Help deciding on vs. off site

[presleyg]

We have booked Hawthorn suites and also have 2 room at the ASMO, we were planning one week of non-disney and then a week of Disney, but now the trip has to be cut down. We are flying in on a fri. night and staying for 9 nights. We are mostly doing Disney with 2 days at Universal. I'm not sure which ressie to stay with. I can't find out how reliable the hawthorne shuttle is and if it goes to the other disney parks or just to the TTC, or how late it runs. hawthorn will be about $600. cheaper and has a breakfast buffet, but ASMO has the shuttle busses and the whole disney magic thing. We stayed at FW last year and it was nice be onsite, but with the EE gone I'm just not sure I want to spend the extra cash. Please help me decide!

 

[IowaGirl]

seems to be a lot of opinions on this, but I am very glad I stayed offsite this early May for 10 nights, arriving on 5/3. Since my hotel costs were so inexpensive (42.50 per night, that including all taxes for 8 of the nights) at the CI&S at Calypso Cay Way, we were able to rent a car and come and go when we pleased. It really took us less than 10 minutes to drive to the parking lot of each WDW park from our hotel. We were at each parks rope drop everyday, and we left our hotel about 8:20-8:30.
Hotel had shuttle, but I did not want to rely on that since it more than likely made many other hotel stops other than my own.
We had a car then for beach day and Gatorworld 1/2 day.
I have heard different opinions on the Disney bus system, but even when it's at its best, you still are looking at 15-20 minute travel times. The few horror stories that I have heard, really made me shy away.
So if the Hawthorn is only a few miles away, I'd go for it. The free breakfast will save you tons of money. Eating cereal or pop-tarts in your room will not fill you up in the same way, and keep you going 'till afternoon.

 

[susy]

We had 2 rooms at ASMo in Jan and LOVED IT!!!!! However, with the exra cash you could rent a car and have more flexibility. Is the Hawthorne suites far from WDW property??? We stayed in DD in Nov and were literally the first people in line every day (with our own car). If you get to the parks about an hour early (especially MK) you will be surprised at how much closer you will be at the TTC( parked in the first row) compared to those shuttle buses out in the middle of nowhere! I would usually say" onsite", but with this being summer I would rent a car!

 

[hercamore]

How many in your party and when are you traveling?

Staying at Hawthorn can save you some big monies, but I never stay offsite without a car.

Herc.

 

[presleyg]

There are 6 of us and we are going in September. Hawthorne is in Lake Buena Vista, 1/2 mile from downtown Disney and 2 miles from Mk. They say that they offer a shuttle, but I would feel better in my own car. My biggest issue is losing that whole disney feeling when you leave the parks, like that long walk to the car in the crowds. Renting a van will cut into our offsite savings. If those great codes that came out for last fall come out then money won't be a problem, the all stars were $49.00 last fall!!

 

[kilarney]

You can rent a car and stay offiste, and still save $$$ vs. staying on-site without a rental car.
This will help you with getting to Universal.

If you just plan on using your room for a place to crash, I would recommend staying off-site. If you plan on going back to the room during the day, then on-site becomes an appealing choice.

 

[susy]

When are you going???? If it's the fall, I would stay onsite. I would just have patience and wait for those codes! You can always cancel Hawthorne when you make a final decision. I would then rent the car for just the days you will need it. We had the 2 rooms (connecting) for $49 each and it was very worth it. We kept the doors open for the most part and had two bathrooms. We requested Toy Story , first floor and we were just steps from the pool and food court.

 

[patman]

I always stay off site and the last 4 times in rental condos. Friends say it takes them 1/2 hour or more to get back to their rooms. (unless you stay at one of the deluxes on monorail) I get back to my condo in that time. You can eat for 1/2 price outside vs in. Having a complete kitchen, washer and dryer in room. and if it rains forget about being locked up in a hotel room with kids. For $100 you get a place that inside will cost you $300. I found that I can stay offsite for 11 days for the price it will cost to stay onsite for 6. For a family of four it is like having free admission tickets for both Disney and Universal.

 

[momof2boyz2girlz]

Friends of mine just came back and had 2 joining rooms at ASMu, they said the magic is gone from Disney. After paying for the 2 rooms they still had to pay for a room fridge and a crib! Most hotels don't charge for either. This was a couple with 3 children.
I on the other hand have never stayed onsite. I have 4 children and I don't find it accomodating to stay in 2 rooms for more money than a full suite with kitchen etc. I want to be comfortable! It is also a matter of money, I stayed at the Residence Inn for $105 a night during Easter. It was a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, full breakfast! Good Luck on your decision.

 

[Gillian]

Here's another thumbs up for offsite, BUT you have to have a car! Almost every complaint I read about off site hotels is about their transportation. It really is easy to drive yourself! And it is true that if you get there early you can be closer to the gates than the hotel busses. This is especially true at Epcot.

In septmeber we are getting a full size from National for about $170/week, including taxes/fees, using the disney club discount & coupon. If you need a minivan for your party size, it will be more. Try L&M (ask the experts on the transportation board ).

BTW, there is an annual passholder discount for September of 30%. Does anyone in your family have an AP? you only need one to get the discount. I think our All stars room for september is $62 including tax. The $49 rate from last year was $55 with tax, so not much of a difference.