Looking for opinions

[landsm99]

Hi all-
Looking for opinions about our upcoming vacation. We have a DVC vacation scheduled for May-going to be staying at the BWV. We only had points for 5 days-so we looked to extend. I chose off-site at the Sheraton Vistana Village (great rate via dreams unlimited).
Anyway, now I am thinking maybe we need to be on-site. Last trip we supplemented our points with 3 nights at POP. We did not like being trapped in that little room (DVC spoils you so much!). I was looking at the family suites at ASMusic.
So-opinions-if prices work out close what would you do? Off site at a very, very nice resort or on site at a OK resort (but you are on property).

Thanks in advance

 

[gatorfreud]

To be fair, I have never stayed WDW off site... but I love staying on property and wouldn't do it any other way. We went to Disneyland and stayed off property and it just wasn't the same.

Can you book your DVC for the 2nd half of the trip?

 

[landsm99]

The DVC part will be the 2nd half of the trip. The question staring me in the face is where to spend the 1st part.
We had thought that 5 days off site would have us relaxing a little more-forcing us not to push at all. But where we stay should not make a difference.

 

[smep013]

I have only ever stayed "off-site" at the Grovesner and that is not really "off-site." I would never do it again. I thought the transportation was horrible - and it took so much of our time. If you extended to have more time to have fun - think of how much travel time you may have to factor in by staying off-site. It's just not something I would do.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

We have split our DVC stays. We start off in a mod for the weekend and then transfered over to the DVC. The move was easy and while at the mod we did the parks early and really got a lot in. Then at the DVC we were able to slow down and relax. Most of the big rides were out of the way and we played at the pool and really had a vacation.

I would not go offsite but find something that works for you onsite. Call the front desk and they will move your luggage and you and the transisiton will be easy.

 

[logan115]

Stayed at Vistana multiple times about 20-25 yrs ago and again about 7 yrs ago and love it, but the nicer room doesn't compensate for being onsite in my opinion. Especially since you're doing the DVC as the second leg of the trip. Even for even money I'd rather stay at POP then DVC as opposed to Vistana and DVC. Last year we did Friday and Sat nights at POP then BCV, this year we had to do DVC first, POP second. Although it is a little letdown going from DVC to value, our son (4) loved POP, and we won't really be in the room that much anyway.

Go for the split stay onsite, besides - the rooms at Vistana may be bigger and nicer than DVC, you'd rather have the 2nd hotel be nicer right ? You could even consider SSR as they've got the promo going now where the studio only (only HAHAHA !) costs $224/night. Get a nice DVC studio and you're onsite.

Chris

 

[abish19]

I agree with MinnieVanMom. Choose a moderate for the other half of your stay. Remember, though, that the moderate's rooms aren't necessarily any bigger, but the theming of the moderate resorts is a little more "mature," if that's the right word. If you're able to get DVC for the other half and the cost isn't prohibitive, stick with that - maybe try out another DVC property.

Have fun!

 

[landsm99]

Thanks all for the input-I missed out on the park hopping/water parks for free so the more expensive resort+no discounts made for about 450 extra-we will stay offsite first and then move into the BWV
Thanks again!