Onsite or Off ??

[Nascia]

I need some deciding where to stay for our December trip. We (myself, my DH, DS 8, 4, & 3 months and my mom) will be going Dec 10 - 17. As of right now we have a room booked at the Poly for 315/ night. One of the major reasons why we wanted to stay onsite was the EMH, especially since the parks close earlier in December. However, I noticed that during our stay there is a MVMCP almost every night. So probably no or very limited EMHs.

I have checked rates at the Nick Hotel, and can get a 2 bedroom suite for 180/ night. Budget is not our main concern. But I don't want to spend more if I don't have to. I'm just really torn as to what to do. I don't want to miss out on the "magic" by staying offsite, however, I don't want to be thinking about all that extra we could be using for something else. Any opinions/ advice would be greatly appreciated.

BTW, we have been before to Disney before and have stayed offsite, mostly due to our budget. Actually liked the convenience of driving to the parks, allowed us to be very flexible with the schedule.

Thanks again,

Kelly

 

[isla bonita]

Ever try a pool home. They are very close to the parks. All of the different communities have something for every family. Some offer club houses, some are gated communities. There are many to choose from and can offer a different experience for your vacation. Check these sites out.
http://www.emeraldislandvillarentals.com/
http://www.fabvillas.com/villa-rental/menu/1/?session=1642522395
http://www.smartorlandovillas.com/villas.php
These have many options that might fit your family and there needs. Some homes have game rooms. This is a great way to fill in your time getting ready or having a down day. You will not hear mom I'm board. They usually have pools in the back yard and they are always open for your confort and pleasure.

 

[Lisa P.]

Staying onsite will be very nice if you expect to split up at times and if you will only have one car for all of you - especially with an infant. However, the thought of staying in a single hotel room with 3 adults, 2 young children and an infant for a week would bother me a lot. We found it so hard to get our little ones to take their naps and to sleep at night with all the stimulation at WDW. And we had to sit on a balcony or in the dark in silence. Ugh!

I'd rather stay offsite in a spacious 2BR or 3BR timeshare condo or vacation home. Weekly stays are readily available for rent by owners at a greatly discounted rate - especially for your dates, which are still considered rather offseason. Look on TUG's Classifieds for some listings. I'd look to pay under $800 for the whole week, total! Make sure you get a place with a full kitchen and an inroom washer/dryer. Then you'll be able to pack lighter and prepare easy, kid-friendly food - even if it's just for breakfast, snacks or bedtime routines.

Another option to consider if you really want to stay onsite would be 2 rooms at a value hotel, like All Stars or Pop Century. Then the adults could relax in one room while the kids settle down to sleep. And you'd have the bus transport. I don't know if it's changed but it used to be that they would not guarantee connecting rooms when you would have an adult listed as staying in each room. So I don't know how practical this suggestion is.

While budget is not a big concern for you, you may like to use the money you save by staying offsite on more convenience and fun during your vacation. Enjoy an extra dinner show and/or a character meal or two. Try a boat rental. Get tix for the MVMCP. Just a thought. Also, we've sometimes spent a week in a timeshare and ended our trip with a night or two at a favorite onsite hotel for the ambiance and pool features.

 

[disneysteve]

As of right now we have a room booked at the Poly for 315/ night.

OMG! That's more than we spent for a whole week offsite last November in a 2-bed, 2-bath condo with a Jacuzzi tub in the master bath.

I'd second the suggestion to look into a pool home. You could rent a mansion for less than that - full kitchen, private pool and whirlpool, multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, maybe computer and Internet access, electronic games, etc.

 

[spiceycat]

to do the EMH - kept 2 nights I suggest Tue and Thurs - you will get all 4 parks. but not at the Polyn - go for the value resort. get 2 rooms if necessary.

then go find a cheaper timeshare for the entire week. You aren't changing resort you are going to WDW for a one night stay (twice).

I also say one room - your mom and your youngest child might be better off staying in the timeshares instead of moving for one night.

go look on
www.skyauction.com

right now they aren't many for Dec - but trust me there will be more.

if you want to rent from a person
www.vrbo.com
www.redweek.com
www.tug2.net