Off-Site Park Strategy

[GatorChris]

I've never done WDW without staying onsite. But next summer I have a conference at the OCCC, so we're staying at the Millennium Vista Cay in one of those 1800 sq ft monstrosities. We're extending it so we can do WDW the next week. It's soooo much cheaper than even a moderate which really doesn't fit my family of 5 very well. (C'mon Disney, do better!)

I'm planning on doing a 4 day ticket with water options so we can do water parks for two days, being that it's FL in the summer. One day at each park.

What are some of the things I must know about doing it this way?

1. Where do I park the car at each park?
2. How does LL work when you're off-site?
3. Can I book ADRs at restaurants the same way? Based on the tickets?
4. Will I feel like a second-class citizen?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I'll take a shot at your questions: 1) Each park has its own parking lot, as does Disney Springs and the water parks. MK parking is at the Ticket&Trans Center, where you'll grab a monorail or ferry boat to the front of the park. The other parks have lots outside the main entrance. You'll need to pay, of course. 2) Off-site LLs can be made (the way I think I understand it) 3 days in advance if off-site - one day at a time. 3) You can book your ADRs 60 days in advance. Since you don't have an on-site reservation, you can only book one day at a time, not for an entire stay as you would if you were on-site. It has nothing to do with your tickets. 4) Not at all - once you finish your planning and get to the parks, no one will ever know where you're staying!

 

[Dave006]

2) Off-site LLs can be made (the way I think I understand it) 3 days in advance if off-site - one day at a time.

The one day at a time pre-purchase of LLMP and/or LLSP is only for guests with AP or non-dated tickets. If you have date based tickets you are limited to a 3 day advance purchase but you are able to book for the lenght of your ticket.

4) Not at all - once you finish your planning and get to the parks, no one will ever know where you're staying!

There are really only 2 major differences: no free parking for off-site guests at the parks, and for Early Enter or Extra Evening Hours you don't qualify for those hours.

You also have access to all Disney transportation options. Buses, boats, Monorails, and Skyliner.

Dave

 

[thanxfornoticin]

The one day at a time pre-purchase of LLMP and/or LLSP is only for guests with AP or non-dated tickets. If you have date based tickets you are limited to a 3 day advance purchase but you are able to book for the lenght of your ticket.

Thanks for the clarification around dated tickets and the LLMP/LLSP. That makes sense.

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

Both water parks may not be open when you go. It's only been one park open at a time for a while now. I was at TL this week and BB was still closed. A cast member said they thought both parks may finally be open at the same time by summer but who knows.

 

[lovethattink]

Just a friendly reminder. You’ll notice some posts are missing. Please don’t skirt Disney’s rules in the posts.


1. Where do I park the car at each park?
As mentioned above each park has its own parking lot, except the MK where you park at the TTC then boat, bus, or monorail over to MK. (The buses only run during really busy seasons and are usually quicker.) Trams don’t always run at opening. It can be a hike.

4. Will I feel like a second-class citizen?
Not at all. I drive when I stay at a resort.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I don’t think there are buses to MK from TTC. Just monorail or boat.

 

[Pyxie]

I don’t think there are buses to MK from TTC. Just monorail or boat.

There are busses when it's really busy. I think it's somewhat of a little known fact because the wait times are never long for them.

 

[LKing]

Thank you for asking the question. I will be attending a conference and staying off-site when I visit in the spring. I'm not a regular at WDW so need to figure out the best strategy for my stay.

 

[LKing]

Just a friendly reminder. You’ll notice some posts are missing. Please don’t skirt Disney’s rules in the posts.

Question about Disney rules. We just returned from 10 days in the parks. We are not WDW regulars so I am not familiar with how things have been done in the past. We asked where we should park because we wanted to be clear on the rules and make sure we followed them. Security at MK, the transportation center, and multiple resorts told us the same thing as what was in the posts that were deleted. Is this a situation where Disney has not updated their website?