Onsite worth it in October ???

[champdds]

I would love to stay onsite, but the cost differential is my concern. I love the benefit of using the express line, but is this really an issue for our OCTOBER 5-9th trip ? I have been to WDW onsite twice during this time frame, and really found the crowds minimal...

Plus I have a family of 5 (two teenage girls and one 10YO son), and wonder if we would be crowded in a HRH room (My preference of the three hotels), without getting a very expensive larger room ? (Offsite suite hotels are what we would be considering)

Any thoughts/considerations would be appreciated...

David

 

[Motherfletcher]

On site hotel rooms in October are a wonderful convenience but are not really necessary if you plan and are prepared to hit the parks when they open. I have come to the conclusion that I will save the room money and spend it on the HHN RIP Tour for FOTL access.

 

[Akdar]

Every October when we go, the parks are pretty dead in the morning and especially earlier in the week. It gets crazy on the weekends, but during the week, not staying on site is doable if $$$ is an issue. We stay for 10 days, 7 off-site at a Timeshare and 3 at the HRH or the RPR. I like having the FOTL on the weekend when it gets crowded.

Motherfletcher's advice is good, about the RIP tour if you're going to HHN, we're going to do the RIP tour this year for sure

 

[champdds]

Thanks..(But I need to look up what RIP is)

David

 

[Motherfletcher]

It's a VIP Tour with RIP being a play on words. It's the only true front of the line. They take you to the entrance of the horror houses and break the regular line and let you in. They have reserved seating for the shows as well.

 

[kirbsam]

for our family, the convenience of staying onsite, is worth it. no traffic, no parking fees. no getting up early. just a leisurely 5-10 minute stroll to the park. hit the attractions with fotl. a leisurely walk back to the room. relax, swim, hang out. a nice ride back to the parks or citywalk. the time savings and lack of stress makes up for the extra cost for us.

 

[champdds]

KIRBSAM,

You are right, I think the convenience of those options will be the deciding factor, FOTL may not be that necessary, but a plus...

Thanks,
David

 

[coastergirls]

Two years ago we stayed onsite in a club deluxe room in Portofino over Columbus weekend in October. Have to say we found the pass to be great as the parks were relatively busy especially later in the day.
Last year we stayed in a standard club in HRH . There are 5 of us and I found that although we were not that tight for space with rollaway bed we much prefered the PBh as the bathroom was far superior. I imagine you would get a deluxe queen to accomodate the 5 of you so there would not be a problem space wise. Last year we went slightly earlier in October and have to say the parks were empty and we did not need the FOL. Infact on a couple of rides we were actually slower using the FOl than if we walked on.
As for saving the parking well that is added onto your bill if you take a car to the hotel. Remember tha parks are not open late at that time of year they close at 5 or 6pm. As the parks were so quiet last year we did what we wanted then went back to the pool without going back to the park.

 

[Laurabearz]

No. You wont need FOTL during the week at either US/IOA. That's the week before Columbus day. We travel Columbus day week, which is buiser, and found the differnece between FOTL and standby we often 10 minutes or less. With a few exceptions.

The key is to arrive before the park opens and hit the biggies early.