I'm Torn....Help me decide

[joyerbides]

I posted on another board about this, but I thought, I might get some good insight here as well. I am booked for Christmas week at Pop for my family of 6. We have to get 2 rooms to accommodate us all. Money is tight, and we may have to cut our trip shorter than what we originally planned. I have never stayed off site (as an adult), but I am seeing that you can rent condos,townhouses, etc. for about half the price as what we will be paying with the 2 rooms at a value during holiday season. Staying offsite, then would mean we could stay a little longer and we would all be in the same place. BUT......would I be sacrificing alot by doing this? Or is it OK, to stay offsite? You know what I mean So, please help me decide. We are thinking about Windsor Hills. What would you do? Thanks. Jana

 

[Tink888]

Personally I like staying on-site. Everything is right there, you are immersed in the theming, Disney transportation is available to use and you can take advantage of the extra magic hours, free parking and just a lot less hassle.

I can also see the advantages to staying off-site - lodging is cheaper and you'll probably have way more room. You can also save money by eating offsite or preparing your own meals.

Since you are going during Christmas week, I would recommend staying on-site for two reasons.

1. Christmas at Disney is absolutely wonderful and staying at a Disney resort just adds to the magic.

2. And this is my biggest reason - Christmas week is one of the busiest and most crowded times at WDW. I may be wrong about this, and a poster will correct me if I am, but I believe that as a resort guest, you are guaranteed access to the theme parks whereas if you are staying off-site and the parks are filled to capacity by the time you arrive, you are out of luck.

Good luck with your decision and I hope you have a great trip where ever you choose to stay.

 

[safetymom]

You are guaranteed access to A park. It may not be the one you want. So if Magic Kingdom is closed due to capacity then a resort guest will not get in.

There are stages to closing. When they reach capacity you would have to wait until they open it back up again. Having a dining reservation will not get you into the park either.

 

[Clotho]

The "stages" of closure referred to above were listed in a recent post, but I can't find them. It really is fascinating!

Essentially the various stages begin with turning offsite guests away at the parking lot, but still allowing those already on property to arrive by onsite transportation (monorails, boats, etc). So staying offsite means if the park you are trying to go to that day is at capacity, you will be turned away at the entrance and will have to go to another park. That sounds so un-fun to me!

As a result of this tiered closing stystem, there is a distinct advantage to being onsite, but really, it just means offsite folks need to change their plans for the day. I wonder...how often has it been that multiple parks have been at capacity simultaneously? That would be interesting to learn about...

I would have to vote for staying on site as well, ESPECIALLY during Christmas. Wow, the theming will be fantastic. And I would think wrangling a family of 6 into a car, driving from wherever, wrangling them out, then wrangling them onto a tram, then wrangling them onto a boat or monorail...lots of wrangling! Where if you are onsite, you could just put them on one bus and arrive where you're going, voila! With the crowds being what they are, I would rather have one easy step to get where I'm going than to add so many more steps. The holidays can be stressful enough. Make it easy on yourself!

 

[sherry8253]

How many nights can you stay on site vs off site? If he number is significant, as much as I love staying on-site I would chose off-site.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Esp during the holiday season I would stay on site, for the reasons listed above and more, including EMH.
You should see the line of cars backed up to just get into the parks. Staying on site you just ride the bus in. And as mentioned an on-site guest will get in a park.
Plus off site you would have an extra expense of renting a car and paying to park. Not to mention the cost of Ga$$$.
Have you looked into an ASMu family suite?

 

[asmit4]

Depends on # of days you would be missing. If it's 7 offsite vs 5 onsite? I'd do the 5 onsite.

My ONLY reason for saying this is that during holiday season there are several difficulties that come into play- parking, closing the parks, crowds, EMHs...

These things might not matter so much in off season but during Christmas? I think they mean A LOT more.

 

[kimberh]

Have you checked into FT. Wilderness Camp Grounds? These Houses sleep 6 and it is not camping. It has all the onsite amenties plus a kitchen, you may be able to eat breakfast in the room, save some money that way. Might be cheaper than renting two rooms.

 

[dclfun]

I agree with everyone else- staying onsite is wonderful but almost necessary during the Christmas/NY week. We live about 30 minutes away and the year we first moved here had a houseguest/young tween friend of my daughter come to stay with us a few days after Christmas. Of course she wanted to go to the parks. We had to get up in the dark to get there at opening to be sure we could get in and then could NEVER leave to relax. The crowds were horrendous and I had a son who desperately wanted a nap. No way was that gonna happen. So basically we went, had an extremely stressful day and drove home exhausted along with the other guests staying offsite in bumper to bumper traffic. It got pretty ugly and we certainly didn't feel "magical". If it means not going though or curtailing your trip too much to where you'd feel stressed out that way, then staying offsite may be a good option. Just consider what you'd be giving up and what you'd be adding ( major stress!).---Kathy

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Having stayed offsite and onsite during the Christmas holiday, I'd say either should work for you.

Depending on which you choose, you'll just plan a bit differently.

If offsite, choose a nice place so you can enjoy those accomodations and perhaps plan your Disney visits to be "atmosphere oriented" instead of theme park tour plan "get everything done."

It is very busy during the Christmas week, but some of that is alleviated given the time you choose to visit. Will you be there anytime before Christmas? It may be somewhat slower. Do you plan on staying after NYE? It will slow down again.

The week of Christmas to NY Day is the busiest.

If it meant a longer (and potentially more comfortable vacation) I'd stay offsite. You'll be dealing with massive crowds everywhere at WDW. Attractions, buses, other transport, restaurants, counterservice, bathrooms.

Offsite will allow you to get away from that, but I do agree, it's not the time to take an offsite break during the day to return later. Once in the parks during Christmas week, plan to stay.

 

[kaysmommie]

If offsite will give you more days and more space then I would do that. I'm usually and onsite girl though. I think Windsor Hills looks very nice. Have you looked inot the suites at ASMu?