Need a lot of help on staying offsite

[akadada]

I keep seeing the onsite vs offsite argument and I see a lot of onsiters talking about safety . Is safety an issue offsite?

I am getting a tad confused though with all the different websites. For Wyndham bonnet creek..use vacation strategies ? Don't go on their website?

Also what about The marriotts? Can I used their website?

I have looked into windsor hills before but only through windsorhillsrents. Is there another option?


I won't cook but it will be nice to be able to have doughnuts , bagels , cereal..whatever in the morning. We are not giant breakfast eaters so we prefer a quick bagel and a big coffee!!


Of all the offsite resorts out there...Which do you all think are the nicest and luxurious? Which do you think gives you a fantastic experience? I see there are soo many options, and I only listed a few I was considering.

Lots of questions here...I'll reply to the ones I have an informed opinion about...

Safety is an issue anywhere, including onsite. We were robbed at the Poly many many years ago. It was a big deal because the burglars were in the room when I tried to get in. I understand this is still an issue, although I'll be the first to say it's likely a super rare event onsite and offsite at the major places.

Of the many places recommended here, I can speak to Floridays, Marriott Harbour and Windsor Hills and can attest that I felt safe and it appeared infrastructure was in place to keep things as safe as they could.

We used Vacation Strategies for our next trip to WBC (First time) and it was so easy. They're incredibly responsive. We approached them via their website.

We did not use Marriott's website, we signed up for a timeshare pitch and got 2BR for $50 a night (no big deal when we told them we had no interest nor could afford it). We were lucky though; our salesrep hated selling timeshares and told us as much and so just hung out with us for the 90 minute tour talking about his kids.

We rented Windsor Hills from 5mins2disney.com. Owner was easy to work with both email and phone. The unit was very nice with a very quiet location and very quick to Disney property (Animal Kingdom the closest). The management company they used was underwhelming though. I complained about lack of preliminary supplies (There wasn't really any at all even though they said there would be) and some minor cleanliness issues. But those were the only issues and not really a big deal relative to the complaints we've had onsite over the years. The bigger deal to me about Windsor Hills as a location is super boring. It's basically a monotonous subdivision. Nice pool and again the townhome we rented was more than nice, but if your goal is "experiencing Disney", WH is not going to do it in my opinion.

If you're not going to cook, you could possibly get away with a suite hotel instead. Also if coffee and bagels are your thing, all the more reason to stay offsite because all the major coffee and bagel type chains are within easy reach via car while Disney coffee (Sans Poly) taste like butt-soup.

In terms of Disney experience, I would vote for WBC only because that's why we're going there this next trip. To be onsite and close to the LSD ...um I mean magic. Otherwise you may want to check suites over at the Downtown Disney hotel area.

I can tell you got a lot on your mind; I hope this is helpful so that you can have a great time.

 

[sersee05]

First off...LOL buttsoup.


Thanks so much for the feedback. I do have a lot. My TA is trying to help me offsite and got a quote for WBC for 2000..but that seems way more than what other people are paying. Once I add the tickets ..we are approaching a higher price tag . ..and that's for five nights.

So now I am basically stressing. Bellamouse was trying to help me, but I am very nervous about going off ebay. I just don't know enough about it. I have tried Ken price and he is booked. I haven't heard from vacation strategies yet.

I am thinking of just going through marriots website..I don't know..

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thanks so much for the feedback. I do have a lot. My TA is trying to help me offsite and got a quote for WBC for 2000..but that seems way more than what other people are paying. Once I add the tickets ..we are approaching a higher price tag . ..and that's for five nights.

Ouch. Our 2 bedroom, 2 bath villa for 8 nights (with daily housekeeping) plus non-stop, round trip flights for three people was only $1950, taxes included through Jetblue Getaways. You can definitely do better on price. Expanding your search to other properties is a good idea .

 

[blessedby3]

First off...LOL buttsoup.


Thanks so much for the feedback. I do have a lot. My TA is trying to help me offsite and got a quote for WBC for 2000..but that seems way more than what other people are paying. Once I add the tickets ..we are approaching a higher price tag . ..and that's for five nights.

So now I am basically stressing. Bellamouse was trying to help me, but I am very nervous about going off ebay. I just don't know enough about it. I have tried Ken price and he is booked. I haven't heard from vacation strategies yet.

I am thinking of just going through marriots website..I don't know..

That is a high quote for WBC for a week. We are going next June and are paying $2200 for 2 weeks. I cant remember your dates, but that sounds very high. You say a TA is helping you. Sounds like she may be going directly through WBC. You need to email Vacation Strategy or Vacation Upgrades. You can email and they will get back to you in a day or two. You dont want to go directly through the resort.
You dont get daily housekeeping at WBC, but I prefer it that way. I dont like someone in my room everyday. No biggie for us.

 

[sersee05]

I am going the week of Thanksgiving ..so I do understand it will be higher. But I have seen so many others talk about much better pricing. I did email Vacation Upgrades and was told t hey were sold out I emailed vacation strategies yesterday but haven't heard from them.

I definitely don't care about housekeeping either..


still in love the the term butt soup

 

[debbielad]

Hi. We just stayed at WBC in July and we always stay onsite but with a family of 6 it is costing way to much. We loved it there. We just booked again for a check in on Thanksgiving day thru the following saturday and we are paying $1032 for 10 days. We use Megan Bailey from Good buy vacations in Williamsburg I believe and she is awesome!! Highly recommend her and the resort!!

 

[sersee05]

is she on myresortnetwork?

 

[akadada]

still in love the the term butt soup

glad you like it. I have another word for it that's better, but Disboards will screen it out.

 

[akadada]

That is a high quote for WBC for a week. We are going next June and are paying $2200 for 2 weeks. I cant remember your dates, but that sounds very high. You say a TA is helping you. Sounds like she may be going directly through WBC. You need to email Vacation Strategy or Vacation Upgrades. You can email and they will get back to you in a day or two. You dont want to go directly through the resort.
You dont get daily housekeeping at WBC, but I prefer it that way. I dont like someone in my room everyday. No biggie for us.

Agreed. We're paying $1200 for 9 nights for a 3BR Deluxe, not Thanksgiving though. We got another quote for 4 nights for $700 for a 3BR in winter during a more "moderate" season as well.

Call Vacation Strategy directly. Super easy to work with and usually very responsive (within no more than 2 days).

Floridays is another fun location that will likely have openings, but I don't think as "magical." If you end up there, request a top or high floor.

 

[kmb584]

We alternate our biannual trips to the World with one on-site stay and one off-site stay in order to not break the bank by taking two trips every year.

My hands down off-site favorite is the Sheraton Vistana Resort, so much so that when we return to our unit (we rent the same one every October) I almost feel as if I'm walking into my second home. Ours is in the Lakes section and a beautifully updated 2 bed, 2 bath unit. It also has a full kitchen with both living and dining rooms and either a screened porch or balcony. I don't hesitate recommending the resort to anyone and everyone I've recommended it to have come home with nothing but fantastic reviews.

WBC is also fantastic and while it's not a Disney resort nor on Disney property, it is located on the sacred ground you drive into when you drive under the WDW sign. It also has beautifully updated units and is just a stone's throw away to Epcot. We have spent many evenings watching the Disney fireworks from our WBC balcony. The resort is somewhat pricey on their official website given the prices you can rent one for through a website such as Vacation Upgrades.

 

[happymommy]

You'll pay more if you book directly through Marriott, unless they're running some super great special! Try to see if you can find any rentals on www.redweek.com first - if anyone has your dates available.

One difference is that if you rent from an owner, you won't get daily maid service. If you book through Marriott, it's like a hotel stay with daily maid service included.

For safety, I have to say I felt the most secure at Harbour Lake - it's a nice small resort, so I felt safe letting the kids walk to the pool themselves (it's also gated so not just anyone can go in). But the dining options for dinner are limited (I did a bit of cooking there, but we also ordered sandwiches from the pool bar and pizza delivery as well). For peace and quiet, I loved Sabal Palms. There you'd have the amenities of the Marriott Orlando World Center, with huge pools with waterslides, restaurants of all kinds (but look pricey to me, but I'm the type that would rather toss something on the grill after a busy day than spend another $250 on dinner).

As you can see, I'm partial to Marriott. Still, from what I've seen the Sheraton Vistana timeshares look high end - maybe even more so (but we've always had great times with Marriott).

I rarely see units for rent at Lakeshore Reserve - but if you're looking for a real high end timeshare that one is supposed to be so, connected to the Ritz and JW. Further from Disney though.

I'd start with seeing what is available for rentals.

I'd rather go to Disney cheaper than not go at all!

 

[sersee05]

Ya she must be going through the website because the $2000 price tag is only for a 2 bedroom for nights. Way more than I wanted. With tickets, Im getting close to just staying onsite.

I am not having luck with my WBC search . I have tried a lot of the avenues suggested and I think it is just booked. I guess pretty popular! I have looked at redweek but I thought you had to pay ?

There is a condo through windsor hills that is a 3 bedroom and looks very nice. I always feel like it's a crapshoot though. I have rented vrbo and through agencies in the past for summer vacation. Have been to a few where it isn't as clean as the pictures But some are just like the pictures. The condo is through this guy..I don't know if I am allowed to post the name to see if anyone has rented from him?

I will check out the Marriots and Sheraton now. People use redweek to book these properties? Is it all vrbo?

also JW Marriot Grande lake looked nice(think it's hotel?) anyone stay here?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I will check out the Marriots and Sheraton now. People use redweek to book these properties? Is it all vrbo?

For the Sheraton Vistana Resort (as well as Villages), you can find listings on myresortnetwork and TUG (Timeshare Users Group) as well as VRBO and redweek .

 

[Angie789]

I keep seeing the onsite vs offsite argument and I see a lot of onsiters talking about safety . Is safety an issue offsite?

I don't know the specific context of what you were reading, but the "it's just NOT safe out there!!" argument that some hard core on-siters like to use is disingenuous at best and flat out misleading at worst. Orlando is a sizable city, and like all cities, there are areas that have a higher crime rate. But that is a very far cry from the "everything that is not a Disney resort is just too risky" argument that some like to make. Most of the areas that cater to tourists are safe. Do your homework and don't stay at a fleabag motel in a high crime area (all the resorts under discussion here are in nice areas).

FWIW, I would be leery of any advice that is that extreme. A lot of the folks who act like they know what they are talking about in regards to an off-site site have never actually done it, so they don't know what they are talking about!!

 

[blessedby3]

I have never felt unsafe when we have stayed off property or driven off property to eat, shop, etc. Just be aware of your surroundings at all times just like anywhere else. I agree that the places discussed on here you should not have problems with.

 

[nugov2]

I have spent my time in hotel rooms with 3 children. That is not a vacation. I would suggest renting a condo or pool home with 3 bedrooms. We have stayed at Emerald Island Resort several times in condos, townhomes and pool homes. They are all individually owned. We stayed at a great condo vrbo.com/54243
with great owners in the UK. The condo was spotless, had TV's in all bedrooms and living room and was cheaper than most hotel rooms. You can find a lot of good deals on VRBO.com.

This!! I cannot do it. We loved WH and like you am super anal about cleanliness and not only was our house very clean(though I am sure that can vary) the resort itself was very clean too. I would do a condo or house somewhere and bypass a hotel all together

 

[khanna]

We have always stayed on site. But this time, will be off--due to cost. We absolutely love Bay Lake Tower--we are a family of 8 plus Grandma is 9. The 2 bedroom BLT suites us. Last time we stayed MK view--it was amazing. So, this trip we booked it, for next Spring, $16,000. No discount. THAT was outrageous. Even if we got free dining it would still be waay high.

So we are renting a house through an owner in Windsor Hills. It is a 6 bed 4 bath house with a pool and spa. The owner uses AllStarVacation as the mgmt company but we are going through him, getting a discount if we promise to give honest feedback about the house. Which we will. If you want the info, send me a message and I will give you the link. But the house may be too big for your needs.

I too, am saddened about the "non-disney" feel BUT I also know, this entire trip will be about $9000--food, tickets and house. So we have talked about a second trip next fall. IF we stayed onsite that would be out of the question.

Good luck! Sounds like your doing your research and that is most important!