Offsite vs. Onsite and cost

[minerva78]

My DH has finally agreed to do a Disney vacation next June for us and our 2 girls, who will be 5 and 6 years old. He wants his family to come with us, personally I'm not crazy about the idea, but we'll see. If they do think they can come (which I think is unlikely) we'll plan to rent a 3 BR condo at Windsor Hills. If it looks like they can't come, then DH says he is fine with staying onsite.

So I've been crunching the numbers and what I've found is that I can stay for 6 nights onsite at POFQ with the Dining plan, with 2 Disney days (if we go to Universal and Legoland) or 3 disney days (if we just go to Legoland, which is what I prefer). Or we could stay at Windsor Hills for 7 nights, with 3 or 4 Disney days and Legoland or Legoland and Universal. When I looked at the numbers, taking into account extra gas for offsite, parking, and the fact that I plan to do very little cooking in the condo other than breakfast, so I estimated a lot of park and offsite meals, onsite came out about $200 more for one less day.

This will be our first Disney trip as a family, and there is a big part of me that wants to stay onsite, because if we don't do it now, we may not want to do it in a few years when our girls are older and we may want more space. The price difference isn't too significant, although cheaper is nice, but I'm not sure if the one less day is. If we stayed onsite with the dining plan we'd do more character meals (4) than what I would do OOP if we stayed offsite (2). But offsite would give us more space and one more day. Is 6 days much of a difference than 7 days at Disney? Do you think it's still worth it to stay onsite, or will the lack of space be too much to handle! Lol

 

[floydfamily4]

First on planning your first family Disney trip! You will have a great time. I will preface my comments by saying that we took our trip off season and not in the summer so it may be different for you. We took our 5 year olds to Disney awhile ago and stayed at WH in the townhouse with the private splash pool. It was awesome. We did 3 character breakfasts and spent 7 days between the 4 parks. The parking and driving was so short that it didn't matter much because WH is so close. I loved being able to take sleepy or sleeping children in the front door and up to bed and then have some adult time with DH. I loved that they had their own space and bathroom. I loved not having to be quiet so they could sleep. I did not cook at all. The trade off with DH was he would cook any meals (which weren't many - we ate in the parks mostly) and we would save money. We paid less than $800 for the week for a 3bdr. So the comfort and ease of WH was worth it to us but you will decide for you. Anyway you do it - its a great trip to Disney - have fun!

 

[ParkHopperFan]

My DH has finally agreed to do a Disney vacation next June for us and our 2 girls, who will be 5 and 6 years old. He wants his family to come with us, personally I'm not crazy about the idea, but we'll see. If they do think they can come (which I think is unlikely) we'll plan to rent a 3 BR condo at Windsor Hills. If it looks like they can't come, then DH says he is fine with staying onsite.

So I've been crunching the numbers and what I've found is that I can stay for 6 nights onsite at POFQ with the Dining plan, with 2 Disney days (if we go to Universal and Legoland) or 3 disney days (if we just go to Legoland, which is what I prefer). Or we could stay at Windsor Hills for 7 nights, with 3 or 4 Disney days and Legoland or Legoland and Universal. When I looked at the numbers, taking into account extra gas for offsite, parking, and the fact that I plan to do very little cooking in the condo other than breakfast, so I estimated a lot of park and offsite meals, onsite came out about $200 more for one less day.

This will be our first Disney trip as a family, and there is a big part of me that wants to stay onsite, because if we don't do it now, we may not want to do it in a few years when our girls are older and we may want more space. The price difference isn't too significant, although cheaper is nice, but I'm not sure if the one less day is. If we stayed onsite with the dining plan we'd do more character meals (4) than what I would do OOP if we stayed offsite (2). But offsite would give us more space and one more day. Is 6 days much of a difference than 7 days at Disney? Do you think it's still worth it to stay onsite, or will the lack of space be too much to handle! Lol

We ran into the same issue when we first started visiting Disney with our small children. One of the main questions we asked ourselves was.. what are we going to do in a hotel room when the kids go to bed at 8 or 9 pm. We can't leave them alone to go to the pool or take a walk and we didn't want to be stuck sitting in the room all night. This is our vacation too!

The off-site decision was the best for us for a few reasons.

1.) The ability to put the kids to bed and then use the pool and spa, watch television, sit out on the lanai, etc. and still be close to the kids.

2.) Personal space. Multiple bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, large kitchen, eating area, etc. We can spread out and not be crammed into a tiny room.

3.) We select an off-site villa with a private pool and spa. We don't need to share it with anyone and the kids have a blast and quite frankly, so do we..

4) The villa has a game room which also keeps the kids busy which gives us time to relax and sit in the sun.

5.) The kitchen is awesome! We prepare breakfasts. We also have everything we need to make lunches to take with us. We usually stop at Target and purchase a soft cooler bag and lunch items. We make sandwiches, chips and drinks and take a lunch break in park. It saves us about $50/day. Disney doesn't have a "value menu."

6.) After doing it this way, we have learned to cut down on park days. We realized that our vacation is not a marathon and we don't have to do everything! Everyone was just as happy to stay back at the villa for a day and swim and play in the game room. Again we have just saved the cost of a park ticket (x 5).

On site vs. off site is a very subjective decision. We have learned that our vacation time is precious and each of us wants something a little different from their vacation experience. Staying off site fulfills all of our needs. We have done it enough times now that we have even ventured out of the "Disney Zone." There is so much to see and do in the area that we would have missed staying on site. For us, the key is to have fun and make great memories together as a family and return home recharged and rejuvenated.

 

[kathy884]

You might want to post on the Disney resorts forum too. You here will probably mostly get people who prefer offsite. That includes me.

Do whatever you want. No big deal what you do. It sounds like you want to do onsite, so go for it. They are both fun. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so I think it's more what appeals to you for the trip/what you feel like doing. You've probably been with your family in a hotel room before and know what it's like.

I don't think age of kids has anything to do with it either. More space for me and a kitchen, laundry, was always for me a bigger priority when kids were young vs. when they were older and more flexible. I know you are thinking the very opposite for your family.

I personally for more than two days just hate having to do every meal out, especially with kids, so a kitchen is a big deal to me. I even bring sandwiches and fruit into the parks. I like a big screened in balcony and that costs a lot onsite and is very economical offsite. I like a big common area and laundry in my condo or house if again it's more than a two or three day stay. And renting DVC points or doing a retail Disney condo is just so much more money than I would be willing to pay with such high quality offsite accommodations for the price. Hotels are fun for about three nights for me (I actually love a little three night hotel get-a-way and am actually doing one of these at the Renaissance by SeaWorld this October), but I'm just not into them for longer than that.

We never do parks every day though on a week long trip. My son at your kids age actually liked swimming at the resort swimming pool even more than going to the park and liked the monorail and boats (Disney Transportation) as much as any ride. His favorite park was also SeaWorld rather than one of the Disney ones. I'm sure all those things are factors in why we prefer offsite too. Why pay the premium to stay onsite just to go offsite.

 

[robinb]

My DH has finally agreed to do a Disney vacation next June for us and our 2 girls, who will be 5 and 6 years old. He wants his family to come with us, personally I'm not crazy about the idea, but we'll see. If they do think they can come (which I think is unlikely) we'll plan to rent a 3 BR condo at Windsor Hills. If it looks like they can't come, then DH says he is fine with staying onsite.

So I've been crunching the numbers and what I've found is that I can stay for 6 nights onsite at POFQ with the Dining plan, with 2 Disney days (if we go to Universal and Legoland) or 3 disney days (if we just go to Legoland, which is what I prefer). Or we could stay at Windsor Hills for 7 nights, with 3 or 4 Disney days and Legoland or Legoland and Universal. When I looked at the numbers, taking into account extra gas for offsite, parking, and the fact that I plan to do very little cooking in the condo other than breakfast, so I estimated a lot of park and offsite meals, onsite came out about $200 more for one less day.

This will be our first Disney trip as a family, and there is a big part of me that wants to stay onsite, because if we don't do it now, we may not want to do it in a few years when our girls are older and we may want more space. The price difference isn't too significant, although cheaper is nice, but I'm not sure if the one less day is. If we stayed onsite with the dining plan we'd do more character meals (4) than what I would do OOP if we stayed offsite (2). But offsite would give us more space and one more day. Is 6 days much of a difference than 7 days at Disney? Do you think it's still worth it to stay onsite, or will the lack of space be too much to handle! Lol

IMO you are in the Disney Sweetspot for staying onsite and getting the DDP. Personally, I wouldn't even consider going to Universal and LegoLand when every extra day at WDW is so cheap. A 2-Day pass for WDW for your family is $756. A 6-day pass is $1232, or $476 for 4 more full days at WDW. One day to Universal will cost you $356! Legoland is $250 for a day. So you would be paying almost $600 for two days at other parks ... $125 MORE than you would for twice as many days at WDW. Plus, you'll have to pay for food there and transportation costs.

Your kids are young and they are both the same gender. One of the Value resorts would be perfect for you and won't break the bank!

 

[happymommy]

IMO you are in the Disney Sweetspot for staying onsite and getting the DDP. Personally, I wouldn't even consider going to Universal and LegoLand when every extra day at WDW is so cheap. A 2-Day pass for WDW for your family is $756. A 6-day pass is $1232, or $476 for 4 more full days at WDW. One day to Universal will cost you $356! Legoland is $250 for a day. So you would be paying almost $600 for two days at other parks ... $125 MORE than you would for twice as many days at WDW. Plus, you'll have to pay for food there and transportation costs.

Your kids are young and they are both the same gender. One of the Value resorts would be perfect for you and won't break the bank!

I really have to totally agree with your point of not doing Legoland or Universal on this trip - it's much more relaxing, fun, and saves money to just do Disney parks. You can really take your time, and go back to some more than one time. Plus, to me, lots of Universal is appealing more to older kids (larger roller coasters and the like).

Onsite versus offsite - well that's something you may just want to weigh the pros and cons. It's your first trip, and it is easy to be immersed in the "magic" of Disney, not worry about driving, and even maybe do the dining plan (that's overkill for our family, even the basic one I found was too much food).

We ALWAYS used to stay onsite when our kids were younger. I also was a total snob - thought offsite was just for a cheap trip. Now that I have found the convenience of a kitchen, living room, separate bedrooms, and washer/dryer, I wouldn't stay onsite again. I don't mind driving, and know my way around pretty well after 20 trips! My kids sleep so much better in a room of their own (shared, but boy and girl so they get their own beds).

I was pricing if we go back for spring break, and as a Marriott owner can get a great 2 bedroom condo at Sabal Palms (we loved that place! Plus it's 5 minutes to the parks) for $1,400 for a week (that includes daily maid service). I glanced at the prices to stay at a Disney resort (not that I was going to do it) and the Grand Floridian was over $700 a night, just for one room (we'd need two!). Granted, my price at the Marriott is still higher than most condos, and I'll shop around, but we're Marriott platinum so need the nights. Last August, we got it for $350 for a week on an Interval International getaway - stayed two weeks. It was awesome. Only ate one sit down meal (and that was offsite at a Macaroni Grill) out, cooked most meals, and grabbed snacks as we wanted at the parks. It was a super inexpensive vacation.

 

[minerva78]

IMO you are in the Disney Sweetspot for staying onsite and getting the DDP. Personally, I wouldn't even consider going to Universal and LegoLand when every extra day at WDW is so cheap. A 2-Day pass for WDW for your family is $756. A 6-day pass is $1232, or $476 for 4 more full days at WDW. One day to Universal will cost you $356! Legoland is $250 for a day. So you would be paying almost $600 for two days at other parks ... $125 MORE than you would for twice as many days at WDW. Plus, you'll have to pay for food there and transportation costs.

Your kids are young and they are both the same gender. One of the Value resorts would be perfect for you and won't break the bank!

I completely agree with you about not doing Legoland and Universal. DH wants to do those, but it's so much more economical to just do Disney. I think I was able to convince him not to do Universal, but he really wants to do Legoland, more for him, in my opinion. Maybe I can eventually convince him though!

Now that I know DH's family won't be coming, I could do a 2 BR condo instead of a 3 BR one, which would be a little cheaper, at least at Windsor Hills. I got a quote for a 2 BR at Bonnet Creek, but it's about $250 more for one less day, 6 days vs a week at Windsor Hills. I'll have to do some more research to find out if it's worth it. I kinda like Windsor Hills for the condos with the Disney decorated rooms though.

I was considering a LM room at AoA, but I was concerned about how far away it was from everything at the resort. I think I could do a couple of days there, I just don't know about a whole week. So I was considering 2 days at AoA without the dining plan and 4 days at POFQ with the dining plan, which would be cheaper.

 

[robinb]

FWIW, I stayed offsite on my last 2 trips so I am not an onsite snob. I think you need to run the numbers to choose between the two. When stating offsite you need to add at least $45-$70 per day in transportation and parking depending on what size car you need. Price a car now for your week to get an idea (book it if if's a good price!) of the cost and add $15 per day in parking plus about $45 for a tank of gas. Also, be aware that all the rooms at AoA are significantly more expensive than the All Stars and Pop so if you are pricing AoA you are pricing the high end of the Value resorts.

ETA: I would NOT do a split stay on your first family trip. Just pick a place a settle down for the duration. Packing and moving is a PITB.

 

[minerva78]

It looks like DH will not be crushed if we don't go to Legoland, so I can take that expense out and just get 4 day Disney tickets.

After doing a bit more research, and getting a few quotes from VRBO, I think it is down to a 2 BR room at Wyndham Bonnet Creek for 7 days or Pop Century in a preferred room for 6 days, this time not doing the dining plan and paying for tickets and food separately. I was able to get these overall costs to within about $50 - $75 of one another, so they are practically the same price. I decided against AoA because I really prefer to be closer to the action and a lot of people seem to like Pop, I also like the theming. Or I could do POFQ for $228 more. I decided to drop the dining plan because I was having a hard time coming up with enough sit down TS meals I really wanted to do. I think I just want to make a few ADRs and research some cheaper QS and offsite options, regardless of whether I stay onsite or offsite.

I'm not sure in which way I am leaning. WBC looks SO nice, I just don't know if I want to give up being completely immersed in Disney because I think my girls would like that. But just getting that immersion experience may not be worth giving up nicer accommodations. It's going to be so hard to decide. Ugh. I probably will get some input from the resort boards too.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

You need to get some additional quotes for Bonnet Creek from places like Vacation Upgrades and Vacation Strategies. You should be able to get a 2 bedroom at bonnet Creek for about $100 a night.

Bonnet Creek has 5 pools, 2 slides and 2 lazy rivers. It has free putt putt golf and daily activities for the kids. They have a craft room, game room and have make your own ice cream sundaes every day at 3 pm.

Here is a PDF guide of activities they have every day for the kids.

https://www.wyndhamvacationresorts.com/ffrweb/pdfs/BonnetCreek_AG.pdf

 

[minerva78]

You need to get some additional quotes for Bonnet Creek from places like Vacation Upgrades and Vacation Strategies. You should be able to get a 2 bedroom at bonnet Creek for about $100 a night.

Bonnet Creek has 5 pools, 2 slides and 2 lazy rivers. It has free putt putt golf and daily activities for the kids. They have a craft room, game room and have make your own ice cream sundaes every day at 3 pm.

Here is a PDF guide of activities they have every day for the kids.

https://www.wyndhamvacationresorts.com/ffrweb/pdfs/BonnetCreek_AG.pdf

Thanks so much for this info! If we do decide to do WBC we were planning to have one full day not at the parks to just hang out at the resort. It's great to see that there is so much going on at the resort.

I got a quote from Vacation Strategies, and the quote I got was definitely more than that, $1099 for 6 nights. I was hoping for better than that, but I am going during the summer season in June. I got 3 other quotes from VRBO listings that ranged from $980 to $999 for 7 nights. I'm still waiting to hear back from several other requests for quotes from VRBO. If I could get a quote for around $100 a night for a 2 BR in June, I would definitely stay at WBC.

 

[HopperFan]

Love POP, I'll be there next week for 11 nights. It will be my 10th stay there
The plus is obviously a totally Disney vacation and when the kids are young there is nothing like it. They will love the oversized icons and the fun atmosphere of the resort. The Disney buses from there are great and make life much easier in getting around, particularly to the Magic Kingdom. We never stay preferred, the footprint isn't bad and where else can you get a standard room overlooking a lake. I don't see one room a problem we have done it many times, honestly we are practically as ready for bed as the kids are or you can take your chairs outside the room to sit. Something to consider is there were RO discounts for Disney Hotels in June the last four years. Should one come out you can apply. If you have AAA, you should check through them as well.

Stayed at Bonnet Creek in a 1 bedroom and we loved it. I would gladly return. We booked through SkyAuction and actually got a week for $320. The location is awesome. That said we drive to parks and having APs we do not have to pay for parking. So no parking or shuttle fees for us. We did cook that trip and used one day to hang out at the resort. We joked that we wished the resort was somewhere else because we really just wanted to go to parks. The pirate ship pool was great!

Glad you nixed Universal - your kids are really young for it and would have very little they would be doing there. Haven't been to Legoland but us big kids want to check it out sometime so I get it.

There is no right or wrong way to do Disney, just what is right for you and your families' needs. Either way you'll have a great trip!

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

Thanks so much for this info! If we do decide to do WBC we were planning to have one full day not at the parks to just hang out at the resort. It's great to see that there is so much going on at the resort.

I got a quote from Vacation Strategies, and the quote I got was definitely more than that, $1099 for 6 nights. I was hoping for better than that, but I am going during the summer season in June. I got 3 other quotes from VRBO listings that ranged from $980 to $999 for 7 nights. I'm still waiting to hear back from several other requests for quotes from VRBO. If I could get a quote for around $100 a night for a 2 BR in June, I would definitely stay at WBC.

There are a few other places you can ask for quotes from Bonnet Creek also. Farrells Vacations, Shelby Resorts, Aaron Washburn. In addition to Vacation Strategies and Vacation upgrades. Ask all of them for a quote and go with the cheapest. I must not have paid attention that you were going during the summer. That would make sense why it would be around $150 a night instead of $100. But I bet if you get a quote from those other folks, one of them would have a good price for you. I think all the activities for kids at the resort is worth a few extra dollars.

If you rent from VRBO or Homeaway all you really get is a place to sleep and nothing very fun. IMO.

Also, to think you would have to pay around $120/$130 a night just to stay in a crappy value room on property with no room and rock hard beds...staying in a 2 bedroom condo for a few dollars more than that is a steal. IMO.

Hope you find a good quote!

Also there is a thread on here called the We Love Bonnet Creek thread that can answer a ton of questions about BC. All the BC experts hang out there and answer questions. It is right here in the Orlando Hotels and Attractions thread.

 

[jeff968]

i agree with the earlier comment. I am sure glad we stayed on-site at Disney when we did and visited the parks often. Now we are pretty much disneyed-out and the last few trips we haven't even gone for a day and we love staying off site, the extra room, and the significant cost savings. The florida sun is just as nice off-site

 

[robinb]

I hate to beat a dead horse and I think it's really funny that I continue to advocate for onsite when I have been suggesting offsite recently and I almost NEVER suggest the DDP. BUT ... I still think you are in the DDP sweet spot.

You can't find 6 restaurants you're interested in? Really? First off, you need to see Minnie and Mickey on your arrival day. It starts the vacation off with magic and you won't feel like you have to take time out later to see them. They are at Chef Mickey's for dinner at the price of $136. You also need to schedule a meal with the princesses. Akershus over in Norway in Epoct has most of them. Breakfast will set you back $148 (lunch and dinner are more I think). Do you and your kids love Beauty and the Beast? Then dinner at Be Our Guest in the Magic Kingdom is a must. That will cost $94 (using one beef and one seafood selection as a guide). Love fishes? The Coral Reef in Epcot is one of the most unique restaurants on properly and dinner will cost you $106. Looking for someplace in Hollywood Studios? Mama Melrose is a favorite and it serves Italian dishes. It will set you back $88. Lastly, do your kids like animals? Bring them over to Animal Kingdom Lodge to enjoy the public viewing areas and then have dinner at the buffet at Boma's. That will cost $125.

Six restaurants total about $700. The DDP costs $936 so that leaves $236 for 4 refillable mugs, 24 snacks and 6 CS meals. Subtract the cost of the mugs (4 @16 ... that may not be the correct price) and snacks (@ $4 each) and you get $76 cost for 6 CS meals. You can barely eat TWO CS meals for that amount.

Oh ... and I wouldn't pay anything extra for the preferred section at POP. It's not worth it IMO. So, that will save you another $18 per night. Another comment is that you are looking at rack rates which are very expensive. Here is a Historical record of the discounts for your enjoyment: http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/#2013

BTW, if I were you I would avoid the very first week in June and it's Gay Days and the parks are more crowded. In fact, if you can go in May instead the parks will be quieter and the prices are better.

Whoops! One more thing. If you can stomach waiting until the month before to make your offsite reservations you can snag some good deals. I snagged a 2-bedroom condo for $422 with taxes and fees at Windsor Hills. I booked it about 5 weeks before our trip.

 

[minerva78]

Thanks robinb. I do need to look into the dining plan a little further. I had decided to do Akershus (a must for my girls) for breakfast, either Chef Mickey or Crystal Palace for breakfast, and Ohana for dinner - but I suppose I don't need to be so frugal on the dining plan! You brought up some good places I should look into.

If I do decide to book Pop, I'm going to first see if there are any AAA rates left, and then keep an eye out for whatever discounts Disney will advertise in the future for my dates. I would MUCH prefer to go in May, but my girls' school will not excuse absences unless they are for educational purposes. I know there are many aspects of Disney that are educational, but for some reason it bugs me to say our trip is educational when I wouldn't be trying to make it educational. We were previously looking to go on a cruise in May, and it was easier for me to justify the educational experiences since we'd be visiting different countries. I'm just not sure about Disney. One thing I will look into are future dates for YES tickets. I don't remember if the YES classes are offered in May, but if they are, I might consider that if my girls are able to take one of the classes. I just wouldn't be able do the dining plan, but I think I will be okay with that - I'd just plan more character meals on the dining plan than I would without it.

Hmm. I still don't know. But I am thinking that I'm leaning towards staying onsite, just to get that experience once. We could always look into offsite for a future trip. Oh, but DH did bring up one good point about staying in the same room: so we could keep an eye on the girls and they couldn't get into mischief. The last thing I need is for them to end up drawing on the walls of a condo! We've had to get rid of all of the crayons in our house because of that. They've never done this in anyone's house but our own, but I think I may worry they'd find something to get into in their own room. So maybe staying onsite in one room would save my sanity...

 

[daytondisney]

The Character Meals really do provide whatever value can be had from the DDP. We scheduled a bunch on our first trip down with our 4 year old and would have paid a lot more without it.

Problem was, after the second one he was burned out on them and wanted to just get back to the park activities. We also got burned out on resort food when we weren't at parks.

Gotta know your kids.

When we went back for our offsite trip (WH) with an additional kid and wife's parents, I looked at All Ears menus and estimated food expenses based on known preferences. Without telling a soul beforehand what I had estimated, we were within $100 of 10 day estimate - which was $400 less than DDP at that time. We did Chef Mickey and some nicer places at Epcot, plus lots of sitdowns offsite (TGIF, Olive Garden, etc) as well as house food.

Gotta know your family.

I say, game it out from morning to night. What time do you get up, what time do you go to bed, what will you do when you're not at parks, what will you do if it rains, do your kids want to walk to food court for breakfast, do they wake up easily?

Only you can know how they will fare in certain conditions.

 

[2girlsmom]

I do agree, on a first trip with kids, character meals are terrific. Our first trip was onsite (kids were 7 and 9) and we did Ohana breakfast(characters are only for breakfast here), 1900 PF dinner, Chef Mickey dinner, tusker house breakfast, Cape May breakfast, and Crystal Palace dinner that trip. My kids LOVED all the character interaction, and we have since done a few of those again a few times, but now for us we don't consider them worth the cost as both kids count as adults on the dining, and my 15 year old literally ate a banana, 1 donut and a croissant the last time we went to Tusker House; not a good deal for $30+

 

[dah7477]

...we always stay offsite though. We just booked a condo that we have had for the last several years for 7 nights at a cost of $561. 3 bedroom, 2 bath, huge kitchen, washer dryer, dishwasher free wi fi, great pool and hottub, clubhouse with game room, workout room etc. Gated community We are a family of five(2adults,3 kids) Most Disney rooms do not suit 5 people and if they do its really made for 2! We are 10 minutes from door to parking lot. It gives us so much freedom to avoid the dreaded Disney overload and over planning. Our vacation is a vacation and not ruled by what time we eat and at what park. We never miss out on anything. We are there at the opening at each park everyday rent a locker to put our cooler in and off and running. Each time we go we do virtually EVERYTHING everyday. Most days we ride things like Expedition Everest twice, Space mountain twice, Test track twice, Star tours 3 times and everything in between. We have a plan that has worked for years. Out of 5 days we will bring lunch in 3 days. Lunch in the park 2 days. Its great, you eat what you want and don't have to wait forever or get tired of the same thing. Dinner is the same way we make 2-3 dinner reservations(Coral reef, Le Cellier, 50's prime time, Sci fi etc) each time we go, the other days we stop on the way home to the condo and then relax. We have usually done everything by no later than 5pm. We can go out to eat or grab a pizza on the way home, eat grab a nap, take a dip in the pool, decompress and go back for fireworks, parade and desert kinda makes for an awesome night. BTW we go during our kids Spring Break in April. Kids are 9,11,13 and they love it, they love having their own rooms, a huge pool. Its great for them because it gives them some peace and quiet and some space to just be themselves. There are great stories and horror stories of people who have done it each way. Just make a choice and be excited, either way plan it out, set some limits on time, money etc and you will totally enjoy it either way. Good Luck

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Nevermind. Just noticed that this is an old thread and based on other recent threads on this forum the OP has moved forward with a decision