Park hopping unrealistic for staying off-site?

[lauris87]

I normally stay on site, and go during summer. I normally do rope drop, stay at park till noon or so, go back to room for lunch/nap, then back to parks for evening fun. Next summer will be my first time staying off site. Is it unrealistic to have that same style touring plan? I'm mostly worried about MK days and the whole ticket and transportation thing. I'm so used to Disney transportation, and worried that driving will be a big hassle twice a day. I'll also be with a group of 9.

 

[bumbershoot]

It's the group of 9 thing that throws me, honestly. Offsite, I'd rather choose morning or night and either arrive or leave early, but it could be done if it's just a few people I suppose. But 9? It's like herding cats. How many cars will you have? How many drivers? How is the communication? Any passive aggressiveness where someone might say "well, I didn't WANT to go, but since you're going, I'll go back too...." with big sighs etc? That will mess things up, too (ask me how I know, LOL).

 

[SplashMo]

You can hop DHS to Epcot and back without returning to the hotel....
I have only returned to the hotel once and that was to change into dry clothes...

 

[LSUfan4444]

Is it unrealistic to have that same style touring plan?

No, not unrealistic at all. The TTC transfer adds 15-20 minutes...no big deal. With summer hours you will want the mid day break and have longer hours in the day to get things done. You'll be fine.

 

[caliope]

We normally stay on site too, but in November 2013 stayed off site with a group of 9 (3 were children) and we park hopped. It was easy and worked well for our group. We got up early, took midday breaks, and headed to a different park in the late afternoons/evenings. Our group was willing to split up when interests diverged, which helped tremendously, as did having 3 cars.

 

[Klayfish]

I've been to WDW at least 10 times since 2003, and have never once stayed on property. We have always stayed in a condo/townhouse/timeshare off property and had a car. Frankly, I can't imagine trying to hop while staying on property. I would never want to be at the mercy of Disney buses and use their routes. Having your car and the ability to go where you want, when you want, is fantastic. As LSUfan4444 said, it's only MK that will add a little extra time because you have to go to the TTC to get back to your car. But you're talking 10-15 minutes. The other parks it's super easy to get back to your car and hop to another park. We do it pretty much ever single day of our trip. Do a park in the morning, then either hop to another park for the afternoon, or go back to our townhouse for a chill session before going back to a park. Think about where you can go on your schedule...AK to DS, MK to BB, Epcot to AK, whatever. Oh, and we can also go to so many places off property...it's a ton of fun to go to Menchies for dessert or a gift shop on Rt 192 after a long day in the parks.

Do NOT be worried by it. I wouldn't be surprised if you like it so much that it changes your view of staying off property. I don't have anything against people who chose to stay on property, but I just couldn't see myself doing it just for this reason alone.

 

[CAS239]

We stay offsite every trip and park hop every day

 

[Em's GiGi]

Just out of curiosity, do you have to pay a new parking fee for each park you visit in a single day or does a daily fee cover all parks?

 

[Robo]

Just out of curiosity,
1. do you have to pay a new parking fee for each park you visit in a single day or
2. does a daily fee cover all parks?

1. No.
2. Yes.

 

[lauris87]

Just out of curiosity, do you have to pay a new parking fee for each park you visit in a single day or does a daily fee cover all parks?

No, it's $20 per day, and that lasts all day even if you come and go to different parks. At least that's how I understood it when I called last, so hopefully that is correct

 

[erinch]

We stay at the Vistana and park hop. MK to Epcot is a fun without returning.

If you want a rest, easy to go back. Freshen up. And venture out for a few more hours.

9? Do you have group time and alone time?

 

[lauris87]

It's the group of 9 thing that throws me, honestly. Offsite, I'd rather choose morning or night and either arrive or leave early, but it could be done if it's just a few people I suppose. But 9? It's like herding cats. How many cars will you have? How many drivers? How is the communication? Any passive aggressiveness where someone might say "well, I didn't WANT to go, but since you're going, I'll go back too...." with big sighs etc? That will mess things up, too (ask me how I know, LOL).

We will have 2 cars, one a mini van. I'm pretty sure the group will be fine with whatever plan I come up with. They know I do all the Disney research and have spent hours researching parks, fast passes, do's/dont's, etc etc. I think we will be okay based on the other responses of people's experiences with this.

 

[lauris87]

[QUOTE="erinch, post:

9? Do you have group time and alone time?[/QUOTE]

Yes, we were planning on group time and alone time. Not sure how much of each! That will be my next stressful part....and it's hard to decide on things with Disney announcing times for stuff later than usual and lots of switches. This trip is so special to me, and I just want everything to be great!

 

[Robo]

-a group of 9...

I'm pretty sure the group will be fine with whatever plan I come up with.

Uh-oh.

 

[lauris87]

Uh-oh.

Oh no, did that sound bad! Most members in my group haven't gone in years and years.....and we are even having a Disney planning night so I can get input on restaurants, rides, etc

 

[richmo]

As long as you have your own transportation, park hopping shouldn't be much of an issue. We've often done it and sometimes you can outrun the buses.

However, with 9, keep in mind you're always constrained by the slowest person...

 

[Robo]

As long as you have your own transportation, park hopping shouldn't be much of an issue. We've often done it and sometimes you can outrun the buses.

However, with 9, keep in mind you're always constrained by the slowest person...

AND...
By the person who is the most difficult to please.

 

[Robo]

Oh no, did that sound bad! Most members in my group haven't gone in years and years.....and we are even having a Disney planning night so I can get input on restaurants, rides, etc

Be prepared to hear this phrase...
"Oh, don't worry about what I want. Whatever YOU decide will be fine."

And, then be ready for what REALLY happens when you are THERE, and trying to get everyone to a reservation of any kind.

As I said, Uh-oh.

 

[Robo]

I remember the days before cell phones and someone (or some small group) would just "wander off" 20 minutes before everybody was supposed to be arriving at a reservation... a reservation made months in advance.

And the many times when the group was scheduled for some spectacular (and expensive)
sit-down at a hard-to-get restaurant and hear the phrase, "Oh, we just had some snacks from our bag, couldn't eat right NOW. You go on without us and we may join you there in an hour or so. We'll just relax on a bench and maybe shop for souvenirs."

Now, with the huge burden of scheduling everybody's FP+ in advance, trying to herd everyone to the attractions is an added headache.

The more you PLAN, the more "spontaneous" some in the group will want to be.

 

[GillianP1301]

Park hopping is definitely still a good option when staying offsite. With driving to the parks from offsite (assuming you're 5 - 10 minutes offsite) will likely still be faster than waiting on a Disney bus at an onsite resort. Even with the TTC in the equation, it's not that bad... it will add 15 minutes or so to your commute and personally I love that ferry ride to MK, it's almost an attraction in itself.

As for herding 9 people while trying to coordinate the driving back and forth, well that I can't comment on because I have never, nor would I ever, attempt it. I'm sure with some well layed out ground rules, you should hopefully minimize any stress that comes with vacationing in large groups.