Having 2nd (and 3rd and 4th) thoughts on where to stay

[luckylady131]

I've already booked our stay with a moderate resort (Coronado Springs), but haven't put anything down other than the deposit.

I looked into Wyndam Bonnet Creek and even talked to Ken about renting a 2 bedroom. Being out first trip, I thought staying on property would be easier. And I was worried about food costs.

But I am having second (okay, third and fourth) thoughts about where to stay. Here's our background:
- Going nov 27- dec 5th (9days)
- Travelers: dh, myself, 4 yr old daughter, and 9 mo old daughter at time of the trip.
- will be flying so will have to rent a car (~$250 total for rental and parking) if staying off property (would NOT rent a car if remaining at CSR)
- The is our first Disney trip
- Want a relaxing trip - will not be doing commando! Thought we would come back to the room midday for a break.

It was going to be ~$1,800 or so to stay at BC for 9 days/8 nights (that was with car rental price and 9 day park tickets included). It's going to be ~$2,300 to stay on property at CSR (that includes the Free Regular Dining Plan, 9 day park tickets, and travel insurance ($133)). So basically if staying at BC - we will have a car, but would need to get food. If staying on property - no car, but food is included (minus tips, etc).


If I find Ken can get us a unit again for our time frame, should I go that route or stay where we are booked and just leave the current plans alone?? I am afraid that if we do the onsite resort, we will be sorry we didn't take advantage of more room, and if we stay at BC we will be sorry we missed out on the dining plan and what that provides (being able to do more character meals, etc). I can't tell you how many hours I have spent doing tentative itineraries, booking ADRs, researching resorts and Bonnet Creek, researching car rentals, etc.

Also, any thoughts of splitting up the stay, perhaps being able to get the best of both worlds??

 

[Brian Noble]

It really comes down to what kind of vacation you want. Usually, I can stay offsite in a 2BR for about the price of a discounted Moderate room---and that's about what you'll find when you work it all out.

But, for me personally, a hotel room with my two kids is not a vacation. I actively resent having to pretend to be asleep while they nod off in the evening. I'm a bad father, I guess. I also am not a fan of split stays. I already have to pack and unpack once. Why do it again?

For others, staying together in a single hotel room is no big deal, and maybe even part of the fun. Some folks value the on-property experience so highly that Bonnet Creek could be free, and they still wouldn't stay there.

Ultimately, BC isn't about saving money so much as it is having a qualitatively different vacation---more space, more amenities for a good price.

 

[Upatnoon]

With kids your age, and for a pretty lengthy stay, I would pick bonnet creek.

When we take our 4-year-old to the parks, what does he say --- "when can we go back to our vacation at bonnet creek!"

You will be spending lots of time in your room for naps, rest, etc. That will be far more enjoyable in a 1200 square foot villa.

It would be more relaxing to eat some meals in your room than loading up all your gear for another trip to the restaurant.

Later, when your kids are older, and you basically use the room to crash, it will make more sense to stay on property.

 

[kokomos]

I dont think I will ever stay onsite again. Waiting for the bus for 30 minutes then not having a seat because its too full just seems to always happen to us. When we drive we also get there early so parking is up front so when leaving for a nap it takes 5 minutes to get to the car, a little longer at Magic Kingdom.

Also if your planning alot of character meals you might find out your kids are afraid of the up close encounter of the 7ft Pluto or Goofy. My dd wouldnt have any interaction til she was 7 my, ds was 18 months and never scared.

We've been 8 times in the last 10 years, 6 of those onsite, Being offsite is the only time weve really been able to relax and just enjoy everything about the trip.

Going again next summer and looking forward to staying at Bonnet Creek this time

having 2nd 3rd and 4th thoughts is normal.
You posted on the forum where everyone stays offsite if you posted on Disney resorts then Im sure they are telling you to stay onsite.


Good luck
Wanda

 

[luckylady131]

Having 2nd 3rd and 4th thoughts is normal.
You posted on the forum where everyone stays offsite if you posted on Disney resorts then Im sure they are telling you to stay onsite.


Good luck
Wanda

I did post the exact same thread on the Disney resort forum to see their responses. And of course they all say stay on site.

I figured this site would say stat at BC, and the other would say stay on site.

I am looking in betweeen the lines at reasons to do one over the other.

 

[katallo]

Everyone has great points. We stayed onsite for many years and then discovered BC. It's so close to WDW we feel as if we are on property (plus, we like having a car). Friends with children recently returned from BC and commented about how nice it was to put the children to bed and enjoy the balcony at the BC condo without having to "tiptoe" through the hotel room. I'm sure you will make the right decision for you!

 

[superwy]

When our kids were younger (the same ages as yours), we rented a house in a nearby resort so they could nap and my DH and I could still have something to do. The house had a pool and spa and we would enjoy some quiet time between parks, etc. At night we would go to Epcot with the double stroller and stroll around the countries while they slept, then wheeled them back to the car, to the car seats, and back to sleep at the house. We shopped for groceries and did breakfast at the house, brought lots of yogurts, snacks and the like for the day, then had lunch in the park. Dinner was sometimes at Disney, sometimes at the house, others at one of the many restaurants. We had options with a car.


Now that thekids are older they tend to stay up later, so the hotel room is not such a big deal. We are trying to stay on site without a car for the first time this year. Even when we've stayed on site in the past we've had a car. With kids that age, I think you would really want a car. I really think you can have a fantastic vacation either way, but I would lean towards the larger suite or a house (not matter which board I posted on!!).

Good luck.

Kim

 

[Brian Noble]

I am looking in betweeen the lines at reasons to do one over the other.

Having done both, here are the benefits of each for me:

Onsite:
* We normally drive ourselves most places even onsite, but having Disney transportation is a nice option if you need it. For example, if you have to split up, or you'd like to have a BEvERage with dinner, etc. You can also take a cab in those cases, but somehow that seems like more effort to me. Bonnet's shuttle transportation will work in a pinch, but it's not as convenient.

* The seamless "Disney experience" has some value---but different people value it differently. In my experience, *most* people who try both onsite and offsite find that the difference isn't as big as they thought it would be, but there are some who wouldn't stay offsite if you paid them, because it's "Not Disney." It's hard to know how you'll react until you try it both ways.

* The "little perks" are sometimes convenient---package delivery, etc. Again, these aren't that big of a deal, but they are conveniences.

Offsite:
* Space for your money. This is huge for me personally; as I wrote above sharing a single hotel room with my kids is *not* vacation. Other people don't care quite so much about this.

* Better equipped/configured rooms. We normally stay in DVC villas when we stay onsite. Except for OKW, none of the freezers have ice makers. None of the 2BR units have dining tables that seat more than four---and some of them aren't even that big. The living rooms and balconies in most DVC units (again, except OKW) are noticeably small.

Things that *don't* matter to me, but might to you:

* Magical Express. We almost always rent a car---I like being the master of my "transportation domain". If you'd rather let Disney do the driving, though, this is a nice service, and I have used it once on a no-kids budget trip.

* Extra Magic Hours. We generally *avoid* the parks with EMH, because they are less crowded. We still get plenty of park time.

* The dining plan. This just never seems to fit my needs, and I do just as well or better by just eating what I want, when I want, where I want. Usually, I don't *quite* eat one table service meal per day. When I do, many of them end up being less expensive meals; not to save money, but that's just what we end up doing. For example, we often take afternoon breaks away from the parks. With that touring style, a sit down lunch seems to fit better than a sit down dinner, but lunch is often a cheaper meal.

If you're a first-time visitor (and it sounds like you might be) I'd encourage you to look into the options that will allow you to have separate sleeping spaces, but stay onsite. That gives you the best of both worlds. Those options include: a Family Value Suite, a Ft. Wilderness Cabin (full kitchen), or a 1BR or larger DVC villa (full kitchen and washer/dryer in unit)---the latter is my preference and can be more affordable if you rent a reservation from a DVC owner, but sometimes Disney's promotions are just as good if not better, so check it both ways. This will cost more than Bonnet and more than a single Moderate room, but if it is in the budget, it might be worth doing.

Even if you go with an onsite stay, though, I'd encourage you to think hard about the dining plan. It *is* possible to save money with it, but only if you are prepared to stick with the plan's restrictions and want to make dining a fairly big part of your visit. I value the flexibility of paying with cash and, so far, it's been no more expensive to do it that way because we tend to want to spend more time enjoying the parks.

 

[4forMe]

We have done 4 family trips. The first three trips were off site and the one last summer was my dream vacation - onsite in a 2 BR villa at Bay Lake Towers with the dining plan. Guess which trip I enjoyed the most? Our third trip which was off site in a 4 BR house in Windsor Hills. On that trip everyone had so much more room to spread out, it was very relaxing, and the drive was not much more time compared to being onsite (we also had to have the car for the onsite visit). As much as I loved being within a 10 minute walk to MK from Bay Lake Towers, the spaciousness and amenities of the home in Windsor Hills outweighed the proximity of the Bay Lake Tower accomodations.

I would suggest staying off-site based on the ages of your kids. Do they go to sleep earlier than you and your DH? Not a problem when you each have your own rooms for sleeping. It makes for a much more relaxing vacation.

Disney transportation is not all that it's cracked up to be. It will be much easier leaving Epcot/AK/DHS by just walking your stroller to the car than having to fold it up for the buses, especially if you have a sleeping child. Also, you would most likely be back at your unit in Bonnett Creek faster using your own car than using Disney transportation to get to your resort room.

Finally, I feel the dining plan would probably not be worth it based on the ages of your children. I have older children and it was still too much food, especially the snack credits. When we stay offsite, we still make sure to have a couple of character and table service meals.

We will be back to WDW in March for our 5th family trip which will be at a 4 BR in Windsor Hills!

Either way you go, I'm sure you will have a wonderful time. Good luck planning your trip!

 

[spiceycat]

you can only roll the stroller to the car if you are parked close enough - if you have to take the tram to your car - you have to fold up the stroller to get on the tram.

staying at BC you can buy groceries. then you aren't so committed to WDW that every meal you have is there.

there are some nice offsite restuarants for about half of what Disney restuarants cost. so even during free dinning you should be able to save a little money.

the tickets you would have to buy to get free dinning - did you include them.

you can get a better price with one of the sellers that mousesavers recommends.

now do disagree happen to love BLT and nothing (for me) offsite can compare. which is why brought there.

also definitely appreciate and use EMH. DME not so much - since I drive from AL. have food allergies so DDP is not used very much. Disney does try but most of the time can get back to my studio/villa and fix my own meal for the same amount of time waiting for them to bring me something that I can eat.

Pepper is a big problem for them.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

I have done both, as you can see in my signature, and would like to point out that most of those responding on this board have stayed both on-site and at BC, while those responding on the Disney Resorts board probably have not. You really have to experience BC to understand it is truly the best of both worlds. Before I stayed at BC, my "goal" was to stay at every Disney resort. I always said that I never wanted to stay at the same resort twice. Now, I can't imagine staying anywhere else (unless I try even larger accommodations at Windsor Hills) someday!

 

[beccamarie]

We stayed offsite and really loved it. It was nice to have the space and a full kitchen. I completely understand the value and convience of doing so. We are going to try onsite next time for a few reasons:
1. It was actually a pain to go shopping for groceries when we got there. It kinda killed the "magic". Stay away from Walmart unless you want to be there for hours on end due to the crowds. 2. We found driving to be a pain. Lots of traffic and it ate up lots of our time. 3. We wished we had the dining plan. Our kids LOVED the character dinings and I feel our family would benefit from the plan. 4. We honestly felt like we were "missing" something not staying onsite. I will have to see next time if this is true.
No matter what you will have a fabulous time! We had such a blast! I can't wait to go back!!! ENJOY EVERY SECOND OF IT!!!

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Brian makes very good points.

Having done both (and now been converted to offsite condos!) if this is your first trip, My vote is to stay onsite. That way you won't spend the whole trip wondering "what if..." Get the whole Disney immersion experience. We enjoyed our onsite trips very much, but for us right now it is no longer financially worth it to us to stay onsite. We are "been there, done that" and now I prefer the space of a condo. I feel more relaxed having my own car and my own space. But if I'd never done onsite, then I would always be wondering what it was like.

 

[lindsey]

Also having done both, and we have had trips flying with no rental cars, and flying and having rental cars.

There's always plus and minus for all options. I agree with PP, for your first trip, stay onsite. The crowds should not be as bad as summer, so the busses should not be that crowded either.

 

[Lisa0620]

I agree with onsite for a first visit. What we did was stay in a one bedroom villa on the 4/3 deal and I don't recommend it because we're really spoiled now! If I could do it over I would stay in just a room onsite with the dining plan for the first trip. Navigating the parks themselves is daunting the first trip, we were relieved to let Disney do all the driving. Then on the second trip I would stay offsite at Bonnet Creek (which is what we're doing in November...) Then you'll know for the third trip what is more important to you - space or the immersive experience. If you decide you want both, I guess you could look into DVC! I'm sure you'll have a great trip either way! Good luck.

 

[taylorcpa]

We'll be staying off site for our first visit for two reasons. First like Brian Noble, I do not consider it a vacation to spend a week in a hotel room with my kids. They need their sleep and I need my space. We'll also have a washer/dryer, large refrigerator with ice maker, a real dining table, more than one bathroom, etc. Second, I think we would get tired of eating at Disney for our whole trip. I figured in paying OOP for character meals and quick service meals and I know that some times something familiar (and lighter) would be better.

 

[kathy884]

Boy, With a stay of more than a few nights and kids I really like the space, the kitchen, and the laundry facilities that an offsite condo provides. Amenities are great at the offsite condos too. Your kids may be better eating out than my son was at their ages (For me it is so nice to be able to have meals in, fix snacks for parks, etc. with a kid who is a picky eater). I also personally get really tired of eating all my meals out for more than a few days (my own personal preferences) // I really like having breakfast and lunch in when that works out. I've done both, and an offsite condo is my preference for value. I've done a Disney onsite hotel three different times, and a nearby offsite condo nine different times and will be doing an offsite condo for a 10th time in March of 2010.

I think, though, you will have a wonderful time whatever you decide.

For us too, though, and that doesn't sound like the case for you, we always spend at least two days away from Disney at Sea World, our very favorite park which also takes away some of the advantages of a Disney onsite stay. We also like to sometimes do off days at little attractions like Gatorland, the Titanic attraction on I-drive, etc. We just love the Disney parks / waterparks and resort atmosphere too (will eat meals at Polyneisan and Animal Kingdom lodge as we love the grounds and going over there even though we don't stay there, but don't do just Disney on our trips.

21 trips since 1971 Camping offsite 71, 72, 74 (twice) , 75, 77 / Camping Fort Wilderness 75, 76 / Onsite Hotels: Contemporary 93, 99 Port Orleans Riverside 07 / / Rental House Gated Community (Name escapes me – house available through my husband’s company) 95 / Offsite Condos: Marriott Royal Palms 86, Polynesian Isles 94, Cypress Pointe 01, 04, Sheraton Vistana Resort 03, 04, 07, 08, Cypress Point Grand Villas 07 / Offsite Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Sea World 09, 10 / Note: Will be staying at Orange Lake March of 2011 (Another offsite condo stay) // Note: For the 07 stay we were at three different places during the same trip

 

[vettechick99]

When friends ask my opinion on their first trip, I always tell them to go onsite.

However, we chose CSR for DDs first trip at 18m old. We had always stayed onsite so it was a given we would when she was born. We quickly moved offsite next trip (Bonnet Creek) because we needed that extra space while she was napping. We needed a room, she needed a room, and we all needed a common space. I was not willing to give up location, which BC provides. It's not any further of a drive from the parks to BC as it is to CSR (oftentimes it's closer).

GL with your decision. I looooooooove onsite but offsite has many, many perks too!