OK.. I need some Budget Minded Support

[catherines_mama]

I have ressies for 2/7 - 13 at PC. Not bad. $408 for the whole week. I am a single mom and really want to do this trip with out wipping out my entire annual bonus.

A friend of mine has a timeshare that she can just let us use. Its at Westgate. Here is my dilemna and I really really need help. I have never stayed on WDW property before, and need help making my decision. So here is my list.. PLEASE help me

Why I want to stay on property:
*Never have before, would love to experience it
*Think it will be a pain to haul a 2 1/2 yo to the car at the end of each day
*I'll have to pay parking right?
*Meals will not be at the resort
*If we need mid-day breaks getting back to resort and back

Why I am so torn:
*okay.. $400 vs $0
*we are going to WDW again when DD is 5 or so with my parents and we can stay on site then b/c we'll be spliting the cost

Okay, so please from those of you who have done both.. remember I am traveling alone with 2 1/2 DD (which I love doing, we have so much fuN), but getting around it a pain at times.

Thanks so much!
Deedee

 

[kamgen]

Here is my advice, and I am a HUGE budget person....all our trips are on a budget...and we stick to it! LOL!

First, here is a hug for all you are trying to do for your little princess!

I recommend staying onsite....even though you could save A LOT, the convenience of being able to take the bus and be on property is priceless, especially with a little one. The cost of parking and the hassle are not necessary when onsite.....totally worth the money.And even though you are planning a trip with your parents, this is the FIRST time you will be there with just your little girl! Onsite is a totally different experience and if you can stay onsite, do it.

Being offsite can save you a lot of money, so you need to really think about this. I vote for onsite......that way you won't check into Westgate and wish you were at PC.

Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[Familymoon]

Why we chose off-site:

Meals in our hotel room - particularly breakfast which will be virtually free every daya

No waiting for Disney transport with all the stops at each resort

No walking to bus stops with DDs, waiting for transport to parks

Can still leave mid-day to rest - parking is free on return with morning's valid receipt and parking is said to be better in the afternoon because morning visitors leave

Can bring our own (big) stroller for the girls' comfort - no concerns with folding and unfolding and lugging - just plop in the stroller and go.

More space - onsite resorts that were within our budget were terribly tiny - and not high quality at all.

Kids eat free at our resort

Starbucks at our resort ( )

Taking a shuttle or taxi from airport and back to airport, plus going to the park for the MVMCP would have been the same amount as renting a car and having freedom to come and go as we please from the park grounds. (grocery stores, emergency shopping trips for things we forgot to pack or clothing for a strange weather day, etc).

Staying off site we opted to visit the park less days than we would have had to essentially pay for onsite...we arrive late on Sunday and leave early the next Saturday - so I didn't want to pay for admission to the parks for those days (only being there an hour or so and not likely visiting the park) plus we are taking a day off in the middle - just to recoup and veg out by the pool (hopefully).

Hope that helps, too!

 

[webprinter]

We are staying on-site for the first time this year, (because we were able to get a trade into DVC). We have always stayed off site in a timeshare because of the size (rooms) and convenience and moneysaving features of fixing meals in our room. It is nice after a long day at the parks to kick back in your room and relax with a meal. We always fix our breakfast in our room which saves a lot of money. Most timeshare are pretty nice and have pools, activities, etc. Whatever you decide, have fun. Debby

 

[Desnik]

From the way I'm interpreting your words, it "sounds" like you really want to stay onsite. My advice is to stay onsite. It will be so much easier for you as a single parent. I know how long/difficult it is to take a child in/out of a car!!LOL I have stayed offsite, but with the help of my husband and MIL, it was ok with my then 8mo DD. It is a pain to drive to the parks(MHO)then unload the stroller, and all our stuff, then get on the tram then to the entrance. At MK you still have to take more transportation after that!!
If it was me, I would just feel safer onsite. It would be easier for transportation and afternoon breaks. Convienence and quality/safety would be my main concern. Also, on the Orlando board here there is/was alot of bad reviews about a Westgate hotel. Keep in mind there is more than 1 in the area so I would read that board to see if it is the same one. That might help make your decision.

 

[mudnuri]

and what I've come up with is...

we are renting a "cabin" at Tropical Palms...79.00 per night, 2 bedrooms full kitchen...parking right at the door, 2 pools, 1 open 24/7....room for both kids to spread out a bit.

we could have stayed on site- at like- AS Movies- for 79-99 per night, and had 1/2 the room, no kitchen, no micro and 2 double beds....

What I'm losing

*early entry
*disney magic (no Im not)

Some people call the buses a convienence, however I've read through a LOT of these boards, and I've found that a lot of times, you can get to an off-site hotel/resort quicker than some onsites depending on where you are to begin with.

The magic of the vacation is what you make of it. If your heart is set on staying on site, and you decide budget wise to stay off- you'll more than likely regret this.

Here's an idea...to save some dough ON vacation, now this isn't going to save you 400 dollars, but it might help.

Figure the $7.00 each day to park- you save that

Bring a box of cereal from home for DD...get a 1/2 gallon of milk, and store in the ice bucket- or a mini cooler...there goes breakfast...

Don't think you HAVE to do TONS of character breakfasts, or lunches etc.... Who knows, your DD may be intimidated by them....

Consider meal vouchers- I personally do not find that they are going to help my budget, due to being off-site with a vehicle...however some people on here swear by them.

I would think you and DD could get 1 meal for lunch or dinner, and split it- with a voucher that could save you some cash.

Consider having Santa, and the other gift givers get your DD Disney Dollars

Another idea- is to purchase disney merchandise now when you see it on sale, and bring it with you...giving DD a new "toy" each morning...this could cut down on the wanting of overpriced toys.

If you have a vehicle..you can eat off-site...this again, saves some dough...

Just because you stay on site doesnt mean you have to eat all your meals there....same as off-site...

Think long and hard about your decision...you will never be able to do your daughters 1st disney trip again.....

Sounds like I'm contridicting myself..however my girls are 6 & 7 and I truly believe that the magic they see/feel etc.. will come from the vacation,and not what hotel we stay at...

Brandy

 

[da disney fans]

The tone of your post sounds like you want to stay onsite, but really, you should do what you're most comfortable with. If you don't want to spend the extra money this time around, just remember that you will be able to stay onsite in 2½ years when you go with your parents.

We're staying offsite at a three star Hilton because it was less expensive than even the All-Star resorts, and there's a free shuttle to the Disney parks. Granted, it's a fairly limited shuttle service, with only 3 or 4 departures and pick ups per day, but since we don't have any kids, we can stay out at the parks all day, no problem. Our room comes with a fridge and a microwave, so we'll be able to save money on food, which is always a perk.

I don't feel like we're going to miss out on "Disney magic", since we'll be practically living at the parks as it is. Besides, with our budget being what it is (we're newlywed college students, you do the math ), I would rather spend the money on a nice hotel with elegant atmosphere than in the middle of a cartoonish hotel surrounded by children.

Spend what you feel you can afford. Your daughter will have a wonderful time no matter where you stay!

 

[crusoe2]

Ditto everything Desnik said. I know that on one trip I really had my heart set on staying on-site but talked myself out of it because we could get a condo for less money and that just seemed so much more sensible. We stayed one nite and then called and got a room back on-site for the rest of our trip. We stayed off-site on another trip and were perfectly happy with our accommodations (at the Ramada this time, I know, ) but that was one of those trips where we were just thrilled to get to go at all. Bottom line - it really all depends on your perspective and what you have your heart set on.

As for some of the pros and cons mentioned, again this can depend on what suits your wants and needs.

Will you be more comfortable taking the bus or driving yourself? Either way you will probably have to do some waiting in line for the bus or the parking lot tram and will have to load and unload your stuff (stroller, bags, etc.) I would recommend going with a small stroller either way because it will be easier to manuever in the parks and shops. As for the time it takes to do a midday break, this really depends alot on the on-site resort you choose and how close it is to the parks. Obviously it would be much quicker to hop the monorail back from MK to the Polynesian than to go back to an off-site condo but getting back to one of the more remote Disney resorts can take about as long as driving to some off-site places. I do believe I read that PC will not share buses with any other resorts, tho, so transportation there should be really good.

Do you need a lot of space and a full kitchen?
I would think with just the 2 of you that a room at any of the value resorts would be plenty big enough unless your daughter will sleep better in a seperate room. We have had 2 adults and 2 kids in a room at ASMo and managed just fine. As for the kitchen facilities, we always take a cooler and breakfast and snack stuff to keep in the room but we are not big breakfast people so a cold breakfast works fine for us. Actually, eating in the room this way not only saves money but time - easier to get up and out to the parks in the morning.

Someone mentioned that staying off-site meant not having to pay for park admission on your first and last days but you can reserve your room and buy tickets seperately rather than booking a package and usually come out just as well if not better on cost. We have always bought parkhoppers so that we avoid paying for days we won't use and we usually take a day off from the parks somewhere in the middle of our trip as well as not doing parks on our travel days.

I also second what Desnik said about checking out the reviews on Westgate - I also have seen some negative feedback on a Westgate property. You should go over to the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board and read up on the property you are considering.

Wow, didn't mean to be so long-winded but I hope some of this helps and that you guys have a great trip.

 

[summerrluvv]

Originally posted by Familymoon


No waiting for Disney transport with all the stops at each resort

IME the bus transportation at the value resorts is very efficient and doesn't stop at every resort. When I stayed at ASMo that resort had it's own bus. When I stayed at the YC (a deluxe), the bus made four stops.

 

[Mickey527]

$400 vs $0??? That would have made up my mind for me.
I would recommend the following:
Stay off Site. Westgate is not that far away and all you will miss it EE. Do you really want to get up early for a chance to go on a few rides? Most of the stuff that is open during EE at MGM and Epcot are rides that you can't take your young children on anyhow.
You will have a car if you are staying off property so bring a small stroller. It is much easier to get the child around the parks and to the car in a stroller. You can even buy one cheap $12 at Walmart.
With the $400 you are saving buy yourself an AP. Having one will give you mre reason to visit again within the year. At least it does for me. Before I had my AP I went to WDW once a year from CT. Now that I have my AP I am doing 8 to 10 trips per year.
With that AP you can get AP rates most of the time. This will give you the chance to stay on site. I have gotten AS for $54 per night, and WL for $119 per night.
Let us know what you decide. Peggie

 

[danacath]

Here's another vote for staying onsite. I, too, am very aware of pinching those pennies and would vote for the free accommodations offsite IF no small children were involved. It's nice when you're alone with little ones to be able to hop on a bus to the parks and let someone else do the driving and fight the traffic. No road maps needed and you can give full attention to DD. Getting picked up and dropped off at the park entrances is convenient, too! We had great bus service when we stayed at All Stars, so I would hope that PC would be similar. You could also request a room that's close to a bus stop if this would be important for you, as well as a first-floor room to avoid all of the "up and down" trips.

Another plus is being able to take advantage of EMH. Our kids are up early anyway, so it's great to get to the parks early and beat the crowds, especially in Fantasyland in your case, where I'm sure you'll spend a good deal of time. With EMH you can really do a lot before the crowds start to swell around 11, and then head back to your room for sandwiches and a nap.

Also, on your off-days, if you have some and I hope you do , there is plenty to see and do right there on Disney property., without having to spend a lot. Pools, playgrounds, petting farm at FW, Downtown Disney, etc.

Whatever you decide, relax, have fun and enjoy that special time with your little princess.

 

[mickeysaver]

I vote onsite. I am not an onsite snob, but there are just too many pluses to ignore. If you can do onsite within your budget, then by all means do it. Mickey

 

[laralou]

We stayed offsite in May (me, dh, dd-5, ds-4) and had a fantastic time but did miss most of the evening activities. Our drive was only 7 minutes from our villa door to the gates but once we got back in the afternoon we never found the energy to return. The kids wanted to just swim and relax at night so we only made it to Fantasmic and that was because we started our day later at MGM.

I don't think staying offsite lessened any Disney Magic but we needed a little more get up and go to get up and go! We kind of took the parks slow and let the kids "cues" guide us. We are going to try onsite in 9 days so I'll have a comparison when I get back. I guess the main things to consider are 1) Will you use EMH, 2)How tired will you be after walking the parks then having to drive back to your resort (we were exhaused) and 3) Do you plan on taking a break and returning in the evening?

If you are planning on going back you will also have $400 to put into your vacation fund towards your next trip to WDW! Maybe you can even get there before your dd's 5th birthday! It's because we stayed offsite in May that we can return again this year. Best wishes on your decision!

 

[jann1033]

well the 400 is a big incentive but that depends on how big it is to you..
but
one thing I have not seen mentioned ( hope I didn't miss it sorry if I did)

safety...with a little one I would just feel safer on site than off. am not familiar with the hotel mentioned but have seen so many horror stories ( and noticed this myself many times at other places) about lax security at hotels in general, as a single woman with a little child I would just feel safer. you could use the transportation and basically never have to be walking through a parking lot alone at night , carrying a sleeping baby and who knows what else. and I have always felt the security at WDW to be very good. way pre9-11 we were at the dolphin (or swan always get them confused) one night and Husband had to use the rest room inside . I wanted to see the pool and had no sooner walked out there than a security guard pulled up in his little golf cart. I about jumped a mile but when I told him my husband was there he pulled off a little way but did not actually leave the area till hubby came back. at first I thought he thought I was up to "no good" but then realized he was just being careful. I really appreciate that about disney
sorry this got way too long.

 

[Local_Girl]

We have always stayed off-site, so this may surprise you...I would stay onsite if I were you!!

First of all, it appears you have already budgeted for the room. The PC is still going to be "new" and fun during your trip, and with just the 2 of you, would be perfect. Your other expenses should be low because of the age of your little one. You can choose to take the bus or your car, and if you choose the latter, your parking will be free. You can do EMH at the parks (good if you're early risers), which would be especially helpful at the MK where you can do Fantasyland early with your daughter. I would also feel safer onsite.

If you had mentioned a different timeshare resort...I may have come in with a different opinion. But unfortunately I've read many reports of unhappy stays at Westgate...not all have been bad, but enough to make me not want to stay there at all.

Best of luck with your decision...and have a wonderful trip with your daughter!!

 

[zaxmom]

I don't know what I would do. $400 is a big deal. Only you know how big of a deal it is for you. If you were deciding between an offsite and a monorail resort, I would vote monorail for safety. How long of a walk will you have from the bus stop to your room? My 2 1/2 year old would have fallen asleep on that bus ride home and I would not want to have to carry him all the way back to the room. Will you have a car anyways? You might want to drive to the parks if you do.

The benefits we have found to staying off site are the refridgerator, microwave, extra tv, and being able to leave the stroller in the car.

We have never had to walk far in the parking lot to the tram. I just carry the stroller and walk them to the tram and pop open the stroller when off. I guess if you stay on site you will do less driving, but more walking.

We have never gone back to rest in the middle of the day. Luckily my kids will sleep anywhere in a stroller. We have park hopped in the middle of the day and they crash as soon as we hit the car. We take a drive to the other park and they get a good recharge. You can always drive around and scope out where you are going to stay next time or even find a drive through for a cheap lunch.

I would rather save the money on the hotel and not be afraid to have nice relaxing meals and character meals. That is such a wonderful age for seeing the characters. They are not people in costumes yet. YOU are on vacation, too. No matter what you do, you should not have to make breakfast, I wouldn't even want to have to wait in line for a meal and throw it away afterwards. That big bed, jacuzzi tub and extra tv might help mom relax a little in the evening.

Wherever you stay, think about registering under Mr. and Mrs. and consider getting you DD a stuffed animal to bring and name it a male name like BOB. When you get out of the car or whatever and are walking say "Let's go see what BOB is doing in the room!"
You don't want anyone following you to your door.

About buying stuff before you go for gifts, this is a great idea. Look for after Christmas deals. We have done this and it excites the kids to go back to the room and see what surprise is waiting for them. We remind them about it every time they are looking at toys. Those cool little flashlight things are great.

 

[DaddyDon]

Just my 2 cents! My dd now 6 has been to disney 10 times,And we have stayed on property and off.My advise and only take this with a grain of salt, stay off property,You do not lose any MAGIC,The busses are crammed to capacity,Add all the things you have to carry for your princess plus a stroller, get a seat,With a lot of rude tired people and there screaming tired kids,if you get to sit down !Add moms frustration! See where i am going here.... Go back to a budget resort get into a small room and try to unwind ,while everybody any there neighbors are running up and down the sidewalk yelling, parents included!At all hours of the nite while disney security watches and does nothing ( dont want to ruin there magic)Eat sub par food in the food courts....All this so i can get in a park 1 hour early???????? And save 7.0 a day parking.... Been there done that...The only way ill stay back on property is if im on a monarail resort,or im camping at Fortwilderness in my camper.But here again you are asking for advise,You do what is going to make you and your princess happy, Do what you can afford!Magic is where you make it happen,Its not about how much you spend or not spend,its about the quality of time spent with your child..... I have children 21 ,18,6, and i have learned there memories were not how much money daddy or mommy spent on a gift, but it was with the time they spent with you,My dd 6 reminds me all the time when i buy her a toy that s pretty expensive that she just had to have! that she plays with 1 time and puts in her toy chest never to be seen again.And a few min latter i see her playing with a toy she got on a trip to the dollar store and i ask her why ? She just looks at me and says 'gee dad dont you remember? I got this when i was with you!"Have a great trip no matter what you decide! And let us here back from you!

 

[pjlla]

Lots of helpful information here! But here is a question for catherines_mom... Do you have the $408 or do you have to charge or borrow it? I don't really expect an answer (none of my business!), but if you don't have the $$ up front, the answer to me is obvious. You will enjoy the trip WAY MORE if you are not thinking about how you are going to pay off the CC when you get home! THERE IS NO MAGIC IN A CREDIT CARD BILL! However, if you have the $$ already set aside and it will cause no other financial hardships, then I suppose you can let your heart lead the way. I love WDW (as do most of the chatters here!), but I have opted to stay off-site at our last visit two years ago and our upcoming visit in 65 days. I consider it "magic" if I can have breakfast in my room or let my husband sleep in when the kids are up early. And it is difficult to do those in a regular sized hotel room on-site at WDW (and suite prices are WAY out of our budget). Sure, my kids don't get a wake up call from MM and there is no MM shampoo in the shower. But considering we spend almost every waking hour on Disney property, I think we get enough magic......whoops, gotta take the DS to Kindergarten. Let your heart lead IF the wallet knows the way!...Maybe I'll give more of my priceless advise later!...

 

[crabmeal]

We jsut came back from staying offsite. My DD is 13 months and it would have been a big pain for me if I had to handle her by myself. I had so much stuff to lug around it was crazy. Maybe your 2 1/2yo won't need so much stuff. If you were going to stay at a monorail resort I would say go for it. But having to take the bus would be the same as folding your stroller for the tram trips. The money ou save I think would be worth staying off site. I didn't see any security problem at our resort, the pool was open until 11 and there were plenty of lights and people around. I think we had a magical trip, even got early entry into MK thanks to a breakfast PS. I would like to stay onsite next time on a monorail resort so Im going to start saving now.Whatever you deicide have a great trip, your DD will love it. Mine did and she 's only one!

 

[maidmarion]

Listen to what everyone has to say and sleep on it. Tomorrow, wake up and go with your gut instinct. I find that works for me when making tough decisions.

I haven't been to WDW since I was a kid (now my partner and I are planning a trip as you can see on my countdown). My folks saved for a long time to take us there and we stayed off-site and we ate off-site fast food and we had to use our own money to buy souvenirs- but it is the happiest memory I have. Where your daughter is concerned, she will have a wonderful time. Do what's best for YOU. Make sure you are having the best possible time. If you will agonize over the money the whole time and not be able to fully enjoy yourself, take the timeshare. If you will be miserable dealing with carseats and such and that will spoil things, take the PC. Only you know which will matter to you more.

Have a wonderful trip! You are a great mom!