Off Site question

[lisatx04]

Here is a question from a veteran Disney girl..
We have never stayed off property but due to some life changes, we are looking into it for this trip.
There will be 4 of us: me and 3 kids, ages 20, 18 and 17.
I need recommendations for where to stay. I would like something with a kitchen area, so I am looking into Wyndham Bonnet Creek. Along those lines, if there are on site resorts with kitchen areas, aside from DVC resorts, I would consider those.

Next, if I understand correctly, we can not participate in EMH since we are not resort guests. We can be in the parks but cannot ride any rides since we do not have magic bands. Is that correct? The kids love staying at the parks later, so this might be a deal breaker.

I am open to any and all suggestions and comments.
Thanks!!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Here is a question from a veteran Disney girl..
We have never stayed off property but due to some life changes, we are looking into it for this trip.
There will be 4 of us: me and 3 kids, ages 20, 18 and 17.
I need recommendations for where to stay. I would like something with a kitchen area, so I am looking into Wyndham Bonnet Creek. Along those lines, if there are on site resorts with kitchen areas, aside from DVC resorts, I would consider those.

Next, if I understand correctly, we can not participate in EMH since we are not resort guests. We can be in the parks but cannot ride any rides since we do not have magic bands. Is that correct? The kids love staying at the parks later, so this might be a deal breaker.

I am open to any and all suggestions and comments.
Thanks!!

I think Bonnet Creek sounds like a great option!

Not sure about EMH.

I was able to book Fastpasses last minute - day before or same day. I know resort guests get to book way ahead. There were only a couple of times I wasn't able to get my desired fastpass.

 

[Imagineer5]

Bonnet Creek is a good option, but there are a gazillion off site options that offer tons of space with full kitchens (check out VRBO, Airbnb, Tripadvisor, etc).

However, you will not be able to use EMH. I don't know if they escort you out, but you definitely should not be in the park after closing (and they won't let you in early on EMH mornings). So if you stay offsite, just plan to not be in the park that has an evening EMH that day and it won't be an issue.

If you really want to stay on site for EMH benefits, I'd look into renting DVC points or staying in a suite or Wilderness cabin.

 

[lisatx04]

Thanks. I just called Bonnet Creek and they quoted my over $3000 for a week!! I can stay on property for that price.
Now looking at Sheraton Vistana Resort. Anybody have any experience?

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I stayed at Vistana off Vineland Rd. 535 (not the one off I-drive). I loved the pool - huge resort. Nothing negative in my memory. I just remember it being huge. Also the Hilton timeshare resorts have kitchens and nice amenities but check resort fees and parking fees. I'd stay at any of them.

 

[prestoncaldwell]

Thanks. I just called Bonnet Creek and they quoted my over $3000 for a week!! I can stay on property for that price.
Now looking at Sheraton Vistana Resort. Anybody have any experience?

The trick to Bonnet Creek is renting from an owner. Check out Redweek.com and TUGBBS.com for possible rentals.

 

[KristinU]

...or check out Vacationupgrades.com or Vacationstrategy.com or a reputable eBay renter for Wyndham Bonnet Creek. We seriously love it there...and we're previous DVC owners, if that says anything.

I'm not sure what happens for evening EMH for off site folks. I suppose you can mill around for a while after closing, but you won't be able to get on any attractions. Morning for sure you can't enter. We've always used the strategy of hitting the non-EMH parks, so the loss of EMH when we're off site isn't a big deal to us.

Do remember that you'll need to pay for daily parking or take an Uber or take a shuttle. We are AP holders, so parking isn't an issue for us, but I thought I'd mention it since that's an extra expense to factor in.

 

[Klayfish]

We are veteran WDW people, and veterans staying off site. We've never stayed on property, ever. I'd guess we've stayed about 15 different times off site.

First, I'd go to VRBO.com to help you find a location. There are two concentrated pockets of good rental places. They are both right along Rt. 192, which runs east and west along the south side of WDW. There's a pocket just to the east of WDW and one to the west. We prefer the east, but the west has very nice places too. You'll be able to see them when you go to VRBO. They will all be 2-4 bedroom condos or townhomes, and they all have full kitchens, family rooms, washer/dryer, etc...all the comforts of home. We absolutely love it and would never stay on site (there's nothing wrong with staying on site, it's just not for us). We pay between $600-$800/week, depending on where we stay. Sheraton Vistana Village is a wonderful place, I highly recommend it. Windsor Hills is another. Truthfully, there are probably 20-30 places or more along Rt 192 that are nice, clean, safe, quiet, etc...all for under $800/week.

 

[greenclan67]

We love Orange lake. Here right now. Have any questions pm me

 

[lisatx04]

Thank you all for your replies. In the end, my sister has decided to travel with us, so we will be using DVC points.
I did look into VRBO and found plenty of places that would have worked out for us if my sister had not decided to travel.

 

[lpizzuro123]

Definitely check out redweek.com. We rented a 2 bedroom at Bonnet Creek from an owner on the redweek.com for $100.00 a night. We had 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room/dining room and kitchen plus a balcony that looked out over Epcot and we could watch IllumiNations and from the pool area we could watch the fireworks at DHS. They have 2 restaurants on their property and many pools and 2 lazy rivers. On redweek.com you have a pay a $15.00 fee to join for one year but you can use their services for a whole year and rent from many places throughout the US and the world. It great because some people will rent out for either 1, 2 or as many nights as you want. Parking is free there but you do have to pay to park at WDW. We purchased AP's so we do not have to pay to park at Disney as we go quite often.

 

[kc1798]

It sounds like you may have made your decision, but for anyone else considering off-site, we are veteran WDW folks and have stayed on and off property several times over the last few years. When we stay off-property, we stay at the Sheraton Vistana Resort. It's about a 5 min drive to get on property and 10 mins to the closest park entrances (it's closest to Disney Springs if I remember correctly) and we are staying there again this Feb.

We like this option because it is half the cost of the Deluxe resorts (We have attempted the bus system at other on property resorts and want to cry after a day on and off with two little kids and a double stroller), you have a separate kitchen which is good for snacks and drinks for little ones and the bedroom is separate from the living area. With two kids under 5 we don't make the park close most nights so you can put the little ones to bed and relax a bit longer or sit on the balcony.

The rooms are generally updated, clean and comfortable. During off season times, rates are less than $200 a night.

 

[David Brent]

MY brother in law got me on checking out eBay. We are all AP holders so we go a lot. If you look enough you can find deals on eBay. I found a deal for my very specific date in Jan, and bonnet creek was available. Seller was reputable etc, and we got a 4bedroom presidential suite for $120 a night. I've never done it before but it was easy. The seller just gets your full name to be on the reservation day you check in. We were originally going to stay onsite since its value season, but since we have 3 other families coming along, we needed more room.

 

[BigredNole]

Plenty of options for staying offsite that meet your criteria. Tons of them close as well. I have only stayed at WBC because my DVC rentals came out at equivalent prices.

For early EMH, you cannot even enter the park unless you are a resort guest. For late EMH, you can stay in the park to look around and shop. You cannot go on any of the attractions though. If that is a deal breaker, then you are stuck renting at least a 1BR at a DVC resort and pay the premium for it. That will run you about 50% more than an offsite place that is 2x as nice and spacious.

 

[HopperFan]

Just an FYI, I've stayed at WBC and never paid more than $700 a week, and that was a 2 bedroom (slept 8, every kid got a bed). Also have stayed at Vistana a number of times, same size unit for around $500. Bigger and beautifully decorated, just not as resort feeling as WBC.

Sounds like you have a great option now with your sister. Enjoy!