Offsite during peak times

[funforfive]

Last time we visited, we stayed on site and loved it. We used am EMH each day at a different park and even though it was the week after Easter, we were able to see/do everything we wanted to. We are thinking of returning this year the Thursday after Easter for 4 nights and I'm torn between off site and saving about $300 and staying on site.

Without using EMH do you off siters have difficulty getting FP, doing what you want? How much time do you allow for bussing/driving and parking? I was looking at Hotel Royal Plaza....any good, bad, other suggestions?

Thanks

 

[spiceycat]

did not like Hotel Plaza when stayed there - it was years ago - so maybe it has improved?

staying offsite during peak times can be tricky - WDW tries - by giving their guests transportation - but when the car lots are full - they do close the park to off-siters - later they can close it to everyone because the park is full.

on these times really like EMH - because you go early then leave when the park is just too full - then come back in the evening. for evening emh - would generally arrive later in the day like 7pm - now though since EMH will only be 2 hours at night might arrive a little earlier.

easter week is only behind Christmas to NY week - as WDW busiest.

you can take a chance and go offsite - but realize it is a chance.

if I am going offsite would go with a condo - timeshares - you can generally get them pretty cheap. you can always offer less than what is asking.

 

[dtum]

Staying off site, we don't do the park with early EMH. We also skip the park with late hours. That leaves the parks with the lowest crowds for that day. If a park had late EMH, the following day should be less crowded because most on site people came the night before. Crowds, however, are relative. Going at a busy time of year even least crowded parks are busy. Going at rope drop you don't need to worry about getting closed out.

 

[funforfive]

Thanks for the tips, we're still undecided. I'll remember to stay away from EMH parks if we do stay offsite....

 

[DCTooTall]

As mentioned, Offsite guests can usually use EMH for their advantage better than onsite guests.... by simply avoiding the EMH park that all the onsite guests are going to. Remember that most people these days don't get parkhoppers, so if they are onsite and want to take advantage of EMH, they usually spend the entire day at that park.


Drive time isn't that bad once on Disney property. Depending upon where you are staying offsite though, you may run into some traffic heading towards Disney.


Disney utilizes a tiered capacity close system for their parks on high-crowd days during the peak times. I forget the exact order, but if you have your ticket already to the parks, you aren't at any major disadvantage to onsite guests. Even still... if they are even getting to that point of capacity closure, do you really even want to worry about getting into that crowded park?

The parking lots are large enough at each park that seldom will they get too full.

 

[maxiesmom]

Depending on when you are going avoiding the EMH park may be all but impossible. Over some peak weeks MK has EMH every day.

I have no problem staying off site and have done so many times. However I wouldn't stay off site during a busy time of year. EMHs are too valuable to me, as is the fact that if the parks start to fill I will be among the last group kept out.

 

[maxiesmom]

Disney utilizes a tiered capacity close system for their parks on high-crowd days during the peak times. I forget the exact order, but if you have your ticket already to the parks, you aren't at any major disadvantage to onsite guests. Even still... if they are even getting to that point of capacity closure, do you really even want to worry about getting into that crowded park?

The parking lots are large enough at each park that seldom will they get too full.

http://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/capacity-closures

You are at a definite advantage as far as getting in the parks goes staying at a Disney resort.

 

[DCTooTall]

http://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/capacity-closures

You are at a definite advantage as far as getting in the parks goes staying at a Disney resort.

Unless you have an AP.... (Such as myself since it tends to more than pay for itself with just the free parking)

 

[Brian Noble]

Without using EMH do you off siters have difficulty getting FP, doing what you want?

Nope. I've been offsite for President's Week---not quite as bad as Easter week, but getting there. As others mention, just avoid EMH parks, and you will be good to go.

In fact, we generally avoid the EMH parks even when we are *onsite*, for easy touring. Easter Weeks usually have the wrinkle of 7AM EMHs at MK every day, but that's so early that few people take advantage of it. You should be okay, particularly if you follow Touring Plans or EasyWDW for which parks to hit on which days.

 

[funforfive]

Ok....guess we won't rule out off site if we can get a good deal. I'm kinda leaning toward on site, just because of the time we'll be there.

Gotta get a new Unofficial guide

 

[spiceycat]

Ok....guess we won't rule out off site if we can get a good deal. I'm kinda leaning toward on site, just because of the time we'll be there.

Gotta get a new Unofficial guide

people were already complaining about the lack of good discounts for next year.

you might try a DVC rental - you rent a reservation from a DVC member.

easter week can be difficult.

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

One thing to think about is that if a park does close down due to crowds, on-site and AP guests will be allowed in before off site ones.

 

[spiceycat]

Unless you have an AP.... (Such as myself since it tends to more than pay for itself with just the free parking)

sorry I also have an AP - when they close the parking - they close the parking. the only way to still get into the parks is WDW bus, monorail or boat - okay walking too -

now once they close the park - not just the parking - no one gets in.

during Christmas Week and Easter Week - it will be closed - just depends upon when and how much it would bother you.

 

[maxiesmom]

Nope. I've been offsite for President's Week---not quite as bad as Easter week, but getting there. As others mention, just avoid EMH parks, and you will be good to go.

In fact, we generally avoid the EMH parks even when we are *onsite*, for easy touring. Easter Weeks usually have the wrinkle of 7AM EMHs at MK every day, but that's so early that few people take advantage of it. You should be okay, particularly if you follow Touring Plans or EasyWDW for which parks to hit on which days.

During peak weeks if you are not in the park by 10 am you are pretty much hosed. I'm one of the few who love the really early EMHs, and I can tell you that by 10am it looks like a wave of people coming into the park. Utilizing EMH is still the best way to get on rides with little to no wait, especially early in the morning and during a busy time.

If someone does decide to use Touring Plans, they need to be dedicated to following it, and not decide to run off on their own. I've used that too and it does work! However in my case we also were at ever park at open, which makes it work even better.

 

[spiceycat]

We are thinking of returning this year the Thursday after Easter for 4 nights and I'm torn between off site and saving about $300 and staying on site.

Thanks

boy feel silly - though you were going during easter week - after easter week it just depends upon which part of Florida is off that week for spring break. If it is a local and close county - then it will be crowded.

otherwise you will be fine. with the price increase at Disney would think you could save more than $300.

 

[funforfive]

We are a family of five so the least expensive on site resort is POR. Factoring in a car and parking for offsite, the difference is about $300....leaning toward on site stay and hoping for a discount!

 

[sbb2012]

I have always stayed off-site. I have never had a problem, not even in peak season.

Just get there for rope drop, and avoid the EMH park for the day and go to another one. I kind of think EMH is overrated anyways, since it makes the crowd really crowded and any advantage of EMH is lost. But I have to be honest, I think staying onsite is totally overrated, too.

Use the touring plans from the Unofficial Guide and you'll see and do everything you want to.

 

[softballmom3]

I know a LOT of schools have Spring Break this next year the week after Easter so bets are it's definitely going to be busy. We went once during this time and while we loved it..it was busy. As long as we got there early no problems. We stayed onsite that year. I've done both and never had any problems touring but I much prefer staying onsite to off.