and photo pass, which worked really well. I understand the band also works as your room key and can have items purchased delivered to your room.
We're off to Hawaii in Jan and I tried to rent DVC for Aulani, but they only had expensive Villas available, still much cheaper than direct but the overall cost wasn't worth it. I will try DVC when we go on this next trip, I appreciate all your feedback, which resorts do you all like to stay at and why? @Aussie Wendy @PrincessInOz @AussieTink

 

[AussieTink]

Thanks very much AussieTink, were thinking AoA to dip my toe in the water so to speak, always looking for value for money, so will pay a little more if the experience is there. My wife wants to give it a go, we thought it might be a good idea over new years to stay onsite, we love Epcot & HS, looking to see if the perks of staying onsite are worth it and what perks are there?
Cheers
Mike

Hi Mike!
AOA is such a fun resort - I stayed there in 2013 (and will be there very soon again!). The moment you arrive at AOA it is so colourful and gives you such a Disney feeling. Nemo, Lion King & Cars themed rooms have the 'Family Suite' rooms which have the extra space. When we stayed there, it was myself, sister and dad - and because of the main bedroom, sofa bed and pull down bed, we all had our own bed! Another plus is that it has 2 bathrooms. We really loved the themeing, it was like being immersed in the movie, took us a good while to tour the resort and see it all. You can also walk over to POP from AOA. The food court had various options, and then with walking to POP you have more options there.

As others have said the perks with staying onsite are the best - the transport is so easy; EMH gives you that extra time in the parks; you can also have your shopping bought in the parks sent back to your resort; you can book your fastpass+ ahead of off-site guests; you can get the magical express to and from the airport; staying onsite you are 'welcomed home' from the moment you arrive.

I hope that helps and gives you some idea about AOA, if you have any other questions feel free to ask!

 

[PrincessInOz]

which resorts do you all like to stay at and why?

I've stayed at Port Orleans Riverside, Coronado Springs and Beach Club Resort. I haven't tried any of the values.

If you had access to rent points for DVC, then it will come down to theming and what your preference is. I rented at the BCV because I was visiting during Food and Wine festival both times and it was really convenient to pop in and out of Epcot from the BCV. My husband and son also like Stormalong Bay to come back to in the afternoon. Both times we stayed in a studio and having the mini-kitchen worked out great from a breakfast perspective.

I like both moderate resorts that I've stayed at. Although....we were there for a convention at CSR and it didn't quite have the same Disney bubble feel for me. Others do feel differently about CSR but it just feels strange walking about that resort with people in 'business suits' around me. That's just my personal opinion.
Either of the PO resorts are great. It does come down to how you feel about theme, resort size and food court options. PO resorts also have the additional experience of catching a boat ride to DTD.

Each one of the Disney resorts offer different themes and if you can swing the $$, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

I have stayed at Wilderness Lodge (treat time) and Port Orleans French Quarter - really loved Wilderness but to save $ POFQ was really good too and compact which we liked though the pool is a bit small to cope if there were lots of crowds, still you are not there summer. Riverside was also only a short way up the path too. The Food Court was quite good at POFQ. Off site Universal was amazing but again I would stay on site there as we did as it made it easier to pop in and back and between parks and the boat transport to and from the resorts to the park area was quick and convenient. Getting to Universal from WDW is a pain - no easy shuttle. Private transfers you can pay for (google tours-ones that just give you the day there) but not cheap, or hire own car - another reason we just stayed there. You need 3 days really - 1 each for IOA and USF and an exra one to see the bits you missed/loved and there is a big shopping outlet near here too. Am not sure about other attractions - I don't know of any that run their own shuttles - I think you can get to the shopping outlets with a shuttle from the Swan and Dolphin (EPCOT area) and regular buses operate from Downtown. Disney is a bit remote from the rest of Orlando and not convenient. If you want to get out and about a bit, doing a split stay with off site and hiring a car for the non WDW bits might be more practicable. The Kennedy Space Centre was a brilliant day out too even though DD and I are not big on "space" if you haven't been.

 

[Papaspaldo]

All great information, thanks again, you've given me plenty to consider.

Mike x