Onsite possibly?! Or am I mad!

[Wills Mom]

Hi guys! I'm hoping some of you can give me some advice here! I was just browsing DWTC and realised that with free dining for May 2013 it might come in cheaper to stay onsite for at least part of our as of yet unbooked trip but I have a few questions I hope you might be able to help with so here goes:
Firstly, since DWTC offers the free dining to UK guests does that also include Ireland?
Next, how does this sound to you - five nights for 8 adults and an infant in 2 studios, including Ultimate tickets and DDP at OKW or SSR (I've never been to either of these....) and flights (booked separately) and then 12 nights offsite in a superior villa (also through DWTC) costing slightly more than I got quoted for a package through my TA. Would you do a split stay like that? Is it worth it? Especially with an infant and in studios - its working out a good bit more expensive for the 1 bedroom. We've only stayed at AKL on honeymoon so don't have much experience staying onsite. We would be hiring a car anyway as we like our freedom and my TA has gotten this at a great price!
I'm hopeful I can sell onsite to my parents. They have never stayed onsite but the lack of privacy in the sleeping department seems like it might put them off entirely Any advice welcome here I'm confused by the whole thing to be honest!! TIA!

 

[Samaya]

Hi guys! I'm hoping some of you can give me some advice here!
Firstly, since DWTC offers the free dining to UK guests does that also include Ireland?TIA!

Yes, Ireland is included and you'll click on your Country in a drop-down menu on the 'Contact Details' page of your booking where you enter your name, address, phone number, email, and your payment details.

And if your Country wasn't in the list it states "If you reside outside of the United Kingdom or European Union, please visit your local travel provider for information on Walt Disney World or to make your booking".

 

[Samaya]

Hi guys! I'm hoping some of you can give me some advice here!
Next, how does this sound to you - five nights for 8 adults and an infant in 2 studios, including Ultimate tickets and DDP at OKW or SSR (I've never been to either of these....) and flights (booked separately) and then 12 nights offsite in a superior villa (also through DWTC) costing slightly more than I got quoted for a package through my TA. Would you do a split stay like that? Is it worth it? Especially with an infant and in studios - its working out a good bit more expensive for the 1 bedroom. We've only stayed at AKL on honeymoon so don't have much experience staying onsite. We would be hiring a car anyway as we like our freedom and my TA has gotten this at a great price!
I'm hopeful I can sell onsite to my parents. They have never stayed onsite but the lack of privacy in the sleeping department seems like it might put them off entirely Any advice welcome here I'm confused by the whole thing to be honest!! TIA!

Depending on their ages, 8 Adults and an infant might be a little too many in two studio's and depending on your own situation you might want to check out the pro's and con's of booking a 2-bedroom instead of the two studios.

At OKW about half of the 2-beds are classed as lock-offs and these are a combination of a 1-bed with connecting doors to a studio on the side.

The studio has its own entrance and key as does the 1-bed and so the connecting doors need not be opened at all, so two separate units.

Therefore, if a 2-bed lock-off can be requested and guaranteed it does give larger parties a better overall room layout compared to two studios and at a comparable price and is cheaper than booking a 1-bedroom and studio separately which is what you get with a 2-bed booking.

The other types are classed as dedicated 2-beds and these have a second sink and vanity in place of the small studio kitchen, there's also no exterior door from the studio so only one entrance into the 2-bed unit so it might not suit your party of 8 adults.

If this could be an option then it would be best to ring and ask if you can request and guarantee a 2-bed lock-off at either OKW or SSR.

Has anyone who booked a 2-bed at OKW or SSR on a Disney deal in the past received a lock-off or requested a lock-off and never received one?

 

[Samaya]

Also, if a 2-bed becomes an option to you and is a little more comparable to your next stay in a superior villa then also bear in mind that for each extra day that you stay at OKW rather than a superior villa then you will be entitled for 8 adults up to £320 worth of free dining.

And the room cost of the 2-bed unit at OKW is also about £320 per night.

So how does £320 per night in a 2-bed with food and with the little extras that staying on site gives (such as free transport or free parking at the parks) compare to the nightly cost of a superior villa off site and with buying food for 8-people?

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Hi

I thought studio only allowed up to four or do they allow infant as well as four people?

We did the normal two bed at Saratoga for six adults and two children and loved it.

Flat spacious. Loved free dining. Free washer and dryer and proper kitchen with fridge and freezer. Would def stay again.

When I priced up value and moderate plus same dining for next year Saratoga still cme in around same price.

Good idea about lock up one though

 

[catherine]

I agree with the PP as far as getting a 2 bedroom. I cannot imagine staying in a studio for 8 nights with 4 adults and an infant. If you have to get 2 studios instead of a 2 bedroom then I would go with the studios at OKW as they are bigger than the studios at SSR. I would also add that it isn't always cheaper staying onsite and getting the free DDP. If you look at how much you will be paying in tips and how much it costs for a meal offsite you will see that sometimes there is very little difference. So if you're not really bothered about staying onsite then you might just be better getting the villa for the whole of your stay! Good luck with your decision!

 

[Wills Mom]

Thanks guys I'll have to sit down properly and work out the prices and see if it IS worth the extra money to get the DDP for those couple of days. I'll have to take everything into consideration, I guess I just wanted my parents to experience staying onsite as they never have before but saying that I'm not sure they'd love it as much as I do, they like the freedom a villa offers and they're quite set in their ways so we'll see.... I'll be sure to let you know

 

[WiganTony]

As noted above, you may find a studio a bit of a squeeze for 4 adults and a child in each one. At OKW, it is two queen beds, and at SSR I believe it is a queen bed plus double and single sleeper sofas.

Thanks guys I'll have to sit down properly and work out the prices and see if it IS worth the extra money to get the DDP for those couple of days. I'll have to take everything into consideration, I guess I just wanted my parents to experience staying onsite as they never have before but saying that I'm not sure they'd love it as much as I do, they like the freedom a villa offers and they're quite set in their ways so we'll see.... I'll be sure to let you know

If the main reason for booking OKW/SSR is for your parents to experience an on-site stay, have you thought about booking them a room for a few days at a hotel, or rent some DVC points for a few nights for Bay Lake Tower?

 

[torsie24]

I love staying on site and have never considered otherwise. But if I had to have 3 other adults in a studio with me I think that'd twist my arm into trying an offsite stay.

I don't think the DDP is worth you guys all squeezing in.

Also - and hopefully the SSR/OKW lovers will understand where I'm coming from - I don't think those two resorts are the best for experiencing onsite if it's a one time thing.

I think you're better mate treating your parents to a night at a real unique or 'Disney' feeling resort so like Pop, AoA or AF, GF, Poly, CR?

 

[Wills Mom]

Thanks a mill for the honest replies! DH and I have stayed onsite at AKL and loved it but with there being quite a few if us we wanted to keep prices down and my parents won't stay onsite without us (as they only want to go on this trip to be part of my DS's first WDW trip) I have spent a lot of time thinking about it and think we're gonna stay offsite on this trip since theres 8 adults and an infant its a bit much, even though I did look at staying in two 1 bedrooms and even though the price was almost on par with what we're paying to stay offsite I don't think its worth it on this trip. I think the free dining turned my head :rotfl

Just as a matter of interest how do the DVC points work? My parents are RCI members and I'm fairly sure I've seen something WDW related on their documentation but just never followed it up (mainly cause I forgot til now lol!)

 

[torsie24]

2 1 bedrooms is definitely worth considering if the price is similar and you get DDP.

The OKW 1 beds look fab.

 

[Wills Mom]

2 1 bedrooms is definitely worth considering if the price is similar and you get DDP.

The OKW 1 beds look fab.

I'm in two minds! The more I think of staying in a room with my DS (who sleeps in my bed more.often than not so thats not an issue) along with another couple just kinda makes me re-think things! Hmmm....I'll see what everyone else in the group says before making any decisions! We have until mid Sept before we book anything anyways so I have another couple of weeks grace

 

[Samaya]

Just as a matter of interest how do the DVC points work? My parents are RCI members and I'm fairly sure I've seen something WDW related on their documentation but just never followed it up (mainly cause I forgot til now lol!)

Click on http://www.rci.com/RCI/prelogin/rdMain.do

Then click on Florida [381] under 'Region USA' on the left hand side of page.

Then click on Orlando Area [89] under 'Filter By' and there are DVC properties listed and a number of the pages but you will need to use your parents RCI log in details to check availability.

 

[Wills Mom]

Thank you : I'll check that out tomorrow when I am on the laptop