On site, off site, or both? Crunching the numbers

[Cynt]

All of the stuff you are saying is what makes it so hard to figure out what to do! I really don't know how my kids would be. I would plan to get to the parks by rope drop, do as much as we can until lunchtime, then come back to the resort to relax or swim. Possibly go back out later that evening, but possibly not. I don't see my girls taking a nap by then, my oldest doesn't nap now. But they are a bit prissy now. it's hard for me to imagine my girls tolerating all of that heat for so long, lol. It will be our first trip, so a lot I just have the guess.

I would stay onsite if it is your 1st trip. No logical reason except I'm glad I stayed onsite my 1st trip.

 

[Dean1972]

My DW & I will be staying 11 nights following a 14 night Transatlantic cruise from Barcelona.
We are from Australia & I could not believe how much it can cost to stay on site.
We are doing a combination on-site/off-site hotels.
6 nights @ Hilton Parc Soleil then 3 nights at Universal's Portofino Bay Resort to get front of line access & early entry to WwoHP.
To end our trip, we have rented 2 nights at Beach Club Villas before flying home to Australia.
Super excited & can hardly wait.

 

[bengalfreak]

I was unaware that you could add the disney dining plan to a rental of DVC points. Is that true?

 

[scrappinannie]

I love to stay onsite but will not EVER stay in a value! Sorry, a Disney themed Motel 6 is just not my idea of a vacation. LOL However, we've done moderates every time we've ever gone and are really quite comfortable there. We like being able to take Disney transportation between the resorts and parks and do enjoy being able to have our park purchases delivered to our room and take advantage of EMH.

That being said, my inlaws have a timeshare with Blue Green Resorts. There are 2 properties in Orlando, one being the Fountains which is about 15 mins away from WDW (actually it's closer to Sea World, but still a good location). We just can't pass up FREE accomodations this time! We'll be staying in a 2 bedroom condo and renting a car to drive to and from the parks. They have a very nice pool/water slide/playground area for the kids and since we usually plan at least one non park day to do whatever, this'll be a really great option for us. I'll bring a few Disney party decorations to decorate the kids bedroom so it feels a bit more Disney to them, but I think it will be a great stay.

 

[mafibisha]

I agree with this. I've only ever needed a room while on vacation to sleep and shower. Even when I'm at a resort, we're usually at least sitting around the pool even if not swimming. We only go back to the room to cool off for a minute, change clothes, and crash!

Plus, there's something special about the whole family staying together in a standard hotel room IMO! I guess it just comes down to preference. For me, I want everybody sitting around together on the beds, halfway watching TV, eating pizza delivery, staying up too late, and talking about what we're gonna do the next day. NO COOKING! NO CLEANING! That is vacation to us.

Other people want to be able to do laundry, cook meals to save money, and have alone time with their spouse and/or not have the kids sleep in the same room. It's a personal choice and neither is better/worse than the other. Someone who stays home with their kids 24/7 might need a vacation FROM them (aka space) while someone who works a lot might cherish being together in one room.

ITA. When we go to the beach with my parents and DHs parents and siblings we get a huge place and have lots of room to spread out. But by spreading out and having so much room, its almost like being at home (except with the ocean in front of us LOL) So I don't see our kids nearly as much. Being that close literally is part of the sweetness as a family and makes us closer as a family, especially because its all Disneyfied, ie bedspreads, wallpaper, etc etc.

I think I have finally given in to paying a little more for the convenience of onsite! Knowing how frugal I am, this is a big deal! But since I don't anticipate this being our only Disney trip, maybe offsite would make a bit more sense when my girls are older and we really might need the space, and once I was a little more familiar with how to get around the area.

I feel pretty good about my decision, planning to book a package will give me a lot of flexibility. Now I'll just focus on learning more about the different moderate resorts and start our savings plan!

I agree with the others, I think you made a great decision. The kids are only young once when the magic is uber magical.

Although our older two still love the immersion too as they're in "stressful HS and college", their words

I think you have made a great choice and I think your girls will be excited to be in the disney bubble . I don't blame you for wanting the dining plan - we never stay without it. And maybe you will get lucky and get a free dining pin or discounted room rate . We have got free dining the past 5 years and it saves me a ton of money!

Yes, there is nothing like being in that Disney bubble anywhere. Well maybe Disneyland

I'm sure you'll have the best time!!

 

[blessedby3]

Not sure about all the sleeper sofas...but we stayed at BLT a few years ago and the sofa sleeper was great! I slept on it one night and the chair sleeper was also great!

 

[Marionnette]

I was unaware that you could add the disney dining plan to a rental of DVC points. Is that true?

Yes, it's true. But just like paying for the points, you also have to pay the owner upfront for the dining plan. The dining plan can be added as late as 72 hours prior to arrival but not all owners are willing (or able) to make additions to your reservation at the very last minute.

 

[Dean1972]

Disney have now changed their rules
You now need to allow at least 30 days prior to your ressie to add the dining plan
I am renting points for BCV later this year & received an email about the changes to dining plan

 

[Marionnette]

Disney have now changed their rules
You now need to allow at least 30 days prior to your ressie to add the dining plan
I am renting points for BCV later this year & received an email about the changes to dining plan

I just checked the DVC Member's website. It actually say 48 hours prior to arrival (not the 72 hours that I originally posted). I think that the 30-day notification might apply to package reservations thru CRO, not DVC bookings.

 

[sk8jdgca]

Before you chose the dining plan really look at the kids choices. My kids Hate the dining plan. Even last night my son mentioned how he hated the dining plan except for the snack part. You may be able to do dining cheaper oops especially with a car. There is a good selection of hotels right beside downtown disney.

 

[Tiger926]

Before you chose the dining plan really look at the kids choices. My kids Hate the dining plan. Even last night my son mentioned how he hated the dining plan except for the snack part. You may be able to do dining cheaper oops especially with a car. There is a good selection of hotels right beside downtown disney.

Good job on working through all of your options, OP! Have a great trip!

Re: Dining Plan Kids' Choices - the kids' choices will be the same regardless of whether she is on the DP or not. If not on the DP, kids can order adult meals, but the kids' choices themselves are the same. Kid's meals, although improved, are still in need of improvement, IMHO. The DP is just a prepaid meal plan that includes the same meals if you were paying OOP.

I get the feeling that the OP's girls are younger, and so they more than likely will be ordering kids' meals, which has no bearing on whether or not she is on the DP. She said she wants to eat character meals, and mentioned the savings, as well as eating desserts, so I think these are the reasons why she would like to include DP.

Tiger

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Good job on working through all of your options, OP! Have a great trip!

Re: Dining Plan Kids' Choices - the kids' choices will be the same regardless of whether she is on the DP or not. If not on the DP, kids can order adult meals, but the kids' choices themselves are the same. Kid's meals, although improved, are still in need of improvement, IMHO. The DP is just a prepaid meal plan that includes the same meals if you were paying OOP.

I get the feeling that the OP's girls are younger, and so they more than likely will be ordering kids' meals, which has no bearing on whether or not she is on the DP. She said she wants to eat character meals, and mentioned the savings, as well as eating desserts, so I think these are the reasons why she would like to include DP.

Tiger

True the kids meals are the same whether on DP or not but without the DP there is no obligation to stick with the kids meals. My kids are frequently happy to split a meal or order just a side that appeals to them.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Tiger926]

True the kids meals are the same whether on DP or not but without the DP there is no obligation to stick with the kids meals. My kids are frequently happy to split a meal or order just a side that appeals to them.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Yup, I mentioned that, but based on her other reasons and how much she has researched, I think she has determined the DP is best for them.

You bring up good reasons, but just wanted to clarify as your wording made it seem that kids' choices are different on DP, and that is not the case.

Happy planning, OP! Tiger

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[beansmom]

in my trips to WDW i have stayed everywhere from offsite budget motels to the Grand Floridian. Our next trip is next week and we are doing AoA. I don't think it being a value detracts from it at all. I think we will all enjoy it as much as we enjoyed the Grand Floridian...I just won't probably see Johnny Damon waiting for his car at the AoA.

 

[minerva78]

Yes, my girls will be 5 and 6 when we go, so I'm not as worried about the dining plan for them. We are planning to do several character meals as well as some more varied TS meals, like Ohana and probably either Sanaa or Boma, so I think they will have enough varied options with the kids menus. My youngest daughter is a rather picky and boring eater, so the kids CS options will be fine for her, she'd be okay eating the same thing everyday. My oldest daughter likes more variety, but I still think she'd be fine with the different CS options as well. I don't see either of them being okay with sharing a meal with each other, lol.

As far as the cost is concerned, depending on how much the dining plan prices increase next year, I would definitely consider paying OOP. If I did, I would likely buy a few prepaid Visa cards through my credit union and use those. So while I prefer the dining plan, I definitely will analyze the cost again when the 2014 room, ticket, and dining plan costs come out later this year.

I will say the one advantage of renting DVC points is that you pay the non-peak rates for the dining plan regardless of whether you go during peak times or not, which is where I would get the most savings. But it still involves paying for and committing to a room 10 - 11 months in advance, which could be a good or a bad thing. I read that BWV studios book quickly because of the lower point value, so I'd have to book then. It would be nice to stay in a deluxe resort location for the price of a value, I just don't know if it's worth the risk. As much as I would like staying at POR or POFQ, I really like the theme of All Star Movies. And it would be a lot cheaper.

 

[mafibisha]

in my trips to WDW i have stayed everywhere from offsite budget motels to the Grand Floridian. Our next trip is next week and we are doing AoA. I don't think it being a value detracts from it at all. I think we will all enjoy it as much as we enjoyed the Grand Floridian...I just won't probably see Johnny Damon waiting for his car at the AoA.

ITA. We've stayed in amost all the resorts too over the years and all were awesome and memorable in their own way.

DH and I stayed at the Grand Floridian as newlyweds and honestly, it was almost TOO nice. IOW it wasn't really Disneyfied at all compared to ASM for example.

I will say the one advantage of renting DVC points is that you pay the non-peak rates for the dining plan regardless of whether you go during peak times or not, which is where I would get the most savings. But it still involves paying for and committing to a room 10 - 11 months in advance, which could be a good or a bad thing. I read that BWV studios book quickly because of the lower point value, so I'd have to book then. It would be nice to stay in a deluxe resort location for the price of a value, I just don't know if it's worth the risk. As much as I would like staying at POR or POFQ, I really like the theme of All Star Movies. And it would be a lot cheaper.

This! We really enjoy all the resorts, heck we enjoy every hotel we stay in around the world LOL Your girls will LOVE the theming of ASM! So will you! It's uber Disney, uber immersion, uber bubble. Have you considered Animation, Little Mermaid specifically? I know my girls would love it, and they're a bit older than yours.

BTW, this board, and really this thread has made me very homesick for WDW so guess who is hoping to go in late May! And hoping for Little Mermaid Animation since we haven't been there. I have DH almost convinced .... wish me luck!

 

[hsmamato2]

I agree with a PP that said unless it's a HUGE savings, don't let $$ make the decision.

I prefer onsite,the savings would have to be BIG to get me offsite....since yours are so close,I'd stay onsite

 

[minerva78]

This! We really enjoy all the resorts, heck we enjoy every hotel we stay in around the world LOL Your girls will LOVE the theming of ASM! So will you! It's uber Disney, uber immersion, uber bubble. Have you considered Animation, Little Mermaid specifically? I know my girls would love it, and they're a bit older than yours.

Yeah, I was considering the AoA Little Mermaid room, I just hate how far it is from the main building, it seems like it would be a real pain to walk to. But my girls came over while I was looking at some YouTube videos of the rooms and they LOVED it! I personally like the AS Movies theme better, but I do like the food court options much better at AoA though. All Star Movies seemed a bit more limited. And DH has already told me he doesn't plan to eat a single burger on this trip, so I have to be really creative with our CS options!

 

[mafibisha]

Yeah, I was considering the AoA Little Mermaid room, I just hate how far it is from the main building, it seems like it would be a real pain to walk to. But my girls came over while I was looking at some YouTube videos of the rooms and they LOVED it! I personally like the AS Movies theme better, but I do like the food court options much better at AoA though. All Star Movies seemed a bit more limited. And DH has already told me he doesn't plan to eat a single burger on this trip, so I have to be really creative with our CS options!

Thats true about AoA Little Mermaid distance, and yet it's so stinkin cute!

And ITA about ASM! It has the best theming ever!!