Help pricing onsite vs. offsite scenarios?

[mrsklamc]

Off site has always been a no-brainer for us cost wise, but there are so many factors for our next trip I am looking for some help! I think have been looking at options so long, I just need some folks to look at it with fresh eyes. Things that make it complicated?

Our party is so large that we will need two cars, so parking= $28 per day.
Free dining has not been offered when we've traveled before, but there is also the gift card offer to consider. One set of people will be driving and the other will be flying, so if we stay offsite, we will need to rent one van or minivan.

Approximate travel dates are January 16th-23 and our party would include DH and I, DSis and her DH, and their five kids, 3 under 3, plus possibly an aunt and two more kids.

Offsite we would stay at Windsor Hills. Onsite, I am open to options.

 

[cjnix29]

I'm not going to be much help in the pricing...but wanted you to check out the transportation board, and mousesavers where there is a special going on minivan rentals. It always seems like a better deal to take the free dining if you are staying at a value resort, and maybe a moderate. If you are looking at deluxe, the room discount is usually better. The savings at Windsor Hills has to be more than the cost of parking and the rental car. Which it likely is, with so many people. You will have atleast three rooms. A benefit to consider as well....is at Windsor Hills, will you all be in one unit? Sometimes having your own hotel room to go back to with that much family is worth the extra cost. (well, atleast in my family!) To me, the gift card probably isn't going to be worth it to you take that deal. You would be giving up the cost of "free" dining or a room discount. For the number of people you have, the free dining would be better for sure of those two offers. Happy planning!

 

[mrsklamc]

Yeah, I've done some more looking and I still think WH is going to be our best bet. I was thinking I needed to rerun the numbers, for example look into the cabins at FW and such...but I think we still come out ahead doing WH. Unless I get a really good pin...are you listening, WDW?

 

[Debbie Jean]

Yeah, I've done some more looking and I still think WH is going to be our best bet. I was thinking I needed to rerun the numbers, for example look into the cabins at FW and such...but I think we still come out ahead doing WH. Unless I get a really good pin...are you listening, WDW?

There is a room only discount that covers your dates... it prices out 1 Wilderness Cabin at $2,634. With your group you would need 2 cabins but you would be on property and have a full kitchen. Check out the WDW website under specials.

Not as good as a pin, but not bad... averages about $200 a night.

 

[moongirl]

I have also priced out many options for 2 families of 4 plus a grandmother and have gotten great recommendations for the couple that owns houses in Windsor Hills and one in Windsor Palms. Their website is http://romancingthemouse.com

For your dates, it looks like the price is about $1200 for the week. This would include their 6 bedroom house which is available that week. They prefer Sat to Sat for the best rate but would probably work with you on that(?). I don't see how you can beat that rate for your entire party's housing at Disney even with the extra parking and car rental costs.

We often do family trips together and love to rent a house. That way we can all be together and be relaxing together hanging out by the pool or we can retreat to our own rooms and relax in privacy. Also, with the ages of the children, having a washer and dryer and refrigerator with whatever food the kids like would be awesome!

 

[At World's End]

Are any of the kids in Kindergarten or older? It might be worth it to look into the YES program. If they have classes during your dates, you could save some money on tickets. If they offer open enrollment in January like last year, you could get discounted tickets for everyone in your group. If there is NO open enrollment, you might still be able to get into a class and you would get discounted tickets for the student plus one adult per student.

This would save alot of money if you stay offsite. But I think the free dining offer requires you to buy tickets with your package.

We had 8 adults and 2 kids in a 5 br/4.5 ba house and there was plenty of room. Each couple had a master suite, and the kids shared a room. We had 3 living areas to hang out in, plus the pool area. It was great.

 

[cbg1027]

I would look in to renting points from a DVC member. You can get a very substantial discount over the rack rates, and as an onsite guest, you won't have to pay for parking fees, and you have the option of using the Disney buses.
I don't know what the Windsor Hills rates are like, but a Grand Villa (3 bedrooms) at OKW for your dates would be about $3490 if you rented for $10 a point.

 

[mrsklamc]

I would look in to renting points from a DVC member. You can get a very substantial discount over the rack rates, and as an onsite guest, you won't have to pay for parking fees, and you have the option of using the Disney buses.
I don't know what the Windsor Hills rates are like, but a Grand Villa (3 bedrooms) at OKW for your dates would be about $3490 if you rented for $10 a point.

I wish...unfortunately that rate for romancing the mouse is all inclusive of tax, and everything! So no real comparison. I have, before, gotten PINs for both a reduced room rate AND free dining so something like that is probably my only shot.

 

[Debbie Jean]

I wish...unfortunately that rate for romancing the mouse is all inclusive of tax, and everything! So no real comparison. I have, before, gotten PINs for both a reduced room rate AND free dining so something like that is probably my only shot.

Wow, what a great offer! Doesn't seem likely you would get it again, but who knows, right? I'll send you some pixie dust Windosr Palms looks like a great alternative, though, so I'm sure whichever you choose, you'll have a wonderful trip

 

[DreadpiratK]

I can't speak to your specific situation, but just for comparisons sake, my son had to do an personal management project for his Eagle scout on budgeting for a big purchase, and he did his on our upcoming Disney trip. The long and short of it was that planning through the Disney website for our dates and people, just hotel and tickets the cheapest was $10,300 The same two week trip, resort and tickets as we are doing it comes to $2200. Now there's lots of caveats to that, such as we are getting the super YES ticket deal for Homeschool days, and that's without doing the leg work to get additional discounts on an on-site stay, even so the price comparison is stark.

There's just no getting around the fact the off site is a LOT cheaper in most situations. There are certainly big perks to staying on site of course, but from a strictly budget standpoint off site is the way to go.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I have to second the "shout out" for Romancing the Mouse--we've stayed with them twice so far, and are already booked for 2 weeks next summer.

As to the OP--I've found that the larger the party, the greater the savings by staying offsite. Especailly looking at the group you have going, the extra space and bedrooms would be really handy, as well--think of those little guys going to bed early, while the older kids and adults can relax by the pool, maybe enjoy a cocktail, hop in the hot tub, etc.

Another thought might be two townhouses or condos, which can be 2-3 bedrooms in each. Personally, we like the houses with the private pool, but with toddlers, a parent might be more comfortable NOT having that so close. And of course, there are safety gates and so forth, I'm jsut thinking with all those people, it really depends on how everyone is, you know?

I hope it works out for you, and I'm sure you'll have a great time, regardless of where you end up.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Are any of the kids in Kindergarten or older? It might be worth it to look into the YES program. If they have classes during your dates, you could save some money on tickets. If they offer open enrollment in January like last year, you could get discounted tickets for everyone in your group. If there is NO open enrollment, you might still be able to get into a class and you would get discounted tickets for the student plus one adult per student.

This would save alot of money if you stay offsite. But I think the free dining offer requires you to buy tickets with your package.

We had 8 adults and 2 kids in a 5 br/4.5 ba house and there was plenty of room. Each couple had a master suite, and the kids shared a room. We had 3 living areas to hang out in, plus the pool area. It was great.

What is the YES program?