How Important is Staying Onsite During Holiday Season??

[Julia M]

I just talked dh into a trip to WDW next December (I still can't believe it)

i just booked a room at the Poly for 10 nights, at $258 per night. Since we usually stay off site, that's a HUGE amount of money. In the past, we have enjoyed staying off site, as we really like the space in a 2 bedroom condo. ALso, we will rent a car, regardless.

So, my question is, is it that important, staying on site, during a very busy season?

I know we can exchange our timeshare pretty easily, and stay somewhere nice. On the other hand, dh would like to stay at the Poly. We can't split our stay, because the room rates go from value season to holiday season two nights after we arrive, which really inflates the price!!

Our kids aren't that little anymore (they will be 13, 11 and 8 on this trip), so we don't need a monorail resort for that reason. On the other hand, we have stayed Port Orleans in the past, and that is not an option for me (just too small for 5)

So, any thoughts about staying onsite during a very busy season would be appreciated.

Julia

 

[cranbiz]

It is worth staying onsite. EMH, not being shut out of the parks if they are full (will happen on NYE)

The themeing and the CM's that make a most magical experience.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I switch back and forth but I have to say that during those times when Disney has something really special going in the parks I'd rather stay on site. I was going to say why don't you rent points and stay in a home away from home (Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, Beach Club, Boardwalk and Wilderness Lodge). That way you get the best of both worlds. Due to the ages of your kids you'd need a 2 bedroom. But it would be a lot more than 258 per night whether you rented privately or from Disney.

PS. On the other hand you are there ten whole days. For that amount of time you could choose to split onsite and offsite...depending on how your vacation falls.

 

[Julia M]

PS. On the other hand you are there ten whole days. For that amount of time you could choose to split onsite and offsite...depending on how your vacation falls.

Well, I thought about splitting onsite and off site. The problem is that if I stay off site for a few nights and then move onsite, my room rate goes up significantly (like from $287, including tax, to $459!!)

So, if I stay off site for $100 for 5 nights, that's $500, plus 5 nights at $459, it's $2296, for a total of $2709, which is essentiall the same price as the Poly for 10 nights.

If I stay at the Poly for the first 5 nights, and then go off site for 5 nights, I save around $1000. But, I'm afraid that going off site will be a big let down, and it's the last 5 nights of our trip when WDW will be the busiest!

Julia

 

[erinz]

If you can afford it, I'd stay at the Poly the whole time.

 

[swilphil]

I have stayed offsite during Christmas Week, and it was awful--traffic, not being able to get into parks, the parking lots, the traffic in the parking lots. I would definitely stay at either a monorail or an Epcot area resort Christmas week. If you must save some money, split between the Poly and two rooms at Pop, but try to stay at the deluxe for as many nights as possible.

 

[Mymatisse]

Maybe I missed in your post but what part of Dec. are you traveling. The entire month of Dec. is not busy. If you are traveling within the first few weeks of Dec. it may actually be not too bad. It's really the weeks leading up to Christmas and the time between Christmas and New Years that are an absolute nightmare.

I would do some research on crowd levels the week you're going. That may help determine where you stay.

 

[spiceycat]

what exchange club are you using?

if II - then guess what you might get a DVC resort. Now there aren't many 2-bedrooms - but there are quite a few 1-bedrooms.

if RCI - then what is the resort, where is it located, is it a nice resort?

would a DVC member consider doing a direct exchange with you (you don't have to pay an exchange company nor DVC)

here are the DVC resorts - OKW, SSR, VWL, BWV, BCV.

BWV and BCV are within walking/boating distance of Studios and Epcot.
VWL is boating distance to the MK.
SSR and OKW is boating/walking distance to DD.

 

[spiceycat]

if you belong to II - then go join tug - it will cost you $15 - but then you get access to the sights/distress exchanges - a very nice and sweet person is constantly looking for DVC resorts and has posted several.

 

[Del]

I just talked dh into a trip to WDW next December (I still can't believe it)

i just booked a room at the Poly for 10 nights, at $258 per night. Since we usually stay off site, that's a HUGE amount of money. In the past, we have enjoyed staying off site, as we really like the space in a 2 bedroom condo. ALso, we will rent a car, regardless.

So, my question is, is it that important, staying on site, during a very busy season?

I know we can exchange our timeshare pretty easily, and stay somewhere nice. On the other hand, dh would like to stay at the Poly. We can't split our stay, because the room rates go from value season to holiday season two nights after we arrive, which really inflates the price!!

Our kids aren't that little anymore (they will be 13, 11 and 8 on this trip), so we don't need a monorail resort for that reason. On the other hand, we have stayed Port Orleans in the past, and that is not an option for me (just too small for 5)

So, any thoughts about staying onsite during a very busy season would be appreciated.

Julia

We stayed at the Vistana Resort last week in a 2 bed. suite during the holidays. It cost $140. I have stayed on the Monorail before during the holidays. Been there, done that. I don't feel like we missed a thing by staying offsitem, except for saving money. My kids are 8 and 5. They love the CR but they loved this place as well. Good luck!

 

[Julia M]

Our tentative dates are December 17-27. We would maybe leave one day earlier, on the 26th, but as we have to travel across counry, we thought the 27th might be better.

We did stay on site, at PO in 2001. We also stayed at AKL last August. Both times we stayed on site just a couple of days, and then moved to our timeshare (Vistana, Marriott Grand Vista and Orange Lake COuntry Club are where we've stayed)

I really hate to give up the space, but I am worried about it being so crowded, and getting stuck in traffic going back and forth. I am also wondering if we should use the early admission offered to resort guests. Those are the main reasons for staying on site.

julia

 

[Del]

I understand your concern of traffic---we hit none from Vistana to parks---but you're going high busy time. Early Entry---How early are you really going to get up? Would it work better to hit a different park at opening while Early Entry is going on somewhere else? Not trying to confuse you---just trying to present you with some scenerios. If my kids were good at sleeping in the same bed and if money wasn't an option this past trip, I would have went back to CR --no doubts at all. Good luck!!

Del

 

[Hieatt]

Not to confuse you even more, but I would strongly consider an Epcot resort area deluxe resort. I love the Monorail resorts, but aside from convenience to the MK, they don't offer that much. Especially given that you are staying 10 nights and will likely be spending time NOT going to parks, being able to stroll the Boardwalk, rent surrey bikes, watch entertainers, go to different restaurants, etc. is really great. And you still have super fast, easy access to 2 parks - Epcot and MGM. And, if you watch, my bet is that you could get a discounted Jr. Suite (AAA, Entertainment or Annual Passholder rate) at the Swan or Dolphin for little more than what you will pay at the Poly. The Jr. Suites at the Dolphin sleep 6 and are as big as two standard hotel rooms (in fact, they essentially are two connected standard hotel rooms).

 

[Grumpy92]

I think you will find the benefit of EE worth it, plus the holiday surroundings. The parks also have a tendency to fill to capacity on the days surrounding xmas. So your chances of getting in the parks drastically increases. Not to mention we use the EE to our benefit. We go early then about lunch time stop for a meal or return to the hotel for lunch, a nap or swim. THen we go back to the park in the evening. It makes it seem less stressful and more enjoyable.

Have you thought about a Wilderness cabin or a DVC resort. You seem concerned about the loss of space. If you want a kitchen and Lr this might be a better option.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Julia, I can understand your quandry. This past Sept. we stayed at Vistana. WOW! I would hate to give up that place. We walked in and looked around and couldn't believe how we had scored! I turned around and my DH was bowing to me! lol We would love to go back next December but it would be the first week in Dec..

So.........being that you are there for the busiest time, I would choose on-site. Maybe the Christmas decorations can make up for all of the space you'll be giving up. lol

 

[spiceycat]

okay I am confused - Marriott's Grande Vista is a II only resort, Orange Lake is only a RCI resort - Sheraton Vistana is both - so which do you belong too?

 

[Julia M]

okay I am confused - Marriott's Grande Vista is a II only resort, Orange Lake is only a RCI resort - Sheraton Vistana is both - so which do you belong too?

Well Pat, I belong to RCI, but my parents belong to both. So when we went to Grand Vista, my parents exchanged their Marriott Newport Beach and somewhere else (don't remember) to get 3 places at Grand Vista for my extended family.

Actually, I can belong to II also, as one of my resorts is dual affiliated. However, it's an extremely small resort and has limited availability, so doesn't trade well in II. But, because it's on the beach in San Diego, it trades awesome in RCI.

I have considered a Wilderness home, but I'm wondering if we will like Fort Wilderness for an extended stay.

I also considered the Epcot resorts, but dh isn't enthralled with the idea of any of them. I hadn't considered the Dolphin, but maybe I should. If you stay at teh Swan or Dolphin you get EE privildges?

Or, maybe we could do the Dolphin after the Poly, if the rates don't go up too much for the holidays? That was my original plan.....a monorail reosrt and then EPCOT resort. The problem is, the rates go up so high after Dec. 20!

Julia

 

[spiceycat]

II has changed their policy.

My little timeshare in PCB - gets some GREAT resorts in Orlando, plus it gets an AC.....I think II is trying to get more beach front timeshares listed with them.

So I would try it!

now I know this would not work for your plan - but my PCB got me a DVC studio at SSR this May....I was thrilled!

one of the problems trading to a DVC resort is unless you have a great resort then expect to downsize big time - my PCB is a 2-bedroom - so I went to a studio.... but the studios are as big as most of WDW resorts rooms. (exceptions are the Polyn and Cont).

 

[Julia M]

II has changed their policy.

My little timeshare in PCB - gets some GREAT resorts in Orlando, plus it gets an AC.....I think II is trying to get more beach front timeshares listed with them.

So I would try it!

now I know this would not work for your plan - but my PCB got me a DVC studio at SSR this May....I was thrilled!

one of the problems trading to a DVC resort is unless you have a great resort then expect to downsize big time - my PCB is a 2-bedroom - so I went to a studio.... but the studios are as big as most of WDW resorts rooms. (exceptions are the Polyn and Cont).

Where/What is PCB? My resort is Capri By the Sea in Pacific Beach.

My problem is I can't do a studio or one bedroom in DVC, because I have three kids.

I'm only trading a one bedrrom (wth both my resorts) but with RCI I have ALWAYS traded to a 2 bedroom. So that's why I have stayed with RCI over II.

I also checked the Dolphin. Room rates are $169 until the 20th of Dec. and then bump up to $224. Maybe they'll offer a teachers rate later in the year?

Julia