I took the plunge!

[HunnyPots]

Every trip we do the offsite/onsite debate and always end up onsite. But last trip's stay at Pop just didn't bring out the best in our family of four with its tiny, cramped room, awful bus service, and now the ever-climbing room rates.

We are going in June and a week at Pop would cost us 5 nights at $109per night and 2 nights at $119 for a total of (inc. tax) $884! Value they call it? I don't think so.

I found a 4 bedroom house with private pool in Indian Ridge for a total of $600! Of course we will have to rent a car and pay daily parking which will add to the total, I know. It will end up being about the same cost as a "value" resort only we will have over 1700 square feet of space with our own private pool, full kitchen, washer and dryer (saves on packing!) and drive to and from the parks in the quiet and comfort of our rented car rather than squeezing in with a hundred other hot, tired, sweaty, cranky, park goers after waiting in the hot sun for 30 minutes for a bus.

So I did it! I paid the deposit and reserved our first-ever offsite accomodations! Why didn't I think of this before?

 

[tinaluis]

That's what it comes down to for our family too -- we're a family of 6 so we need 2 rooms at the Values (not much of a value then is it?). When we get a 2-3 bedroom condo thru Skyauction we all have room to spread out and we all really enjoy our vacation much more than when we're on top of each other. Hope you have a great trip. Be sure to write a review of your accommodations when you get back!

 

[diznee princess]

I have never stayed in a house rental before but wanted to try it. Tell me how it is when you get back.
I do like staying at the marriott and Hilton Grand vactation clubs off the quiet side of Int. Dr. Its only 5 min from downtown disney. Last Nov one morning we ate at downtown disney, then just walked to SSR and took a bus from there to Epcot. Ended up at DTD that night and had a drink, shopped, then went back to Marriott Grande Vista.
That day I bought an AP so we parked for free the following days. It does beat the busses.
You will love the room the offsite accomodations give you and the family. Love disney onsite perks but we stopped getting the hotel rooms a long time ago, I need my privacy and quiet time in the evening too. Can't beat the kitchen, hit the stores day one and stock up on snacks, water bottles, soda and a nice bottle of wine or margharita makings. MY experience though with my family is only buy a little at first. We have ended up leaving a lot of food behind in the past. I bring my sweetnlow and tea bags, coffee liners, dryer sheets and even laundry soap ,straws, napkins and things like that from home. The stores have the little double pack of salt n pepper and small sugar available. They also sell half packs of butter. We only eat a small breakfast in the mornings before we leave for parks. But it is great and saves time and $$. Dont buy from Goodings they are outrageous in prices. There are a few Walmart super stores with grocery there, they are the cheapest. Publix is ok.
Enjoy!

 

[Cruz91]

We have never stayed 'on-site', mainly because I knew our family of 4 would be at one another's throats if we didn't each have our space!

I have one recommendation... You may want to look at upgrading one ticket to an annual pass. It's not cheap, but it may be worthwhile. With an AP, you get free parking, which automatically saves you $66 or $77 (depending on if you'll be going to the park 6 days or 7). You can also purchase a dining card which gives you a 20% discount on all table service meals. So if you're going to many character meals, the 20% savings plus the parking may make it a better deal for you. The only thing you would need to check is to see if, with just one AP holder at the table, your whole family is eligible for the 20% off. I'm sure someone on here knows the answer to that question, though...

Have a great trip!

 

[Mainebound]

congratulations! We were converts after our first offsite stay.

Get ready for the most relaxing Disney vacation your family has ever enjoyed!

and you may find, as we have, that we really like having a car, even on Disney property!!

 

[earthfaries]

congratulations! We were converts after our first offsite stay.

Get ready for the most relaxing Disney vacation your family has ever enjoyed!

and you may find, as we have, that we really like having a car, even on Disney property!!

Us too!!!

Last year was our first year off site and our BEST !!!
We loved the space, our own kitchen , the washer and dryer was wonderful!! We didn't have to pack as much and we could just throw our clothes in the washer when we got "home" and bring clean clothes home instead of tons of dirty ones!!!
After a long day at the parks instead of waiting for crowded bussed we got in the van for our short drive to our condo. Throw the laundry in, my sig. other would shower the kids in one bathroom, I would put mac and cheese on, shower in the other bathroom and the kids could eat on the couch and watch tv then hop in bed.
It really helped us relax and relaxing is something we never did at Disney before as we do the parks open to close!!!
Have fun~ I know you will be converted after this!!!

This is how much we love off site and will not stay onsite anymore...

We could have flown ~ and been in Orlando in 1hr 40 minutes for a little more than gas, hotels and food for the drive there and back...but we didn't . We cancelled our flights. We're driving ~ 24 hours instead of 3 hours 20 minutes!!!
I couldn' imagine being cramped in a room for 8 nights and not having a kitchen, washer, dryer, 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms...you get the picture

 

[TotoToo]

Us too!!!

Last year was our first year off site and our BEST !!!
We loved the space, our own kitchen , the washer and dryer was wonderful!! We didn't have to pack as much and we could just throw our clothes in the washer when we got "home" and bring clean clothes home instead of tons of dirty ones!!!
After a long day at the parks instead of waiting for crowded bussed we got in the van for our short drive to our condo. Throw the laundry in, my sig. other would shower the kids in one bathroom, I would put mac and cheese on, shower in the other bathroom and the kids could eat on the couch and watch tv then hop in bed.
It really helped us relax and relaxing is something we never did at Disney before as we do the parks open to close!!!
Have fun~ I know you will be converted after this!!!

This is how much we love off site and will not stay onsite anymore...

We could have flown ~ and been in Orlando in 1hr 40 minutes for a little more than gas, hotels and food for the drive there and back...but we didn't . We cancelled our flights. We're driving ~ 24 hours instead of 3 hours 20 minutes!!!
I couldn' imagine being cramped in a room for 8 nights and not having a kitchen, washer, dryer, 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms...you get the picture

Exactly what we found. We would never stay on site or deal with Disney transportation again. We had our on site years back in the 90's and then discovered how much more enjoyable off site was and how much there is to do that ISN'T Disney. Now we may do one day Disney but often spend a week and never set foot on Disney property while having a great stay. At far less cost as a big bonus.