I am wrong for considering off property?

[momabaarjo]

We are think of taking a trip to Universal/Discovery Cove/WDW after Christmas next year....my second trip to the area, but my family's 1st (and probably only). After experiencing Universal Onsite perks last year at the openin of HP, there is no other way but to stay on site there. My question is...we want to fit this all into a 10 day trip. Universal for 5 people is about $2000, Discovery Cove (a must for my dd who wants to be a marine vet) is another $1500, flight is about $2000...which leaves us around $4000 for disney (7 night stay)...here are my options

POP (2 rooms)-for $3200...I don't really want to pay this much for a motel 6 at Disney

PORT (1 room) for $2800...stayed here last year after a conference I had okay reviews of it.

OR

Stay in DTD for about $800-$1200 less then the other two...and maybe squeeze in an extra day! Am I wrong for even thinking about staying off site. The Double Tree would give as a suite plus breakfast and their own shuttle system. I loved the area this summer walking around, in fact during my conference we came 2 nights just for the fun!

Tell me about the experiences staying in DTD. Is it worth the savings in the end. My family are not huge Disney fans, although the littlest has to see Lightning! We are not planning to rent a car, just travel by town car.

 

[Brian Noble]

One other possibility: Universal's VIP tickets. They are a bit more expensive, but include FOTL access. You can then book an offiste condo, townhome, or pool home, and use that as your "home base" for your entire trip. My guess is that it will come out to be less expensive that way than to stay at each company's "onsite" resorts.

 

[spiceycat]

depends what are you calling after Christmas -if it includes Dec 26 to Jan 2 - might reconsider.

that is definitely the busiest season at WDW. So the parks can and generally do close.

It is not a good time for first timers. Can you go in May or Sept?

 

[Upatnoon]

With 5 people, you would be the most comfortable staying in a 2 bedroom, for example, Bonnet Creek. That would cost you about $1,000 for the entire 10 days.

I would rent a car to visit the various theme parks. Renting a small car will likely be less than the town car rides you will need and will give you far more flexibility.

 

[TotoToo]

OR

Stay in DTD for about $800-$1200 less then the other two...and maybe squeeze in an extra day! Am I wrong for even thinking about staying off site. The Double Tree would give as a suite plus breakfast and their own shuttle system. I loved the area this summer walking around, in fact during my conference we came 2 nights just for the fun!

Tell me about the experiences staying in DTD. Is it worth the savings in the end. My family are not huge Disney fans, although the littlest has to see Lightning! We are not planning to rent a car, just travel by town car.

There is nothing that makes staying on site, with the higher costs and smaller units, worth it. Planning to stay at DTD or even outside the gates makes much more sense from a cost & quality of accommodations standpoint. Don't think you are settling for less by paying less/getting more space & features. You are making a good choice that better fits your needs.

 

[snowy76]

The Double Tree would give as a suite plus breakfast and their own shuttle system. I loved the area this summer walking around, in fact during my conference we came 2 nights just for the fun!

DTD is a great area, but just FYI... the Doubletree shares its transportation with the other hotels on Hotel Plaza Boulevard. So I would agree with the PP that you rent a car for flexibility's sake. The DTD hotel buses don't run as often as WDW resort buses do.

That all being said, I also agree with Upatnoon that Bonnet Creek might be a great value for your group. Like DTD, BC is inside Disney property and also has its own shuttle service. You should check out Ken Price's rental availability for your time frame (vacationupgrades.com).

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

The double tree is a great choice to save money.

 

[zima-cheryl]

Have you considered a vacation home rental?

What you save on the cost of the hotel may allow you to pick up a rental car for those days. Plus you would be able to save on food by eating there for some meals.

We did this years ago (2 couples) with a small condo rental through AAA & it worked very well.

Just another option for you to consider.

 

[dtum]

Have to go with the condo/home rental. Windsor Hills is only a few minutes from DW and you get a kitchen to make your own meals. They are so close you could even come back for afternoon breaks if you wanted. After our last trip, staying on site had so little to offer (small dark rooms with not even a coffee pot or microwave at ASMo) we decided never again. Can't wait for June because GS loves Indiana Jones and his room is themed for Raiders.

 

[bankr63]

Check out Vistana Resort (link at top of page). A quick check shows 2BR (with full kitchen, housekeeping) for a bit more than $1k for 7 days. The savings will pay for a car for the week and then some. It's a quick hop to the parks, actually easier than DTD (less traffic). Wouldn't recommend the shuttles; a rental car provides many more options for doing all of the other great stuff in Orlando.

 

[In-need-of-vacation]

I don't know what the big deal is. I always stay offsite and wind up saving so much money which I can then use to enjoy my time on vacation. To me it just doesn't make sense to spend all that extra money on a hotel that I am only going to see when I want to sleep. Last time my girls and I went down to Disney we spent like 6 hours a night in the room total and when we were there we were so tired from long days at the park we just wanted a bed, we didn't care about anything else the place may have had to offer. We never even got a chace to see the pool.

 

[umieesa]

Might I even suggest renting points from a DVC member here on the board? You'd be able to find something that fits all of you and still be on property

BTW, totally agree with renting a car...just makes it so much more convenient and definitely cheaper!