Off site versus on

[samandryanmom]

Currently we have all star sports booked for 10 nights at end of June and over July 4th. I do have the summer discount so the room nightly is about 110 per night. I'm now thinking about canceling this and going off site but I can't decide if it will b worth it. We're only renting a car the first day because we're flying into Sanford and then we'll return it and rely on Disney busses. In the past we've stayed at Windsor hills, bonnet creek and last year at a hotel at downtown disney. With the cost of parking and a rental car, I don't see the savings I thought I'd see. Am I missing something? It's only myself and my daughter so we don't need much but is it possible the Disney room is our best value?
We haven't stayed onsite since 2007 and we've always saved money off but now I'm not sure. What do y'all think?

 

[AK_Christina]

It is likely that the All Stars is your best value. If it were just 2 of us, I think staying on site at a value would be what we do. The nightly rate isn't horrible and you get to stay in the magic with free transportation if that is important for you. This year we have 5 people and need more room. Bonnet Creek works out to be thousands of dollars cheaper for us than staying on site in 2 value rooms.

I prefer staying on site if the numbers are right - if not, off site we go. This year is going to be our first offsite visit in several years.

 

[robinb]

Currently we have all star sports booked for 10 nights at end of June and over July 4th. I do have the summer discount so the room nightly is about 110 per night. I'm now thinking about canceling this and going off site but I can't decide if it will b worth it. We're only renting a car the first day because we're flying into Sanford and then we'll return it and rely on Disney busses. In the past we've stayed at Windsor hills, bonnet creek and last year at a hotel at downtown disney. With the cost of parking and a rental car, I don't see the savings I thought I'd see. Am I missing something? It's only myself and my daughter so we don't need much but is it possible the Disney room is our best value?
We haven't stayed onsite since 2007 and we've always saved money off but now I'm not sure. What do y'all think?

You really have to do the math. Even the cheapie car rental places will charge $250 for a 10-day car rental (check here http://www.carrentalsavers.com/index.html) plus you need to add $17 per day. So, you'll have to add $42 per day for transportation and parking. So, to save any $$ at all you will have to find a place that is $68 or less. It can be done but you'll have to work hard at at and how much will you really save? $100-$200? I am no onsite fanatic but in your case I would recommend that you stay onsite and enjoy it!

FWIW, if you are planning to go back within 12 months (like you did in previous trips!) I would recommend that you consider getting Annual Passes. You might even be eligible for an additional discount (20% v/s 15%) as well as in-park discounts. If you return next year and stay offsite you'll get free parking with the AP.

 

[bluwater]

I wouldnt stay offsite simply to save. I would stay offsite to get more luxury for the same price. It depends on your travel style and what you want out of a vacation. If you are an "in the magic" person, then no resort will be worth moving offiste. if you can take or leave "the magic" then it comes down to your travel style and then your budget. I dont like relying on the busses. I need a break from all the kids and people. I like retreating offsite at the end of a long day.

Really, you do have to watch the fine print. The offsite places get you for things like parking and sometimes fees to use their bus. Some have resort fees which are on top of the advertised price. You have the weigh all of that. Some are advertised to have good bus systems, some not.

Some people have to have the magic. I've stayed in Value, mods, deluxe Club levels (includig the direct castle view from my bed at GF)....and I feel the most magic when I stay offside at someplace like the Waldorf for $160-$180 per night and look at my statement when the vaca is over. No shock, no worry...and I know I can go again (or someplace else) in less than a year. That, for me, is the magic.

To each his own. It is a very personal choice.

 

[Brian Noble]

If you are looking for the absolute bottom-dollar cost, *and* you are flying to Orlando, it's often hard to beat a Value relying on Disney transportation.

Offsite isn't necessarily about saving every last dollar. But, for just a few dollars more, you can get a MUCH larger and MUCH nicer place, and be the master of your transportation domain.

 

[samandryanmom]

You really have to do the math. Even the cheapie car rental places will charge $250 for a 10-day car rental (check here http://www.carrentalsavers.com/index.html) plus you need to add $17 per day. So, you'll have to add $42 per day for transportation and parking. So, to save any $$ at all you will have to find a place that is $68 or less. It can be done but you'll have to work hard at at and how much will you really save? $100-$200? I am no onsite fanatic but in your case I would recommend that you stay onsite and enjoy it! FWIW, if you are planning to go back within 12 months (like you did in previous trips!) I would recommend that you consider getting Annual Passes. You might even be eligible for an additional discount (20% v/s 15%) as well as in-park discounts. If you return next year and stay offsite you'll get free parking with the AP.

We've already bought our tickets. My daughter is taking one of the Y.E.S. Classes so that saved us some money. This will probably be our last Disney trip for a few years as our son starts college in the fall and we want to go some other places. Had we known last summer that we'd be back this summer, the AP would have been bought! The whole hind sight thing!

 

[Ametista]

For us, having a car and being able to come and go as we please is priceless, and from our experience it is much quicker than the Disney bus system. I would have to save an absolute fortune to be convinced to use Disney transportation. And then factor in the heat, standing there waiting for buses.

If you can find a 1 or 2 bedroom condo with a kitchen you will also save money just by having some meals there.

 

[samandryanmom]

We really enjoyed the space at Windsor Hills and Bonnet Creek. Since it's only my daughter and I this trip, I think we'll stick with onsite. I enjoyed driving to the parks too. It was nice getting in our car and going when and where we wanted. Thanks for everyone's thoughts and ideas.

 

[blessedby3]

We really like BC too…and are staying there again in a few weeks. If it were just me and one child, I would stay on site. We have 7 and need the space, but if it were just 2…I would go onsite.