Help us decide!

[#1mom3kids]

We will be staying at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes at the beginning of our stay however we want to move closer to Disney or on the resort while we visit the parks. It is really worth the extra money and inconvenience of less space to stay at Disney? Or would the extra space, kitchen, wash/dryer, etc. at the Windsor Hills be a better place to stay? We are a family of five so it is hard to find a place that doesnt cost a fortune for us. We here that the disney transp. can be crowded and sometimes your own car can be better. Any opionions? Please help!

 

[mareed]

On this board, you'll probably get replies that it's not worth it to stay at Disney, but on the Disney Resorts board, I'm sure you'd get different replies.

For us, the Disney resorts are not worth it. We stay in a condo or home in the Windsor Palms area (in which I'd include Windsor Hills that you mentioned), or close to Downtown Disney (like Cypress Pointe). This is the only thing I'd consider for our trips with our children where we're staying for 10-12 days. We love having the extra bedroom/bathroom, and the kitchen for a quick breakfast in the mornings. Also like having the use of washer/dryer right there in our villa.

I have stayed on Disney property 3 times on trips without the kids (POR, POFQ, & Dolphin), but even then we drove ourselves to the parks almost all of the time because I do not like waiting for and then possibly standing on a bus. I'd much prefer to drive myself and know that I'll be able to immediately sit down in the car at the end of the day. I've had no trouble at all driving and parking at any of the parks, and much prefer it to riding a bus. I definitely would never consider riding a Disney bus with children & a stroller. That just seems like it would be miserable to me.

My opinion is to stick with Windsor Hills and use the money you've saved on accomodations for some nice meals!

 

[sammielynn]

I agree with all of the above. We always stay off site and the last two trips we stayed in condos. Love having the extra room We can all have some "me" time. Hate to say it but I like having a washer and dryer. When we come back from the parks we shower and all the stinky clothes from that day get washed, end of odor. Who would have thought I would love doing laundry on vacation