If you used to stay onsite...

[mic&min]

We are doing our first offsite stay in Windsor Hills for our spring break trip. I just could not justify the $ to stay at Pop Century over Easter. However I am staying the first two nights at Pop with a pin code before checking in to Windsor Hills. So I will still get my Disney fix.....

We will see how it goes being offsite and will make future decisions based on this stay. It really did save us a ton of money and to have the space and our own pool will be wonderful.

Mary

 

[Beccabunny]

I'm not sure we'll be saving a lot of money by staying offsite. We are eligible to stay at SOG, which is reasonable in price. The Windsor Hills townhouse we're renting in May costs a little bit less, but after taxes, which you don't pay at SOG, it costs a little more. Because of special dietary needs, we find we really need a kitchen. I don't plan to cook every single meal, but there will be some savings there. We also really like the extra space we'll be getting, as well as a splash pool. Having stayed at SOG, we're used to not being "immersed" in Disney theming. However, the townhouse we chose has a princess-themed room. We have never utilized EMH, so that's not an issue for us. We always rent a car, so that's not an extra expense. I think the only drawbacks for us will be the extra time it takes to get to the parks and the parking fees. For what we're getting, I think I can live with that.

 

[vettechick99]

Having a child made us switch offsite. For now at least - while she needs naps. Then we'll go back. I actually adore staying at the Poly or BC and being so close to the parks. You can not beat that with a stick. But I don't like staying with my daughter in one room. She needs afternoon naps and I don't like sitting on the bed waiting for 4 hours to be up. So we moved to BC because I'm not willing to foresake location. I need to be close. I need space. And I'm willing to give up perks like EMH or package pickup.

We will one day go back. When our kids are old enough to not need naps and will enjoy EMH. But for now offsite works for us.

 

[dd50]

Last summer was my first time staying on site. I like that if I want to go back to the hotel my teens can stay and I don't have to go pick them up. My other daughter meets us there from CA and she didn't rent a car but did have two little kids.

Off site I always liked when they were little because you had room to move. I don't cook on vacation but at times we would stop on the way home for subs or pizza. A washer and dryer is always a plus with kids as you don't have to pack as much.

If going with a large group it is much cheaper to stay off site.

 

[catherine]

Previously we have always stayed onsite. However DD's boyfriend is coming with us for our next trip, so there'll be 5 of us. We normally stay at OKW and like the facilties there. However because there are now 5 of us we need a 2 bedroom and it will cost us 5 times more than if we get a 3 bedroom 3 bath townhouse off site. So even if we were to get free dining it would still cost us way more to stay at OKW. So unless we get a really good deal we'll be staying off site.

 

[Sammy]

Previously we have always stayed onsite. However DD's boyfriend is coming with us for our next trip, so there'll be 5 of us. We normally stay at OKW and like the facilties there. However because there are now 5 of us we need a 2 bedroom and it will cost us 5 times more than if we get a 3 bedroom 3 bath townhouse off site. So even if we were to get free dining it would still cost us way more to stay at OKW. So unless we get a really good deal we'll be staying off site.

This is almost our exact situation too. We are DVC owners and our fave resort is OKW, however we are traveling with DD's boyfriend and my parents this time, so 8 in all. We would need both a 2-bedroom and a studio, and would have to rent/transfer lots of points this time. We can get a 2-bedroom AND a 1-bedroom at Bonnet Creek for almost $1,000 less. I will admit that other than when I was a kid, we've never stayed offsite, so I'm nervous that the entire time I'm going to be missing the Disney feel. But I guess I'm willing to "suck it up" for $1,000!!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

This is almost our exact situation too. We are DVC owners and our fave resort is OKW, however we are traveling with DD's boyfriend and my parents this time, so 8 in all. We would need both a 2-bedroom and a studio, and would have to rent/transfer lots of points this time. We can get a 2-bedroom AND a 1-bedroom at Bonnet Creek for almost $1,000 less. I will admit that other than when I was a kid, we've never stayed offsite, so I'm nervous that the entire time I'm going to be missing the Disney feel. But I guess I'm willing to "suck it up" for $1,000!!

Same here. We almost always stay on-site. This summer I booked HBC as it is less than 1/2 of what we have booked at the Contemporary. $2000 is a lot of money. We are getting a Disney fireworks view, and the place looks beautiful. Now if Disney offers a deal then I will have to see which one is less. If they don't, I'm set at HBC.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

My mom works at Marriott and I get a pretty nice discount for a regular hotel room..$39/night and for the 2 bedroom suite $129/night but i still opted for cabins at ft. wilderness. I guess its because its gonna be my first time at WDW.... Do you think i should reconsider???

Yes!!!! My sister had a cabin at FW last summer and I was at the BW so visiting her I got an idea of the cabins. One thing that struck me was we had to take a bus to get to the pool. Think about it, your in the FL heat, wet from swimming.... Do you know how cold it is on the bus with the air blasting. Plus we were always waiting for a bus. There is the internal loop then the main busses for the parks. The cabin itself was fine. It was pricy though.

What worked out well when we had a first timer and tight budget is we stayed off-site for 1 week then at POP for a few days. Worked out great.

 

[ICF]

Triple the space at 1/3 of the cost does it for us.

us too.

 

[happymommy]

I just read my old reply, but instead of editing it I'll add my own little two cents.

We have not stayed offsite since 1992, when DH and I went down right after we got engaged. That trip, we stayed at the Residence Inn at Lake Cecile (not a Residence Inn anymore) for $59 a night, had a rental car (first time I rented a car) for $79 plus tax for the week. The tickets were free (we had leftover ones from a previous trip that spring that I had planned for some folks from Japan, I was their "tour guide"). We never ate on property, instead, had the free breakfast early every morning, and went back to Kissimmee somewhere for lunch, and even cooked dinner once or twice in the studio kitchen. We had so much fun, though!

Since then, we've moved to onsite, and really do enjoy the convenience of not needing a rental car and being able to split up and meet up during the day and evening.

But, since buying a Marriott timeshare (Hawaii) we have discovered how nice a condo is. We've stayed twice at the BWV in a 1br, and had it booked for this coming spring break with the 40% off. Then, I discovered an Interval International "getaway" for our same week in a TWO bedroom condo at Marriott's Grande Vista for $442 total including taxes. Um, that is a little more than what I had booked PER NIGHT at the BWV in a ONE bedroom unit. I asked my DH and he said, okay, so I jumped on that one. Yes, it is prepaid, so you can't cancel, but it was such a deal. I checked and we have a dedicated two bedroom unit booked. Plus, DH is Marriott Platinum and he'll get his elite night credits since I linked it to his account. Double bonus there!

For the four of us, I think our days onsite are numbered. We may stay onsite again in the future, but really, we need space, and to pay for two rooms at Disney is outrageous to me. If it's just me and the kids, we can do one room, but the four of us, no way anymore.

I am looking forward actually to this offsite experience! If we went with a larger group, like my DSis and her family of 6, we'd definitely look into renting a house.

I can't justify the costs Disney charges for our family - I'd rather go more often and spend less!

 

[Pats Dragon]

This is our first year in a long time off site. We made the decision because we love to go on vacation during the holidays. Disney has increased room prices outrageously where the 4 of us paid 182 for a value resort. The room was tiny and just not worth the price.

 

[littlestar]

I just read my old reply, but instead of editing it I'll add my own little two cents.


But, since buying a Marriott timeshare (Hawaii) we have discovered how nice a condo is. We've stayed twice at the BWV in a 1br, and had it booked for this coming spring break with the 40% off. Then, I discovered an Interval International "getaway" for our same week in a TWO bedroom condo at Marriott's Grande Vista for $442 total including taxes. Um, that is a little more than what I had booked PER NIGHT at the BWV in a ONE bedroom unit. I asked my DH and he said, okay, so I jumped on that one. Yes, it is prepaid, so you can't cancel, but it was such a deal. I checked and we have a dedicated two bedroom unit booked. Plus, DH is Marriott Platinum and he'll get his elite night credits since I linked it to his account. Double bonus there!

For the four of us, I think our days onsite are numbered. We may stay onsite again in the future, but really, we need space, and to pay for two rooms at Disney is outrageous to me. If it's just me and the kids, we can do one room, but the four of us, no way anymore.

I am looking forward actually to this offsite experience! If we went with a larger group, like my DSis and her family of 6, we'd definitely look into renting a house.

I can't justify the costs Disney charges for our family - I'd rather go more often and spend less!

That's kind of our journey, too. After we bought our Marriott, we tried different Marriotts in Orlando and we have found our personal favorites. We love Interval's Getaways for Orlando and RCI's Last Calls. I can barely rent one night in a DVC villa for what I can get a cash Interval or RCI deal for a week!

We've also recently picked up some Wyndham points resale for cheap and will use those in Orlando some, too. I just can't go back to staying in Disney hotels rooms - I'm spoiled. And Orlando has so many gorgeous offsite properties - it's truly not a hardship staying offsite. But it is hard to pick one with so many terrific choices in Orlando!

 

[rock_doctor]

Not to derail the thread but let me ask a question or two... We always stay on site (we always drive) but over the last 5 years there has been issues with the room and in some cases management. If you stay off site, how do you get to the other Disney hotels? We like to explore the other Disney hotels on non-park days plus like to go over to the Poly each night to watch the fireworks. From what I understand you can't park if you are not already a Disney guest, plus do you pay to park in the theme park lots? It use to be, if you have a multi-day pass (not an annual pass) they did not charge for parking. This year we made res for POP but i really don't want to stay there (can't afford to stay at another Disney hotel) and am exploring staying outside but am trying to determine if we can do what we normally do if we do stay outside. Thanks for allowing me to hijack the thread.

 

[PrincessDadx2]

Not to derail the thread but let me ask a question or two... We always stay on site (we always drive) but over the last 5 years there has been issues with the room and in some cases management. If you stay off site, how do you get to the other Disney hotels? We like to explore the other Disney hotels on non-park days plus like to go over to the Poly each night to watch the fireworks. From what I understand you can't park if you are not already a Disney guest, plus do you pay to park in the theme park lots? It use to be, if you have a multi-day pass (not an annual pass) they did not charge for parking. This year we made res for POP but i really don't want to stay there (can't afford to stay at another Disney hotel) and am exploring staying outside but am trying to determine if we can do what we normally do if we do stay outside. Thanks for allowing me to hijack the thread.

The same way as every other guest - Disney transportation

The only difference is your entrance point into the system. If you are staying at a Disney resort your start there and use Disney transport to where you want to go. If you are staying off site you start at a theme park or the transportation center and use Disney transport to where you want to go.

Disney guests are also not allowed to park at other resorts unless they have a reservation, so I think that is the same for everyone. You can get a 3 hour parking pass if you have a reservation or can get past the guard by saying you want to look around

You will have to pay the $14 parking fee each day unless you have an annual pass. However, that fee is good for anywhere you park on Disney property, so it is only once per day.

So really the only difference is starting location and the parking fee.

If you are staying on the boardwalk, it is obviously easier to get to the other boardwalk resorts, but someone in Epcot can walk to the Beach Club faster than someone can go from POP to the Beach Club.

Someone staying on a monorail resort can do those faster, but again the T&T center is closer to the Polynesian than any value or moderate resort.

Most Disney transport requires you to go to a park, so travelling between two resorts usually takes 2 bus rides. You can actually make it faster with your own car, especially to DTD.

 

[rock_doctor]

Ok thanks for the information.

 

[leebee]

I hate, hate, HATE waiting for Disney busses at the end of the night! There is nothing worse than standing in line waiting for a bus at the end of a long, hot day in a theme park. Two summers ago, staying at POP, we never waited less than 30 mins to get a bus from a park back to POP, and one memorable evening we waited an hour and 15 mins in line to finally get on a bus. It is SO annoying to stand there in the heat, with sore feet, crying children (yours and others) and some guy sneaking another cigarette and know that if you'd stayed offsite you'd be in your car, or in your condo, or in your swimming pool, instead of standing in line waiting to stand on the bus back to the long walk at the resort to get back to your TINY room!

(Having said that, when it's just DD and me, and I get a great deal on a room with my Disney VISA or can get free dining and free transportation from/to the airport instead of needing a rental car, it's hard to NOT stay on site...and that $14/day parking fee is getting to be a killer...)

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I hate, hate, HATE waiting for Disney busses at the end of the night! There is nothing worse than standing in line waiting for a bus at the end of a long, hot day in a theme park. Two summers ago, staying at POP, we never waited less than 30 mins to get a bus from a park back to POP, and one memorable evening we waited an hour and 15 mins in line to finally get on a bus. It is SO annoying to stand there in the heat, with sore feet, crying children (yours and others) and some guy sneaking another cigarette and know that if you'd stayed offsite you'd be in your car, or in your condo, or in your swimming pool, instead of standing in line waiting to stand on the bus back to the long walk at the resort to get back to your TINY room!

(Having said that, when it's just DD and me, and I get a great deal on a room with my Disney VISA or can get free dining and free transportation from/to the airport instead of needing a rental car, it's hard to NOT stay on site...and that $14/day parking fee is getting to be a killer...)

I agree. It depends on the deals and vacations. I can go either on or off-site..

 

[RachaelRol]

DH, DS and I stayed at all of the moderates and Pop Century. One year we rented a big offiste house with extended family. Not a fan of the house rental, too much like home and compelled to cook.

That being said, we're looking at an August 2010 trip and wanting to stay at a DVC resort or deluxe for 9 nights. The Poly for the three of us, standard view is nearly 5K without the DDP, a studio DVC is around 4K.

Pop Century is about 2K. These quotes include tickets.


So for about $1000 (excluding tickets) where would you recommend we stay? Looking for 9 nights, a resort feel, pool, onsite restaurant for either breakfast or snacks and we want space. I'd go condo, but want resort feel...

Where should I look?

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

DH, DS and I stayed at all of the moderates and Pop Century. One year we rented a big offiste house with extended family. Not a fan of the house rental, too much like home and compelled to cook.

That being said, we're looking at an August 2010 trip and wanting to stay at a DVC resort or deluxe for 9 nights. The Poly for the three of us, standard view is nearly 5K without the DDP, a studio DVC is around 4K.

Pop Century is about 2K. These quotes include tickets.


So for about $1000 (excluding tickets) where would you recommend we stay? Looking for 9 nights, a resort feel, pool, onsite restaurant for either breakfast or snacks and we want space. I'd go condo, but want resort feel...

Where should I look?

If Disney offers a deal for August you may be able to stay on-site, but even then for 9 nights and $1000 you'd still have to stay mod or value. Have you checked the downtown disney resorts or Bonnet Creek. The Doubletree is very nice. The Hilton at DTD offers extra magic hours.
If you stay at a DTD hotel you won't need a rental car that really adds up especially with parking fees both at the hotel and parks.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Hi:
If you are willing to stay off site you do not have to give up a resort feel. Try Bonnet Creek or the Sheraton Vistana. I prefer either one to a value at Disney.