Is it worth it to stay offsite?

[jjarman]

Our next trip will probably be Springbreak or first week of January, 2010. It will probably be just me and my college age son, maybe a college age female cousin. I am trying to be as economical as possible on this trip within reason. It is my feeling that staying offsite, price wise, would only be an advantage during Springbreak when rates are at their highest. But, if we did that we would have to rent a car or drive down. If we drive, we will lose 2 half days of the parks (Saturday arrival and Saturday departure). The cost of flying is not that much more than driving as we would probably stop half way one or both ways. The only real advantage I see would be if we got a condo (and the prices I have seen are really good) and could cook some. I really don't want to cook on vacation. The big disadvantage I see staying offsite at Springbreak is the traffic. Can you get close enough to WDW that the traffic is not an issue? Also, if you get that close doesn't the price just go up that much more?

 

[Metsoskil]

As for the traffic, we've never found it to be a problem when going to the parks for rope drop, even during XMAS week (with the exception of NYE). There are plenty of places to stay off-site that are close enough to make traffic a non-factor.

As for the other concerns you mentioned, I'd stay on-site in your situation. The big advantage to staying off-site IMHO is the ability to get multiple bedrooms for a reasonable price. If you are OK with sharing a room w/ your son, I'd stay at a value. When you factor in the convinience of ME and Disney transportation, I think it's a pretty good deal. Especially if you have no desire to cook.

If you end up going in January of 2010, you'll probably get some pretty good deals from Disney on on-site accomodations anyway, and crowds will be light. At that time, on-site is a no-brainer IMO.

 

[cjnix29]

Stay off site. The cooking thing could be a non-issue either way. If you stay on site, you will be paying Disney prices for food. If you stay off site, you will be paying less for eating out. Plus, is putting a pizza in the oven really cooking? I have always been a resort snob, but recently I am really starting to see the value of staying off site. Especially when it comes to space....And with two adult children going with you, it is highly unlikely you will all want to be crammed into a 250 sq ft room. Good luck and have a great trip with whatever you decide to do!

 

[Brian Noble]

If you are flying, and can get by with two beds, it's pretty hard to beat a Value room with Disney transportation, even during Peak Season.

We always have a kitchen, but we mostly only use it for breakfast, maybe one or two other times.

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm not sure if you would be coming out ahead at all by staying off-site during Spring Break. The off-site resorts will all have higher rates then too, plus once you add in renting a car and paying for parking, how much money will you really be saving? Not to mention loosing out on the EMH hours, which are very valuable when the parks are crazy busy to begin with.

If you don't mind sharing a room, I would just fly down and stay at a Value resort. The Music would probably be the quietest of the Values. Plus, the rooms have been recently refurbished.

I've stayed off-site many times, but staying off-site during Spring Break does not sound appealing.

 

[dioxide45]

If you are going spring break I would suggest on site. If you go in January, then offsite. I have found car rental rates to be very high during spring break time. Never went, but looked in to prices. Just like on site, offsite prices will be high too.

 

[jjarman]

Thanks for all the replys. It really does seem like it is best for us to stay onsite. Besides I really like not having to worry about parking, keeping up with car keys, driving back at the end of the day when I am tired, etc.

 

[summermac]

In your case I'd stay onsite. Unless you find a SWEET deal!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Having done both....I prefer onsite. Ther are times when offsite makes sense, but largely it is when you are planning Universal days. The other time staying offsite is a great deal is when you use it for a budget arrival or departure night. Many times, when I've gone to book air to Orlando, I've found the cost of taking a red eye flight a day early (usu. Thurs) is quite a bit less than arriving on a Friday night. With just two people it might not add us, but when you go ina group of four, the savings can be big.

You have to pack a night bag to make it work, but it gives you some extra time in Orlando. Instead fo arriving in the afternoon, you wake up in Orlando!

I also like being close to Universal when we go there.

WDW is the best, but some of the other things can be fun- like Pirate mini-golf, go carts, dining offsite.

That said, the last time we stayed offsite to go to WDW, I disliked it. We did a split stay, and once we were on property, everything was much smoother going. We stayed at teh Vistana, which is a really nice place. The room was huge, clean, and hard to leave. That was the problem.
The Vistana is super close to WDW, so traffic wasn't an issue....but coming and going was still harder than when we were onsite. (I should mention that we had small kids in our gruop - so driving meant buckling carseats and unpacking strollers)