Newbie here - Need advice on trip planning

[probono]

Hello all.

This is my first post. We are planning on going to Disney in January. It will be me, DH, and our 4 year old triplets. My parents will also go with us.

We have been checking in to lots of options. We know someone that has a vacation home - $95.00 per night and 3 miles from AK.

DH thinks it would be better to stay on Disney property in case my parents are tired, or the kids are tired - seems like it would be much more convenient to just jump on a shuttle than have everyone get in the rental car and head back.

If we stay on property, we'd be looking at POR since they offer trundle beds. We would request connecting rooms. From what I've been reading it sounds like a value resort may be way too small - even if we have two rooms.

Also, the dining plan seems like a great deal. May be just as reasonable as buying food for a house.

Decisions, decisions. Too many. Any opinions would be appreciated.

TIA - Mari

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

to the DISboards!

You'll find that there are advantages and disadvantages to both onsite and offsite accommodations.

The great thing about being onsite is that you're in Disney 24/7. For some people that's very important, since they're on vacation to escape from everyday life. If you're staying offsite, you will need to "commute" to the parks each day.

Onsite, you can take Disney transportation for free and be dropped off at the park entrance. Offsite guest must drive, pay a parking fee of $10/car and then take a tram from their parking spot to the park entrance.

Onsite guests expect and get Disney quality of service in their accommodations. I have never had an issue with my onsite room that was not resolved quickly. I have stayed offsite where my requests for service were of little concern to the staff.

Onsite rooms tend to be smaller than what you get for the same amount of money offsite. You will get more space, more privacy and more ammenities from an offsite location than you will from a Disney resort. A vacation home will allow the adults to find a place to relax after putting the tired kids to bed. At your Disney resort, you will either be sitting in the dark, whispering your conversation to one another, or you'll be in the adjoining room with the door propped open so that the kids don't playfully lock you out.

Unless you're staying in a DVC resort or an All-Star Family suite, you will not have kitchen facilities. That means getting everyone dressed and out the door for breakfast or eating cold cereal and juice in the room while everyone gets ready. In a vacation villa, you can enjoy your coffee wearing your Grumpy nightshirt and bunny slippers while chowing down on a hot breakfast that you prepared.

Most vacation homes have screened-in private pools. No slide, no lifeguard. But, no annoying, unsupervised kids doing cannonballs right infront of your lounge chair either. And if you want to enjoy a drink poolside, you'll have to mix it yourself (at a fraction of the price that Disney would charge you).

Getting back and forth between the parks and where you're staying can be the deciding factor. If you only have one car, then you'll all need to leave together when one child is tired when you're staying offsite. Otherwise, someone would have to return to pick up the whole gang later. If you're onsite, then one adult can take the tired child back to the rooms using Disney transportation. And everyone else can go back to the room when they need to.

So, basically, it's going to come down to what factors you prize the most. There is no right or wrong decision. It's about what best suits your vacation style.

 

[eliza61]

Welcome to the Dis First trips are so exciting. I agree with your Dh. Not only will your small kids need a break, the parks can be exhausting for the big kids in the party . so I would definitely stay on site if you can. Also if you stay on site you are eligible for the DDP which a lot of people feel can be cost savings.

 

[megnsamsgracie]

We did offsite in 02 and 03 (with 3 little ones the first time and 4 the second time). I wont do it again. We would head back to where we stayed, drop off dad and the tired kid(s) and then I would take the others back to the parks for the night. It stunk, even driving just 20 minutes each way. I pushed our trip back a couple of months so that we can stay onsite and one on the monorail line. This way if the kid(s) are tired, hubby can just hop the monorail back to the room with that kid and we can stay. I think its just so much easier than paying to park... hopping the tram and then catching a ride to the park. Just my 2 cents

 

[lynninpa]

Like you guys, our trip last year was a 3-generation-family trip. Staying onsite was a must for us. Waking up & going to sleep IN Disney was just so magical-for adultsd and kids alike! And the convience is worth it'd weight in gold! If one or two are tired and need a little break, it is just a matter of jumping on a bus and heading back to the resort for a dip in the pool and/or a nap. As far as the Dining Plan-you will get lots of different view points on it. Personally, we have had the Dining Plan twice and have booked it for our next trip. Having everything paid up front and not having to worry about budgeting money for meals each day was fabulous! And as others have said, on the Dining Plan many of us enjoy wonderful dining experiences that we might not otherwise have booked. Ok, just my two cents here. ps A must for us was our cell phones to keep in touch!

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Have a look at some of the hotel & accommodation reviews in the Orlando Accommodation and Attraction forum. This will give you some comments and thoughts about vacation homes.
We haven't stayed at either yet (our first trip is coming up in November) but we have booked to stay at Windsor Hills. I chose it for for a few reasons.
1. We do travel a bit to other places. I find it really difficult being in a hotel room with a two and four year old, particularly at night.
2. Windsor Hills is only 5mins drive (via the shortcut) to Animal Kingdom and 10mins to the other parks. Magic Kingdom just a bit further. I figured the cost of parking is more than covered by what I am saving in accommodation prices. And the times to get to the parks using disney transportation according to Unofficial Guide are longer than this in many instances. ie: POR to Magic Kingdom 29mins. Obviously the monorail resorts would be quicker but also a lot more expensive.
3. Own laundry facilities. I don't have to spend time lining up to use a washing machine. And with kids, I do a lot of washing.
4. We are staying in a pool home. So we can go back to the peace and quiet of our own pool and jacuzzi after a busy day at the park.
5. I find it really difficult to eat out with small children every meal. At a hotel there is not a lot of choice but to get take away or eat in a restaurant. At the vacation home we have more options for eating.
6. The kids bedrooms are Disney themed so they are still getting this experience.

In saying all of that, I would like to stay onsite to experience it. I am even thinking of staying one night onsite just for the experience, but a vacation home is definitely the way for us to go as a family.

 

[themudd4]

You will love staying onsite. I can't imangine not being in Disney for our stay! POR is GREAT...although you lose some of the larger than life icons & fun that are part of the values. As far as the room...I think your on the right track w/ POR!
I would go for the DDP. It pays for itself with us and you will enjoy knowing that your meals are payed for before you even leave home!

Enjoy your planning! Enjoy your trip!