How inconvenient is offsite - really?

[HopperFan]

Based on your description of how you plan your days, offsite is absolutely a good choice.

I go about 6 weeks out of the year. I stay on-site and off-site, each trip depends on rates, how many of us are going etc. We are taking our 7th trip down this December and we are staying at WBC in a 2 bedroom. We have stayed there before.

What do I miss when we stay off-site?
- NIGHTTIME EMH. Sounds like you won't even be there nights let alone stay super late.
- Bus to Magic Kingdom BUT I love having my car at AK, DHS and EPCOT. None is a long drive from WBC. I know for sure I am at my room before those waiting for buses.
- Bus to DTD now that it is a parking nightmare. But I still drove there twice last trip.

I never remember to book at 180+10 and I've usually gotten everything I've wanted. I've even booked the night before. If you are not bent on BOG dinner you should be fine. Yes the 60 vs 30 for FP+ is a problem for 7DMT, TSM and A&E but again if you are not dwelling on them you will still have a wonderful time. And there is always the Standby line. While not optimal it does exist.

It sounds like you have a schedule for the girls you want to stick to, a schedule that is very functional with an offsite stay. And having the extra bedrooms everyone will sleep better which makes the days better. You have never stayed on property so you don't know what you will be missing. Save that for next trip when the girls are older, able to go all day long, you want hotel pool breaks and hopping back on the bus to go for some more.

You know we always did and still do little things to make our offsite stays special and since you are driving you can pull it off. Disney themed napkins or cute decor to sit in the middle of the table. Maybe some twinkling lights to hang in the girls room like a nightlight (fairy lights we call them). Car rides meant each kid got a new cool backpack or bag full of wrapped goodies. Every hour they were good they got a new one to open. It would be Disney books, little figures, autograph book, collectable cards, music cd, light up toy - things they could use in car and again at the resort like a Disney pillowcase, beach towel, matching tshirts for the park. This also meant we did not spend much money on stuff in the parks.

 

[Bothepro24]

30 day window for those not staying on site are pretty poor. Driving around Orlando is a nightmare. Onsite is just better, no stress, while you are driving try to view Disney Transportation as a ride, they still get you to the parks quicker.

 

[nugov2]

We LOVED offsite with for our family of 5 and have previously stayed on site only. We stayed at WH(a little farther away, but needed a 6bdrm) and the commute was a breeze. Never were stuck in traffic coming or going and we went in the summer. The wait for WDW transportation was longer than it took us to get to our car and back to the house at MK. Now here is a tip I got here that helped...valet park your car at CR. We actually did Chef Mickey one of our MK days and then walked over. It is a couple of dollars more, but at this park it is worth it if you can avoid TTC. If it isn't Spring Break you should be fine with them letting you in. You do have to tip every time you come and go so it is for sure more money, but like the regular parking the slip is good until midnight and you can come and go as much as you need. We had a 2yr old and did leave and come back.

Another tip to help with FP+, book a throwaway room or campsite. For around $100 you get your MB, parking for 2 days for free and you can book day 1 and 2 at 60 days and the rest of your ticket days are a rolling 60 days. You will get ADR's at 180+10 for your whole trip. It is worth it for the length of your stay if you factor the perks. All you have to do is check in online. MB's are mailed to you.

We will most likely never stay on site with a family of 5 b/c we need at least 2 bdrms and I won't pay WDW prices. It would be around $700 a night to get what we need if not more and we have stayed onsite, they do not offer the kind of luxury that normally accompanies that price tag and we can get just as close if not closer to the parks than some of the resorts for a lot less. For us it is a no brainer! It sounds like offsite is the perfect place for you!! Enjoy your trip

 

[HopperFan]

You are in a great location to go to the parks. I've stayed at both WBC and POR.

POR - We wait on average 15+ minutes for a bus to arrive. We use the South Depot so we will get a seat and that means the bus must circle the resort, add at least 10 minutes. Once leaving the resort, travel time, say to EPCOT, and to arrive at bus terminal, at least 10+ minutes. The bus terminal is far from bag check so add 5-8 minutes to walk. Since all transportation goes through the same bag check, during normal travel times it might take another 5+ minutes of waiting. So from the moment I get to the POR bus terminal to the ticket gates I would say 45 minutes.

WBC - To get to my car, drive out and to EPCOT and get in a parking spot, maybe 20 minutes tops. We usually are able to walk to the bag check in about 5 minutes from our car (never parked anywhere that required the tram) and those walking in have their own bag check where there is usually no wait but I'll add 3 minutes. So from WBC to ticket gate, well under 30 minutes. On a good day under 20.

MK does take longer but not that much longer that it is an issue for us. Now if you are staying offsite at someplace farther or involves more traffic lights to get on property, that is different but you are looking at a property that has it's driveway on Disney property.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

30 day window for those not staying on site are pretty poor. Driving around Orlando is a nightmare. Onsite is just better, no stress, while you are driving try to view Disney Transportation as a ride, they still get you to the parks quicker.

I don't agree that driving around Orlando is a nightmare, but maybe that's because we've been there so often that we could find our way blindfolded. WBC is practically on Disney property and is closer to the parks than some onsite hotels. The view from the balcony of our room at WBC this past August was better than any view we've had at a Disney hotel -- Spaceship Earth/Epcot ball was clearly visible and we had a great view of the nightly fireworks.

 

[robinb]

We have stayed offsite twice and it was not inconvenient at all. We stayed in a 4-bedroom pool home in Formosa Gardens (and yes, we left 2 bedrooms empty) which was really great. I absolutely loved being able to sit in the whirlpool tub and having our own private pool was so nice! The house was about 3 miles from WDW property (near Animal Kingdom) so it was about a 10-15 minute drive to the parks. We also stayed in a 2-bedroom condo at Windsor Hills that was slightly closer by a couple of minutes. It was fine, but I liked the house better for the pool and the extra room. It was easy-peasy getting to and from WDW and we avoided most of the traffic by taking Sherbeth Road to Osceola Parkway between AKL ad AK.

I don't think I would want to stay offsite north of WDW (near the Crossroads) or over north east near International Drive and Sand Lake Road. We planned a stay at WDW over Spring Break 2 years ago before my DD qualified for a big swim meet in Clearwater the week after our vacation. She had to practice during our vacation up at the YMCA off of International Drive and Sand Lake Road. It was completely awful to get there every day from Boardwalk. Hotel Blvd was a parking lot, I-4 was terrible and the exit at Sand Lake Road ... O-M-G.

 

[Kingdome8]

We've done both.
We have gone 4 times in last 6 years.
We drive down so have a car
Second trip we stayed offsite to save a few bucks. It was nice but not the same.
I just love staying on site. The hotel for us is half the excitement.
My kids love the disney pools and slides.
We spend most if our time at parks. But normally have a day at the resort and some morning or night swims.
But just being at a disney hotel feels good.
Eating there and going to gift shop and kids looking for pressed pennies.

We just got back from port orleans riverside and had a blast.
Love that place. Food court pool and grounds were awesome.
I really enjoyed waking up around 6 am and walking to get morning coffee and drinks for kids. They would walk with me and sometimes I go alone
But things like that I love

 

[MOM POPPINS]

We have done both, but never again onsite is the way to go. Park your car for the week and enjoy Disney taking you around, it's all apart of the experience. My DH loves to park the van for the week and let Disney do the driving. We just don't get the same experience offsite. It's your first trip stay onsite you won't regret it! WE stayed at POR on our first trip and tried offsite for our 2nd and loved onsite so much more!

 

[HM]

I've stayed offsite in timeshares a couple times. I didn't find it inconvenient at all. The commute from our I-drive location was a snap and using disney parking worked fine.

I haven't done this since FP+, but our last onsite trip we planned two weeks out and had no problems getting the FPs we wanted (no mine train), so I imagine 30 days would be similar.

Don't let other's horror stories sway you from at least trying it if you have a good deal and want more space for your money.

 

[robinb]

Whoops! I noticed you were thinking about WBC. I stayed at the Hilton and it is literally right next to CBR (which I consider the nexus of the Disney universe since it does't matter where I am going I always seem to pass CBR.) Your travel time will be that of someone staying at CBR, POP or AoA. The only inconveniences IMO are (1) the inability to book FP+ at the 60-day window, (2) no morning ENH, (3) needing to rent a car and (4) paying to park. Make sure that you calculate the cost of the car and parking into your comparisons.

Here is a link to current and historical discounts:
http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/#2014

There are already some available through the end of March. You can probably expect 20-25% off for a moderate but you may have to wait until January if you're looking to go after Easter.

 

[LadyJayne813]

Unless you are staying at deluxe, and are close to magic kingdom or epcot, off site is no further than the values.

We normally stay at Caribe Royale, and literally drive straight through the intersection, continue straight a little ways, and you are through the gate in less than 5 mins.

The pop took way longer than that, and there were more twists and turns.

I also didn't like parking so far away from my room at Pop. The parking lots were really far from the rooms.

 

[minerva78]

Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone!

I think it came down to the fact that I really want to stay at Bonnet Creek, but my husband really wants to stay onsite. So it came down to what I feel like I would regret more - would I regret not staying onsite or not staying offsite. DH said he couldn't imagine regretting not staying offsite for our first trip together, I wasn't so sure, lol.

But in the end I was able to get a good discount through a travel agent for a 6 night stay at POFQ for Memorial Day week. When I calculated EVERYTHING (taking into account groceries, extra gas, and parking offsite and onsite meals) it was just going to cost us about $280 more to stay onsite, mainly due to not having a kitchen and having to eat all of our meals onsite (although with a car I could still go some places offsite). So I decided that if we're staying onsite, we'll just try to find a way to do more outside of our room as much as possible. I told DH if staying in one room together annoyed me, we'd stay offsite for the next trip. But for the difference in price, I figured it would be nice to try onsite instead, even though I'd have no problem staying offsite. And POFQ has always been my first choice of places to stay onsite, I really think we'll enjoy it. I'm going to miss not trying out WBC, but maybe for another trip!

 

[HopperFan]

Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone!

I think it came down to the fact that I really want to stay at Bonnet Creek, but my husband really wants to stay onsite. So it came down to what I feel like I would regret more - would I regret not staying onsite or not staying offsite. DH said he couldn't imagine regretting not staying offsite for our first trip together, I wasn't so sure, lol.

But in the end I was able to get a good discount through a travel agent for a 6 night stay at POFQ for Memorial Day week. When I calculated EVERYTHING (taking into account groceries, extra gas, and parking offsite and onsite meals) it was just going to cost us about $280 more to stay onsite, mainly due to not having a kitchen and having to eat all of our meals onsite (although with a car I could still go some places offsite). So I decided that if we're staying onsite, we'll just try to find a way to do more outside of our room as much as possible. I told DH if staying in one room together annoyed me, we'd stay offsite for the next trip. But for the difference in price, I figured it would be nice to try onsite instead, even though I'd have no problem staying offsite. And POFQ has always been my first choice of places to stay onsite, I really think we'll enjoy it. I'm going to miss not trying out WBC, but maybe for another trip!

ENJOY Just stayed there for the first time a couple weeks ago and loved it! Loved the decor in the room, walking the grounds, the girls will love the pool! We had our own bus to MK and shared the others but they picked us up first. LOVE the boat to Downtown Disney and that would be a good place to do some fun eats. Sister resort to POR so you can swim over there too. You'll have a great trip!!!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone!

I think it came down to the fact that I really want to stay at Bonnet Creek, but my husband really wants to stay onsite. So it came down to what I feel like I would regret more - would I regret not staying onsite or not staying offsite. DH said he couldn't imagine regretting not staying offsite for our first trip together, I wasn't so sure, lol.

But in the end I was able to get a good discount through a travel agent for a 6 night stay at POFQ for Memorial Day week. When I calculated EVERYTHING (taking into account groceries, extra gas, and parking offsite and onsite meals) it was just going to cost us about $280 more to stay onsite, mainly due to not having a kitchen and having to eat all of our meals onsite (although with a car I could still go some places offsite). So I decided that if we're staying onsite, we'll just try to find a way to do more outside of our room as much as possible. I told DH if staying in one room together annoyed me, we'd stay offsite for the next trip. But for the difference in price, I figured it would be nice to try onsite instead, even though I'd have no problem staying offsite. And POFQ has always been my first choice of places to stay onsite, I really think we'll enjoy it. I'm going to miss not trying out WBC, but maybe for another trip!

Yay! Have a great trip! We love POFQ and would stay there again! This will be more of a vacation for you too, no having a kitchen means no temptation to cook! Enjoy relax ! Your DH might really like the bus transportation too, my DH loves being able to park the van for the week and not worry about a thing! Disney is hard to navigate around, we love using the buses to take us around. The good court at POFQ is awesome and has lots of choices!

Downtown Disney is a boat ride away if you need to get out of the room... however if your like us on our first trip you will be out of your room at park opening and back to your room after the park closes! Getting to the park at opening is also key to having a great trip, you can get so much done the first couple of hours!

Have fun planning! Disney World is awesome!

 

[DVC California]

... POFQ has always been my first choice of places to stay onsite, I really think we'll enjoy it. I'm going to miss not trying out WBC, but maybe for another trip!

You will have great trip and have an excuse to return to WDW next trip for WBC!

POFQ is one of my favorite moderates. Cool Mardi Gras theming, not too big that you feel you need a golf cart to get around. Food court has great beignets made fresh to order and passable Muffuletta sandwiches.

Have a great trip!

 

[4littleones]

You can still totally get A&E and 7DMT while offsite. We did it with 6 of us. Just keep checking and book singles with overlapping times (or within 5 to 10 mins of overlapping).
We have done 2 yrs onsite and 2 offsite both all with 4 kids ages 7 and under. Drove down from PA. Offsite is the way to go for us. If we are a family of 4 maybe onsite would make more sense but we like the space. Regal Palms is further away but we LOVE it there now.

 

[bryanb]

While in town for work, I extended my stay at the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista, which is very close to Downtown Disney. It was the offseason, and it was so very inexpensive compared to even the Value resorts and I could even use 3,500 Starwood points to pay for each night.

It was a decent enough hotel. They had a shuttle to the parks which I found infrequent and inconvenient, but there was also a public bus stop across the street which ran frequent trips to Downtown Disney and the TTC.

Now, this isn't ideal if you like to be IN the magic, or want to go back to your room in the middle of the day. For that, I recommend being onsite. But the amazing cost savings compared to even the value hotels made it very, very difficult to resist.

 

[robinb]

I think you made the right choice. I really like POFQ because it's so compact and your kids will love the pool! Obviously, I have no issue staying offsite, but for only $40 more per night I think it's a no brainer to stay onsite .

 

[tybella]

do most people enjoy riverside or french quarter

 

[BadgerGirl84]

do most people enjoy riverside or french quarter

I would recommend posting this question as it's own thread on the Disney Resort board. Or better yet, read the resort-specific threads for each resort and make up your mind from that. I've never stayed at either one so I couldn't tell you. I'd probably book FQ myself b/c it's smaller.

OP--glad to hear you made a decision--I'm sure you will have a great time!