Off-site w/pool or on-site multiple rooms???

[mdmbfly]

I am in a huge dilema that I can't wrap my head around. Most likely we will be travelling with at least one other family. First family is Mom and Dad, 11 DS, 6 DS, 5 DS, 2 DS. Second family is Mom and Dad, 6 DD and 2 DS. We are trying to weigh the options of staying on-site at and All-Star and have family #1 get 2 adjoining rooms or to stay off-site and get one of those houses with a private pool. Trying to weigh the pros and cons is torture!

We think that the house is cheaper for us but we would have to drive to WDW each day. We could visit other attractions and be able to eat meals in the house by cooking. Can we use our passes and go back to the parks after a few hours? Do we have to pay parking 2 times when we do that?

On the other hand, it would be nice to be able to hop a bus and get back to the hotel room for a nap and dip in the pool if we stay on-site. We could use the transportation at WDW to visit other on-site attractions.

Anyone have experience with both and could recommend one over the other. Looking for any advice to help in the decision! thanks.

 

[mdmbfly]

Forgot to mention that we are open to suggestions of other options in staying for most cost effective way.

 

[Gillian]

You only have to pay once for parking. Just keep your ticket. You'll have 2 vehicles, right?

We've done both, and there are advantages either way. That's why it's so hard to decide! With a large group it's really nice to have a lot of space and a lot of bathrooms.

From some of the areas with houses it's a very short drive back to take a break. It's very enjoyable to go back & be able to spread out. Don't think you won't be able to go back & forth if you are in a house. The area near Splendid China & Sherberth road is as convenient as some onsite resorts.

With a group that size I think it might be nice to have the house. You'd have your own pool so it would be easier to watch the kids. And when the little ones go to bed you'll have a place for the adults to hang out together.

Anyhow, I think the main advantage to staying onsite is the ability to split up into smaller groups and return to the rooms if you want.

 

[Gillian]

Also, ask on the Orlando Hotels board. Lots of people there can tell you how to find the bigger homes for a good price.

 

[gigi1313]

having travelled w/friends, my advice is AVOID THE HOUSE LIKE THE PLAGUE!! you will NEVER get any "distance" from your friends... i'm sure you love your friends, and they are great at home, but you each have your own homes to go home to... two families, no matter how well they get along, should not (in my opinion) stay together w/no place to "retreat to!"

for the reasons already listed and a whole lot more, i would recommend staying at a value resort... we LOVED pop century... the all-stars are great... if you can all afford a moderate, check out port orleans...

if the kids want to have a "sleep over" it's easily done if you have more than one room (connecting)... you can travel together thruout the world or divide and conquer... (i.e. dads/bigger kids to the thrill rides; moms/smaller kids to toontown; etc)

vacations can be very stressful, especially when there is a lot of money on the line and lots of opinions and people to please... ultimately i think you'll do the best job of pleasing the most people by having your own personal space... GOOD LUCK & ENJOY!

 

[debm]

We've never done the "house" before but we always say "Stay on site!!!" Our kids are DS11 DS9 DD6 and DS2 and it is just so much easier staying onsite. To me it is not really WDW if I am having to get up and drive to the parks, return home to try to cook, etc. And what fun is a house pool? I want to swim in the beauty of the WDW resorts. There is just something about being on property that makes the vacation for us. To me, if I'm in a house I might as well be at my own home! This is entirely my own opinion--but you asked! Our neighbors are going for the first time and they are getting a house and so excited by the cheap price for the week. I just hope that it is everything they hoped it would be. We had some other friends go down and stay at some kind of time share rented out to the military. Cost them $260 for the entire week. She kept braggin about the cheap price and how they would just be able to cook, and drive in to the parks whenever they wanted or go to Sea World, etc. Well, having been to WDW twice a year for the last 6 years I just bit my tongue, because she wouldn't listen to anything I had to say. But after they returned home she said next time they were staying ON PROPERTY. She complained about the place they stayed--wasn't worth the price, spent most of their time at WDW anyway, etc. etc. I just smiled!! You will have fun whatever you decide to do. I just think you can't go wrong staying on property. Then you can decide if that was really what you liked or if you want to do something differnt next time.

 

[epcotfan]

having travelled w/friends, my advice is AVOID THE HOUSE LIKE THE PLAGUE!! you will NEVER get any "distance" from your friends... i'm sure you love your friends, and they are great at home, but you each have your own homes to go home to... two families, no matter how well they get along, should not (in my opinion) stay together w/no place to "retreat to!"

DITTO. Get multiple rooms onsite. You will appreciate having seperate quarters at the end of the day.

 

[TerriBelle]

We visited Disney Jan '04 with another family and we stayed in different rooms/different resorts! We liked the option of doing things together or apart! It would have been nice if we were at the same resort but it was fine being separate. Each family had 3 kids and there were times when the kids needed a little time away from each other. We would meet up every day but we also had time alone with our own family. I would do the multiple rooms at a disney resort.

Another option is to look into renting points from a DVC member. You could get a grand villa or a 2 BR & Studio. This would give you a kitchen that you could use for quick meals or snacks.

 

[mdmbfly]

Thanks for all the great advice. I hadn't even thought of the idea that we might need a break from one another. We were all together last night and trying to pick a place to stay. My preference is to stay on-site but it seems like such a good deal to rent the house. Still very confused!!!!

 

[Gillian]

It's not that hard to get away from each other in a house. There are bedrooms with TVs and doors that close. Many of the larger homes have 2 living rooms, a games room, an outdoor patio, etc.

If you do go the house route, be sure to Do a little research and pick a good house for your group. Look for extra living space & lots of bathrooms.

Staying in a house is different, but still fun!

Don't plan on cooking a lot though.

 

[mdmbfly]

Do you lose much of the"disney experience" if you stay at a DVC? I am all about making this completely magical for all my boys. I am mostly leaning towards on-site (if I can talk the others into it). Wish i could figure out how to organize all the great inforamtion that i get here. thanks for the advice so far.

Seems like we should try to be close to MK since the majority of our little ones are, well...little.

 

[TerriBelle]

Many of the DVC resorts are part of Disney resorts. For example Wilderness, Beach Club and Boardwalk so they are no different from staying at the resort except you have more space, laundry, and kitchen area!

If you want to be close to the MK then try and rent at Wilderness Lodge.

We have stayed at both the BW and BC with small children and it was great! The BC has an amazing sand bottom pool Stormalong Bay which our kids loved!!!!! It has a cool slide for the big kids and a smaller one for the little ones. When our twins were 2 & 3 they loved this slide. It is located on the back of the ship. It also has a large kiddie pool with sand that they enjoyed.

Staying in the EPCOT area is great because you can walk or take a boat to MGM and EPCOT. You also can catch a monorail from EPCOT to the MK. We like this because you can start the day at the MK early and then at lunch take a nice break riding the monorail to EPCOT. Then we walk through EPCOT and do a few rides on our way back to the room.

We also like to see the night shows at EPCOT and MGM. Staying at the BC or BW makes it really easy to get home at night!

 

[BevS97]

we went with 2 other familys last year and we all stayed in different places, one family wanted the space and price of off site so they rented a condo, one family has DVC so they stayed in DVC accomodation and we stayed at POFQ. We had a plan of times when we would meet up and the rest of the time was spent apart. As the week went by we realised we liked to spend plenty of time together so we made additional plans, but we all respected when one of the famillies wanted to do something on their own. The most important thing for us was that we all had cell phones so we could reach each other easily and it was easy to change plans, or let everyone know if you were running late etc. There is nothing worse than spending your vacation waiting for someone else to show up, this way noone had to do that.

 

[ErinInCT]

DVC DVC DVC!!!!
We rented a 2bedroom 2 bath from a DVC member for $10/point. It was at WL so we were in the MK area. It was sooo incredible! The space was great. We loved having a kitchen & w/d. We loved having somewhere to go when the kids went to bed. Our room had the master bedroom/bath & the other bedroom had 2 full sized beds so the 11 yo could have his own bed, the other 2 boys could share & the little one could be in a pack & play (provided in your room!). The closet in the 2nd bedroom was so huge that our little one slept in there in the pack & play!!! Or if you have a prob you can always let someone sleep on the sofa bed (you still have your room w/a balcony to hang out after everyone goes to bed!) so EVERYONE would have their own bed. Your friends could get a studio, a one bedroom or whatever they want at the same resort.
The DVC experience is IDENTICAL to a "regular" Disney resort stay except your room is bigger and better! You still have all the same amenities (except daily maid). I highly recommend it. There is nothing like being on site to make your trip magical! We ate every breakfast and lunch in our room (took a mid day break for naps & swimming) so we saved money by doing that & we saved money on parking & time to get to the parks!
Think it over!! Go to the DVC thread to see how many points it would take (OKW is the least points) for your dates & figured $10/point to see what the cost would be. Another GREAT thing is that the cost you pay is the full price. A hotel room may say $100/night but then they tack on at least $20/day in taxes!! Happy trails!

 

[mdmbfly]

Thanks for giving specifics. I don't know why I am struggling with this so much. I can't seem to get my mind straight and I need details like you offered

 

[isla bonita]

Take the house. I can not believe people worry about parking. The bus system a Disney is awful!!! I would rather walk. The homes are so close to the park and the fee what ever it is is so minimal to be able to come and go at your wim. I have a great web site for homes and the people you deal with are truelly wonderful. On the off days the kids can hang at the pool and you do not have anyone else around just your own friends. If you want a snack or drink or ned to ure the restrooms they are right there. can't beat that.
http://www.floridadisneyhomes.com/
Tell them Deb sent you and to be good to you. They will just laugh. The homes are near the parks and are kept very clean. Hope you have a great time what ever you decide.

 

[Angie_Ohio]

We vacationed in Nov. with 4 families and our neighbors. We got two houses and a condo with pools. This was great and inexpensive. The kids DS18, DS10, DS7, and DS6 loved having access to their own pool. They were very flexible about driving to and from the parks. You pay only once. I also enjoyed the flexibility of being on site as well. You can make midday breaks easier and enjoy the perks the location offers. Some resorts are quite a bus ride sometimes and a car is nice for a quick exit and return.
Both have their good and bad points. Once you've done it you'll know what's right for you for the next time.
Angie_OH