On Site vs. Off- October weeks 2013... am I obsessing

[mae and jax]

Hello All!

I am planning a trip to Disney sometime in October 2013 (will know the exact dates when the new school calendar comes out) and am trying to decide a few things; on site vs off, if October is a good time to go, planning too early, will prices go down, dining plan if on site?

DS 5
DD 13

I would appreciate your help!

 

[Cee]

October is a great month to go. Great weather, crowds are not nearly as big as summer and closer to the holidays AND the Food & Wine Festival is going on at Epcot which is awesome. We love to stay onsite but it's certainly not required to enjoy everything in "The World". Work with your budget and have the time of your life.

Happy planning!

 

[lovetoscrap]

And Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party!

Sent from my iPod touch using DISBoards

 

[serene56]

When calculating the cost vs onsite to offsite-- I guess you will be driving or you will need a car. Figure in the 15.00 it will cost per day of your stay to go to the park.


I prefer onsite to save the money that it would cost to rent a van (big family) pay for parking, fighting the traffic.

 

[donaldude]

Disney started offering the Free dining plan for October this morning if you stay on site. Also the F&WF id in October.

 

[lwake]

Hi: I definitely think that on site is the way to go. There are many advantages to staying on site (free dining plan if offered during that time, extra magic hours, no worries about transportation just to name a few). You are planning early enough that you can explore the different resorts online to see what fits your budget best. If possible, I would stay a moderate/deluxe as they are closer to the parks. If you book through a travel agency (ie. AAA), then you can make monthly payments rather than lump sum all at once. This always seems a little more friendly on the wallet as it is better than charging it. If you book a vacation package and Disney offers a better deal then you can rebook your vacation to get the deal. October is typically a free dining plan month, but you won't know for sure probably until June/July of 2013. I've stayed off site before and will never do it again. It ended up costing my family so much more than staying onsite and we generally stay at a deluxe resort. I would research prices for off site (hotels/transport to and from parks/meals) and compare with Disney onsite prices. You've got plenty of time.

 

[mae and jax]

OK, now here is another layer, just talked to my mom and she wants to make it a family vacation... so add 5 more adults and 2 more kids.

Total 7 adults and 4 kids... Can we fit on any Disney property? I am on a super tight budget and we don't use credit cards...

 

[sweetcanadian]

OK, now here is another layer, just talked to my mom and she wants to make it a family vacation... so add 5 more adults and 2 more kids.

Total 7 adults and 4 kids... Can we fit on any Disney property? I am on a super tight budget and we don't use credit cards...

You are best to rent a house offsite then, but idk about the no credit card thing. i couldn't imagine going on a major trip without one. Idk if they let you book anything without one either. Check out allstarvacationhomes, sunkissvillas, orlandovillas to see if anything matches what you need, most have pools too.

 

[disneyfanz04]

i would look into staying on site at a value resort with multiple connecting rooms, it always works out cheaper for us especially taking advantage of the free dining, magical express, and transportation to the parks.

 

[jesswindsor]

October is a really nice time to go. The weather is nice, you will have a chance to go to MNSSHP (for an additional fee), and EPCOT's food and wine festival. The great thing about Staying on site is there is a resort for every budget. Sometimes the transportation can be a pain, however it does get you to where you want to go. I would suggest getting the food plan if you stay on site.

 

[bumblebee23]

We do separate rooms in value resorts (adjoining or just in the same building). Better than cramming into a small space and you can maintain your privacy! Also cheap and cost is easily divided, since everyone just pays for their own room. The benefits of staying on property (as everyone has mentioned) are wonderful. Also, October is perfect. I adore the Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

 

[boundfordisney]

onsite is the way to go! free dining would save you quite a bit of money with the number of people you have going. Although my daughyer has stayed offsite in the vacation homes and she really enjoyed it and she doesnt have a credit card so that really isnt a factor in staying, onsite is so much more convienent , and so much more relaxing , dont have to worry about parking cooking ,cleaning and the extra magic hours are a bonus! plus the disney resorts are amazing!

 

[usd2bmd]

It will come down to your budget and preferences. We always stay on property, we are up early and back to the room late. We don't take breaks in the middle of the day as some do. Our daughter is 16 so it isn't necessary, but even when she was younger we did the same thing.

Maybe price the whole thing out at a value resort (i usually do it both with and without the dining plan). Then you can price out a vacation home or condo and guesstimate what you will spend on food both in and out of the parks.

Good luck and have a magical time!!1

 

[lovebeingmummy]

Hello,
I'm planning to go in October next year too, we prefer onsite