Help me Decide!

[pinkgirlmommy]

I posted this as a reply in another thread, but realized I would be better off posting it here. Help me decide to stay on property or off! I am on a budget and only have 2 more days to make a decision about going at Christmas and staying on property w/ free dining or staying off property! I am having a hard time justifying staying off property because it really is not that much cheaper, so any advice would be appreciated! If we stay at POP 5 nights and do free dining and 2 day park hopper passes, it will be $2068.88 for the 4 of us. If we stay at the Best Western Lake Buena Vista, it will be $540 + resort fee of $70 + 2 day park hopper ticket ($1037.80), so $1647.80. We weren't planning on renting a car, but if we stay at the Best Western Lake Buena Vista will we need to, or are the shuttles free? I checked all of the other suggestions that are closest to Disney on Undercover Tourist and other sites, and they all end up being more, so this is the least expensive option. I have to decide if 4 people will spend $421.08 for lunch and dinner for our 5 days. I thought it would be so much more staying on site, but in this case it is not. What are some other reasons that I might want to stay on site versus the Best Western? I know everyone says convenience, but if we have to take a shuttle/bus for both, is there really much difference? We do not plan on bringing a lot of food since we will be at the parks and resort mostly. We could rent a car instead of using the shuttle, but then there is that cost, so I am planning on using shuttle/buses for both resorts. We are looking at going 12/17 or 12/18 and going to the Christmas party- that is why we are only doing 2 days passes. Any other suggestions are appreciated as well.

 

[HopperFan]

The shuttle to the parks is free but you would have to pay to get yourself from the airport to the hotel and back so add that cost in. For $400 difference divided by 4 people = $100 divided by 5 days = $40 a day to eat. I assume you have the QSDP so that is two meals and a snack each day. Entree, drink, dessert and the snack, you will probably come out even or ahead with POP food wise and you will have free airport transport. And your shuttle will be better onsite. In this instance I would book POP.

 

[Kirk]

On property is soooo worth it!

 

[artemis4]

I'm all about offsite because we have a larger family, but you have that magic number of 4 that works well in an onsite room. The deciding factor for me, though, is transportation. If you aren't going to rent a car, I say stay onsite. I wouldn't consider staying offsite without a vehicle.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

For such a small price difference, I'd stay onsite. We're a family of 5-6 (depending) so onsite doesn't work for us.

 

[pinkgirlmommy]

I'm all about offsite because we have a larger family, but you have that magic number of 4 that works well in an onsite room. The deciding factor for me, though, is transportation. If you aren't going to rent a car, I say stay onsite. I wouldn't consider staying offsite without a vehicle.

Good point! Of course, if we rent a car, that would be another added expense, but I am tempted because we were very frustrated on our first trip with the time we spent waiting for the buses at CBR and walking to/from the buses from the parks and our resorts and waiting in line. We were always the furthest bus stop, furthest room from the bus even with a room request, and last people to get on and off the bus. I was going crazy! I am very tempted to rent a car. But then we would have to pay for parking, too, correct? I am having a hard time deciding! If we could only afford a monorail resort!

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Good point! Of course, if we rent a car, that would be another added expense, but I am tempted because we were very frustrated on our first trip with the time we spent waiting for the buses at CBR and walking to/from the buses from the parks and our resorts and waiting in line. We were always the furthest bus stop, furthest room from the bus even with a room request, and last people to get on and off the bus. I was going crazy! I am very tempted to rent a car. But then we would have to pay for parking, too, correct? I am having a hard time deciding! If we could only afford a monorail resort!

Parking would be free if you stay onsite.

 

[artemis4]

The situation you describe of long waits is a big part of why I wouldn't even do onsite without a car. Even short rides on buses make me carsick, plus driving and parking isn't a big deal for my family.

Yes, you would have to add in parking costs and rental costs if you are offsite. Your situation is one that offsite in a value could be less expensive than offsite, especially with the free dining benefit.