Off Site Newbie

[taylormorgan26]

Hi all!

Hoping to gain some advice/direction. I have never stayed off site for a Disney trip before, but am looking to book a long weekend in March and trying not to break the bank. We are 3 adults that won't have a car and will only be visiting Disney Parks. Looking for somewhere that has park shuttles, but is not Swan/Dolphin. Don't need anything fancy, but cleanliness is super important! I'm not super familiar with the Orlando area and Priceline is overwhelming. Any recommendations? Thank you!

- Travel Dates: March 4th-8th
- 3 Adults
- No Car
- Taking rideshare to/from Airport, but hoping to use shuttles to get to/from Disney

 

[happymommy]

Shuttles from off site hotels are few and far between, so you might be looking at rideshares to get to and from the parks. When I’ve stayed off site, I’ve always had a rental car.

You might want to revisit the Swan and Dolphin for the convenience, plus it’s such a short trip. I think the Disney Springs hotels are running their shuttles, but I might be wrong (haven’t kept up with that). Of course the Hilton and Palace (?) there are walking distance to Disney Springs, but that doesn’t help much for transportation.

Most other off site hotels have very limited shuttles, like a couple times mornings and evenings, pick up and drop off might be much further from the park entrance too. And many charge a nominal fee per person, making rideshare comparable price wise.

What is your budget? Are you all sharing one room?

 

[Upatnoon]

What kind of budget?

My go-to for off-site has been SpringHill Suites Flamingo Crossings. No resort or parking fees, free breakfast, easy access to Disney and located in quiet area.

The resort used to have a shuttle, but I don't know if they do now. I don't think it was free, either.

Normally I would recommend the Disney Springs hotels, but their usual shuttle service is not running. Some of those hotels may offer one, but I don't know of any.

If you don't want to drive, I would budget more for ridesharing.

 

[HopperFan]

Hi all!

Hoping to gain some advice/direction. I have never stayed off site for a Disney trip before, but am looking to book a long weekend in March and trying not to break the bank. We are 3 adults that won't have a car and will only be visiting Disney Parks. Looking for somewhere that has park shuttles, but is not Swan/Dolphin. Don't need anything fancy, but cleanliness is super important! I'm not super familiar with the Orlando area and Priceline is overwhelming. Any recommendations? Thank you!

- Travel Dates: March 4th-8th
- 3 Adults
- No Car
- Taking rideshare to/from Airport, but hoping to use shuttles to get to/from Disney

Book what looks nice and in your budget, and try to be as close as possible .... then plan to use rideshare to parks. At this point it is the only thing dependable and gives you freedom of when and where they drop you off and pick you up.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Agree with the rideshare as your best option. Offsite shuttles stink. Even the ones at the top tier "off sites" like the Hyatt Regency straight up stink. Most run on the hour at best and only around park open and close. You say not breaking the bank but not sure what price range you are in There is a 35% off Disney resorts for that time. Onsite would give you MDE and free buses to parks.

 

[taylormorgan26]

Thanks, all! Super green at staying off site so really just trying to glean some information from all of you pros! I can stay at Shades for about $650 so just gauging if there were any "hidden gems" that would get us in cheaper than that. I'm sure one day of resort shuttles will do us in, but it's nice in theory lol.

Not ruling out the Swan/Dolphin, but I already knew about them so was looking to see if there were any other suggestions .

 

[happymommy]

I’ve stayed at Shades of Green once (when DH was active duty, and we were in town for a conference, no parks that trip). It’s an easy walk to the Grand Floridian from there (I did it daily IIFC). The rooms are quite spacious! If you can stay there, that’s a solid option for sure.

 

[WorldOfPooh]

Hi all!

Hoping to gain some advice/direction. I have never stayed off site for a Disney trip before, but am looking to book a long weekend in March and trying not to break the bank. We are 3 adults that won't have a car and will only be visiting Disney Parks. Looking for somewhere that has park shuttles, but is not Swan/Dolphin. Don't need anything fancy, but cleanliness is super important! I'm not super familiar with the Orlando area and Priceline is overwhelming. Any recommendations? Thank you!

- Travel Dates: March 4th-8th
- 3 Adults
- No Car
- Taking rideshare to/from Airport, but hoping to use shuttles to get to/from Disney

Offsite, no car.

I would recommend the Disney Springs and Lake Buena Vista Area.

The Disney Springs area hotels have resort fees so the $77 Double Tree would really be $110. (with COVID pricing). I don't think they are running shuttles now but there is a LYNX bus stop right outside the Double Tree that goes to Disney Springs and Disney Transportation center.

Further up the road is the Lake Buena Vista area. Courtyard Marriot and Rosen Lake Buena Vista are around $55. No resort fee. They usually have a shuttle bus that leave 2-3 times in the morning for WDW.
Also a LYNX bus stop that goes to WDW that runs about every 30 minutes all day.

A little further up is the Homewood Suites, Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, Embassy Suites ($30 resort fee) that also has a 2-3 times shuttle bus and also a LYNX bus stop. This is a little less convenient then Marriot/Rosen because Mariott Rosen you can walk to alot of food and store options. However, the are nicer hotels. COIVID pricing right now you are looking at around $65 - $75.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

Just another post to say offsite shuttles are awful. We stayed at the Courtyard by Disney Springs (8501 Palm Parkway) and the shuttle ran 3 times a day to EPCOT only. Want to rope drop? Not going to happen. Want to stay for fireworks? 2nd to last shuttle is before fireworks and last shuttle is 10pm.

Definitely plan for ride share or a rental car when staying offsite.

I liked that area a lot and the Courtyard was pretty good. The Courtyard seemed to have a few wings though (some with outside entry) so your experience may vary depending on which room you get placed in. I would definitely look at hotels near Disney Springs over the 192 highway in Kissimmee.

 

[WorldOfPooh]

Just another post to say offsite shuttles are awful. We stayed at the Courtyard by Disney Springs (8501 Palm Parkway) and the shuttle ran 3 times a day to EPCOT only. Want to rope drop? Not going to happen. Want to stay for fireworks? 2nd to last shuttle is before fireworks and last shuttle is 10pm.

Definitely plan for ride share or a rental car when staying offsite.

There's a LYNX #50 bus stop right in front of their. Runs something like 5:30 am to midnight. Stops at Disney Springs and Disney Transportation Center. Day pass is $4.50. Week pass is $16 with unlimited rides. Runs 2-3 times an hour.
And alot more punctual than any hotel or Disney shuttle.

 

[taylormorgan26]

Thanks everybody! We booked Shades today, haven't stayed there in about 10 years!