How much would you have to save to stay OFFSITE?

[bankr63]

We are a family of 6 looking at off-site. I really want to be on site but seems like off-site would be less expensive, however, after reading some posts I'm not so sure. I don't want to go back to the "house" for lunch and dinner. I want to eat at the park. We stay at them all day since my kids are older. Add that up for several days - I'm wondering really how much I will save? What do you off-site fans do for meals? Do you pack lunches? What do you budget for food? Thanks!

We are family of 4. We eat a good early breakfast so we can make rope drop, and pack a light lunch. Freeze some water bottles in advance, they'll melt for the afternoon and keep everything cool for the morning (including your back). Among the things we bring: carrots/celery and dips, beef jerky, GORP, nuts, apples, hard-boiled eggs; high-protein stuff to keep you going, not empty calories. The added benefit is that our lunch takes about 15 minutes; about as long as most people spend in line waiting for CS or their ADR seating. Lineups generally seem to drop a bit from 12:00-1:00 while everyone else is getting lunch, we are taking advantage and riding the attractions. We always take a break back at the resort at some point later in the day, so can fill up on more substantial fare then and have a cooling swim, or often an early dinner before heading back for the fireworks, shows and parades.

But even if you eat at the park, remember that the Free DP always requires you to pay full rack rate for your room. It is not really that much of a deal...

Added: I just checked our grocery bill for 4 on the last trip, with several other family members dropping in for dinners, and it ran $450 for the week. There were only a couple of meals that are not included in that total, and it does include a quantity of beer and wine for post park relaxation.

 

[trirae]

Such an interesting thread. Obviously, people have such different preferences. I like both on and offsite. For me EMH is one of the best reasons to be onsite, and since my kids are too young to stay out that late, we rarely take enough advantage.

I think there are always pros and cons, but it would probably come down to space/type of room for me, not necessarily how much savings. For example, if I'm getting a condo versus a hotel room.

My dd10 actually picked offsite for this trip, which surprised me. We could have stayed at OKW in a one bedroom or offsite in a two bedroom and she said she wanted both the space and the escape from the parks when we left. She's a bit of an old soul, though.

It sounds to me like you prefer onsite and enjoy pop, so in that case, I wonder if you would regret staying offsite.

 

[Brian Noble]

I would not stay in a single hotel room with my kids, onsite or off, if you paid for it.

 

[sparklynails23]

I wouldn't stay at a Value resort, and the last few times we've stayed Moderate weren't great. Offsite is definitely cheaper than Deluxe or the Swan/Dolphin. Plus, some of the offsite resorts are very impressive-- Hilton Bonnet Creek, Hyatt Grand Cypress, etc. If going to Universal, we'll stay onsite.