Help needed with accommodation choice

[saysib]

Hi guys. I'm looking for some seasoned Disney travellers advice please!

Short story is we originally booked 2 weeks at POR this December to travel with my mum and had planned a 3rd week ourselves after she left at an apartment. Monies for her got tight so we offered to switch to 1 wk onsite with 2 wks in a villa so she could still come. We booked our flights and upgraded to 1 week at AKL. Super excited as thats our favourite resort.

Fast forward and mum said she would prefer to stay onsite but could probably only afford 1 week and at a moderate as we booked with free dining.

We have repriced and 3 weeks at AKL is way over budget. 3 weeks at POR is at the very top of our budget. I dont really want to loose the free dining so dont want to drop to a value resort. We've never stayed in a villa before but as we are travelling with a 9 and almost 4 year old, i worry that 3 weeks in a hotel will be to stressful.

Does anyone have experience of a split stay like this? Will i regret a villa after being onsite? Would you push your budget to stay 3 full weeks onsite instead? Any help or advice appreciated x

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

We have done split stays quite a few times and although I love staying onsite at WDW, I also love the extra room (and washer/dryer) in our condo or Townhome offsite. We stayed at CSR in July last year and then moved offsite to Windsor Hills for for just over 2 weeks.

 

[saysib]

We have done split stays quite a few times and although I love staying onsite at WDW, I also love the extra room (and washer/dryer) in our condo or Townhome offsite. We stayed at CSR in July last year and then moved offsite to Windsor Hills for for just over 2 weeks.

Thanks for your reply. Its Windsor Hills we are looking at too. The place looks wonderful. Is it as good as it looks?

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

It is a community and not a resort like the Vistana or WBC. The units are individually owned so standards can vary. There are condos, Townhomes and villas at WH. There is a manned security gate, clubhouse, small sundry shop, tennis courts and playgrounds. We have stayed there 5 times and have booked to go again at Christmas, as I mentioned, I like the space and being able to relax a bit.

The drive to WDW is easy, and there are plenty of restaurants nearby, a Publix and Super Target for groceries.

Everyone is different, we enjoy being offsite but other don't like being out of the 'bubble'.

 

[NatalieMT]

It depends what you personally like I think - back in 2013 we did a split stay, week onsite and a week offsite in a villa and it was just too much hassle for me. Haven't stayed offsite since and probably wouldn't again, but that's just me. I don't drive, so was relying on other people to do it all, didn't like having to get from the parking lots to the parks and I just didn't feel like I got my full Disney experience. I like to be immersed in it but not everyone does.

Good things about the villa was yes there was a lot more space, if you are going with a few other family members it can be nice to all have your own rooms and a chance to have your own quiet time etc without being on top of each other, also nice to be able to rent a villa with your own pool and although I wouldn't necessarily rent a villa again it was nice to have had that experience, you have to try it to find out if you love it or not. Having the car also meant it was easier to take trips to Walmart and Universal but we just rent a car for a couple of days at Disney now.

In terms of budget, I wouldn't push it to the point of not being able to afford it, I need to have a good time without stressing - if a villa is more suited to your budget then try it!

 

[Shanti]

I can't even begin to imagine paying for 3 weeks at a Disney resort. By all means, stay offsite.

 

[loves to dive]

Is it possible to get a room only discount without the free dining? Sometimes you come out much better that way, that might make 3 weeks at a moderate doable. I'm assuming the free dining was something just offered to UK since it's not available here so maybe they aren't offering room discounts.

 

[Elise79]

Is it just you, your mum and the two children? If so a hotel could be ok but if you've got a husband/partner then I'd say no or is your mum with you only for a week?

Personally, we like a bit of space but others are happy to be in a hotel room for three weeks as they only go back to change & sleep.

 

[Karenpowley]

Hi, We're going next July.. and decided this is the best for us...first 6 nights at Disney (with free dining) then a week at Windsor Hills villa, then last 2 nights at HRH Universal.

This really suits us..as it means we get MDE...free dining...don't need car hire until villa then last 2 nights at Universal with FOLP...we love doing it this way. DH likes a beer in the evening, so first 6 nights no problem as not driving...villa week, just wait until we get back, relax and pool time and HRH is again walking distance to parks and nightlife. We love doing it this way as we feel we get the best of everything....we do love our villa week though!

 

[wayneg]

We have had had good holidays onsite and offsite, makes no difference to me.
Stayed once at Windsor Hills, it was OK but nothing special. Much prefer Wyndham Bonnet Creek, stayed there twice and wouldn't hesitate to stay again. Go thru Ken & Denise @ Vacation Upgrades for best prices.

 

[MrsIncredible1974]

I'm also considering a split site stay for Aug 2017 and although I know exactly where I want to stay on-site (POR with an DDP upgrade), I've no idea where to start for off-site although I'm off to look at Wyndham Bonnet Creek based on the post above.
Part of the decision making comes down to the fact that we would love to do Disney and Universal in the same holiday and I know that once we're in the magic, leaving is nigh on impossible!
We're going package, I know that Jetsave will do split site so looking for recommendations for somewhere on I-Drive. We'll have a hire car as part of the package.
Thanks x