Onsite vs. Offsite

[kedec]

I'm just starting the planning for our September 2006 trip to Disney. Although I had always planned on staying onsite, I recently thought we should look into offsite given the ages of my kids. Ds will bs 7 and dd will be 2. It's DD that has me worried. She'll still be napping and using a stroller, so we will definately be renting a car. The idea of the bus system with a stroller and a sleepy 2yo is frightening.

We recently took a mini trip out of town and stayed at a hotel that offered a 1 bedroom suite. It was wonderful. DD could sleep while the rest of us stayed up and watched movies or played games or in my son's case, just took a bath later than 7pm. The only way we can get something like that onsite is to rent DVC points, right? (Yes, I know some deluxes offer suites, but I'm on a budget.) Given we won't use the bus system though, there really seems to be no reason to stay onsite except to get the Disney feel the whole time.

Since I've never stayed offsite, I was wondering if I could get some input on this. We saw that Nick hotel and thought that sounded fun. And I know there are lots of places you can get kidsuites at. Any input as to the advantages/disadvantages of offsite and hotel recommendations would be great.

Thanks,
Kedec

 

[bicker]

I think it may be best to think of it differently, specifically, as two completely different types of vacations. Staying on-site allows you to enjoy an utterly immersive experience, no pedestrian worries of commuting, no interacting with real life -- a better experience for the same money. Staying off-site allows you to get more space and better quality accommodations for the same money. For the same money, almost by definition, you'll get an equal value, but with different strengths to each offering, so the question you need to ask yourself is which bias do you personally have. Do you want to be immersed in the Disney, no worries experience more? or do you want more space and better quality accommodations more?

 

[Shooby doo]

Kedec we have a similar connundrum except we have always stayed off-site albeit in LBV which is on WDW's door step.Of the kids suites that we have had Comfort Inn takes it,we were not impressed with HI Sunnspree.Springhill Suites was another good choice but the 2 beds are side by side although you do have a small living area.Both Residence & the now Staybridge suites were excellent with loads of space,our DS loved the fact that he had his own room & TV. We're trying to make the choice of WDW or Vistana,we normally stay for 3 weeks so Vistana is edging it at the moment but we do like the sound of not paying to park & getting our purchases sent straight to our hotel!
I'll be keeping an eye out for the posts on here to help make the decision!
SD

 

[umaangel00]

I guess it really depends on what kind of space you want and what kind money you are looking to spend. For space, I think a condo is a great way to go. That is what we are doing. It will be the 2nd time we are going down there and both times staying in the same condo. Go to www.vrbo.com and look for condos. You can get the reasonable cheap as well. Also check out www.skyauction.com for some good deals. On www.vrbo.com, I got a condo for a week for $380.00. That was including tax. And with the condo, I got a full equipped kitchen (saving money on food) and 3 bedrooms (even though I only needed 1). The condo was 1300 sq ft. Lots of room. Just something to look at!

 

[stacy6552]

Stay with Disney. Its cheaper to rent points from a DVC member, but you can also book those rooms through Disney for cash. When our son was an infant, we had a car for that trip and never used it. Especially for a park like MK, Disney transportation is the way to go. If you drive to MK, you have to park at the TTC and then get on the boat or monorail to cross the lagoon. The resort busses drop you right off near the gates. Plus resort guests get the extra magic hours, which will leave you loads of time to do everything, after you go back to the resort for a break.

 

[isla bonita]

We once stayed in the Holiday Inn Sunspree. It had an almost 2nd room with 2 sets of bunk beds for our kids. They worked for us. We could watch TV while the children had their own TV, and space lots more space.

 

[Lisa P.]

With the ages of your children, and their bedtime, I doubt you'd get any use from the later evening hours onsite. You're planning to go during quiet September so you'll have plenty of opportunity to do all the rides you want w/o early entry. I agree with bus/stroller/sleepy 2yo issue - a rental car is better. And budget eliminates a deluxe hotel onsite so 2 connecting rooms at a value hotel is probably out too (that would be my other suggestion if your heart was set on onsite). Also, if Disney is offering any kind of special deal, package or discount, it's usually offered in September. So that may sway your choice as your dates get nearer.

You haven't said how long your trip will be. If it's only a few days, onsite is probably fine. But if you're staying closer to a week+, the sleep issue matters more. I'd choose a nice condo resort offsite but nearby. Can't beat a lovely 2BR with king MBR suite & jacuzzi, 2nd BR/bath and a spacious kitchen/LR/DR w/ a washer-dryer handy. Check SkyAuction when your dates are a little closer. The deals will be there. With the money you'd save, you could take the kids to a couple of character meals and still have some left over.

 

[kedec]

Our plan is to stay a week. We plan to do Disney only, although now my Dh says he wants to take a day and drive out to Cape Canaveral. That will probably make for a nice break though.

Having the space of a condo would be nice. I'd love to be able to do laundry and not have to pack as much. Our only real option for staying onsite is renting DVC points and I can get more for my money offsite.

Thanks for all your great advice.

 

[spiceycat]

OKW 1-bedroom for Sept Sun-thurs will be $160 per night. (fri/sat are alot more)

VWL 1-bedroom for Sept Sun-thurs will be $220 per night. (also BWV preferred and BCV are the same price)

I would recommend VWL because it has a boat to the MK. With children in your age group I don't think you will be spending much time at the other parks.

now are you driving or taking a plane?

if driving. I would go with skyauction. However their best deals are like 14 to 10 days before you leave. Some people get very upset waiting this long. Have a back-up plan. Not DVC points because you would need to cancel 30 to 90 days before with DVC (depending upon who you are renting from).

after 30 days DVC points go into holding and they are much harder to use.

you should be able to get a skyauction for $250 (less or a little more) for the ENTIRE WEEK.