New to the idea of staying offsite

[dumbofan27]

Hi!

Our family (me, DH, DD7, DS4) are frequent Disney visitors and have always stayed on site. We have stayed in each Disney resort class and are probably happiest at Pop Century when we take experience and cost into consideration. We have always been they type of family that leaves the room at 8am and doesn't return from the park until bedtime. We definitely see our hotel at Disney as a place to sleep and shower, but we like Pop because it is a lot of fun and feels very "Disneyish" to us.

That said, I am starting to consider a trip for next summer right after the kids get out of school. We would likely arrive in Orlando on May 30th or May 31st. We prefer to take longer trip so we would probably be there 10 nights.

We have never really entertained the idea of staying offsite before, but I was thinking it might be nice now that the kids were a little older to have a kitchen and maybe a pool that is a little nicer than Pop.

I'm also trying to find a way to pinch a few pennies on this trip, so ideally I'd love to find a place that will cost a few bucks less than the value resorts that time of year.

Here is my wish list:

1. As close to Disney as possible.
2. Decent pool.
3. Safe and clean.
4. Kitchen (ideally washer and dryer too).
5. Space is not really an issue...a 1 br is PLENTY of space for us.
6. Transportation to the parks would be a huge plus, but not necessary.

I would love it if you guys could give me a few suggestions of where to start. Bonnet Creek and Windsor Hills sound appealing, but will they be less expensive than staying at a Disney value hotel that time of year?

Thank you!

 

[HeatherC]

How much would a value be? Bonnet Creek you can rent for about $100 a night including taxes. I think you can probably get Windsor Hills or Windsor Palms for about that as well...maybe even less.

Good luck to you!

 

[4forMe]

I agree with the PP - Bonnet Creek or Windsor Hills would be your best bet.

Many people on this board recommend Ken Price at vacationupgrades.com for booking at Bonnet Creek. I have no idea what the prices are for a 1 BR there. You can also check ebay - however, most people are selling per week and you are staying 9 nights.

I would suggest you also consider Windsor Hills - we've stayed there 3 times and have another trip planned for Spring Break.

You can rent privately by owner through vrbo.com or homeaway.com. A 2 BR should be $100 or under per night.

I would also suggest you check out Florida Sun Vacation Homes (this is the management company we book through). Since you are staying longer than 7 nights, they offer a 15% discount - a 2BR at Windsor Hills through them would be $85 per night with the discount.

Good luck with your planning!

 

[mousemom11]

I agree with the previous posters. Either Bonnet Creek or Windsor Hills would be a great choice. We've stayed in Windsor Hills before and love having breakfast at "home" before heading to the parks. Use the Sherberth Road shortcut, and you'll be at AK in 5 minutes, Epcot and DHS in 10 minutes, and the MK TTC in 15 minutes. We usually have a CS lunch in the parks and head back in the early afternoon for a swim/relax break. Sometimes we eat dinner in, other times we head over to a restaurant on 192 - there are tons of them and much cheaper than anything in the park.

 

[conniehar90]

Once we moved to Windsor Hills, we vowed never to go back on site. It is unbelievable how much you get for the same price. They have a nice pool with a waterslide and are abt 10 minutes from the parks. Kitchen, washer, dryer, family room area and it is a gated community so very safe. Here is a link to the owner we have rented with at least 6 times prior. All units are very clean. I have never stayed at Pop but have stayed at ASMusic and Wilderness Lodge and it is nicer than Wilderness Lodge! Also, this owner decorates their units in Disney themes. Some find offsite a little less magical but we have never felt that way. Good luck!

www.disneyneighbor.com

 

[carpetride]

We used to stay on site but once we went off there really is very little chance of going back. We almost went back this coming Dec but after showing the difference to my wife between AKL and Wyndham Bonnet Creek there was no question. To me I think Orlando is an offsite trip and California is an onsite trip but everyone has opinions!

 

[MickeyWatcher]

Love Windsor Hills, once we discovered the place. We have almost always found that staying off site is cheaper, and more relaxing. We have three kids, and the extra space is great. The only time the price between the on vs off site will get close is if they are offering free dinning or deep room discounts. DW and I went last December without kids for our anniversary, and got free dinning and a great rate. For the two of us the price difference was small enough to just stay on property. But we plan to stay off site when we go in the future.

Check out mickeyscondo.com The owner is great, and so are her condos.

 

[mikkiwikki]

we like VACATIONCENTRALFLORIDA.COM
FOR windsor hills

 

[dumbofan27]

Thank you all for the great advise. It gives me a lot to think about. I'm still on the fence of whether we should try the offsite thing or stick with a value. We don't normally rent a car so that expense would need to be factored in to our decision. We also really like not having to think about our transportation to the parks. It looks like Bonnet Creek might have some scheduled transportation, so maybe that would be a better fit? Lots to think about...thank you so much for the help!!!!

 

[It'sOffToDisneyWeGo]

I suggest Wyndham Bonnet Creek. We stayed there this summer. It was close to the parks. We did laundry daily. We cooked some of our own meals. We like the gas grills to BBQ. We had our own transportation so we never used theirs. We even watched the fireworks from our balcony.

 

[JimMIA]

Another vote for Wyndham Bonnet Creek -- five great pools, two with slides, two with lazy rivers; full kitchens; washer/dryer in every unit; full cable TV, not just the Disney promo channels; great location -- somewhat closer to the theme parks than Pop.

I'd also suggest you get a TWO bedroom, rather than a one bedroom. We stayed in a one-bedroom (myself, DW, and DD9) and would liked to have had more room. We'll get a 2 BR for all future trips. And there won't be much difference in price -- I see people getting 2 BRs routinely for $100-$120 per night.

 

[Cruz91]

We always stay offsite and LOVE it. So much so that we're AP holders, which brings me to my thought for you. When calculating the cost difference, don't forget you'll pay $14/day for parking in the parks if you stay at Windsor Hills. Staying at WBC and doing their bus would save you that money. We have stayed at WBC 2 or 3 times and WH/WP 6 or 8 times and I can tell you you'll be very happy with either location.

Really, though, what you need to understand is that staying at either WBC, WH, or WP is NOT really a cost-saving move, it's a room-expansion move. None of those places will be cheaper, and they could be slightly more, if you only consider the price of the room and/or car. The one way it COULD be a cheaper option is if you consider food options. By staying offsite at these places, you would also get a kitchen where you could eat all breakfasts, pack lunches to carry into the parks, and eat some dinners (if you choose). This could tip the scales for you.

Regardless, I really encourage you to try offsite. If you don't like it, at least you'll know. If you do like it, it could really change the way you do Disney in the future!

 

[Chelley00]

Really, though, what you need to understand is that staying at either WBC, WH, or WP is NOT really a cost-saving move, it's a room-expansion move. None of those places will be cheaper, and they could be slightly more, if you only consider the price of the room and/or car.

While that may be true for smaller families, for our family of 6 staying offsite, even with the price of parking/food etc (we drive so we don't have to rent a car) staying offsite is much cheaper than onsite...even 2 rooms at a value.

 

[rt2dz]

While that may be true for smaller families, for our family of 6 staying offsite, even with the price of parking/food etc (we drive so we don't have to rent a car) staying offsite is much cheaper than onsite...even 2 rooms at a value.

I agree. We are heading down for Thanksgiving Week and one cabin was cheaper than two value rooms. Want to know what was half price of the cabin? A four-bedroom home with a heated pool located closer to the parks than the Disney value resorts. No motel 8 feelings either.

Since we get APs, parking isn't even a factor, but even if it were, we'd still be saving a ton of money. We're renting from Florida House for Rent. And while we won't be cooking (it's still a vacation), we'll save at breakfast and snacks.

If you're sitting on the fence, there are some great threads on here that will direct you to the pros and cons. Also check out: Staying Offsite

 

[LeahA]

OP-

If I only had 2 adults and 2 small kids, I'd probably stay onsite. My family and I are now looking at offsite rentals because we have 2 adults, a teen, and 2 other children. A deluxe room for us is too expensive, and a value room would be too small.

 

[mikkiwikki]

www.vacationcentralflorida.com has a lot of great videos.
Focus on Windsor Hills. The condo you look at is the exact one you get.

So far Dave (the General Manager) has been exceptional - he is your initial contact and connection with the 'owner' of the condo you pick. We are going at Christmas and (its up to the owner so make sure to check) but my condo will have a small tree in it when I arrive! How cool is that? I was ready to go to Walmart and buy one.

I'll post a trip report when I return!

 

[3BoysRDisneyFreaks]

We stayed in I think 301 in 2008 and we just got back from a townhouse stay 7658 Sir Kaufman. Both times we got exactly what we expected. A great stay. I have never had any issues with either of the 2 owners and I love staying off site.
The drive to any of the parks is fast. I think it was under 15 minutes from backing out of our drive way to putting the van in park at the MK parking lot. We will stay with them again.

Sarah

 

[Cruz91]

While that may be true for smaller families, for our family of 6 staying offsite, even with the price of parking/food etc (we drive so we don't have to rent a car) staying offsite is much cheaper than onsite...even 2 rooms at a value.

If you don't have to rent a car, offsite can be cheaper. One thing that could, however, swing it the other way (even for a family of your size) is free dining. I've priced trips out for several friends and this is the only time it is blatantly cheaper to do onsite. Most other times it's within about 10% of being a wash.

 

[kamanda]

I agree that with free dining it is a really good deal to stay onsite. However, over the past several years the deal with free dining has gotten worse. First, with the tips being added and then in 2013, the price increase to upgrade to regular dining has gotten too expensive.

For 2013, it became a no-brainer for us to stay offsite.

 

[ccgirl]

I actually prefer off site. Let me tell you why....

I can get a 2BR condo for the price of a value ROOM. It is my vacation too. I like putting my children to sleep in their own bedroom and staying up in the living room enjoying a glass of wine with my DH. My DH and myself enjoy the privacy. We are always so busy at home it is nice to have the time alone with each other too. I priced out free dining with off site and off site still came out cheaper to us.

Being crammed in one room is just not something that is enjoyable to me.

We have never paid more than $250 for a car for the week. Even onsite we rent a car as I'm not a big fan of the WDW mass transportation. With my own car, I can get to where I want to in the time it takes me just to wait for the bus.

I actually like having a little break from what some call the "magic". For some reason, I just found that parents take a break from parenting at the WDW resorts. Again, just my opinion.