Help me convince DH!

[Dallas_Lady]

The more I think about, the more I am convinced we should take the offsite plunge. But DH is just not wanting to let go. He's been drinking the Disney Kool-Aid and is convinced being an offsite guest is going to suck. I think he thinks they will make us wear a scarlett "O" on our chests so everyone knows our shame, lol. So I need you guys to help me convince him that we will still have a great time staying offsite.

Here's my side:
-We are driving to Orlando, so we will have a car. We are planning to drive to the parks even if we stay onsite because we will have 2 small kids and a double stroller. I don't want to deal with that on the buses.
-Our trip is for 7 nights Thanksgiving week. I can get a condo at Windsor Hills for $599 that week. A bedroom for us (with a KING bed!) and a separate room for the kids. Two bathrooms. Full kitchen. Comparable accomodations at WDW would cost us $350-$400 per night.
-We have never been able to get up early enough to do EMH-M, and our kids will never stay up late enough to do EMH-E.


These are his concerns:
-It will just "feel" different.
-It will take a long time to get to and from the condo, making it difficult to take midday breaks with the kids.
-We will have to pay to park
-It won't have the beautiful theming, we'll just be staying in someone's apartment.
-We won't be able to get the dining plan

 

[TnTWalter]

LOL. Laughing at the Scarlet O.

We're trying offsite for the first time in June and I know how you feel.

But we're able to afford a week at the beach afterwards because of it!

We're also hoping to stay in Windsor Hills. Seems to be close and have nice amenities. And you can pick a place with theming if desired.

Good luck.

 

[shaunaday]

Sorry...I am not much help. I have never done offsite either, but our family of 5 could really use the extra space so I am pretty certain we are going to try it next time. I'll tell you what has really swayed me was this board and the reviews. If I were in your shoes I would print some of the posts in the thread titled "I am beginning to regret my decision" (or something like that) because the testimonials for offsite sure have convinced me!!

Good luck!

 

[chicagoshannon]

THe only time I've stayed onsite for an entire trip was on our honeymoon. The cost savings is so worth staying offsite.

The magic of arriving at the TTC and being able to ride over to the magic kingdom on a boat is so magical. You get to see the castle get closer and closer. Arriving there by bus isn't nearly as magical!

Traffic in the morning was never a big problem in the past. The only times we ever had issues was leaving the parks at closing, but you'd have that same problem waiting for hotel transportation.

I havent' been since 2004 and there was no dining plan back then so I can't really comment on that part of it but I bet you save a lot of money on food by not having the plan! We used to go to subway the night before and get subs and bring them to the parks with us for lunch. Then we'd usually get food when we left OR we'd have enough sandwhiches left for supper.

As far as paying to park that's a small amount compared to the savings of staying off site.

Honestly I"m a little worried about a mid- day break myself but if Windsor hills is as close as people say then it shouldn't be a problem. ONly problem will be having to most likely park farther way when you return. The onther option is to go see the Hall of Presidents, American adventure, or other dark theatre type show at the other parks at naptime.

 

[Brian Noble]

-It will just "feel" different.

This is true. And for some people it matters. A lot. He might just be oneo f those people.

-It will take a long time to get to and from the condo, making it difficult to take midday breaks with the kids.

If you choose well, it doesn't have too---there are several places that are just as close to the parks as, say, OKW. But, you have to choose well.

-We will have to pay to park

This is true. But, even adding $12 to what you are paying for your room, you are still ahead of the game (unless you typically stay in Value rooms.)

-It won't have the beautiful theming, we'll just be staying in someone's apartment.

Some of those homes are gorgeous. Others are, well, not. It's worth spending some time looking at pictures to see what you'd be getting.

-We won't be able to get the dining plan

True. We always seem to spend less on food than the dining plan costs, just eating what and where we like. But, if you normally would spend more than the plan, then you have to figure out how much more, and subtract that from your savings and see if it still works.

PS: The people wearing Scarlet O's aren't off-siters. They are Ohio State fans. They're not so bad, once you get to know them.

PPS: Most husbands, upon hearing that the kids will be sleeping in a different room, and that a door (that locks) separates you, are generally game.

 

[summermac]

Hey now!
"PS: The people wearing Scarlet O's aren't off-siters. They are Ohio State fans. They're not so bad, once you get to know them."

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

We'll be trying off-site for the first time ourselves, in June. It should be interesting. We'll do a week in BCV then a week in a house. A few thoughts:

If you're actually going Thanksgiving week, you might have problems with park capacity. They close the gates if they hit maximum capacity. On-site gives better park access on peak weeks.

If you look at a map, Windsor Hills is VERY close to AK, farther from MK (and everything else). WDW is a big place, you cna't be super close to everything. When places say "2 minutes to Disney" or whatever, they mean the closest boundary of WDW, NOT a particular park.

Obviously, you can't get the dining plan, but can save a ton of money making a few simple meals. I'm not talking even cooking--a few simple breakfasts, maybe sandwiches one day. Not to mention access to a ton of off-site (cheaper, more variety) restaurants, should you choose. You can bring or buy snacks, as well. With the money saved, you can "splurge" and just pay for food. Or not--your choice.

 

[cjnix29]

We are staying off site for the first time in April. Normally, we have been Disney resort snobs as well. But when I thought of the difference between staying in a value (which I do NOT like) on site, and the 1200 sq ft, two bedrooms I will get with my timeshare, with a fantastic pool....for me, the timeshare won out. We do have to figure in parking, but that is a small price to pay, if you ask me. We have done the dining plan in the past and have found that it doesn't work for us...we don't typically do a table service every day, and now, it doesn't include tip. We also do not like the rigidness it requires you in planning. We are more spontaneous than that. Being able to go back to the condo for a quick dinner, or stop at a different restaurant on the way home is a big value for us. Plus, we will be closer to the outlets, so cheaper souveniers! With the washer and dryer, we can pack less, so that means we can save on baggage fees, as well as be able to rent a smaller car. I am sure I will miss some of the Disney Magic....but some of the resorts do not do that for me anyway! But maybe we will like it better....who knows!
Good luck trying to convince him!

 

[sjanus]

If I were you, I would price it out both ways. Then I would make a list of pros and cons, and some on here have given you some already. Then see which ones DH can live with...you both must be happy and I certainly can see advantages and disadvantages both ways.

Definitely if you get a condo or house, look at each one individually, and choose one that will give you the wow effect and has extra amenities you can enjoy when coming home from the parks and in the morning before you go off for your busy day....and that way you won't miss staying on site so much. But, if you get a mediocre place, it may just be so--so, and the only advantage may be you saved some money.

This is your Disney trip and it only comes around every once in a while! Do your research, and I wish you the best ever! Let us know how it turns out....and whichever you go....how you enjoyed it when you get back!

Sandy

 

[JoanneNC]

Comments from Deluxe Snob who is also trying offsite for the 1st time in June. I am seeing a theme here by the way

Our 1st WDW stay was AKL Club Level as I tried to stay consistent with the perks we get when DH or I travel on business. While our stay was nice - 7 LONG nights in a small crammed hotel room with out 18 mth old and 6 year got old very quick.

Our next trip was seeking space so we did the Ft Wilderness Cabins and I tell ya - we had a BLAST and enjoyed every day there - even though it was during Tropical Fay and we were wet most of the time.

This time we are going with another family (of 6) and obviously any Disney onsite accommodations will get pricey for them. I was easily able to trade my timeshare into Orlando and got 2 3 bedroom units . While we won't eat anything but breaksfast in the townhouse - it will be nice to have the OPTION to use the fridge/microwave and definitely stoked about the washer and dryer that won't cost me $2.00 a load to wash and $2.00 a load to dry.

I am expecting this off site experience to be different and I am ok with that and want to try different

 

[horseshowmom]

Well, I'm starting to feel like the Bonnet Creek ambassador, but have you consdered it? I just got back from there, and it has now become my favorite place to stay. We had a 2Br/2Ba, but they also have 1, 3, and 4Br units. We watched the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom and Epcot from our balcony each night (request fireworks view, higher floor unit). You have to drive onto Disney property to get there, and it's next door to CBR and down the road from Downtown Disney. They have shuttles, but I would rather use my own car.

 

[Brian Noble]

If you're actually going Thanksgiving week, you might have problems with park capacity.

As far as I know, Thanksgiving typically doesn't see phased closures. Usually, this happens only during Christmas week, and maybe 4th of July and a few other times. Thanksgiving is "minor" in comparison.

 

[TnTWalter]

The magic of arriving at the TTC and being able to ride over to the magic kingdom on a boat is so magical. You get to see the castle get closer and closer. Arriving there by bus isn't nearly as magical!

OK...are you saying park at the TTC and then do the boat to MK? Is that what you do? Can I hijack wth question...do you do TTC then bus or boat or whtaever to all the parks or just MK? Trying to figure out best way to arrive to the parks since this is our first time with our car. We really LOVED Disney transporation.

Thanks.

Trish

 

[loveysbydesign]

The more I think about, the more I am convinced we should take the offsite plunge. But DH is just not wanting to let go. He's been drinking the Disney Kool-Aid and is convinced being an offsite guest is going to suck. I think he thinks they will make us wear a scarlett "O" on our chests so everyone knows our shame, lol. So I need you guys to help me convince him that we will still have a great time staying offsite.

Here's my side:
-We are driving to Orlando, so we will have a car. We are planning to drive to the parks even if we stay onsite because we will have 2 small kids and a double stroller. I don't want to deal with that on the buses.
-Our trip is for 7 nights Thanksgiving week. I can get a condo at Windsor Hills for $599 that week. A bedroom for us (with a KING bed!) and a separate room for the kids. Two bathrooms. Full kitchen. Comparable accomodations at WDW would cost us $350-$400 per night.
-We have never been able to get up early enough to do EMH-M, and our kids will never stay up late enough to do EMH-E.


These are his concerns:
-It will just "feel" different.
-It will take a long time to get to and from the condo, making it difficult to take midday breaks with the kids.
-We will have to pay to park
-It won't have the beautiful theming, we'll just be staying in someone's apartment.
-We won't be able to get the dining plan

We stayed at WH twice and loved it. First time was during May and it was very hot so we took breaks every day, our kids were 3 and 6. They loved riding the trams around the parking lot and taking the ferry and monorail to MK so breaks were fun for them. We could leave the park gates and be back at the condo within 15-20 minutes depending on which park we went to. It was so great having room to spread out in the condo and relax, plus having 2 bathrooms was AWESOME as my kids and dh always have to "go" at the same time. It was also great to be able to quick pop in the shower and cool down before heading back to the parks.
2nd time we went in Nov. and the weather was great and even though we added a 5 month old to the family mix we only took breaks about half of the days we went to the parks. Without the heat and humidity we were much less tired. As far as EMH and such go we actually avoid those parks on those days anyway due to crowds. We also loved the kitchen so we could have a healthy breakfast before hitting the parks, like waffles, cereal with fruit etc. We also packed sandwiches and bagels/crm.chz for the parks as by the end of the wk. we were all getting tired of Disney food. I had groceries delivered to the condo the night we arrived and it was awesome, they even put it in the fridge for you! Then I made a run to the Publix later in the wk. to stock up on milk, oj and stuff.
We chose a semi-disney themed condo the 1st time and Mickey's Safari the 2nd time. There are other condos that have even more "Disney" theming to them but they do cost more. HTH and have fun whatever you decide! LMK if you have any other questions!
No to be negative, but I forgot to mention that if you and your family are unfortunate enough to pick up the dreaded Disney stomach bug you will be so happy to have 2 bathrooms and a washer and dryer to use!

 

[mossy1]

I understand some of your concerns about the not being on property especially if you have never been off-site before. Let me take a moment to reassure you, that we have been off-site as well as on-site a few times now and in my opinion is off-site is just great!!! I never liked the whole bus thing and if you have a car it opens up a new side of Disney(Orlando) that a totally on-site stay seems to skip. I love it at Windsor Hills!!! I have never stayed at a condo but have stayed in the Townhouses and I must say they are very nice and it is sooo worth it just to have your own washer and dryer so laundry can be kept up to date. And then you can actually pack less!!!! The drive time to the parks is not that much maybe 15 minutes at most. Yes you do have to pay to park but that is a minimal expense compared to your over all trip price. Thats just my 2 cents, what ever you decide have a great vacation..

 

[Magical-Memories]

He will LOVE the space!

Our first trip as a family was 3 years ago...stayed at the Marriott Grand Vista. ABSOLUTELY LOVED it! (Very tempted to buy into their timeshare..but didn't.) We had so much room...including a washer/dryer!! The grounds were beautiful...my kids didn't want to leave. (And after I spent months and months as the Crazy Disney planner...I was so mad at them!! LOL.)

I didn't take the mid-day breaks...and even though we were closer to Sea World..it didnt' feel that far away to me.

We had to fly down...but we did stop at a grocery store to get some snacks/breakfast stuff with our rental car. That saved us a bundle. I love the Disney restaurants too..so I made a bunch of ADR's and went to the different resorts..and it was easy having our own car to do that with. If you have snacks and breakfast or light lunch/dinner stuff with you...it may work out better than being on the dining plan?

Last year my family went and our trip was mostly paid for..and we stayed at the Yacht Club...beautiful. But the Yacht Club room compared to the Marriott Grand Vista was almost a let down for our family!! I know, I know...that is probably not the norm. (For the price they charge, I found it needed a good refurb and the room wasn't that big...however..the hotel itself is beautiful!) Also, we didn't rent a car and relied solely on Disney transportation and we definitely prefer having a car. (This year we are going again, complements of my company, and staying at the Beach Club. We are going to rent a car.) Don't get me wrong..I really love staying onsite too..but If I were paying..I would do what you are considering )

The biggest drawback of saying off-site in a time-share/condo..is not having the daily maid service..well for me that is. LOL.

Good luck with whatever you choose I fell that both times were magical to us

 

[loveysbydesign]

As far as I know, Thanksgiving typically doesn't see phased closures. Usually, this happens only during Christmas week, and maybe 4th of July and a few other times. Thanksgiving is "minor" in comparison.

I agree. Last time we stayed there we flew home on Thanskgiving day...the parks were quite busy the days leading up to Thanksgiving but they weren't at capacity as far as we could tell.

 

[srwarden1928]

We drive to Orlando also. I would never choose to ride the busses either. And I would hate to miss the magic of the trip from the TTC to MK on the monorail. We have stayed offsite successfully.
I wouldnt personally choose a condo, but many offsite hotels are less than even the value hotels. Some offsite hotels are actually closer to the parks than some of the Disney hotels.
According to what I know, EMH is only good DURING the EMH. Other than that time, the EMH park is generally NOT recommended. As non-hoppers, we save the $50+tax each, so we naturally would avoid the EMH park whether we stayed on or off property.
Yes it will feel different. That is neither good nor bad, just different.
IMO, midday breaks OUT of the parks are a COMPLETE waste of time. If we want a break, we sit somewhere and have a cold drink or an ice cream and rest awhile.
Yes, you pay to park. But if you save enough on your room, that will cover the parking fee.
IMO the dining plan is a waste also. There is NO WAY we could eat that much food. Do you really eat dessert at BOTH lunch AND dinner EVERY day? We might share a dessert at two or three meals in a WEEK. And if you dont take full advantage of all the credits, you lose money with the dining plan. We prefer to do our meals OOP.
Yes you will give up the theming. There are advantages and disadvantages to everything, including staying onsite. As far as feeling like its someone's apartment, that is why I personally prefer a hotel to a condo. Hotels seem like a vacation to me. But as I said before, there are offsite hotels that are closer to the parks than some of the Disney hotels that are cheaper than the values even considering parking fees, not to mention the deluxes that the OP sounded like she wanted if staying onsite.

Offsite can be a magical vacation. It does have advantages. I hope your trip is wonderful and magical whatever you choose.

 

[loveysbydesign]

We drive to Orlando also. I would never choose to ride the busses either. And I would hate to miss the magic of the trip from the TTC to MK on the monorail. We have stayed offsite successfully.
I wouldnt personally choose a condo, but many offsite hotels are less than even the value hotels. Some offsite hotels are actually closer to the parks than some of the Disney hotels.
According to what I know, EMH is only good DURING the EMH. Other than that time, the EMH park is generally NOT recommended. As non-hoppers, we save the $50+tax each, so we naturally would avoid the EMH park whether we stayed on or off property.
Yes it will feel different. That is neither good nor bad, just different.
IMO, midday breaks OUT of the parks are a COMPLETE waste of time. If we want a break, we sit somewhere and have a cold drink or an ice cream and rest awhile.
Yes, you pay to park. But if you save enough on your room, that will cover the parking fee.
IMO the dining plan is a waste also. There is NO WAY we could eat that much food. Do you really eat dessert at BOTH lunch AND dinner EVERY day? We might share a dessert at two or three meals in a WEEK. And if you dont take full advantage of all the credits, you lose money with the dining plan. We prefer to do our meals OOP.
Yes you will give up the theming. There are advantages and disadvantages to everything, including staying onsite. As far as feeling like its someone's apartment, that is why I personally prefer a hotel to a condo. Hotels seem like a vacation to me. But as I said before, there are offsite hotels that are closer to the parks than some of the Disney hotels that are cheaper than the values even considering parking fees, not to mention the deluxes that the OP sounded like she wanted if staying onsite.

Offsite can be a magical vacation. It does have advantages. I hope your trip is wonderful and magical whatever you choose.

Breaks are necessary for some families, many children will have meltdowns if you try and keep them at the parks from open to close, depending on their temperments and the heat of the day. We had to take breaks from the heat or else I would get a migraine. The one day we tried to skip the break on our May trip I paid the price and was totally incapacitated for the rest of the day in the bedroom of our condo. My dh was not happy with me as I had kept insisting that we could stay the whole day and I'd be fine, I barely made it to the car before my migraine took over. It was horrible. I felt so bad for my kids but dh just took them to the pool at WH for the rest of the day and they were happy. Needless to say we took breaks the rest of the days when it was hot, except for AK as they closed at 5:00 anyway. I'm happy to say that my children were very well behaved when we were there and had NO meltdowns(I couldn't believe it), I think the breaks helped with that too! When we went in Nov. breaks weren't really necessary as the weather was great, no hot sweltering 90's for us, which we are used to as PA gets hotter and more humid then FL sometimes.

 

[aanderson5]

We have been an offsite family since the early 80's. My parents bought a timeshare at Vistana and now my DH and I own it. We love staying offsite. We have lots of room: two bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (one with a jacuzzi), full kitchen, living/dining room, balcony and washer and dryer. The resort has so many amenities (pools, tennis, mini golf, playgrounds, gym, arcade etc, etc) that you could spend the week there without even going to the parks. We are also close enough to the parks that going home for 3-4 hours has been no problem and I don't think it cost us any more time than it would if we were staying onsite (with the exception of the very closest hotels to the parks)

The only downside we see is we have never been thrilled with the restaurant choices there. But we eat and the many great restaurants in Orlando, Kissimee, Disney or we eat in the condo. So that is really a non issue.

For us it is not about the money. We like to do stuff outside of the parks (only go to Disney 2 or 3 days out of 7). We are very comfortable staying at a beautiful resort and get our fill of Disney at the parks.

All that said we are planning a short trip onsite in August so maybe my tune will change but I can't imagine it.