On/Offsite for New Years trip-

[disneydiz]

I need opinions on whether it is wise to stay offsite during a New Year's trip (12/28-1/1). Me and DH are planning to stay on property, but the other two couples we are going with are thinking it would be cheaper to stay off property. I suggested they try POP, but they think they can get a Courtyard/Marriott for a lot less. They said the hotel has bus service to the parks. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Connears]

We have been that same week for the last 3 years and would never stay off property due to the commute time and potential park closings for crowds(we are dvc members and always stay on property, but I would espeically warn folks about the difficulty in getting to and into the parks during that week..especially NYE!
Connears

 

[zipDdoodah]

My vote is definitely for on site. A lot people who aren't familiar with WDW just aren't aware how much more convenient it is to stay on site, and once they give it a try they never stay off site again.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

We stayed at Saratoga Springs Resort for this past New Years. After the fireworks at MGM, we found our bus stop, got on our bus and were back at our resort within 15 - 20 minutes. I am almost positive that anyone staying offsite didn't have such a quick ride back. Also, it's always so much nicer to be able to sit on a bus or any of the Disney transportation after a day at the parks and not have to worry about driving anywhere.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

As someone who has been to WDW for New Years 3-4 times please stay onsite and avoid all buses on NYE!! Stick to areas like the boardwalk where you can walk or a resort that has a boat or walkway. We got stuck on a bus one year for a couple of hours in traffic. Can you imagine trying to get back to an offsite resort? It would be a nightmare.

Other bits of advice... if you plan to go to a park on NYE or NYday get there very early. They hit max capacity by 10:00 am. The whole holiday is very insane but things really clear out by Jan. 2 or 3 and things get better.

 

[okiegirl]

ONSITE!!! We were there for those dates 12/26-1/3, and that is why we stayed onsite. MK closed three times that week, not counting NYE. We stayed at AKL and had no transportation waits even on NYE from Epcot. MK
closed even to resorts by 1:00, but Epcot stayed open. I heard it took a lot of people 2 to 3 hours to get out of the parking lots. We left Epcot at 1235 and got back to AKL at 1255 Can't beat that anywhere especially offsite. Have a blast on those dates. don't let the crowds get to you, get there early and I have one word for you FASTPASS everything you can. You will love the festivities in the parks.

Stacie