Just Curious What Would You Do?

[Pan's Dad]

Have an opportunity to use our inlaw's timeshare for a wk - free - in Orlando. Looks like we could stay at either the Marriott Cypress Harbour, Marriott Grande Vista or Sheraton Vistana.

OR, we could take advantage of the low rates at AKL.

We plan on going end Aug/beg Sept for a week. We have always stayed on-site during previous 5 visits. Not rolling in money but could afford the $1,000 plus to stay at AKL (may need to put off that car purchase just a bit longer....) . me, wife and 2 kids, ages 11+10.

I also think we would stay 8 nites at AKL vs 7 nites at timeshare.

 

[Mouseteacher]

I vote for the AKL - there is nothing like staying on property. I go for the whole Disney experience - even if it means giving up a freebie. JMHO!

 

[WeLoveThePoly]

I agree with mouseteacher! Staying onsite makes the trip more magical!!!

Debbie

 

[jl3614]

If this was a once in a lifetime (or even once in a decade) trip I'd say stay at AKL. But your "we stayed on-site during 5 previous visits" comment makes it appear that you go every couple of years. I say take advantage of your in-law's generosity, stay off-site - those Marriott's are great resorts. Maybe visit or eat a meal at AKL to get a feel for the resort, if you like it you could go their next time.

Just my opinion.

 

[Bojangles]

Take the free offer. Those are nice timeshare resorts. You will get a kitchen and washer/dryer. Offsite is not bad, especially since your kids are older and past the mid-day nap stage. Put the money away for another Disney trip next year or something.

 

[safetymom]

Take the free offer and use the extra money towards your car. That way you get your vacation and the new car.

Onsite is nice but many offsite places are great too.

 

[Geomich]

Here is another vote for AKL! Staying on-site just makes the trip seem even more special.

 

[Dizz42]

Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of staying on-property. Never thought I would say this but in your scenario, I would take the timeshare. However, here's what I would do if at all possible...I'd get 2-3 nights at AKL then move over to timeshare for 5 or 6 nights. Nothing says you have to actually stay there 7 nights. It has to be booked for 7 nights. Also, you could have the best each place has to offer: AKL - the total Disney experience; the timeshare - probably more room and a washer/dryer.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Dizz42 has a great plan. Just because it is booked for 7 nights, doesn't mean you have to use it. They don't care, just inform them of it though.

Stay 2-3 nights AKL then go to the timeshare for 6 nights.

I would take the free timeshare in a heartbeat. Those Marriott properties are mighty nice!

 

[ctrabada]

Take the freebie.... Marriott timeshares are awesome and are just outside Disney property. Since you have stayed inside before, take this opportunity to save some $ to buy the new car. Yes, staying on-site is more magical, but a vacation is what you make of it... you can have a magical time wherever you stay....

 

[dpic]

Do both. Use the freebie to visit other sites in the area, then stay at AKL to visit Disney. Take a longer vacation because part of it is free.

 

[kelscross]

I agree...take a longer vacation. LOL. If a week is only possible stay a couple of nights at AKL and then the time share.

 

[poohandwendy]

Under your specific circumstances, I would take advantage of the timeshare and do WDW a few days, do Universal for a few days and enjoy other Orlando places for the rest of the trip. Doesn't sound like you will have a hard time getting back to on-site WDW soon, so I would definitely try something different this time. (and there WILL be other low rates for AKL, it is inevitable). It also gives you a chance to see things you otherwise may have missed by visiting WDW exclusively. Whatever you decide, have a great time!!!

 

[magsmom]

We did timeshares at Silver Lake (Aunt has a timeshare) and Westgate before we discovered the magic of staying on property and we were totally happy. Now is a different story, however ... I would do a split - but make sure to do AKL LAST. LOL

 

[laurajetter]

If you go to WDW at least once a year, I think I would probably take the free off-site offer. If your trips to WDW are few and far between I would probably opt for AKL. Maybe stay the last one or two days at AKL?

-Laura

 

[outahere]

I vote for the timeshare.....

We have stayed at both Cypress Harbour and Grande Vista several times and they are both very nice. Grande Vista is newer and has a full service restaurant on site. They have different types of rooms..... single hotel rooms up to 3 bedroom condos.

Cypress Harbour is also very nice and only has 2 bedroom units. When we stay at Cypress Harbour, we like to stay in a unit near the island pool, because it's usually quieter than the main pool. They don't have a restaurant, but do have sandwiches, coffee, etc. in the small store and there is a Pizza Hut takeout place as well.

 

[yecats]

I hate to suggest this but I agree about staying offsite. Save your money. It is nice to have seperate rooms on vacation so that everyone isn't underhand all the time. You can always do onsite again in the future but you can have both now with just a few extra minutes of travel. Trust me you can save a lot. Another poster also suggested seeing whatelse Orlando has to offer and I do to. You've already had several trips to Disney on property. You may want to check out US, SW and another waterpark. Work out a comparison worksheet of cost onsite and offsite and decide if you even want to do Disney this trip and compare it against cost of going to US for a few days. You can save money and still go on vacation whether at Disney or somewhere else.

 

[crzy4dsny]

For me it's on-site or nothing. No matter how you look at it, It's just not the same.

 

[Kae]

I vote for the time share also. Do some non-disney things that maybe you have not tried. Wet & Wild, Sea world, There some cute putt-putt places & some off site places to eat, the alot of diser's talk about. And buy a Mickey topper & licnese plate holder for your new car.

Kae