How much can you do at WDW when staying off-site?

[BrennyK]

Taking our 1st WDW trip in 10/02. For our family of 5 HIFS works better for our budget, plus they're roomy! I hear of alot of things to do at WDW (monorail, mouseboats, boardwalk). Can you resort hop and do all of these things even if you're not staying at a resort? Can you still go in and watch the fireworks from one of the resorts?

Please help, as I am in the planning stages. Also, what to do with 10, 12, 14 yr. when parks close?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Lorix2]

We were just in Orlando and stayed down the street from HIFS at the Sheraton Vistana Villages for a 10 day stay.

There is plenty to do on Int'l Drive...great restaurants, shopping, Ripleys Believe It or Not, some NASCAR themed place (sorry, going by a visual in my head), FAO Schwartz, tons to see and do if you drive over there. Inquire at the hotels' front desk, there's tons of brochures and papers to browse thru too.

We were so tired at the end of the day, that by 7:00 PM we were in our vehicle headed back to the resort and either ate there or went out to eat, then relaxed with the kids by the pool for the rest of the evening.

We managed to go to Daytona Beach 2x, we visited the race track for pictures as well.

We also went to Downtown Disney one night and walked around, it was a beautiful night, lots to do here too.

We checked out the Yacht & Beach Club (Wow!) Stormalong bay and took pic's from the ferry boat, etc. We ate at Beaches & Cream (excellent burgers & chix sands, $$ but worth every bite!) My kids were too tired afterward to walk the boardwalk, though it looked like alot of fun.

We did not resort hop to any others- we just didn't find the time, although I really would have liked to.

I'm sure someone will be along shortly to give you more/better information...have a great vacation.

Lori

 

[jctwizzer]

I/m probably forgetting something but, except for e-ticket night perticipation, off site visitors can pretty much do everything that on site visitors can do. If there are other things, someone will let us know

 

[Greg K.]

Yes! If you stay off site, you can still visit the resorts, resort-hop to your heart's delight, find a great place to watch the fireworks, whatever. (I recommend the boat dock by Narcoosee's at the Grand Floridian, or outside the Gasparilla Grill at the same resort, for the fireworks!)

You can do all the cool stuff at the Boardwalk, and Downtown Disney, no problem. (You can also play a round or two of golf at the miniature golf courses, for a small fee.). I'm not sure about the mouseboats -- those may be exclusive to Disney resort guests, but I just dunno.

You can't take part in e-nights...and you will have to pay extra for parking (if you bring a car on site). But that's 'bout it.

After the parks close? Go to your hotel and and go to bed! You'll be beat!! Seriously, see the above for some ideas - Boardwalk, mini golf, etc. Downtown Disney has a BUNCH of movie theaters and nifty shopping places, too. (Not to mention Disney Quest!)

 

[Disney Talker]

You can visit any resort you want at anytime. They love to have you visit as they hope someday you will stay there. You can eat in all the resort restaurants and shop in their shops. However, you cannot use their facilites and pools and things, they are for resort guests only of course as in any hotel.

 

[B3LM]

We stayed off-site at Comfort Inn - LBV over Easter break. I was very hesitant at first because I love staying on-site, but it was the only way that we could afford to do the trip. It was great. I do recommend, though, that you drive your own vehicle to/from the parks if possible. The off-site hotels typically don't have a lot of pick-up/drop-offs during the day. If you have an annual pass, parking is free throughout WDW.

The only day that we really felt that it was a disadvantage to be off-site was on our last day when we were held at TTC before MK opened. If we had been on-site, we would have by-passed TTC and been at the rope-drop. Other than that - no complaints!

Beth

 

[Lisa P.]

You may use the bike/boat/surrey rentals at the Disney resorts. We've loved doing that! You may shop and eat and play video games in the arcades. You may use the outdoor playgrounds. You may make an appointment for spa treatments at those resorts offering them. You may visit the WL and search for hidden mickeys (ask for a listing at Guest Relations). The resorts will provide you with a 3 hour parking pass to leave your car in their self-park area or you may pay for valet parking at the deluxe resorts for the 3 hours.

We've enjoyed many visits to these resorts, when staying offsite. Go up to the observation deck outside the lounge/bar atop the Contemporary tower, to see the fireworks. Then go down to the marina and watch the Electrical Water Pageant.

As an offsite guest, you may not use the Disney resort pools. You may not park in their parking lots for an extended or theme park visit. AFAIK, you may only use the Neverland Club (paid child care in the evenings) at the Poly with an advance reservation made through Disney Dining - but not the other deluxe resort kids' clubs. AFAIK, you may not use the fitness facilities where offered either.
Hope that helps some.

 

[sogger1]

Staying at HIFS is a good choice. Go back to the hotel and check out the entertainment board for the night. The usually have a magic show at 7pm followed by family bingo (prizes are tokens for the arcade and food coupons), the karoke from 8 to 11. HIFS has their own stationary electric water parade that you can see from a glass enclosed patio. You can feed the ducks, swans, turtles with the little food vending machines on the deck. They have a putt putt and shuffleboard near the family pool.

 

[BrennyK]

Thanks everyone for your replies! These boards are great for information. I tell everyone I know how I'm becoming a WDW expert here!

HIFS does seem to have alot going on at nights, but it is a WDW vacation!

 

[SimonV]

There are also plenty of places to play mini-golf - both in Disney (Fantasia Gardens and Fantasia Fairways, near Swan/Dolphin, and Winter-Summerland by Typhoon Lagoon) and on I-Drive - that always seem to be a big hit with kids. WonderWorks on I-Drive is open until midnight (and features a fun magic dinner-show), while there are a host of other dinner-shows and evening entertainments along I-Drive that stay open l-o-n-g after the parks have closed! Try www.internationaldriveorlando.com for more.

 

[tednvon]

I totally agree....we have 30 plus visits to Disney in the last 30 years and always stayed off site in many different and fun places...with the new entrances it is very easy to get the parks from the surounding area...Ted