Off Site Recommendations for 5? No car.

[mshanson3121]

Looking for recommendations for our trip in late November with 5 (two seniors, myself and DC 11 and 8) that meet the following criteria:

- We need 4 beds, and 2 bathrooms. Whether this means a suite or two regular rooms, we're fine with either.
- Free shuttle to Disney. Bonus if they also have a shuttle to Sea World.
- Kitchen would be nice, but not necessary. On site restaurant is a must.
- Resort pool is a must.
- We don't need fancy, but we do need clean.
- Cost less than $280 per night, total (so if it's two rooms, combined cost must be under $280). Bonus if it's under $200!


And...... go.

 

[ParkHopperFan]

My opinion is that you are limiting yourself with no car. Is there any particular reason you don't want to rent a car?

 

[mshanson3121]

My opinion is that you are limiting yourself with no car. Is there any particular reason you don't want to rent a car?

My mother in law doesn't want the "hassle". Though it definitely adds to the cost.

 

[bankr63]

If you want a shuttle that works, then look at Disney Springs hotels or WBC (Wyndham Bonnet Creek). Lots of others with shuttles, but none with usable service IMO. You didn't give dates, but as long as you aren't looking at prime weeks, <$280/nt should be easy peasy for a 2BR suite.

 

[mshanson3121]

I see that booking a DS hotel I can buy quick dining cards. Are they worth it?

 

[bigbabyblues]

Make sure any resort fees are included when you look at the hotel costs. Also, I think some of the shuttles have a charge. You may need to include that to make your decision. I'm sorry, I don't know which ones do, other than I'm pretty sure Bonnet Creek does.

 

[Asherry25]

Disney Springs, Wyndham Bonnet Creek off redweek, or get a car. The car isn’t a hassle, but the shuttle sure will be. My guess is you’d wind up using uber after the first day.

 

[Monykalyn]

Disney Springs Double tree suites have a decent shuttle and extra space (only used shuttle once). No kitchen but does have small fridge, microwave, wet bar. Also a small Dining table. And no resort fee. I booked on a promo and also got no parking fee (if you do end up with car). Plus separate bedroom from living space, but only 3 beds (although I think it sleeps 6 with a 2 queen plus sofa bed, we had a single king plus sofa bed room New Years week).
Any reason offsite? Have you looked at All Star Music family suite? Then transport taken care of except to sea world.
Quick search for November 25 for week on Orbitz 2 bedroom condo by Disney springs, factoring in a very quick car search and factoring in parking gives you just under $200 all in per day (condo, car, parking).
We often stay offsite and always have a car. Always. Not a hassle at all but waiting on a shuttle is a hassle, and annoying especially if when it is on their time not yours. And if you are staying in condo with kitchen is very nice to be able to do a grocery run. GPS is a wonderful thing for getting around and avoiding traffic

 

[gdrj]

As others have said Disney Springs area Hotels may fit your budget, depending on time frame. There can be discounts available through some of the blogs newsletters. One (which i believe I am allowed to say) is mousesavers. They will have promos and discounts at times.

I would recommend Wyndham, or Hiltons. They are the closest ones to Disney Springs. Later in the day you can take a Disney Bus from the Parks to Disney Springs and walk back. You mention Seniors if walking is an issue be aware its a good walk. The hotel shuttles for all the Disney Spring area Hotels run every 30 minutes (In theory I was there over New Years and due to traffic they ran well behind schedule) which is better than some of the totally off-site hotels. Also the shuttles do drop you off at Parks a bit further away and end up being a further walk than the Disney Resort Busses.

The other nice thing with those hotels is it give you access to all the restaurants at Disney Springs. Uber and Lyft can also be options, especially if you and the kids want to get to the parks early or stay later than your Parents. Your Parents can take the Shuttle a little later in the AM and you can Uber to be there for Gate Opening.

****Personally I am always looking for closer than further away, just due to traffic, getting on and off property, but if you are willing to rent a car VRBO would probably fit your budget. Of course that means everyone needs to come and go together.

 

[gdrj]

I see that booking a DS hotel I can buy quick dining cards. Are they worth it?

I would compare price of hotel with or without Card if it is offered as a package. It does offer you a bit of a discount BUT only if you maximize by buying most expensive items. Personally I feel Dining Plans or Dining Card is more of a convenience factor and than cost savings. Can you save some money possibly. but unless you want to make sure you are managing it, it could cost you. Kids dont want to go where it is available. You are on the wrong side of the park. You just grab something form a Kiosk instead of a meal.

 

[mshanson3121]

Disney Springs, Wyndham Bonnet Creek off redweek, or get a car. The car isn’t a hassle, but the shuttle sure will be. My guess is you’d wind up using uber after the first day.

I'm assuming the Disney shuttles for on site are better?

 

[mshanson3121]

Disney Springs Double tree suites have a decent shuttle and extra space (only used shuttle once). No kitchen but does have small fridge, microwave, wet bar. Also a small Dining table. And no resort fee. I booked on a promo and also got no parking fee (if you do end up with car). Plus separate bedroom from living space, but only 3 beds (although I think it sleeps 6 with a 2 queen plus sofa bed, we had a single king plus sofa bed room New Years week).
Any reason offsite? Have you looked at All Star Music family suite? Then transport taken care of except to sea world.
Quick search for November 25 for week on Orbitz 2 bedroom condo by Disney springs, factoring in a very quick car search and factoring in parking gives you just under $200 all in per day (condo, car, parking).
We often stay offsite and always have a car. Always. Not a hassle at all but waiting on a shuttle is a hassle, and annoying especially if when it is on their time not yours. And if you are staying in condo with kitchen is very nice to be able to do a grocery run. GPS is a wonderful thing for getting around and avoiding traffic

We're booked right now for All Star Movies (two rooms). I was just toying with the idea of seeing if we could save more money, which we could then splurge on MVMCP

We stayed off site last time, drove, had 0 problems. But my husband and her husband came last time, and the "men" drove. I have 0 problems driving, but I get the impression she's not as confident in my ability....LOL.

 

[ParkHopperFan]

We have done the off site without a car and using a shuttle. That was a hassle. We have found off site staying in a rental home with a car to be the most hassle free vacation. Everyone has their own bedroom and bathroom. Most have a private pool, spa, kitchen, game room with internet, washer/dryer, etc. Don't underestimate the value of personal space. It can be a relationship saver! I would offer that you could easily find a place for under $200 per night which leaves plenty of room in your budget for a car. The car will give you the ability to come and go as you please and dine and shop where you please, when you please.

 

[mshanson3121]

We have done the off site without a car and using a shuttle. That was a hassle. We have found off site staying in a rental home with a car to be the most hassle free vacation. Everyone has their own bedroom and bathroom. Most have a private pool, spa, kitchen, game room with internet, washer/dryer, etc. Don't underestimate the value of personal space. It can be a relationship saver! I would offer that you could easily find a place for under $200 per night which leaves plenty of room in your budget for a car. The car will give you the ability to come and go as you please and dine and shop where you please, when you please.

I have priced Windsor Hills - staying in a 3 bedroom condo with a rental car will save us each about $300 ($900 total). MILs question was - with only 4 days in Florida, do we really want to be spending time cooking etc?

 

[writerguyfl]

One cost you seem to be missing is transportation from the airport to the hotel. That will add about $100 to your trip. For example, Mears Transportation in a shared-ride vehicle is $23 for adults and $18 for kids for a round trip to a Lake Buena Vista hotel.

 

[mshanson3121]

One cost you seem to be missing is transportation from the airport to the hotel. That will add about $100 to your trip. For example, Mears Transportation in a shared-ride vehicle is $23 for adults and $18 for kids for a round trip to a Lake Buena Vista hotel.

We had factored that in to the off site/DS costs.

 

[bankr63]

Later in the day you can take a Disney Bus from the Parks to Disney Springs and walk back.

To be clear you can't do this directly. There are no buses from the parks to Disney Springs directly. If there were, everyone would park for free at DS. You have to take a bus to resort, or walk/monorail/boat to a resort from a park, then take a bus from a resort to DS.

 

[disneysteve]

The car isn’t a hassle, but the shuttle sure will be.

This!

I would absolutely not stay offsite without a car. Seriously, if I had to choose between no car and no trip, I would pick no trip.

If you do it without a car, be sure to budget in plenty of money for Uber fees.

 

[saskdw]

We have stayed at Wyndham Grand Orlando a couple times. This is the actual hotel that is attached to the Wyndham Bonnet Creek time share.

What we found was that the shuttle's were convenient to the parks/Disney Springs as they left at set times. However we always took a Taxi on the way back. We weren't willing to schedule our plans around the designated return times.

 

[TamaraQT]

At $280/per day for a hotel could just as well be $150/day for hotel which leaves $30/day for a rental car, will leave you $100/day to use for other incidentals such as meals and other things. My point is, maybe spend less per day for the hotel and get a rental car. Maybe consider staying at a timeshare resort and just commute in the car or minivan all day. If you dont have a car and rely on hotel shuttles, it will not be as convenient as having a vehicle. Its not that less expensive either. BUT.....I see you are staying at All Star Movies, so you are on-site and do not need a rental car. It sounds like you dont mind using disney transportation at all. So problem solved. A budget of $280/day for a hotel room is expensive unless you are staying onsite. Staying onsite for $280 already includes the convenience of Disney transportation. Have a Fantastic Time!!!