if we stay off site instead of a resort..

[tkme4ard]

what are the differences. What CAN'T we do? Can we still ride the monorail? Are we going to be able to get into the MK for our 8:15 PS at CRT?

Angela

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by tkme4ard
what are the differences. What CAN'T we do? Can we still ride the monorail? Are we going to be able to get into the MK for our 8:15 PS at CRT?

Angela

Yes, you can ride the monorail. In fact, to get to the Magic Kingdom, you have to either ride the monorail or the ferry boat. You can also ride the monorail to the 3 hotels on the route.

Yes, you can get to your dining reservations.

What can't you do? Nothing terribly important in my opinion. Disney hotel guests can do early entry into one park each day. In peak season, that can be nice. Offseason I don't think it makes much difference.

There is also something called E ride nites, or something like that. I've heard people discuss it but I honestly don't know exactly what it consists of. I'm sure someone here can explain it.

You can't charge your purchases to your room. Just use your credit card - basically the same thing. You also can't have purchases delivered to your room, but you can have them delivered to the front gate so you don't have to carry them around all day.

You also have to pay to park $7/day which is good all day, even if you go from park to park - just show your receipt and you only pay once.

I won't start a debate about on-site vs. off-site as there are quite a few threads to that effect. Its worth doing a search to read some of them to see the pros and cons, though they are all very much personal preference. I've stayed on-site and off-site many times and personally, we much prefer off-site for a variety of reasons: space, amenities, cost, convenience to name a few.

Staying off-site, you can still enjoy virtually everything Disney has to offer. You can eat where ever you want, visit all of the hotels, shop at the shops, ride the transportation system, etc.

Steve

 

[tkme4ard]

Thank you Steve I wasn't trying to start a debate but making sure there wasn't any "surprises" when we got there. Right now we have res for the Contemporary but I'm going to change them to a 2 bedroom condo. I think it will work out better for us. And it will save over 300$ which is a lot IMO and not worth the crowded room with 3 small children and parks closing early.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by tkme4ard
Right now we have res for the Contemporary but I'm going to change them to a 2 bedroom condo. I think it will work out better for us. And it will save over 300$.

Angela - When are you going? For how long? I'm actually a bit surprised that the condo will only cost $300 less than the Contemporary but I'm thinking in terms of a week-long stay. Where are you getting the condo? There are several nice complexes close by. We're booked in a 3-bedroom at Windsor Palms in November for about $100/nite. I believe they have 2-bedrooms starting under $60/nite depending on the season.

Steve

 

[tkme4ard]

either last week of augest or first week of sept or half of each LOL depends on where we end up with! Well with the SOG we're getting the contemporary with 3 adults and 3 children for 110$ a night with tax it ends up being almost 900$

if we stay at cypress it's 530$ with tax for 7 days at hotelmart.com. The contemporary is set up for 8 nights and I quoted 7 through the condo but it's still saving $$'s and having our own kitchen would save even more $$$'s. The vacation villa's were 331$ through govarm.com but I'm not going to go that route after hearing how "loveely" it is LOL

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by tkme4ard
Well with the SOG we're getting the contemporary with 3 adults and 3 children for 110$ a night with tax it ends up being almost 900$

That explains it. I was thinking of the rates regular folks would pay. In that case, the condo would save far more than $300.

Steve

 

[sln88]

try skyauction. I got a weekly rental for $250 for the week. No timeshare presentations or hidden surprises!