Onsite "magic" vs offsite savings and space

[disneystacy]

This is exactly what I mean about comparing apples to apples. If you are going to compare staying in a townhome, then the comparison in $ should be to a DVC unit. If you stay at a mod., then compare the $ to a Hampton Inn or a Wyndham where you can often score an offsite comparable in amenities of a Disney mod. for $300 - $400 for the week. Now maybe it's me but a savings of $500 is substantial but if staying onsite is worth the $500 to you then great. However, to say that there is no savings is incorrect.

I agree 100%. You need to compare the same space. For us as a family of 5 we either need to rent 2 values or a family villa on Disney property. WAAAY more than the home we are renting for a week which is 10 min from MK.

 

[imthatgirl]

This is exactly what I mean about comparing apples to apples. If you are going to compare staying in a townhome, then the comparison in $ should be to a DVC unit. If you stay at a mod., then compare the $ to a Hampton Inn or a Wyndham where you can often score an offsite comparable in amenities of a Disney mod. for $300 - $400 for the week. Now maybe it's me but a savings of $500 is substantial but if staying onsite is worth the $500 to you then great. However, to say that there is no savings is incorrect.

when you compare your accomidations you need to compare what it is you would actually get, not what seems to be the most alike. i would never get 2 value rooms when i can easily get 1 room at POR or even a family suite at music, so why in the world would i compare anything to that. i would never get a dvc room so how can i realistically compare anything to that.if i stayed off property i would never stay at a hotel, i would stay in a townhome, or more likely a home. once you start comparing unrealistic things then yes i guess you do save money. or if you dont add everything in yeah maybe it looks like you save money. so sure i could rent a townhouse at windsor hills for about $6-700. ok but then add $100 in for the gas and $77 in for parking, and well i guess now weve just spent as much as i did at POFQ.
i have been to disney 18 times. i have stayed on property and off. i can tell you my vacations always run me about the same amount of money. there has been no difference when staying off on on property.

 

[dromio42]

Whether you stay on or off property, I recommend adding Sea World to your trip. We go every time and enjoy a relaxed day before returning to our Disney adventure!
Their cheapest tickets are online "be a kid again' adult tix for kid prices. Be sure to check the expiration befor epurchasing. Have a great trip!

 

[dioxide45]

I also have found the savings of staying off site not all that great, especially now that you have to add gas to your cost. when i sit down and price out everything, down to eevn the smallest bottle of water i will buy i dont feel im saving anyhting. but by staying in the park i am saving my sanity.
i dont use disney bus transportation, never have would shot myself if i had to. so waiting for a bus is not an issue for us.

If you are not using busses, you are paying for gas anyway. You can't add the cost of gas in to the equation. You have to get around somehow if you are not using busses.

ok but then add $100 in for the gas .

You indicated in the previous post that you never use Disney busses. So you are paying for the gas anyway. In many cases offsite can be closer to the parks than some of the onsite accommodations. You can't add $100 in gas to the scenario when you are already rending a car. You are already paying for it unless you are walking to the parks.

For the OP this may be a savings.

 

[imthatgirl]

If you are not using busses, you are paying for gas anyway. You can't add the cost of gas in to the equation. You have to get around somehow if you are not using busses.



You indicated in the previous post that you never use Disney busses. So you are paying for the gas anyway. In many cases offsite can be closer to the parks than some of the onsite accommodations. You can't add $100 in gas to the scenario when you are already rending a car. You are already paying for it unless you are walking to the parks.

For the OP this may be a savings.

the op asked for opinions, i gave mine, noone else has to like my opinion, doesnt change it.

while staying in the parks i have never used more than a quarter of a tank of gas. not so outside of the parks.

 

[Brian Noble]

It's fair to say that if you are flying in, it would be hard to visit Disney for less than it costs to stay in a Value room, relying solely on Disney transportation. Of course, that's a 260 sqare foot box with single sink, a single commode, and two double beds.

You might find an offiste place that is cheaper, but once you add back in rental car, gas, and theme park parking, you start bumping up into that Value cost. If you can find a place cheap enough to make the whole package less expensive, chances are good that hotel is a total dive.

It costs approximately 1.5x-2x that price to upgrade to a Moderate. For that significant cost, you add about 55 square feet and a second sink.

When I go---which is late February every year---the total cost of my lodging, rental car, gas, and theme park parking is reliably less than a discounted Moderate room, but more than a discounted Value room. This is in no smaller than a 2BR/2BA unit, around 900 sq. ft. minimum, with a full kitchen and in-unit washer/dryer, a queen or larger in the master, and two twins or larger in the second bedroom.

I am not doing anything special to get these prices---no skyauction certificates, no el-cheapo timeshare exchanges, no aunt in the travel industry, or any other tricks. Just requesting quotes from windsorhillsrent.com, and picking one.

So, if money is the sole concern, and you are flying: stay in a Value, take ME and Disney buses, and have garden grocer bring you some soft drinks, snacks, and breakfast items to save a few more bucks over Disney prices.

Once you get above that baseline, though, where you spend your money is based on what is important to you. A small amount extra can buy you a lot of extra space, significantly improved furnishings and amenities, in a location that is in some cases closer to the theme parks than some of Disney's own resorts. But, you give up some perks as well. A larger amount of money buys you a very small amount of additional space and a second sink, but preserves the other perks.

Different people have different views about where their money should be spent, and that's fine. But it's important to be honest about what you are getting for that money.

The other way to compare two options is to start with a list of requirements, and then pick the best option to meet those requirements. For example, one of my requirements is that there be separate sleeping spaces for adults and children. With that requirement, the only viable onsite options are two resort rooms, a Family Suite, a Ft. Wilderness cabin, or a DVC 1BR or larger villa. The least expensive of these during my vacation time is about $100 a night extra than the total cost of offsite lodging, rental car, gas, and theme park parking.

That's a lot of money to spend for EMH, background music, and Stacy's Top 7. So far, we've chosen to use that money for other things---nicer meals, extra souvenirs, etc.

The one exception is exchaning into DVC with another timeshare. This still costs a little bit extra than my offsite stays do, because we still get the car either way. However, this more modest increase in cost is acceptable to me.

 

[MiaSRN62]

That's a lot of money to spend for EMH, background music, and Stacy's Top 7. So far, we've chosen to use that money for other things---nicer meals, extra souvenirs, etc.

You're right....IF it all comes down to dollars and cents. No doubt onsite is going to cost more for comparable accomodations. DVC for us works.....and we prefer onsite. The OP mentioned how charmed she was by the disney touches.....as are we.......so I think staying offsite is something for her to consider in that respect. Because when we stay offsite, we feel removed from the disney ambience. It's just like a nice FL vacation. So because the OP specifically mentioned whether or not she would miss this----I'd have to say, yes, she just may. However, she may be charmed in another direction by the larger townhouse she's considering. It is pretty difficult to get the onite perks and ambience with larger accomodations and save money. You have to sacrifice something either way if you're on a budget. This is the whole reason we became DVC Members. We did not want to give up the onsite experience. I know alot make fun of it as I've seen quoted in this thread as evidenced by these remarks :

Brian Noble :That's a lot of money to spend for EMH, background music, and Stacy's Top 7.

Lisa P :Yes, they're mostly canned touristy schpiels now... in sugary, cheery and chipper Disney voices. After you've heard these things a few times... on every boat ride, monorail ride, shuttle bus... to the parks, between the parks, back to the resorts.... whew!

We actually look forward to the things some of you poke fun at it on the Orlando boards. The poking fun at disney mentality has gone on on with this particular board for many years. It's predictable at this point (I've been a DIS'er since 2000).

I like staying on disney property and not having to venture out on to International Blvd or SR 535 where it's all tourists billboards and cheap ticket vendors on every corner. We primarily go to FL for WDW. Sure we take side trips to Sea World or wherever, but the #1 motivator for traveling to Orlando is Disney. So we prefer the sappiness (as some of you coin it) to the tourist stuff you can see at any big vacation destination. Everything has it's pros and cons. I just noticed the OP really stressed how much she fell in love with the whole disney themeing so I think she will notice a different type of vacation with a townhouse. I'm speaking from experience here. On and offsite are two different experiences----but then again, we do mostly stay in DVC villas as I already stated.

 

[Andrea from PA]

Family of 5 here.

I am cheap, but also lazy.

Our 1st 2 trips were on-site -- I couldn't have done the 1st any other way as I was overwhelmed by the choices.

We crammed into 1 room at POR both times -- I don't mind the cramming as we are usually exhausted & just use the room to sleep.

The ME, Dinining Plan & my family's desire to stay in the park openning to closing wound up easy & cheaper then off site.

That said I hope to do our next Disney trip offsite. Hoping the family's need to be in parks open to close may be swayed for some down time swimming...

I SAY YOUR OFF-SITE TRIP WILL BE GREAT! Plenty of Magic in the Parks alone. STOP DOUBTING YOURSELF! Enjoy the new experience.

 

[madge]

I just noticed the OP really stressed how much she fell in love with the whole disney themeing so I think she will notice a different type of vacation with a townhouse.

I noticed that, too...

I'm a big fan of staying offsite, for reasons I've mentioned over an over on these boards (and it seems like this topic has been coming up more and more recently ) but, I also love staying onsite. We try to do both. We stay a couple of nights at the Swan/Dolphin either in the middle or the end of our vacation, depending on how everything plays out.

 

[melcan]

This will be our first family offsite trip. I'm looking forward to the extra space, and doing something other than 24hr. Disney.

 

[Brian Noble]

You're right....IF it all comes down to dollars and cents.

Maria, that is an unfair characterization of my post. I was very clear in stating that different people value the various features of a stay differently. Having stayed in both DVC units and offsite timeshare, I don't find the onsite experience provides enough value to justify the cost. Having stayed in both, you do.

The dollars and cents are objectively there---the question is does one feel that one gets value from the dollars and cents they are spending on an onsite stay vs. the offsite alternatives. Some do, and some don't, but it's hard to predict how anyone (including oneself) will react until they experience it for themselves.

I never have put much stock into the advice from someone to avoid onsite (or offsite) unless they've really tried it. As long as this is not the OP's last ever trip to Central Florida, it's probably worth it for her to experience the offsite life once for herself, to see how she likes it. Then she'll know---she might have found a way to visit Disney less expensively, allowing for more trips, or she might decide that that's not the way she wants to go about things.

Truth be told, I went into our first OKW stay expecting to come out of it able to convince my wife that we should buy DVC, because I was ready to do so. Instead, I came out of it changing my own mind---that it wasn't worth the (very significant) premium to me.

As an aside, this is the second time this week that you, personally, have taken offense at one of my attempts at simple humor. As I've said elsewhere, I love the Top 7, and unless it's been edited out, no one anywhere on this thread said anything about Disney being sappy.

I don't know why you've become so touchy about this, but I suspect it's because now that you've decided to divest yourself of offsite ownerships and move onsite exclsively, that anyone who disagrees with you must be attacking you personally.

I'm not. Really. I'll try to remember the emoticons from now on.

 

[4Seasons]

Just an "out of the box" thought for the OP, and it might not even be something she'd consider, but here goes:

Depending on the length of time you are planning to stay in Orlando, what about a split stay? Some time onsite and some offsite. Your accommodations cost would be less than a full stay onsite but more than a full stay offsite. You'd only have to rent a vehicle part of the time. That way it could be "the best of both worlds", and you could truly evaluate (for future trips) which situation works best for your family.
I wouldn't do this if staying any less than 7 nights though (just my opinion).

Maybe something like:

First 4 nights at Cypress Pointe (or someplace similar and close to Disney)
Picking up rental car at airport, dropping off at maybe the Dolphin once transferring to onsite.
Stay remaining 3 nights onsite
Take ME back to airport on departure day

Or vice versa

You may not want to do the "unpack, pack, unpack" thing, so maybe this idea isn't even an option. But it might be something to think about.

My take on this:
I love offsite, but I know there are lots of people who will only stay onsite, and that is fine because that's what they value.

So far this year I've booked about 70 offsite trips for families, and around another 10 onsite.
Of those numbers, I've had 4 that had "issues" with one thing or another for stays on Disney property (room size, room cleanliness, bus issues, noise, etc.).
For the offsite, out of about 70 trips (and many different properties), I think I might have had 5 or 6 complaints (most were very minor) and only 1 that I really felt needed follow up attention (and was subsequently rectified with a partial refund from the management company). I've gotten dozens of emails from families totally thrilled with their offsite trip, and amazed at the accommodations they were able to enjoy for such a reasonable amount of money.

Overall I see a very high satisfaction rate with offsite, and alot of my clients have become true converts. Bottom line.........it's whichever make you happy.

 

[calgarygary]

when you compare your accomidations you need to compare what it is you would actually get, not what seems to be the most alike. i would never get 2 value rooms when i can easily get 1 room at POR or even a family suite at music, so why in the world would i compare anything to that. i would never get a dvc room so how can i realistically compare anything to that.if i stayed off property i would never stay at a hotel, i would stay in a townhome, or more likely a home. once you start comparing unrealistic things then yes i guess you do save money. or if you dont add everything in yeah maybe it looks like you save money. so sure i could rent a townhouse at windsor hills for about $6-700. ok but then add $100 in for the gas and $77 in for parking, and well i guess now weve just spent as much as i did at POFQ.
i have been to disney 18 times. i have stayed on property and off. i can tell you my vacations always run me about the same amount of money. there has been no difference when staying off on on property.

If you want to compare by budgets then that can be done also. If you want to spend the equivalent of a moderate (your stay at POFQ) the OP can expect to spend $179/night + taxes for their stay next August. You can easily get a resort such as Omni Champions Gate or Hyatt's Grand Cypress for under half of that. A car rental is likely going to cost under $300 unless the OP upgrades in size. That allows at least $300 for parking and gas with plenty left over for a few meals.

I'm not questioning anyone's decision to stay onsite or offsite. But to say they cost the same is just not factual. If I actually compared a Disney mod. to something comparable offsite the savings would be actually greater.

OP, if you know anyone with an Interval International membership then that would be a great way to snag an outstanding resort for around $80/night. Back in the spring, I got my daughter a 2 bedroom at Vistana Villages for a week for $500. We were able to choose among the best Orlando timeshares that are offsite such as the Marriotts and Sheratons just to name a few. Although a II Getaway may not be cheaper than Skyauction, they are available almost year round in Orlando. If I do that comparison, a 2 bedroom timeshare vs a one bedroom POFQ, well I would keep my sanity and all my children happy by taking the 2 bedroom.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

I'm the OP

I want to thank all of you for the wonderful insight and for all of your opinions. It has given me a lot to think about. I'm still torn, but now I have plenty of food for thought.

The problem is that onsite and offsite both have so many plusses that it's hard to choose. Either way is sure to give a great vacation experience, I'm sure.

The idea of a split stay is a good one. I'll be sure to bring that up to my husband. We'll see.

Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks! Continue the discussion, by all means, I value all input

 

[Lisa P.]

The poking fun at disney mentality has gone on on with this particular board for many years. It's predictable at this point (I've been a DIS'er since 2000).

As a fellow DIS'er from back when we were all on the "radp" newsgroup (pre-DisBoards ), I would agree that this "Orlando..." forum has more of a willingness to poke a bit of fun at the all-Disney all-the-time mantra that is so prevalent on most of the other forums here. And I appreciate it!!! To me, it's not either/or; it's truly "I like both!" Some people actually prefer the slides at Wet N Wild ...or the theming at Islands of Adventure ...or the service at Portofino Bay or the Royal Pacific Resort (Univ) over the Polynesian ...or a great offsite resort over an onsite hotel or resort that costs the same or more! These voices are usually drowned out on other DisBoard forums. The few offsite-centered DisBoard forums are a more friendly place for those of us who like/love Disney World but who also like/love the other Orlando offerings too.

I like staying on disney property and not having to venture out on to International Blvd or SR 535 where it's all tourists billboards and cheap ticket vendors on every corner.

That description fits some offsite areas but definitely not all. We prefer a prettier, quieter, less commercial area too. We are able to find what we want at many offsite, deluxe resorts. But as this is the Orlando Hotels and Attractions forum, it's fair to acknowledge that some people find the bustling activity level and close proximity of restaurants, mini-golf, clubs and other attractions in the tourist districts exciting and fun. There's definitely a variety of settings out there and it's not for me to say who will enjoy which of them more on their vacation. I can't necessarily tell much about them from a single post on a public forum. Different strokes, you know...

...it seems like this topic has been coming up more and more recently ... We try to do both. We stay a couple of nights at the Swan/Dolphin either in the middle or the end of our vacation, depending on how everything plays out.

I think with the economy and so many people concerned over next year's heating oil bills and gas/food/inflation hits to their budgets, we're going to see even more people looking for ways to afford their desired Disney vacations. Even longtime devoted onsiters may consider their offsite options if it means not having to cancel their trips.

Having stayed in both DVC units and offsite timeshare, I don't find the onsite experience provides enough value to justify the cost.

Same here, if you mean for cash nights or as a DVC member. That's why we sold our DVC points years ago. We do still enjoy staying in DVC villas for certain trips, through timeshare trading.

...it's hard to predict how anyone (including oneself) will react until they experience it for themselves.

I never have put much stock into the advice from someone to avoid onsite (or offsite) unless they've really tried it. As long as this is not the OP's last ever trip to Central Florida, it's probably worth it for her to experience the offsite life once for herself, to see how she likes it. Then she'll know---she might have found a way to visit Disney less expensively, allowing for more trips, or she might decide that that's not the way she wants to go about things.

So true!!! I think it's honestly helpful to encourage people to try it for themselves, to avoid offsite dives, to look for those nicer gems which may make it possible to continue to afford fun Orlando/Disney vacations and to keep an open mind going into it, not looking for Disney but not Disney... rather to look for someplace nice yet affordable, for a fun family vacation. If they're going on a once-in-a-lifetime trip or have special circumstances, encouraging them to spend more money to afford onsite is, perhaps understandable. But for return visitors, it's a great idea to see for themselves what they think.

 

[imthatgirl]

If you want to compare by budgets then that can be done also. If you want to spend the equivalent of a moderate (your stay at POFQ) the OP can expect to spend $179/night + taxes for their stay next August. You can easily get a resort such as Omni Champions Gate or Hyatt's Grand Cypress for under half of that. A car rental is likely going to cost under $300 unless the OP upgrades in size. That allows at least $300 for parking and gas with plenty left over for a few meals.

I'm not questioning anyone's decision to stay onsite or offsite. But to say they cost the same is just not factual. If I actually compared a Disney mod. to something comparable offsite the savings would be actually greater.

OP, if you know anyone with an Interval International membership then that would be a great way to snag an outstanding resort for around $80/night. Back in the spring, I got my daughter a 2 bedroom at Vistana Villages for a week for $500. We were able to choose among the best Orlando timeshares that are offsite such as the Marriotts and Sheratons just to name a few. Although a II Getaway may not be cheaper than Skyauction, they are available almost year round in Orlando. If I do that comparison, a 2 bedroom timeshare vs a one bedroom POFQ, well I would keep my sanity and all my children happy by taking the 2 bedroom.

i really dont understand why it is so difficult for you to except someone doesnt have the same opinion as you.
i have stated that my vacations whether they have been onsite or off site have equaled about the same amount and that i have never seen a savings in staying off site. for you to tell me thats not "factual" is down right bizarre. how can you possibly say that what i have experienced is anything different that what i have said?
its wonderful that you love so much to stay off site, good for you. i dont see it as any kind of deal, and im sorry thats not "factual" enough for you.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Maria, that is an unfair characterization of my post. I was very clear in stating that different people value the various features of a stay differently. Having stayed in both DVC units and offsite timeshare, I don't find the onsite experience provides enough value to justify the cost. Having stayed in both, you do.

As an aside, this is the second time this week that you, personally, have taken offense at one of my attempts at simple humor. As I've said elsewhere, I love the Top 7, and unless it's been edited out, no one anywhere on this thread said anything about Disney being sappy.

I don't know why you've become so touchy about this, but I suspect it's because now that you've decided to divest yourself of offsite ownerships and move onsite exclsively, that anyone who disagrees with you must be attacking you personally.

Brian, sorry if you see my comments as unfair or that I have taken offense. You call it simple humor, but it is a little bit of a disguised undercut to the disney "magic" (albeit playful). The whole comment I made about "dollars and cents" really was sincere. I do say a couple times that offsite is truly cheaper when you look at the money end of it. I don't see how this comment was taken as an offense by you ? Sorry if it was.

I just have a different opinion. No biggie. I guess you see me as "touchy" about the subject because my opinions and viewpoints differ from yours Brian ? I honestly don't know. I felt I was pretty level in my comments & interpretation.

I did say my offsite timeshare stays were like nice FL vacations. So it has nothing to do with me thinking about selling my Vistana timeshare. If you read my posts on Vistana on various threads on this board, I am actually quite enthusiastic in my advice and assistance to others. So you are wrong about that. I don't feel anyone is attacking me personally and I'm sorry you are interpreting my comments to be that. Respectfully Brian, you couldn't be more wrong about the fact that I feel personally attacked. You and I have clashed several times over the past year or two. Nothing new for us. You believe what you believe and I feel differently. Hope you can see future discussions involving the two of us in another light. I just call it as I see it---there are snide/joking/fun-poking comments made about "onsite magic" and "sugary/sappy disney this or that". It's a fact.....I know it's said in jest. I guess when it comes to trying to give objective advice to a poster who asks a question, these sort of personal comments just don't always belong. It's a round about way to discredit the onsite experience and there are many people on these boards who just lurk or simply don't have alot of experience as do many of us----they read this and I don't think it's giving them a fair and more importanly, an objective viewpoint.
So it's just how I feel and I'm just posting my comments on the matter. Sorry if it disagrees with yours, but to say I'm being unfair is not exactly fair to me either.

Lisa P :That description fits some offsite areas but definitely not all. We prefer a prettier, quieter, less commercial area too. We are able to find what we want at many offsite, deluxe resorts. But as this is the Orlando Hotels and Attractions forum, it's fair to acknowledge that some people find the bustling activity level and close proximity of restaurants, mini-golf, clubs and other attractions in the tourist districts exciting and fun.

But one still has to drive through (back and forth on a daily basis), many of these touristy areas to get to WDW. I am aware some offsite accomodations are in very nice areas---but there is still the driving to get to and from the parks and you will pass areas as I described. When you stay on disney property, you never have to see these tourist areas in the Orlando/Kissimmee/Lake Buena Vista area if you don't want to. I know from owning an offsite timeshare, that I am bound to see them everywhere driving back and forth to WDW despite the fact, that my offsite resort, is itself, located on beautiful grounds in a fairly private gated community.

And to the second comment about how some view these areas as exciting and fun. They sure do. No disputing that. I only made the comparison because the flip side of the coin is that many find the disney experience (sappy songs and all), exciting and fun---kind of a way to escape the outside world. This is the only reason I mentioned the billboards and tourists traps outside the WDW gates....as a direct comparison to what some were saying about the disney busses and the sappy "magic" and all that. There are pros and cons to both & I have stated this in a prior post. So if it's ok for you to make a comment like this :

Yes, they're mostly canned touristy schpiels now... in sugary, cheery and chipper Disney voices. After you've heard these things a few times... on every boat ride, monorail ride, shuttle bus... to the parks, between the parks, back to the resorts.... whew!

Then I just figured I'd make the comment about the billboards/clubs/tourists districts etc. Lisa, you obviously don't care for the disney "canned touristy schpiels....sugary...chipper disney voices" as you pointed out. And that's fine---I can respect that. We can all speak how we feel. We all have varying opinions. I just feel it's funny that Brian feels the need to zero my post out because I was leaning towards the onsite experience, but he was fine with you making an obvious discrediting & poking-fun sort of comment toward staying on disney property (as quoted above). Even if you did make it in jest and fun as did Brian.
So I'm not seeing that I'm taking this all personally as exactly fair ? I think I was one of the few that was sort of standing up for the onsite experience. And I think one sometimes has to be kind of brave to do that ; ) It can be tough to find opinons like mine on the Orlando boards. The OP was asking if she would miss the disney experience which she clearly stated she loved. So I figured I was the advocate for the onsite stay. What's the point of a debate or discussion without two varying viewpoints ? ; )

I guess because your viewpoint is aligned more closely with Brian's it's ok for you to playfully put down the overly cheery ways of disney, but not ok for me to defend the onsite experience ? Because he didn't comment about your post---only mine. I don't know...guess I'm a bit confused. But having owned and vacationed offsite for 14 years now & onsite for about 10 years, I feel very justified in making the statements I have. No hard feelings to anyone.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks! Continue the discussion, by all means, I value all input

You're very welcome Hilarie ! I know you got a plateful here ! You can see what a entertaining and rousing discussion this has been for us all

 

[twooley2]

ok first saying that I have never stayed offsite and two other times we stayed onsite at Port Orleans. We have booked offsite 3 bedroom condo for 8 nights at 750.00 taxes included. 2 miles from the Gate. Now we arent ones to cook on vacation unless its popcorn in the microwave at night. We are people who close and open the parks but have never made it to extra magic hours as we avoid those parks on those days to get the most out of your time. WE get exhausted because we go nonstop. If we reserve a breakfast in the morning they let you in the gate of that park early.. hmmm no need for early times there. anyone can use the monorail or bus onsite or offsite to go from park to park or resort to resort for meals. So we do not miss the bus or monorail aspect. The only way it would equal which in our case it would is that we have to pay our meals oop which may or may not cost the same as the meal plan and we most likely wont leave for cheaper food offsite. Exception maybe a couple of breakfast days. WEe dont eat cheap and the meals run 35.00 for sit down for each adult and we have 4 adults. What would you budget in light of this info for meals? 2009 that is.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

You're very welcome Hilarie ! I know you got a plateful here ! You can see what a entertaining and rousing discussion this has been for us all

Oh, yes. It's certainly been interesting.