OK, where to start??

[phorsenuf]

I have ressies for our July trip. DH wants me to put together a spreadsheet of types to outline everything, including off-site costs.

He want to compare staying onsite versus offsite. So I need to research and find hotels offsite and list costs, amenities, etc.

What would be the best way to start this?

What offsite costs too should I take into consideration?

Also if we do stay offsite I want somewhere decent. There are 5 of us in all, we will have our own car. My ressies are at POR for $109 a night (AP rate).
If we do stay offsite a nice pool is important as well as possibly a place with breakfast included.

Any thoughts???

 

[powellrj]

lots of us have booked cypress point thru hotelkingdom for this summer. It a 2 bedroom timeshare property (you don't have to take a tour) for around $70 a night. They were all just referbished in the past year so they are all nice. do a search and you will find lots of pictures and comments.

 

[spiceycat]

www.hotelkingdom.com

do it once - then remind him of what you are missing - no Magical Express, no Magical hours (they are now 4 hours - 1 in morning and 3 at night), no easy transportation to the parks, so be sure to include a rental car (they are a bargin now because of ME).

although the extra room at offsite is still wonderful!!

the places with a free breakfast are generally hotels - although the Embassy suites does have it.

http://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/index.jhtml

 

[mbb]

and condos...

www.orlandovillas.com

 

[leebee]

I have to say, 5 people in a room at POR is going to be tight. We (me, DH, DD10) stayed at POFQ last June, AP rate $74. PO has double sized beds, and sharing one with a 10 year old for 5 nights left me cranky and tired most of the time- good thing I wasn't sharing with DH!!! I was soooo looking forward to this, having been to WDW about a dozen times but never having stayed on-site before. Well, after 2 nights I was wishing we'd stayed in a villa or condo offsite for the same money. The rooms are not large, and of course I want to stay up later and arise earlier than DD and DH...very challenging when folks want it dark and quiet so they can sleep. Even sneaking out in the a.m. to the food court for coffee was a challenge- the door latches make lots of noise. I compromised by sitting in the vanity area with the curtain drawn, reading, but truly lament not having rented a larger place with more privacy. I guess that's the trade-off...space and privacy or Disney *magic* (which wasn't so much...crowded pools, noisy kids, packed busses that took forever to get anywhere, with waiting lines of up to an hour at park closing). Off site for me in the future (unless it's AKL savannah view, gotta try that once!)

 

[disneymom3]

Oh boy--those double beds shared with a kid or even DH for a week would do me in! THanks for mentioning that. I was thinking if we stayed onsite I could et away with POR since they sleep 5. Nope, can't do it. Have to do deluxe onsite.

To the OP: don't forget to include cost of daily parking in your figures. Though if you already have the AP and aren't just getting it to qualify for hte room rate, then parking is free anyway.

Hmmm, what about a little extra gas costs. Offsite dining is going to be less expensive. Maybe minigolf if your resort has it available or movie rentals. Gosh, offsite overall is a lot less expensive seems to me.

That does sound like a good rate though!