Offsite Panic

[deno2]

On April 6th I will begin a week long first time ever, offsite visit. I have been visiting Disney since 1971 and have always stayed on property. A friend has a convention to attend and invited me along so that I could, "show her Disney." She said she was booking a Disney hotel and I just found out that she booked the Orlando Hilton because of the convenient location to the convention. We are not renting a car and when I called the Hilton last night to inquire about the shuttle schedule, I was told that they don't have a shuttle. HELP!!! Looking for any and all suggestions to help make this trip a little less stressful.
Thanks much!
Deno

 

[nacho113]

Rental Car, Uber, Towncar, Taxi... this would be my suggestions for transportation (and in that order of preference).
We stay offsite 2 out of 3 visits a year now and always rent a car (even when staying onsite)
Uber seems to be a pretty popular and a reasonably inexpensive alternative, if you really don't want to rent a car and drive in the area.
MCO does have some of the best rental car prices in the whole country. The cost of a weekly rental can be under $100 which can be the cost of a round trip Taxi or towncar ride from the airport to your hotel and back.
Towncars and taxis are starting to get on the expensive side and costs can add up quickly if you need to take multiple trips

 

[HopperFan]

First, it's a great hotel! We loved our stay there. Two, it's not near Disney and I only stay with a car.

- Rent a car (note hotel charges for parking as will the theme parks).
- Take a cab or uber.
- Public transportation and it will take a LONG time.
- Switch hotel

 

[bearzabout]

The hotel charges $18/day for parking. Is there any availability at a true onsite Disney hotel?

 

[NH-to-FL]

I can understand the stress. A rental car would be the easiest transportation stress reliever. And as others have mentioned rental cars are available fairly cheaply in Orlando. You would have to do your own math to see whether hotel parking, Disney parking, and the daily rental car cost (including all taxes and fees) would be cheaper than Uber or a taxi when you need to go somewhere.

We prefer the freedom of having a car. Being able to head off site for shopping or a restaurant whenever you want.

Have fun showing your friend Disney!

 

[Bete]

There's public transportation, but I wouldn't like to get around that way.

Maybe, there is a compromise with a hotel that wouldn't be too bad for the both of you that has a shuttle. You will have to do some quick research.

If you need to pay for a rental car, parking fees at the resort and at the park I'm not sure I would take the trip. Who is paying for these extra costs? Whose going to drive? Is this all on you?

I really feel you should stay onsite. After all, she originally said this is what she was going to do. Sorry, but I don't think she is much of a friend just thinking of her own convenience, here.

I would assume you would want to spend some time at Disney solo while your friend is at her convention. So doing a car would mean you would be taking two round trips to the Disney parks, once on your own and once with her.

If your friend won't change hotels then you need to decide to go and maybe skip Disney or go for maybe one day only as a treat if the transportation issue is all on you.

 

[glassslippergirl]

Staying offsite isn't bad. You get more room and usually a quieter environment. Your friend was right to book a hotel convenient for her convention as that is the real purpose of her trip. As others have suggested, just rent a car. Even when you factor the cost of the car, hotel parking, and parking at WDW, it's probably still cheaper than "upgrading" from offsite to a WDW moderate. Honestly, after a late night at the parks, you'll find it is way nicer to just walk out to your car as opposed to joining the press of humanity headed to the resort busses.

But if you really, truly think that staying offsite will be too stressful for you, just tell your friend you can't go. I doubt that she intended to stress you out when she invited you.

 

[Upatnoon]

On April 6th I will begin a week long first time ever, offsite visit. I have been visiting Disney since 1971 and have always stayed on property. A friend has a convention to attend and invited me along so that I could, "show her Disney." She said she was booking a Disney hotel and I just found out that she booked the Orlando Hilton because of the convenient location to the convention. We are not renting a car and when I called the Hilton last night to inquire about the shuttle schedule, I was told that they don't have a shuttle. HELP!!! Looking for any and all suggestions to help make this trip a little less stressful.
Thanks much!
Deno

You might want to to ask your friend for some more info. Some conventions will have special shuttles to Disney after the meetings are over. Some conventions also sell special, cheaper Disney tickets good for later in the day.

 

[nacho113]

On April 6th I will begin a week long first time ever, offsite visit. I have been visiting Disney since 1971 and have always stayed on property. A friend has a convention to attend and invited me along so that I could, "show her Disney." She said she was booking a Disney hotel and I just found out that she booked the Orlando Hilton because of the convenient location to the convention. We are not renting a car and when I called the Hilton last night to inquire about the shuttle schedule, I was told that they don't have a shuttle. HELP!!! Looking for any and all suggestions to help make this trip a little less stressful.
Thanks much!
Deno

It sound to me like you will need a rental car whether you stay onsite or offsite, either to get to the parks or to the convention.

Since the purpose of the trip is to attend the convention, staying at a hotel near that is probably the best idea.
Any leisure time activities(ie: Disney Parks) are the secondary reason for the trip, just go with it and enjoy it for what it is.

 

[GreatLakes]

I'd just use Uber and not worry about it.

 

[elaine amj]

Uber works great The challenge is if you want to go to the parks while she is at the convention. Maybe you can uber there in the morning and she can meet you there when her day is over?

 

[TeresaWen]

Uber!! We stay offsite only now and just love Uber. We take it to either a monorail or EPCOT hotel. It is just so easy.

 

[pa. dad]

Renting a car is not that expensive in the Orlando area and with 2 people, you shouldn't need a large car. Having the car might allow you to explore some places that you normally don;t either.
I have stayed on and off site and prefer to stay offsite as the Disney hotels are just overpriced in comparision. Some are very nice and convenient but the money saved might allow some nicer meals or special treats.

 

[deno2]

I have booked a rental car through Alamo for the week using a code that I found here on the boards. I'm looking forward to doing a little exploring in and around Orlando, thank you for all of the suggestions and tips!