Need advice for friend

[polyfan]

I need to give some advice to a friend- here is the scenario- family of 5- 2 adults and 3 children and then also 1 Grandmother. No rental car. They have an off-site hotel booked. Hotel offers only 3x a day scheduled time pick up at Epcot. Going for 6 nights- never been before- want to do MK, MGM, sea world and universal- Personally I think they should stay onsite- 2 rooms at All Stars and not worry about the other parks just do Disney. I think the transportation will be an issue and they will end up hating it. Suggestions?

 

[daisyduck123]

Personally I think they should stay onsite- 2 rooms at All Stars and not worry about the other parks just do Disney. I think the transportation will be an issue and they will end up hating it. Suggestions?

ITA!

 

[Tinkbellfan]

If they want to stay offsite, they really should rent a car. If not, they should budget taxi fare for everyday.

 

[mcco5543]

Agree with the PP.


scheudling yourself around a particular pick up that only comes 3 times a day is stressful to the max. If they dont' feel stressed about it then more power to them. I think they are going to end up getting a cab when they realize they want to go somewhere/back to the hotel and there ride is no where in site..

Either splurge on renting a car or budget taxi fare. I suggest they budget taxi fare even if they decide to go wit the 3x a day epcot ride....just so they have the option of going somewhere if they/want need to. What if someone gets suddenly feeling ill? (knock on wood it wont' happen) but if it does do they REALLY want to be stuck somewhere with no way of getting to the room to lay down and rest?

 

[Hobbes]

As a non-driver, ITA with whats been said-I spent 2 days off-site once at the mercy of the hotels shuttle service-the first day it threw it down with rain and I got soaked first thing-couldn't go back to the hotel and get dry, it was awful. Swore there and then I would only ever stay on-site. The other alternative would be Mears-can't you book so many pickups with them? (Although I guess you're still tied to certain times)

Tell'em to bite the bullet and stay on-site-their kids will thank them!

 

[Hopefully]

I see 2 follies in their plan. One the transporatation issue. I would Urge them to stay on site. Episodic shuttles will be a problem. I have also heard that the off site shuttles are inconveninent to find. I also think trying to do all of Orlando's theme parks on your first visit, with a multi-generational family is a mistake.
I think they should devote themselves to Disney on this trip and they should stay on site.

 

[NeverlandPixie]

IMHO, if they are only in Disney for 6 nights, and it's their first time, they need to stay on-site. They need at least one day each for DS and DAK, and possibly 2 days each for Epcot and MK.

If they have the extra time, they may want to pick ONE of SW/Universal, and rent a car for the day. During my last trip in March/April, my extended family also wanted to see Sea World/Universal. We chose SW, picked up the car from the Swolphin, and it worked out great.

 

[want2bamommy]

I agree with the others that you should try to convince your friend to rent a car or stay on-site. How much time do they have before their vacation starts? If they have a few months maybe suggest they at least lurk on the Dis to get tips, etc.

I hate to see anyone go to Disney and go home dismayed because of something that actually has nothing to do with Disney but rather the transportation from their hotel.

Missie

 

[Terk-1]

I would not do it. I would stay onsite. I always do. This way I have the free transportation to and from the parks, free transportation to and from the airport, transportation to the parks every 20 minutes, etc. This gives them the flexibility to go when they want, leave when they want, etc., instead of relying on a set 3 times a day.