Help!!! Doing the math

[irishsharon]

So we are planning our first family trip We are a family of four.We have a family friend who lets us use her rci points,I have checked out the resorts available and they seem great.So here is the math $250 is what we would pay out of pocket for a one bedroom condo for nine nights.I am guessing but $375 for a rental car and then $140 for parking for ten days. So total for off site is $765 and I forgot about gas.If we stay at a value the nine nights would be (I'm guessing) $1000.When I looked at historical deals for May it seems they have the room only discount. So I'm thinking we really wont save that much by staying in the condo.What would you do? What value resort? What am I missing on my list. Pros & Cons..... Trip dates May 18-27

 

[MomofCKJ]

First trip? I'd stay onsite but that's just me. I think you should experience the magic 24/7!

Allyson

 

[irishsharon]

First trip? I'd stay onsite but that's just me. I think you should experience the magic 24/7!

Allyson

I'm really leaning that way because I know my boys would love it(and so would I)

 

[Dani4girls]

What about food? Will you be able to cook in the condo, thereby saving money on your food budget?

 

[ImpossibleOfMe]

Though you didn't mention the kids' ages...

I've found that spending an extra hundred or two will be worth it to us to stay on site because we'll be traveling with a 4 year old and 4 month old - so a midday resort break is almost mandatory - so not having to drive back and forth to an offsite place is worth the money to me.

Not only that, but also the 'staying in the magic' for my boy who will be turning 4 that visit and is a huge Cars and Toy Story fan seems worth it too.

 

[goofyintoronto]

This is a no brainer, stay onsite! You really dont save all that much money offsite. If you get a free dining promotion, that would be even better. You get a bigger discount by free dining than a room discount at a value resort.

How old are your boys? Pop century is my fave. we love it there. Great food court, pool, and arcade (with a prize redemption zone!). Its my son's fave resort (he's 12).

All star movies is also great and quite similiar to Pop. But i still like pop better. Lol. The bonus to staying at Pop is that you get to cross the bridge and visit Art of Animation!

No matter which resort you choose, im pretty sure you will all have a FABULOUS time. I've never been disappointed with any resort, and i've stayed at all the values except for AS Music.

Dont forget that with disney resorts you get to take advantage of extra magic hours. LOVE THAT! Also, the disney buses are great. Sure theyre not perfect, but its nice not having to rent a car on vacay.

 

[irishsharon]

What about food? Will you be able to cook in the condo, thereby saving money on your food budget?

This is something to consider because the condo would have a full kitchen.But we could easily do breakfast in the room,share a large pizza some nights and have drinks and snacks to bring to the park to cut the food budget.Do you see what I'm doing I'm coming up with points when dh asks the same question

Though you didn't mention the kids' ages...

I've found that spending an extra hundred or two will be worth it to us to stay on site because we'll be traveling with a 4 year old and 4 month old - so a midday resort break is almost mandatory - so not having to drive back and forth to an offsite place is worth the money to me.

Not only that, but also the 'staying in the magic' for my boy who will be turning 4 that visit and is a huge Cars and Toy Story fan seems worth it too.

My boys are 6 &10 and I think they would happy no matter where we stay.But the ablity to take breaks is something I need to consider for dh(he has a medical condition that effects his leg)Also I am directionally challenged and having the buses would make it possible for me to take the boys to a park without dh.

This is a no brainer, stay onsite! You really dont save all that much money offsite. If you get a free dining promotion, that would be even better. You get a bigger discount by free dining than a room discount at a value resort.

How old are your boys? Pop century is my fave. we love it there. Great food court, pool, and arcade (with a prize redemption zone!). Its my son's fave resort (he's 12).

All star movies is also great and quite similiar to Pop. But i still like pop better. Lol. The bonus to staying at Pop is that you get to cross the bridge and visit Art of Animation!

No matter which resort you choose, im pretty sure you will all have a FABULOUS time. I've never been disappointed with any resort, and i've stayed at all the values except for AS Music.

Dont forget that with disney resorts you get to take advantage of extra magic hours. LOVE THAT! Also, the disney buses are great. Sure theyre not perfect, but its nice not having to rent a car on vacay.

We are going during star wars weekend so my 6 &10 boys are going to be crazy excitedI would love to stay at AoA but the boys might protest the little mermaid room and we cant spring the expense for the suite.But if we stay at POP we could visit AoA(thanks for the tip I did not know they where next to each other.)Love the idea of having no car

 

[irishsharon]

This is a no brainer, stay onsite! You really dont save all that much money offsite. If you get a free dining promotion, that would be even better. You get a bigger discount by free dining than a room discount at a value resort.

How old are your boys? Pop century is my fave. we love it there. Great food court, pool, and arcade (with a prize redemption zone!). Its my son's fave resort (he's 12).

All star movies is also great and quite similiar to Pop. But i still like pop better. Lol. The bonus to staying at Pop is that you get to cross the bridge and visit Art of Animation!

No matter which resort you choose, im pretty sure you will all have a FABULOUS time. I've never been disappointed with any resort, and i've stayed at all the values except for AS Music.

Dont forget that with disney resorts you get to take advantage of extra magic hours. LOVE THAT! Also, the disney buses are great. Sure theyre not perfect, but its nice not having to rent a car on vacay.

Forgot to ask...Have they ever offered free dining in May? That would be the cherry on top

 

[MMS1125]

I'd price out the vacation. 9 nights is going to be more than $1000 especially over a holiday weekend. Could you use your friends RCI points to exchange for DVC to stay in a villa? Have your friend look into that I don't know exactly how it works but I'm pretty sure they are exchangeable. Offsite is definitely going to be cheaper so I'd find a reason besides $$$ to convince DH to stay there. Ease of transportation and total absorption in the "magic" would be my too 2 reasons for staying onsite

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Valgoof]

My boys are 6 &10 and I think they would happy no matter where we stay.But the ablity to take breaks is something I need to consider for dh(he has a medical condition that effects his leg)Also I am directionally challenged and having the buses would make it possible for me to take the boys to a park without dh.

I think right here are your two reasons to stay onsite. I also am directionally challenged. We have stayed offsite and DH says it is easy to get around, but there is no way I would have driven to the parks myself on my first visit. Or fifth.

 

[MMS1125]

For your dates All Star Movies is 1193 for room only without any discounts.

for $400 difference I'd stay onsite. You can then get a dining plan if you wish and tickets all in one shot and take til then to pay it off instead of paying upfront. Sometimes that makes a big difference.

 

[irishsharon]

I think right here are your two reasons to stay onsite. I also am directionally challenged. We have stayed offsite and DH says it is easy to get around, but there is no way I would have driven to the parks myself on my first visit. Or fifth.

I am so glad I'm not alone! Even our gps has given up on me

 

[irishsharon]

For your dates All Star Movies is 1193 for room only without any discounts.

for $400 difference I'd stay onsite. You can then get a dining plan if you wish and tickets all in one shot and take til then to pay it off instead of paying upfront. Sometimes that makes a big difference.

I am hoping for some kind of discount or offer Your right paying over time will help especially with Christmas,birthdays and other holidays coming up before our trip.

 

[AlohaAnnie]

Also, If DH is not feeling well he could go back to the room if you stayed on site to relax by bus. Then, you & the boys could stay at the park & meet him later.

That way you all would not have to leave & he wouldn't have to return to pick you up later!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[dealia]

So we are planning our first family trip We are a family of four.We have a family friend who lets us use her rci points,I have checked out the resorts available and they seem great.So here is the math $250 is what we would pay out of pocket for a one bedroom condo for nine nights.I am guessing but $375 for a rental car and then $140 for parking for ten days. So total for off site is $765 and I forgot about gas.If we stay at a value the nine nights would be (I'm guessing) $1000.When I looked at historical deals for May it seems they have the room only discount. So I'm thinking we really wont save that much by staying in the condo.What would you do? What value resort? What am I missing on my list. Pros & Cons..... Trip dates May 18-27

When all is said and done if you get a free dining package you will be at about the same cost as off staying off site.
Off site pros: 1)SPACE! Disney rooms are small. 2) Your own car will allow you to eat outside of the world and save $ 3) If your condo is close it won't take you ANY longer to get back to it then it will take you to get to a value resort on the disney bus.
On site pros: 1)It's Disney Magic. 2) Extra Magic hours 3) Disney buses, not having to worry about driving is great. (you can have a cocktail or two with dinner)
So, I don't know if that helps or not. We done Disney both ways. My husband loves the dinning plan and the transportation. We always choose a moderate resort when we stay on site.

 

[disneyshan]

We were there in May 2011 and we got free dining. Though, it was offered in August 2010 when the rates came out for 2011. But maybe you'd still get free dining.

I'd vote for onsite for a first vacation!