Need help deciding on part onsite and part offsite or all offsite?

[Jenny-momof3]

Since this is our very first trip I'm just not sure which way to go.

1st scenario~ Spend the first 5 days of our trip at POP then switch to a townhouse Windsor Hills for the remainder of our stay. I like the option to take the busses if wanted/needed. I know we will drive to the park everyday but my youngest won't last all day and neither will my dh. I think having the option of being able to leave for those first few days may be nice. And I also like that we could use EMH. But I've read that they may be supercrowded for the time we're going that it might not be worth staying for them anyways. And everyone keeps telling me my kids will just love staying onsite and will really feel the magic. I'm not willing to stay in a hotel room with 3 kids for more than 5 nights though so we will definitely be getting the townhouse.

2nd scenario~ Rent the townhouse for the entire stay. I think it would be nice to only have to unpack once and I like that we could really get settled in right away for our 12 day stay. Having all the extra room will be really nice as we are used to living in a large home and being really spread out. But there's not much of an option of us leaving at different times and no EMH.

What would you do?

Also... could you direct me to the hours for the parks during the time period we will be there.

Thanks!

 

[Brian Noble]

Personally, I really hate to have to move during my vacation. What's more, I prefer the extra magic hour of sleep---my experience has been that, unless you are willing to hop away when the crowds get thick, morning EMH doesn't really help you, and evening EMHs are so late during the summer season that it's hard to make that that deep into the day if you are going for mornings. And my experience is morning---before the park opens---is the time to get there to maximize your enjoyment.

As for coming and going separately; if you need to split up from time to time, the infrequent cab ride can be a life-saver, and not too expensive.

If you can swing staying on property for your *whole* trip, and wouldn't have to move, that's one thing. But, if you are going to spend part of it offsite anyway, why not just go whole hog and enjoy the serenity of your private splash pool.

Hours for June will come out at the end of November. Hours for July will be published at the end of December. You can find them at www.disneyworld.com

 

[spiceycat]

or you can do what I do - schedule all of your trip offsite.

on those nights where you know you want EMH - MK comes to mind - schedule one night onsite.

that day do the resort things - ride the buses - enjoy WDW pool, get a nice long nap - that night do EMH at the MK.

then go back to nice villa the next day.

here this site information on hours

the ones in yellow are hours for 2008 and are also on the WDW site. the blue ones are estimates based on last years. June and July haven't been released yet.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours.htm

 

[ashef]

In the summer, the early entrance option for WDW resort guests is gold. For about 2 hours, the early-opening park is not crowded and you can ride most rides without much of a wait. If you would use morning EMH, that is a super reason to stay at WDW for part of your trip. If you think you can get your family to the park with morning EMH by 8:00 a.m., definitely stay in the World for 5 days. That way you will be sure your kids will be able to ride all the rides they want to ride without having to stand in long lines. Let those 5 days be your intensive WDW days and plan to get all the must-do's done.