On site v off site

[austinwildflower]

Please don't book a "throwaway" campsite, as another poster suggested. Those campsites aren't "throwaways" to those of us who love camping at Fort Wilderness, and campsite supply is limited enough without people booking it who have no plans to stay. Very selfish and also dishonest.

 

[chartle]

This is a commonly cited number. However in 4 off-site trips in August and May, we have never found it to be true unless you are leaving after MSEP or Illuminations or encounter a breakdown on the monorail. If you're just heading out in the middle of the day, we find it is routinely anywhere from 15-20. Since our subsequent travel time is usually in the neighborhood of 10-15 minutes or so, we have routinely found the time from gate to timeshare to be roughly 25 to 30 minutes from the MK, less from other parks.

It also depends if you are talking about leaving the gates or leaving an area of the park. But that my be a bit high.

When I've posted about this before it was for those that want to leave to eat lunch to save money. If you are back by BTMR and decide its time to eat its going to take 10-15 min to get to the front gate.

 

[Ceryssa]

I get wanting the kids to be able to do stuff together. And you definitely should plan for that as much as possible. But I also think it's a really good idea for you to have some time for both groups to split off and do their own thing. Any time we travel with other people, as much as we enjoy being around them and doing things together, we're always glad to have some time to ourselves as well. No matter how much you like someone, their company can be wearing after a while. And if you have different ideas about touring or planning, that doubles your chances of it happening. I guess all I'm saying is don't get stuck on the idea of having to do the same things all together, all the time.

As for how to help them plan--I'd recommend **************.net, or WDWprepschool.com. Both do a really good job of breaking down exactly what first-timers are facing when planning a Disney trip.

 

[Ceryssa]

Please Don'tbook a "throwawY" camp site, as another poster suggested. Those camp sites aren't "throwawYs" to those of us who love camping at Fort Wilderness, and campsite supply is limited enough without people booking it who have no plans to stay. Very selfish and also dishonest.

There's also no benefit to doing this anymore, with the recent changes in split-stay policies. It doesn't get you a jump on ADRs or FPs unless you're willing to pay for it for your entire trip--and that's not only a waste, but defeats the purpose of staying offsite if you're trying to save money.

 

[amym2]

While our more recent stays have been on-site (since joining DVC in 2011), we've done off-site stays in the past, and there are certainly benefits, cost being the main one. We also traveled with extended family when our kids were little, and having more space, a kitchen, and a place to hang out together was great (we get this now in DVC villas). We stayed in Windsor Hills twice and in a Marriott timeshare (think it was Royal Palms?) and honestly the drive is not bad, unless you are doing it at peak times. We found that heading back to the house/condo every other day for some down time in the afternoons worked well for us.

While I certainly understand your frustration with your friends not understanding the scope of WDW and the need to plan FPs and ADRs (totally necessary), I do think you might consider that this trip may just be different than what you are used to if you stay off-site, and that doesn't mean it will be bad. You can have a perfectly magical trip even when staying outside the Disney bubble, and since it's your friends' first visit, they may enjoy the escape from all things Disney. Since you have been multiple times and sound like you plan to go back in the future, I'd suggest trying to be flexible (and this is coming from someone who was NOT flexible our first few trips) and going along with what your friends want to do. If they prefer to stay off-site, stay off-site with them.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

So the kids are best buddies, but what about the parents? That would make a big difference for me deciding if I could share a timeshare with another family. We have lots of families we hang out with, but there's only one family that both my dh and I agree on that we could handle staying together for a week or so on vacation with. Not that we don't get along with the others, but there's always that husband or wife that annoys someone, or that kid that gets on your nerves after a while, different parenting styles, etc.

If they are the kind of people that you love to be around all the time, then I think compromising and staying offsite, but close, at WBC would be a good alternative. Not making an ADR and having a bbq together, sipping drinks by the pool or patio together (that you made for cheap in your blender!), or playing mini putt or hanging out in the lazy river with the kids, imo would not be sacrificing anything. We just stayed there in April and did Universal, and my dh and I kept saying wow, this would be so much fun for the kids (and us!) to come here together with our friends! (the 4 bdr presidential is amazing...). Plus staying together in a time share would give each of the couples an opportunity to have a date night while the other stays behind with kids.

You can get fp+ at 30 days out. Not sure what time frame you are going at, but tell them to check out crowd calendar and wait times to get an idea of how long they could be waiting for, and then they will get on board with booking some stuff, I'm sure. I'd book half the time together, and let them wing a few days on their own. Chances are everyone's going to want some space from each other anyways.

It would be different for sure, but I think it could be great as well. (As long as they are "that family",kwim)

 

[Capang]

Thanks everyone for the input. We are very close with this family, DH and I have known this couple since we were in junior high. We have travelled together before without an issue, but never with the kids. If they are set on their timeshare (and I do see the point, having already paid into it) then we will still stay onsite and maybe have an ADR or two together.

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks everyone for the input. We are very close with this family, DH and I have known this couple since we were in junior high. We have travelled together before without an issue, but never with the kids. If they are set on their timeshare (and I do see the point, having already paid into it) then we will still stay onsite and maybe have an ADR or two together.

I think that is the best way to go. You can even book all of your ARDs to include them, and if they don't want to go along, no biggie.

 

[chartle]

Thanks everyone for the input. We are very close with this family, DH and I have known this couple since we were in junior high. We have travelled together before without an issue, but never with the kids. If they are set on their timeshare (and I do see the point, having already paid into it) then we will still stay onsite and maybe have an ADR or two together.

This is the best you can expect, just be absolutely sure you tell your friends that you have made mostly unchangeable plans for your trip and that you are not going to give them up. Assuming that's how you want to deal with this situation.

they may not understand that you made these plans up to 6 months ago and they are not easily changed.

 

[mmmears]

Thanks everyone for the input. We are very close with this family, DH and I have known this couple since we were in junior high. We have travelled together before without an issue, but never with the kids. If they are set on their timeshare (and I do see the point, having already paid into it) then we will still stay onsite and maybe have an ADR or two together.

I think that's the best you can do. It's not really just an issue of on-site and off-site, it sounds like your touring style is the complete opposite of theirs. We have had friends like yours suggest we go to Disney together... but we never do. I'm not willing to waste the time and money to wander around with no plans, no ADRs, etc. That might make some people happy but it would drive me crazy. We did spend one day at DL with friends... and the kids got to ride 2 or 3 rides -- that's it!. Since it was part of a larger trip, I was ok with it, but we really didn't get our money's worth that day, just wandering around, etc. I would stay where you want to stay, tour the way you want to tour, and hopefully make some nice dinner plans with them.

 

[chartle]

This is the best you can expect, just be absolutely sure you tell your friends that you have made mostly unchangeable plans for your trip and that you are not going to give them up. Assuming that's how you want to deal with this situation.

they may not understand that you made these plans up to 6 months ago and they are not easily changed.

Just wanted to add "or added to." I hope they don't think they can tag along with you and somehow get the same FP+'s and ADR's.

 

[sharadoc]

**************.net and easywdw.com are the best sites for overall planning advice and info.

DON'T send them here, it's overwhelming and not easy to understand. Then they may try to ask a question before they read everything, and people will get nasty and it will be a disaster lol.

 

[Southernswthrt]

All "offsite" hotels are not created equal!
After discovering Wyndham Bonnet Creek, I became an offsite convert. Although most offsite hotels (and all offsite rental homes) don't appeal to me at all, WBC is right next to Caribbean Beach and it's gorgeous with two bedrooms, full kitchen, washer/dryer, balcony (one year we had an incredible fireworks/lake view!), etc. Resort has 5 pools, mini golf, etc. I could go on and on.... You can get a two bedroom for about $100 - $150/night (taxes included) depending on the season.

I can't imagine ever booking a value or moderate resort (and paying more!) over WBC. If the ability to book FP+ at 60 days is really important to you, book a throwaway camp site for the first night of your reservation.

We have a 10 night split stay (5/5) coming up at the end of Aug at the Poly/YC, and I was really torn between that and WBC. We got an amazing deal on room rate ($210 Poly/$190 YC), plus discounted tickets so we figured we'd give it a shot.
I'm going to miss the washer/dryer, full kitchen, and two bedrooms, though!

I couldn't agree more with this, especially when it comes to Values and Mods! I could have written this post myself. Have a 6 night trip at Poly in September, and while I am very excited about the Poly, there are things I will miss at WBC. This particular thread is on a Disney Resort forum. If you post the same question on the Offsite thread, you will get different responses. The bottom line is different strokes for different folks. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[gzmtlock]

If you try it "their way," will you be able to let go of the planning-part of your vacation? That's what would be hardest for me. I love spending hours and hours mapping out the "perfect" vacation! I am a planner by nature, so using that energy for WDW basically starts my vacation months early. Each day is mapped out, all meals, touring plans and FP+s, breaks, the whole shebang. I truly love it - and my family appreciates it, too! (And we have learned to bag the plan if stress levels get too high or energy levels too low. No commandos here!)

We have also rented houses offsite, and I like that, too. Especially when traveling with family/friends that are not Disney fanatics. Parents can relax with a (much cheaper than onsite) adult beverage poolside, while the kids revel in unstructured time in the pool or game room. There is some level of planning for these trips - park days and occasional ADRs, grocery run to stock the kitchen - but much less structure. And if the line for something we want to do is particularly long, we usually skip it. There is so much to do, it's not like we stand around bored!

Like PPs have said, it's two different types of vacation. A Disney vacation vs a family/friends vacation that happens to be at WDW. As long as I know which it will be, I can adjust my expectations accordingly and enjoy myself thoroughly.

 

[cart-mom]

I went to DL back in 91 when it was just one park. Stayed across the street and walked to the entrance. Was shocked that the hours were just 10-5 and thought that we would miss so much. By 2pm we had done everything several times over and were actually kind of bored. Granted, things have changed out there since the expansion, but there still is no comparison to WDW. It sounds like your friend just doesn't know the size difference in the two worlds. Sometimes people just have to learn the hard way, though. You can try to introduce them to this forum, allears.net or any one of the many touring sites on the web, but if they have their mind set on what they want to do then you just have to let them see how things go. It also would help to know when you are planning on going to see how bad the crowds will be as well. Most of the tools are here somewhere to get this information, it just depends if they choose to use it.

I've met up with family and friends at WDW on several trips and stayed with family on just one. I prefer to do our own thing and meet up. Everyone tours at their own pace and you won't have to make concessions to please the group.

Good luck with your planning!

 

[brazzledazzler]

Choosing a WDW vacation is a unique adventure and varies based on the family booking it. There is a lot of time and money that goes into planning such an elaborate vacation, so if money is the issue with staying on-site, you can do you as you suggested and show them the Value on-site options. If that is still something this other family is not interested in, then your family will do your thing & they will do their's and you can meet up in the parks. I think you are on the right track to a great trip and wish you lots of luck!

Honestly, WDW has really changed a lot since I was a kid/teen in the 90s/00s, there is sooooo much more planning that goes into WDW trips. A lot of families don't understand that, and DISboards has really helped me, hope it helps your friends!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

We do both. A one day offsite passing through and 10 days on. It's just not Disney for me offsite. I hate driving on vacation and having the local metro and gas joint outside the hotel takes me out of Disney mode. I know there are lots of nice resorts in Orlando. They aren't for us. We stay in the world for the world.

 

[JennyDrake]

Here is a blog I wrote about my off site Vs. on site expereince from this year:

I’m a die hard “on property” fan, but this month a friend and I had the opportunity to go and stay off site with Hilton honors points, so we said, ‘Why not??” What follows is my (biased) review of On Site Vs. Off Site.

PRO’s of staying Off Site:

Can be cheaper: As we did, you may have the option of cashing in points from a major chain
Free breakfast: Most off site hotels offer a free breakfast, ranging from continental to full, hot service. Our hotel also offered a free evening buffet.
A resort with larger rooms and more amenities: Our hotel offered spacious suites, a scalding hot tub, pool and full kitchen

BUT there are also some distinct negatives:

Pay to park at WDW: $17/day adds up quickly
No EMH (Extra Magic Hours): Those morning (especially) or evening hours only for resort guests with typically much lower crowds; you lose the ability to get a lot done in a short time.
Hope you like carrying those bags!: No resort delivery of your purchases, so whatever you buy, you schlep all day long.
No food court: whether it is breakfast or dinner after a long day in the parks, there is no readily available food of your choosing. My friend eats low carb and our free dinners offered *nothing* other than lettuce that she could eat.
If you have dietary concerns/allergies, these cannot/will not be address and the “heat and eat” foods served at the offsite hotel. I have developed a scary allergy to peppers; at WDW is is quick and easy to find out what foods I must avoid.

FOR ME, THE SINGLE BIGGEST NEGATIVE IS NOT HAVING WDW TRANSPORTATION.

1.With only one car, everyone *has* to be on the same schedule. So if an early riser (me) is paired with a more leisurely morning person, somebody has to “give,” and resentment can build.
2.Along with that, if a member of your party gets a headache, feels poorly or is just plain tuckered out, you do not have the advantage of the party easily splitting up/reuniting.
3.Forget that midday break. By the time you get back to your car, conveniently located in Kansas, and deal with International Drive congestion back to your hotel, you will have easily spent an hour one way.
4.No “easy” access to your room. On one WDW trip I felt a migraine coming on and of course, I did not have my meds on me. I grabbed some caffeine, hopped a bus back to my resort, washed down a pill, lay down for a few minutes, then hopped the same bus right back to the park! Ta da! NOTHING is this easy off site.
5.Designating a driver: If your group would like to camp out in the tequila cave, one person will have to stay stone, cold sober to drive you back to your resort. No friendly Disney bus drivers to see you back safely.
6.Park hopping is more complicated. You must return to the park (or TTA) where you entered. No direct route to your nice, warm bed.

Finally, I am a female who frequently travels solo and I have never felt unsafe or uncomfortable on WDW property. This is a feature without monetary value.

In closing, while offsite visits can offer several perks, I’ll take WDW property ANY day for the many reasons listed above.

 

[Disnsyncey]

Thanks everyone for the input. We are very close with this family, DH and I have known this couple since we were in junior high. We have travelled together before without an issue, but never with the kids. If they are set on their timeshare (and I do see the point, having already paid into it) then we will still stay onsite and maybe have an ADR or two together.

I would have a talk with them about general things, like how FP+ works, ADRs that might interest them, and the reason to pick park days based on low(er) crowds and why...

I would try to get them to commit to park days at least....same as you so you can possibly spend more time together if desired....

but yeah, let them stay how they like......its easier on each group to have their personal space...

maybe have them get the Disney planning dvd? or as others have said, point them towards wdwinfo.com or any of those other places....

 

[Monykalyn]

Hope you like carrying those bags!: No resort delivery of your purchases, so whatever you buy, you schlep all day long.

This is only partially true-you can have purchase sent to front of park and pick up on way out.

@Jennytoon did a great job with her post. My 5cents-(inflation you know lol):

Having just stayed onsite for first time (after all offsite visits)-yes there are perks. We don't need A&E FP but did want SDMT-had no problems last year at 30 day mark (offsite) and no problem this year at 60 day mark. We enjoyed the ease of our party able to split up and some go back to room to rest while the other half stayed in a park. I tried to convince my DH we didn't actually need a car for the onsite portion-other than first night(went to our fave offsite restaurant and shopping) and when we switched resorts-car didn't move for the week. We moved offsite for second week and the first thing kids said when walking into our timeshare is "look at all that ROOM". Depending on where the time share is the commute time tends to be greatly exaggerated. We stayed at Marriott Sabal Palms and door to drop off at DHS is 12 minutes (yes I timed it-I was very excited to get there early for a SWW day ) Add parking and walking - what another 5-7 minutes? Not "hours"

How long is the trip for? Could they stay a couple nights onsite at the beginning? We did this - our timeshare started on Saturday but we didn't checkout of BC until Sunday-no time being homeless and we got full onsite perks for that day. Also got "rolling 60 day" for our FP reservations the second week.
We likely aren't going again for several years (unless a quick trip in January for just DH and I happens for a reunion and convention) but I can't imagine doing a whole trip either only off or onsite now-it would likely be a split stay to get best of both worlds. I am not sure 180 day ADR's are such a huge deal unless need a specific restaurant at only a specific date and time-my eldest DH's friend was in WDW last week-they winged it and had a great time-I-for kicks-looked up ADR's available to them the day they were in MK-tons available - including BOG lunch for 12:45 (course this is for 2 people not a group-so that may change the equation

I heartily second the easywdw site, wdw prep school, and Disney Tourist blog - all great resources without being overwhelming (although Josh at WDW can get sarcastic and seems to be somewhat jaded recently-not without reason but disheartening for someones first time).