I need a lot of advice

[Poptakesthefamily]

I'm planning on taking the family to Disneyworld in early May. I want to stay for 7 nights and go to the parks for 6 days. I am torn between renting a house outside of the resorts or staying in the resorts. There will be 6 of us. Me, my wife, and 4 kids, ages 18,13,12, and 12. Help!

 

[the kabuki]

We are a family of five, 3 kids (11,7, 3) and had two connecting rooms at POP. I have only stayed off site once, and will never do it again. IMHO, there's just something special about staying on property. On the other hand, because your kids are older, a rental, possibly with a pool might be a good option, just to give everyone some space.

 

[striker3636]

It depends on how you are planning on spending your days...We put off going until we could afford to stay onsite so that we could spend the day at the park until early afternoon, go back to the hotel/camper to relax/swim/nap/eat, then go back later in the afternoon to see more of the park and fireworks, shows etc. We have young kids so this low key approach is a must. Your kids are older and may be fine with staying all day and night. I have done this (without kids obviously) and found that we rushed around (only had 1 day for each park) and ended up at the end up the week exhausted. What is your touring style? What is your kids'? Staying onsite gives you a little more flexibility for this (less transportation time in theory) and 24 hour a day Disney magic. If those appeal, definitely stay onsite. Your older kids may want to go to only the big thrill rides and water parks, and otherwise hangout at the pool or go shopping. Then, offsite may make more sense.

 

[Bellefan66]

We are a family of five, so I understand COST! Even though I HATE staying offsite...for the money and SPACE it seems its' better to do so. My kids are 19,16, & 9 and for all our needs, we do the timeshare thing. That way we have more $$$ to spend at Disney. There are so many places just minutes from the park. Someday....my dream is for JUST hubby and I to stay onsite, for a solid week! ahhhhh

 

[experiment626mom]

It depends on how much into Disney the family is. Also, the transportation of your family is a consideration. Just hopping on a bus might be a whole lot easier for all of you than renting a minivan.

We've stayed off site twice and will never do it again. The convenience and the fun is worth it.

 

[Poptakesthefamily]

The kids won't be interested in shopping. We are driving so we will have our vehicle with us. The cost difference of staying at a resort and renting a house is about $1300. We are going for 6 days and I think I will get the hopper thing so we can be flexible. Another question: are there drinking fountains in the parks or do you have to buy water? Can you take in sncks and drinks?

 

[Poptakesthefamily]

The kids aren't into the Disney characters as much as they are wanting to do the rides. They like the characters and the movies but they aren't nuts about them. I am thinking we can still go back to the house for a while in the afternoons, if everybody is tired. They may be able to power through as they are young and full of energy - all active kids in good shape. My wife may get tired though. I wish the Wilderness cabins were slightly larger with two baths - they would be perfect. Everything seems to be geared to families of 4.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Don't forget to watch mousesavers for discount codes for hotel rooms. Rack rate might be $1300 difference but with a code it could be much cheaper. I have to say though the traffic around Disney is terrible and it's not as easy as you think to go back to the hotel for a rest and come back again. It is so much easier to just hop a bus. Really think about the convenience. THere's a difference to the feel too. It just feels more "Disney" even if you stay at a value resort (All Stars, Pop), just my honest opinion.

 

[LovePug]

Since you'll have your car, I'd definitely rent the house with that many people and considering the price difference you mentioned.

 

[seetheworld]

It depends on how much into Disney the family is. Also, the transportation of your family is a consideration. Just hopping on a bus might be a whole lot easier for all of you than renting a minivan.

We've stayed off site twice and will never do it again. The convenience and the fun is worth it.

I agree with this post 100%! Off-site may save some money [but maybe not if you find a good code for the Disney resorts] and staying off-site will cause you to lose time which is so valuable during travel. You will enjoy the perks of the resorts and you will be able to take advantage of the Disney transportation and early morning entry, etc. by staying on-site. I have 4 kids myself and wouldn't ever do it any other way. HTH

 

[zurgswife]

If you can hold out a few weeks ...I would wait until the codes come out....With the ages of your kids being able to come and go the the parks/pool and room at will would really appeal to your family. Even with your own car 6 people don't always want to do the same thing at the same time. With the ages of your kids you could split up with easy if you were staying on site. Also, as another poster mentioned...traffic in certain areas around disney can be a bear....

I think 2 rooms at a value or moderate might hold some appeal to your family....

 

[Junebugwv]

I used to think I HAD to have a condo/house with 5 kids. Even went once with all 5 plus future son-in-law. Now we are down to 3 at home and have stayed onsite many times. Considering the ages of your kids, I really think onsite has some definite advantages, but you know your family. Offsite perks: kitchen, private room for parents, convenient to less expensive dining choices, good for groups who want to go everywhere at the same time. Onsite: even if the accomodations are not spacious-your family will have an entire resort and transportation system to utilize (we had plenty of elbow room in the lobby/pool/play areas). While staying offsite, we never left the Disney property until we were through for the day. We could split up and meet at the resort if some were tired. Whatever you choose, I'm sure you'll have a great vacation.

 

[Poptakesthefamily]

agree with this post 100%! Off-site may save some money [but maybe not if you find a good code for the Disney resorts]

What are the codes?

 

[swilshire]

We have a family of six and always stay off-site. The inconveniences are minor compared to the savings. On-site accomodations would be a ton of money for the two or three bedroom condos we always get.

If money were no object, I would agree on-site is better. Since it is for most of us, you'll be perfectly happy elsewhere.

As for the water question, most Disney food outlets will give you free cups of ice water. There are also water fountains around.

Sheila

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Like Swilshire said, if money were no object, my family of five would stay in two rooms at the Poly and we would get the dining plan to boot!! lol

But..........(as I break out of my dream world).......money is an object for us. And comfort is also. We've stayed at Allstar Movies and we liked it a lot. My son was only a baby so he was in a crib. Two rooms would definately be better for our family now, but it would never compare to the two bedroom condo we had. Nor the seven different pools we had to pick from at our resort. And I fell in love with that jacuzzi!

I would never trade an on-site hotel room for an off-site hotel room. If it's just a hotel room, I would pick on-site. But I would pick an off-site condo with much more space. After all, that is the perk of off-site..........more square footage for the money.

I understand people wanting to only stay on-site. I used to be the same way. Then I got over it.

 

[the kabuki]

Wow, $1300 difference, what resorts are you looking into? And what kind of prices are you finding for the condo?, if you don't mind me asking. That seems quite steep.

The disney buses would come in handy if your group decides to split up. But ,even when staying onsite, we have a rental car. Navigating around the property isn't bad at all, although I have heard International Drive can be a nightmare. The Lake Buena Vista, Downtown Disney areas we never had a problem with.

 

[Poptakesthefamily]

Wow, $1300 difference, what resorts are you looking into? And what kind of prices are you finding for the condo?, if you don't mind me asking. That seems quite steep.

The disney buses would come in handy if your group decides to split up. But ,even when staying onsite, we have a rental car. Navigating around the property isn't bad at all, although I have heard International Drive can be a nightmare. The Lake Buena Vista, Downtown Disney areas we never had a problem with.

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I have 3 bedroom pool house quotes from several places that I found on the web, Mouse Pads, Allstar Vacation Rentals, Holiday Villas. All from about $960 to $1160 for 7 nights. We are going to drive so we'll have our vehicle there either way. I am really having a difficult time deciding.

 

[dis-happy]

One more option: Have you looked into renting DVC points? For example, a 2 bedroom Old Key West in June would rent for about $270 per night, tax included (and theme park parking included as well). You'd have 2 bedrooms, 3 big beds, plus a fold out couch, 2 large bathrooms including one with a separate whirlpool tub, full kitchen and laundry room, balcony, 3 TV sets. One thing I like about being on-site with older children is that they can hop the bus to a park, and meet up with us later. Very convenient.

 

[kdtwiss]

Hi - we are pretty much in the same boat - we have younger children though so my littlest one doesn't technically count - or so I am told.
One thing - I have made literally dozens of phone calls trying to figure out the least expensive way to do this and when I asked about rates for a cabin at Wilderness - which you mentioned - (for May - don't know when you are going) IF you had an annual pass the rate was only $175 a night instead of $309. The annual pass won't cost TOO much more than a 7 day Park Hopper I don't think - and the $ you save (over $100 a night) seems great!
The parking at DW I was told is $8 a day so that is $56 if you go every day.
Good luck - you sound very much like us! We are tying to go as inexpensively as possible - driving, bargain hunting! I just got a PIN discount that I am super excited about as it will make the trip more affordable.They say it is random - but I don't think I buy that. Unless they "enter" you name every time you call - then I would say I probably called more than anyone else.So I would call - ask some questions - be sure to give them your email, ask for the vaca planner and also sign up for info on the website to give you a better chance of getting a pin code discount.
Also - I did not even know I had one - I happened to call (again) and the rep told me they had mailed me one (which I know I did not get) - so everybody - call up and see if you by chance have a PIN code you did not even know about!!
Good luck!

 

[isla bonita]

The rental homes are the way to go. Room for all and close by. Stayed in the park but after a couple of days in a single or even double room it gets crazy.