How realistic are taking park breaks while staying offsite?

[aubriee]

I admit, Bonnet Creek looks very nice and convenient. But, I think it's a bit out our price range. It looks like I can get a much better deal at Windsor Hills.

Not necessarily. We've stayed there in a one bedroom three times in the last ten months. In May we paid like $89.50 per night, in Sept we paid $74.00 per night, then in Dec we paid $60.00 per night. The third party I used for the Dec trip offered us a two bedroom for just $70.00 per night. If you go directly through Wyndham yes, it may be out of your price range, but if you go through a third party it's a lot cheaper. Try Vacation Strategy, Vacation Upgrades, Ferrell's Vacations, and some of the renters on VRBO. My last two rentals were through sellers on VRBO and were cheaper than VS, VU, or Ferrell's.

 

[thehogsters]

VRBO prices can not be beat. As long as you can find an open date. I had an owner price me a 2bdr for $735 for a week (week of April 6th) at WBC. I was ready to jump on it until my Mom called and gave me a free week at her TS.

 

[DCWarrior]

Thanks for all the replies about Bonnet Creek and the VRBO site and stuff. It turns out in these last couple of days, our travel group has grown to 9 people!!! We are looking at the houses in Windsor Hills to share. Just trying to nail down the specific dates for everyone and then pick a house that's available.

I know about the community pool being closed in September there, but the houses each have their own pools. That will work great for us!!!

 

[njmom47]

We took a multi-generational trip and stayed on-site. It was easier for the Gramma/Grandpa to take the little ones back for a nap/break while the rest of us could stay. Also, could you map out cool quiet places where you could take a break, such as COP in MK? I think there is a thread on here somewhere about such spots around the parks.

Disclaimer: It's been a long time since I stayed off-site, but we were teenagers and I don't remember going back to the hotel until night time.

 

[Pembo]

We took mid-day breaks staying at WH. We are rope drop people, usually stayed in the park until 1 or so. Went back to the resort, ate a quick dinner of sandwiches or frozen pizza at the condo and headed back to the parks around 6. We always got a better parking space when we returned in the evening which made for a quick getaway at park close. This said, we stayed offsite in the summer when park hours were longer.

When we went to WDW in the fall with shorter park hours, we typically did not take a break.

 

[Tagstime]

For us Family of 4...We have done both. We have stayed on site and off site. The cost is #1 factor now days as $$ we save staying OS goies toward another short summer trip. For us we can save 1K easy staying off site even paying OP not being on dining plan. That's 1 TS per day and all meals in park.

As far as time.. I actually felt driving ourselves back to hotel was faster than Disney bus service to resorts. When we stay off site we stay in 3 mile area of all Disney parks. We always get there at rope drop and stay till 2pm..Then head to room to cool down ( I been known to nap here..) maybe a little pool time, shower up for evening and head to dinner in parks about 6pm and stay till 10-11pm.

Doing this is during a 6 day stay..Never done shorter stays which may require more in park time to see more in the shorter time frame.

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

Just wanted to repeat that if you take a break you might likely be done. March 2012 we went with my mom, my aunt (both mid 50s), DH, myself, DS 3.5y and DD 3mo. We stayed at BWV and it was great. We would try to get to the parks early and generally would stay until 3-5pm, go back for a nap and never feel like getting back out. Instead we would swim or have a lazy dinner in the room. At EPCOT we took an earlier break then walked back that evening and watched Illuminations.
On site was so magical, but with our touring style off site would have been fine. We are planing to go back next year and will stay with my best friend at Bonnet Creek as she has a time share there and loves it. I've read good things about Windsor Hills, just no personal experience.

 

[hpsalb]

We stayed at Windsor Hills last year and took a mid-day break EVERY day - it was DH, DS 2.5 and I. We really did not feel like it took longer to get to WH and back than it did when we stayed on-site. I think the key is to start the day early and have a designated time to leave. We went at opening and even did breakfast pre-park-opening two days. Left each day around 1 and came back around 5. I SWEAR by this system at least a few days because you skip the hottest, most crowded part of the day. We got so much more done in the morning and later in the day.

We did park hop some, so I think going to a different park after the break is somewhat motivating. We are going again this year, but for longer and taking my niece. I'm planning to push on through a few days and not stay late, and then do the mid-day breaks when we want to stay later. I'm going to alternate the days so that the kids don't get overwhelmed (and DH too, he needs his nap

 

[alh2011]

My family is thinking about staying at windsor hill the last of sept and beginning of oct and I was wondering if the community pool is closed or open at that time?

 

[DCWarrior]

My family is thinking about staying at windsor hill the last of sept and beginning of oct and I was wondering if the community pool is closed or open at that time?

I sent a message to ask if and when their main pool would be closed. This is what I got back:

Yes, this information is correct. The communal pool, slide & deck areas will be closed all of September.
Our townhomes have splash pools & 4,5 & 6 br homes all have pools.
It is the condo units that do no not have their own pools.
Regards
Stan
Admin


I'm not sure if that mean October 1 they will be open or not.

 

[alh2011]

Okay thanks for the info!