Need Help Choosing a Hotel/Resort

[IWannaBeTink]

Can anyone help me decide on a place to stay for our first WDW trip next summer? I had my heart set on a Disney moderate but recently realized how affordable the resorts/condos are off site - and I'd love to get more for my $$!

There's only going to be 2 or 3 of us, so I only need a 1br suite. But I didn't want to rent a car. So I need a place with a good shuttle to the parks. I want to be able to leave the parks midday, and I don't want to be stressed about transportation.

Since I've never been, I don't know what the shuttles are like there. Am I better off staying at a regular hotel, or on site if I don't rent a car?

TIA for any help!

 

[dougsmom98]

I LOVE staying off site, but if I could afford it, I would stay on site without a rental car. I did, however, bookmark this review of a place off site with reports of a reliable shuttle, but it is not a condo. Here is is:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1842808

 

[rebecca06261]

I agree with Dougsmom. There's really no way to do offsite without a rental. There are shuttles available, but they are not reliable for mid-day returns to the resort. Really, you have to take your pic, offsite with rental, or on-site with Disney transportation. Have fun planning your trip!

 

[disneystacy]

I would stay onsite if I were you. If you had more than the 2 or 3 people I would stay offsite. Shuttles from the condos are not great and can be pricey. Since you have never been to Disney before and adding in a rental car and gas, you might be close to what a moderate costs for the week.
For us, we have been to Disney many times and we are a family of 5 who drives from NC to Disney, so offsite makes more sense.

 

[spiceycat]

some condo and rentals don't even have a shuttle.

so before you stay offsite - either get a rental car - or call the resort and ask them what the shuttle policy is - and get a person's name.

here is another one with nice shuttles
http://www.lbvorlandoresort.com/

 

[Brian Noble]

Offsite can be a real bargain in terms of the space and features you can get in a room. But, if you won't have a car, I don't think the savings are worth the hassle.

About the only exception might be the Doubletree Suites, in DTD. These are all two-room suites, and the bus service isn't quite as good as Disney's, but it is close:
http://www.mousesavers.com/dtguestsuites.html

However, this option usually isn't much less expensive than a Disney Moderate.

 

[IWannaBeTink]

Thank you everyone for your advice! I really appreciate the help. I was really hoping to save a little $$ but the convenience of Disney transportation is worth it, I'm sure!

But I am going to check out the links you've given me too, to see what my options are.

Thank you again!

 

[Faline]

We have stayed on and off-site throughout our many times at WDW, and agree with other posters. It is DEFINITELY not convenient enough to stay offsite without a car. Even with a car, it is much more convenient onsite.

Have you considered renting points for a DVC property. That actually turns out to be a pretty good deal if you only stay there Sunday through Thursday nights.

 

[Brian Noble]

Even with a car, it is much more convenient onsite.

That hasn't been my experience. Last year we stayed at OKW twice---once with a car and once without. The bus system was okay, but I prefer having a car to most destinations other than MK (bus) and DTD (the boat!) Because Windsor Hills is close to the World Drive and Sherbeth entrances, while OKW is tucked off into DTD area, it seemed to me that DS and AK were easier to get to from WH, while EP and MK were easier from OKW.

I'd give OKW the nod just for the bus to MK, but otherwise they are pretty comparable in terms of time to get to the parks. Of course, some offiste locations are far less convenient, and some onsite locations are more centrally located than OKW.