On Property or Off?

[sdoll]

It does look like a neat resort, but do they badger you about the timeshare? That's what I shy away from.

I hav never had an issue with them badgering us do a time share presentation. One firm "no thank you, I don't want a free breakfast works everytime." I hav never attended one. I used to just unplug the phone in my room. Last visit they called my cell phone, they called once and it took about 10 seconds to say no. I love it there!!

 

[sdoll]

Stop telling our secrets!!!

WBC is AWFUL....just HORRIBLE! You would hate it there! Wink, wink,

Haha. you are right I should stay quiet about WBC. It is hard to when its so amazing. I am getting ready to book our next trip in June. I can't wait.

 

[DL1WDW2]

October and December ..
To be fair I use hotwire and I got the room around $100. That's all thanks to the priceline/ hotwire thread. Prior to last year we stayed at Sheraton vistana / skyauction.com

disboards.com/threads/priceline-express-deals.3598657/page-338#post-62622323
Edited so the link would not spin

I noticed the spinning wheel a lot lately... if I clicked on it , it would go to the link... Weird cause usually spinning wheels keep on turning
Now I am singing Tina Turners proud Mary rolling down the river... and it keeps on spinning ...

 

[DL1WDW2]

Beginning to think some of the advice should have a disclaimer:
Before COVID.... After Disney makes Covid Announcements

So confusing with all the time changes, but winter/ summer Early half hour, staggered entry, mid day break with no evening hour returns ?
Bus Rental Car Uber Lyft,
SkyLiner, walk, on property off property , grocery delivery,
Ticket Transportation Ferry Monorail,
No parking lot Trams but still charging full price to park
Temp check lines, security lines , turnstile lines,
Construction walls, many attractions not operating at all, delays to People Mover,
No MKtrain, no MK Riverboat, no monorail to Epcot...
mobile order, no free magic bands.

Best advice is to really make plans and be prepared for change...
Try to enjoy , wear mask and wash hands...

 

[DizneyFamof4]

This is really up to you, I can only tell you my DW and DD experience. We have always stayed on property, but a couple of years ago my oldest DD was in dance competition at ESPN so my DW decided to take our other DD to go down at the last minute, to watch the competition and do 3 days at the parks. The rates at WDW even Value were ridiculous. So I looked offsite and found a hotel 15 minutes away with so much more amenities. Needless to say, DW and DD were not to happy when I told them where they would be staying. Well, the bottom line is that they loved it and said that they did not really miss being in the bubble all the time and that having a good coffee shop, a lazy river, miniature golf etc. at that hotel, more than made up for it. Not to mention the $100+ per night we saved. Plus, they found that since they drove every day that they felt like they were not restricted to eating mainly at WDW resort that they would have stayed at. Ended up getting to enjoy eating at a few different resorts, plus their own hotel. We really liked being onsite, because we loved PM EMH and just being able to jump on a bus etc. and have someone else take you home that late at night was so much easier. But like you mentioned those perks are now gone and leaving a park at 10 or 11 is not as big of a deal like 1AM. I know you said $$ is really not a factor, but for me, even though I can afford staying onsite, it still needs to be worth it. I am not just going to throw my money at WDW for a lesser product.

Added: Also; with the room remodels looking so generic, WDW has lost some of that bubble factor.

 

[kathy884]

It does look like a neat resort, but do they badger you about the timeshare? That's what I shy away from.

I don't own a timeshare, but regularly rent from owners. Most will encourage you to go to an information desk to get coupons. I never do as this is really just a face to face chance to ask you to do a resort tour (timeshare presentation with a less obvious name). You will usually get one call too where they get hold of you or leave a message and offer an incentive. When asked, I just say, no thanks, I'd rather have a root canal, and they get the point and don't ask again. Prior too my adding in the root canal thing in regular answers and just saying no thanks they would keep on talking to me till I said no three times or so. I don't return phone calls if it's a message. (It's not an issue for me, but is something to be aware of and prepared about how to handle.) IMHO it is never worth it to go to a high pressure sales presentation on vacation and I encourage anyone to say no. Renting from an owner or renting retail you have no obligation whatsoever to do their tour. // The offsite timeshare properties are my favorite places to stay when I am staying in Orlando a full week and such a great deal if it's an owner rental. Even a retail rental, while more expensive is very comparable to an offsite hotel in price and offers so much more in terms of space. Do be aware, that you do not get daily maid service unless you pay extra for this in your retail rental.

 

[dioxide45]

Does WBC do the "Parking Pass Trick". Meaning you have to go over to the marketing desk to pick up your parking pass? When you do they ask you to attend a presentation?

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

The biggest detractor I see is you won't be able to do the 30 min EMH if you stay offsite. If you are rope drop people, consider that you won't get to do that at all on your stay, so no short lines as the resort guests will all be in front of you. Probably still lower crowds than after a few hours after opening, but still. People going in July are more likely to be families with school aged children who can't travel during off times, so if I were to gamble I'd say quite a few of them will take advantage of this perk.

 

[SarahC97]

The biggest detractor I see is you won't be able to do the 30 min EMH if you stay offsite. If you are rope drop people, consider that you won't get to do that at all on your stay, so no short lines as the resort guests will all be in front of you. Probably still lower crowds than after a few hours after opening, but still. People going in July are more likely to be families with school aged children who can't travel during off times, so if I were to gamble I'd say quite a few of them will take advantage of this perk.

I think I've decided to stick with Wilderness Lodge. There may not be a ton of perks right now, but I realize that it won't feel like a Disney vacation to me unless I stay on property. Thanks for the input everyone!

 

[HopperFan]

When we first started visiting WDW we stayed onsite, we stayed at value resorts because we love to travel and want to be able to do it often. We stayed a Wyndham Bonnet Creek one time and one time was all it took to get hooked with staying off site. Wyndham Bonnet Creek is a time share with many different sized units. When our kids were younger it was so nice to have a place for them to go to sleep while we stayed up a bit later. Having a full kitchen and 2 bathrooms vacationing just didn't get any better. I don't own a time share and have no desire to but renting someone elses timeshare is the perfect way to travel. If you haven't checked out Wyndham Bonnet Creek take a look. The resort is absolutly amazing and so close to WDW.

If I could get the right price we'd stay here every single trip. The location can not be beat.

It does look like a neat resort, but do they badger you about the timeshare? That's what I shy away from.

Depending on how you book might differ them asking. I've always booked via 3rd party which states on our paperwork no sales pitch is required. When we have gone they send us to a "desk" for our parking pass where they ask if you want to do a sales tour. ALWAYS say no but the easy out they are supposed to ask if you are married, say yes and then they ask if spouse is there, I say no (I always leave DH in car if he comes). They are not permitted to do a tour with a lone married person. When we get to unit I unplug the phones in case they call. The check in desk has my cell. Never been bothered.

 

[Rory607]

Those we have stayed at Bonnet Creek, do you drive to the parks? We’re thinking of trying off site next trip, but we do not want to rent a car. Is their shuttle to the parks reliable?

 

[sdoll]

If I could get the right price we'd stay here every single trip. The location can not be beat.

There are some great facebook pages to help you find the right spot. It is best to rent directly from an owner. Honestly, I rarely travel without renting from an owner. It saves us a fortune.

 

[Upatnoon]

Those we have stayed at Bonnet Creek, do you drive to the parks? We’re thinking of trying off-site next trip, but we do not want to rent a car. Is their shuttle to the parks reliable?

I would recommend renting a car, but here is what I know.

They have had a shuttle that costs $7 per person for a roundtrip including kids. A family of four would be $28, for example. Times were limited and you used to need a reservation, but I don't know if that is the case right now. I would double-check this info with the resort as things are always changing.

If I didn't want to drive I would use Uber/Lyft, which can take you directly to all the parks except MK and all the resorts and at the times that you want to go.

Obviously, the more you plan to move around and come and go from WBC the better a deal renting a car will be as multiple rides will add up. You also have to pay for transportation to/from the airport.

For example, our family of five would have to pay $35 to ride the shuttle. We like to go to one park in the morning, return to the resort at midday, then go to another park in the evening. In that scenario, it would cost us $70 for shuttle rides.

Having a rental also can save you money by making it easier to eat off-site, go to the grocery store, etc.

 

[HopperFan]

Those we have stayed at Bonnet Creek, do you drive to the parks? We’re thinking of trying off site next trip, but we do not want to rent a car. Is their shuttle to the parks reliable?

Yes. I can't live by a limited shuttle I have to book in advance. If you are paying per person for shuttle you might as well pay to park yourself and have the freedom.

 

[Rory607]

I would recommend renting a car, but here is what I know.

They have had a shuttle that costs $7 per person for a roundtrip including kids. A family of four would be $28, for example. Times were limited and you used to need a reservation, but I don't know if that is the case right now. I would double-check this info with the resort as things are always changing.

If I didn't want to drive I would use Uber/Lyft, which can take you directly to all the parks except MK and all the resorts and at the times that you want to go.

Obviously, the more you plan to move around and come and go from WBC the better a deal renting a car will be as multiple rides will add up. You also have to pay for transportation to/from the airport.

For example, our family of five would have to pay $35 to ride the shuttle. We like to go to one park in the morning, return to the resort at midday, then go to another park in the evening. In that scenario, it would cost us $70 for shuttle rides.

Having a rental also can save you money by making it easier to eat off-site, go to the grocery store, etc.

Ok, thank you. That shuttle system is a no-go for me. If you’re only doing a couple of park days maybe it would work, but not for a week trip.