Is it possible to do Disney without renting a car and staying offsite?

[ryka]

I guess as I read between the lines of the original post and the followup(s), it seemed as though "space" was the nonnegotiable feature. Maybe I read too much into it. But, there's a qualitative difference between two hotel rooms and a 2BR condo---and it's not just the w/d.

Space is a nonnegotiable for me. I have a 16 year old that has some medical issues and we need space. The w/d is a plus because I won't have to pack as much and pay baggage fees ( saving me more money) I knew this wasn't going to be easy but I am also hoping that it can be possible.

 

[Lewisc]

The first question is if you can cancel your existing reservation, without a penalty. The second question is if you can find a better property, for your dates. No question BCR would be a superior alternative. Much better bus service and significantly cheaper taxis.

Renting through an owner should give you a rate similar to what you'd be paying now.

Posters in the Orlando Hotels and Attractions section of DIS have good experience renting from Ken
http://vacationupgrades.com/pricing.html

I'm sure there are other places, probably some with lower prices.

edited to add--You could pay the (outrageously high) charges to have clothing laundered by the hotel for far less then you'll be spending on taxis.

The amount of money you'll be spending for taxis will be far more then airline cost to check an extra bag. I understand you need more space then regular hotel room. Decide if you can live with a one bedroom at BCR (if 2 bedroom units aren't available).

 

[NotUrsula]

Space is a nonnegotiable for me. I have a 16 year old that has some medical issues and we need space. The w/d is a plus because I won't have to pack as much and pay baggage fees ( saving me more money) I knew this wasn't going to be easy but I am also hoping that it can be possible.

There is space and there is space, and how much you need can be defined in sq footage or in number of rooms, depending on the reason that you feel that you need it. Is the need to have a wide turning radius for a power wheelchair, or is it that you need the young man to be able to sleep in a separate room with a door that closes? (No need to actually answer that; I'm just pointing out why space needs can be interpreted in different ways.)

My interpretation was that the key was a separate space for the teen, not the actual size of the space, and of course, that was only my guess. Two hotel rooms would give you that separate space for him, but you would lose the W/D and the kitchen, but if you don't really plan to cook then the w/d is the balance point, which then means weighing the cost of extra baggage vs. the cost of a condo as opposed to two hotel rooms.

Obviously, it is up to you; only you know what kind of thing has greater potential to ruin your enjoyment of the trip.

For myself, having tried the limited offsite shuttle thing once when DH needed the car for a conference, I personally swore never again, and that was WITHOUT kids in tow. Quite frankly, I hated it so much that if the choice came down to doing that vs. not visiting parks at all, I'd go with no parks, or more likely, skipping the trip altogether. Nowadays if one of us needs to have a car in Orlando for business, we rent two cars. If I could not drive at all I would definitely go for the closest proximity I could get, even if it cost significantly more, because I *hate* having transportation issues when limited park time is ticking away; for me it just ruins my joy in the trip. (Truth is, almost every time I have a nightmare it involves some kind of transportation problem; that's how deep-seated that frustration is for me.)

 

[Lewisc]

I printed the bus service for the OPs condo. The OP is going to have to budget for taxis almost exclusively.

Assuming you can live with the $$$ taxis will solve her transportation issues. Moving to BCR will reduce the taxi fare and their shuttles may reduce the number of taxis required.

For myself, having tried the limited offsite shuttle thing once when DH needed the car for a conference, I personally swore never again, and that was WITHOUT kids in tow. Quite frankly, I hated it so much that if the choice came down to doing that vs. not visiting parks at all, I'd go with no parks, or more likely, skipping the trip altogether. Nowadays if one of us needs to have a car in Orlando for business, we rent two cars. If I could not drive at all I would definitely go for the closest proximity I could get, even if it cost significantly more, because I *hate* having transportation issues when limited park time is ticking away; for me it just ruins my joy in the trip. (Truth is, almost every time I have a nightmare it involves some kind of transportation problem; that's how deep-seated that frustration is for me.)

 

[NotUrsula]

I would suggest that to make life simpler, the OP should probably set herself up with a Mears cab account before the trip, so that she can book them more easily and have the number handy when she needs it. Also, IME, when demand is high cab companies often give dispatch priority to folks who have accounts over those who don't.

 

[LindaBabe]

PLUS, You're going to have to taxi to the resort from the airport and back. OYE. I would not want to be you, even alone! (A single stay at the Hilton on Hotel blvd proved that - their bus service was lousey, shared with other hotels, not accessable, and the driver was rude. NEVER again)

Off site, it's tough to go back for lunch, especially from the Magic Kingdom.

Make SURE you use a metered cab and not one of the black ones that hang out by the hotel doors - they will cost you twice as much. (I learned the hard way, too.)

I would budget $100 a day for taxis and tips from an offsite property that is not on hotel blvd.

 

[Brian Noble]

I knew this wasn't going to be easy but I am also hoping that it can be possible.

If a full condo is non-negotiable, and you really can't drive, I think there is only one viable choice---Bonnet Creek. Otherwise, you're going to be spending so much on cab fare that you're creeping into the cost to just rent a DVC villa from an owner.

 

[Lewisc]

If a full condo is non-negotiable, and you really can't drive, I think there is only one viable choice---Bonnet Creek. Otherwise, you're going to be spending so much on cab fare that you're creeping into the cost to just rent a DVC villa from an owner.

Not really. The OP needs/wants a 2 bedroom unit. April 1-7. 334 points OKW. Assuming availability? Assuming $10 /point ? You're still looking at more then $2300 extra. Taxis will cost far less then the difference.

That said I suspect a 1 bedroom unit might be big enough. You're still looking at an extra $1500 +.

I'd rather be onsite but even with taxis the OP will still be saving some money.

BCR is still the best compromise.

I think the OP is in a good position. Bus service is so poor she has no alternative but budget for cabs, cancel the vacation or change her resort.

I suspect she may have a problem cancelling her existing reservation.

 

[ryka]

Ok so I thought about everything all of you said and I decided to find someone else to go with me that drives. I just think that will be for the better. Thank you all for the advice. Now I need to find an affordable rental car