Here's a Strategy....Relax!

[BudgieMama]

Great post.

Interesting too- my DH and I are talking about whether it would be possible to make future trips to WDW after our first one this summer. Unless there's some crazy magic, I doubt he's going to want to visit again, but he likes the idea of Florida. We've already discussed whether we go back (either onsite or offsite), I do Disney and he goes wherever he likes further afield... Good to know that might work!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Sounds like you paid book price on SSR. Try renting from DVC owner you'll save money then you can stay on property.

Stayed in values many times and as long as your on property you get all those extras like EMH and dining plan (sometimes) free parking and just all that WDW Magic. No off site property can compare. It's not just a vacation it's a DISNEY vacation

Oh Wilderness, I wouldn't stay on property even if the cost were the same. That's where you and I differ greatly . I didn't "pay" book price for SSR, but I did look it up (usually when people tend to say that the extra costs of staying offsite, like parking, negate any savings, which I have just shown is simply not true unless you are comparing motel-style accommodations to the Disney values). From David's Points Rental, the same room (2 bed, 2 bath) at SSR is whoppingly discounted at $538 per night for our dates. Still not seeing where the savings is? I am quite sure that renting points from ANY source will NEVER get that room down to $125 per night, or less.

Before you say "well the villas are often listed at 30% off during special promotions", that would bring the cost down to $500 per night. My math still shows that as being excessively more expensive than a similar size and style of villa at an offsite property.

"No offsite property can compare"? Our family would say you are correct . The Disney resorts just can't keep up to what's available elsewhere. But that's just my opinion, and my opinion doesn't necessarily be shared by others (like I don't share yours).

I have stayed onsite (for our first Orlando trip, in fact) and can see where people can think that its the only option for a Disney vacation, and why it works for some families. We are definitely the anomalies on this board by not finding value and savings in things like the dining plan, either. If the numbers don't jive, the numbers don't jive. I can totally see people saying "I'm willing to pay more for the feeling I get, or the ambiance" or whatever....but to say its LESS expensive to stay onsite just isn't factual.

"Magic" is found in different places by different families. Disney dining, Disney transportation, and Disney resorts don't hold an appeal for some. If my teen DS and snoring DH had to sleep in the same room for a two week vacation (or for even one night) and we all had to share one tiny bathroom, let me tell ya.....the magic would dissipate quickly.

I am truly glad the OP has found a vacation style that works for her (but its definitely not the style that works for all). That's one of the many things I love about Orlando in general.....it offers so many options for every family.

 

[RayRay13]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who's husband would rather stay home. He just doesn't like amusement parks. I'm not going to drag him. I also want to say that I have never lied to or hidden from my husband about the costs. It more like don't ask, don't tell. I handle our finances and make half of our income and do not need permission to spend as I see fit.

 

[Rebekkap]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who's husband would rather stay home. He just doesn't like amusement parks. I'm not going to drag him. I also want to say that I have never lied to or hidden from my husband about the costs. It more like don't ask, don't tell. I handle our finances and make half of our income and do not need permission to spend as I see fit.

Yes, agree completely - we discuss finance for the real life stuff, like house and car and bills. We don't discuss our leisure spending really. Why should I have to justify what I spend when I earn it, and it's not coming out of our household budget?

But then again, we don't even have a joint bank account, so we're probably not a typical couple.

 

[RayRay13]

Yes, agree completely - we discuss finance for the real life stuff, like house and car and bills. We don't discuss our leisure spending really. Why should I have to justify what I spend when I earn it, and it's not coming out of our household budget? But then again, we don't even have a joint bank account, so we're probably not a typical couple.

That's exactly how we both feel. We do have a joint account but we pay our bills, save for retirement, have an emergency fund and joint savings. The rest is our "allowance".

 

[RayRay13]

I'm with you. Actually by being able to plan your fast passes ahead of time and have your meal reservations ready to go I think it allows more time for the magic to happen! Remember when we had to cut out an hour and half to get a good spot for a parade--FP for a great spot. And I don't know what was up with this guy rushing around other than it being his own fault for either not giving himself enough time to get where he needed to go or scheduling things way too tight. Either way, the a magic is up to us and what we are open too. The minute we say it's not there anymore......well it won't be. Disney gives us the tools to believe---it's up to us on how we do so!!

 

[5Hfan]

sorry I don't think "relax" is a helpful touring strategy. We are a family of 5, so many onsite rooms aren't available to us, and the price difference for when my husband can take leave is over $300 a night...far more than parking. We stay "onsite" at SOG and get EMH, but are considered "offsite" for parking and fastpass+. So I need a more effective strategy than "relax" when it comes to rope dropping the park and instead of getting on rides with no line now, instead we will be lined up at kiosks trying to get fast passes that others booked months in advance, if there are any left. And I don't think telling my kids that they can either wait in line for hours on end or only ride space mountain once is relaxing either...

 

[CaraBoo]

Wow! I'm finding it REALLY difficult to ignore the super snarky comment on the previous page but since OP responded with such a graceful reply I'm going to bite my tongue. I don't understand why people even bother to make negative comments on other people's post


The beauty of Disney "magic" is that it's different for everyone. We are all entitled to our own opinions about what is magical and what is not. Personally, I think Disney was much more magical before fast pass, the dining plan, and ADRs but I still find a way to ignore those things and enjoy my time with my family the way I want to and not the way somebody else tells me I should. It shouldn't matter how you get there or where you are staying…what matters is how happy you are while you are there

 

[ConvenientTruth]

Disney is different for everyone....

Those that are one the once and a lifetime trip are going to experience it differently then those that go every year.

I do like the advice of RELAX, but relaxation for some is different then others. There are people who enjoy trying to see everything and do everything, even if it means rushing from one place to another. There are others who like to take it slow and soak everything in. In the end, people should do THEIR vacation....it is great to come to this site and get tips and ideas from experienced Disney travelers, but they can't let them dictate their vacation. If you are a planner, then plan, if you are not comfortable planning every day then don't, you have to be comfortable with what you do.

 

[totallytigger]

sorry I don't think "relax" is a helpful touring strategy. We are a family of 5, so many onsite rooms aren't available to us, and the price difference for when my husband can take leave is over $300 a night...far more than parking. We stay "onsite" at SOG and get EMH, but are considered "offsite" for parking and fastpass+. So I need a more effective strategy than "relax" when it comes to rope dropping the park and instead of getting on rides with no line now, instead we will be lined up at kiosks trying to get fast passes that others booked months in advance, if there are any left. And I don't think telling my kids that they can either wait in line for hours on end or only ride space mountain once is relaxing either...

Have you checked into staying at Ft Wilderness cabins using the military room discount? It will still cost a little more than SOG, but they have kitchens and all of the on-site benefits. We stayed in one this past Dec and LOVED it. The fort is a great place for families too. We brought some groceries for breakfast and a couple of meals--which saved us some money.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

sorry I don't think "relax" is a helpful touring strategy. We are a family of 5, so many onsite rooms aren't available to us, and the price difference for when my husband can take leave is over $300 a night...far more than parking. We stay "onsite" at SOG and get EMH, but are considered "offsite" for parking and fastpass+. So I need a more effective strategy than "relax" when it comes to rope dropping the park and instead of getting on rides with no line now, instead we will be lined up at kiosks trying to get fast passes that others booked months in advance, if there are any left. And I don't think telling my kids that they can either wait in line for hours on end or only ride space mountain once is relaxing either...

I think its more of a "relax, you can't change it, so there's no use getting worked up about it" message rather than a "relax, its your vacation!" message. There isn't much true "relaxing" for a WDW vacation these days, when dining reservations have to be scheduled in advance, Fastpasses have to be scheduled in advance, you have to be at rope drop to avoid the crowds, etc.

 

[RayRay13]

Yeah, my post was not a directive, it's how I make it work for me and my kids in our situation. The take away that I intended was that if I stay calm and happy, my kids will be calm and happy. If it's stressful, I feel like we are wasting our money no matter if we spend a lot or a little. If my style doesn't apply, you are free to let it fly.

 

[RayRay13]

I think its more of a "relax, you can't change it, so there's no use getting worked up about it" message rather than a "relax, its your vacation!" message. There isn't much true "relaxing" for a WDW vacation these days, when dining reservations have to be scheduled in advance, Fastpasses have to be scheduled in advance, you have to be at rope drop to avoid the crowds, etc.

Yes!

 

[ConvenientTruth]

Have you checked into staying at Ft Wilderness cabins using the military room discount? It will still cost a little more than SOG, but they have kitchens and all of the on-site benefits. We stayed in one this past Dec and LOVED it. The fort is a great place for families too. We brought some groceries for breakfast and a couple of meals--which saved us some money.

Love Fort Wilderness in general....

The camp fire, the pool area, outdoor activities, fireworks on the beach...

Great place if you like the outdoors...

 

[5Hfan]

isn't this the Theme Park Attractions and Strategies Board?

OP is relaxed because she got her fastpass+ scheduled. I'd like tips on the best strategy to get them scheduled same day, not be told to relax because I'm not getting any???

 

[RayRay13]

isn't this the Theme Park Attractions and Strategies Board? OP is relaxed because she got her fastpass+ scheduled. I'd like tips on the best strategy to get them scheduled same day, not be told to relax because I'm not getting any???

Then read the other million posts with a variety of strategies for all types of vacations.

 

[ConvenientTruth]

isn't this the Theme Park Attractions and Strategies Board?

OP is relaxed because she got her fastpass+ scheduled. I'd like tips on the best strategy to get them scheduled same day, not be told to relax because I'm not getting any???

Maybe then avoid the thread instead of trying to make some point....

As far as a previous post...you can stay on-site with 5 people for under 3 bills in peak season at POR...

 

[nugov2]

The savings might be negligible if you are willing to stay in the cheapest value resort room. But if comparing apples to apples, for what many folks enjoy offsite versus similar space and amenities onsite, the savings can be enormous.

Exactly, we would never cram into a motel for a week, no magic in that(for us anyway). We also were back to our beautiful home faster than the wait was just to get on a bus. We used valet at the resort closest and it worked well. Planned our meals at that resort as well, but I am a big believer in everyone having different needs. Some won't go if they had to stay off site, but some wouldn't go and stay in a value. It is why there is such a huge variety of options.

I would be very stressed/have no magic by vacationing while I had an overdrawn bank account though

 

[Dorisk3]

Say what you want, planning for Disney (as well as going) is not a relaxing situation.

A relaxing vacation is a cruise for example, where you make the original reservation, possible air fare and then you just show up and enjoy. You don't need to get up at 6 am and plan where you will eat 6 months from now like I had the pleasure of doing this morning.

All I'm saying is that the planning necessary has become a bit of a drag, and now with fast pass plus, its even more so. I can't listen to that podcast (without trying to stick a knife in my ear) , so I'll admit I don't know what their opinions were, but I'm not going to blame people who say the magic is a bit ruined for them.

 

[RayRay13]

Maybe then avoid the thread instead of trying to make some point...