Park hopping unrealistic for staying off-site?

[gaj31869]

I've stayed both on and off-site, and it is definitely doable.

You should consider where you are staying, as traffic continues to become more and more congested.

If you are staying offsite, but in the Walt Disney World area, it can be really easy by car, and in fact, can be faster than trying to bus back and forth between on-site hotels and parks.

However, it can be a little more complicated if you are staying somewhere like the Universal Orlando area. It is still definitely doable, but be prepared for heavy traffic on I-4 when returning to the Parks.

 

[bumbershoot]

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.

Cool.

I do wonder a bit if some people are just responding to hopping (easy to do with a car) or if they are getting that you're leaving the property for a break and the going back to a different park. That's not plain hopping.

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.

Ayep.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

My husband and I stayed off-site in 2011. The hotel had a free shuttle to take us to WDW and USO. We actually drove 2 out of the 3 days to Universal and 1 out of the 5 days to WDW. We found out, which wasn't advertised at all, that they pick up another hotel at least for USO. We got picked up at 7:30am and didn't arrive at USO until 9:30am due to that..which is why we ate the parking fee (which was like $14 or $15 back then) and drove the rest of the time to USO and we drove to MK on arrival day due to shuttle pick-up times.

We park hopped all the time....but it was just my husband and I (though technically we were bf/gf at that time and we were also 23 yrs old for me and 22 for my husband at the time). ETA: I believe if I remember correctly we hit DHS, then Epcot, then MK on our last day park day one right after another.

To me park hopping can def. work where the issue lies, which everyone seems to have already touched on, is the amount of people and their temperament.

Depending on your car situation WDW can be one of the easiest "split off and do your own thing at times" kinda of place without sacrificing family time that you can get at dinner or watching parades together, etc. I would for sure talk with people regarding their own stamina and at least get a general idea of what they may want to do. Personally the best thing you can do is speak with everyone regarding expectations and for lack of a better term park exit strategy for those who may need to use it. At least then when someone says "I just need to go back and rest" or "I'm done for the day" they know what the plan is (like we'll be taking X person's car back to the hotel).

Hopefully all 9 of you are staying at the same hotel?? If not I could see where the park exit strategy and park hopping in general would become much more difficult with regards to time and transportation to each person's hotel.

 

[jade1]

Heck go for it IMO.

There are now 4 night parks to go back to after the heat of the day. They are all different feeling at night and worth the trip back.

 

[Klayfish]

As for herding a group of 9...yeah, good luck with that. It's all I can do to herd my wife and 3 kids. One wants to do this, the other wants to do that, the other has to go to the bathroom...

 

[daemom]

We rented a house just outside of the Magic Kingdom and was actually able to drive our car there faster then when we stayed at POR and used the Disney bus. We were able to go back to the house for an afternoon swim and relaxation and head back to the parks for evening fun--very easily. With regards to leaving for a break, it's all going to depend on where you are staying.

 

[mshanson3121]

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.

It's no different than being on site other than you are driving instead of a bus driver, chances are you may actually get there faster, and you have to park. We did afternoon breaks no problem staying off site, group of 6, two vehicles.

 

[kangamangus]

I sure hope so...... we are going with 11 ( me, hubby, our six kids, my mom dad and brother). First time staying off site at bonnet creek, we are renting two vans so some can stay and some can go. We bought park hoppers and plan to use them frequently.

 

[lauris87]

I've stayed both on and off-site, and it is definitely doable.

You should consider where you are staying, as traffic continues to become more and more congested.

If you are staying offsite, but in the Walt Disney World area, it can be really easy by car, and in fact, can be faster than trying to bus back and forth between on-site hotels and parks.

However, it can be a little more complicated if you are staying somewhere like the Universal Orlando area. It is still definitely doable, but be prepared for heavy traffic on I-4 when returning to the Parks.

We are staying at Windsor Hills

 

[teddygurl28]

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.

this....so this. people don't care until suddenly you are there and its too late to change anything

 

[Klayfish]

We are staying at Windsor Hills

Windsor Hills is fantastic! We stayed there over Christmas. You're right off Rt 192, easy access to Disney. There isn't as much on that side of Rt 192, but still have plenty of conveniences nearby. The condo place is very nice...it seemed a lot of seniors stay there, at least from our 5 day trip there. Have fun!

 

[married2mm]

Our first few trips were offsite....
Indeed; our first trip I didn't even know Disney had hotels

And we had no problems whatsoever returning back to the villa & hopping to different parks.

 

[AdamsPrincess]

I think you are good to go with transportation and it should be pretty easy. The difficult part is the 9 people, do the 9 of you all have the same fastpasses? is there a certain time you are all leaving? what if someone is in line for certain ride and can't get out when you want to leave?

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

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

Great idea!

 

[goofyernmost]

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

In 2008 we went as a group of 11. We stayed offsite, had three vehicles, and planned on attending one park per day. It just worked out better for us. I have stayed onsite only once in 43 trips over 33 years and have park hopped every time except that one.

We had several group get-togethers before we went. There are so many details to work out, so many agreements to be made over simple things like "let's remember that we share the load that is required. If we eat in our villa, it isn't going to be just one person that has to do the cooking and cleanup. Because we had multiple vehicles we didn't all have to go to the same place to eat, but, we were limited to three choices. We all agreed to do the one park per day thing and it worked fine. Again with three vehicles we weren't relegated to leave at the same time and that was good. We had a lot of fun, but, it took a lot of organizing and planning. We agreed to either stay together or split up and go our separate ways, meeting up at certain spots, but, that wasn't necessary. We used our cell to text each other if we were going to lunch someplace and ask if anyone wanted to join us, but, there was no pressure to do so or if someone was leaving they would ask if anyone wanted to go with them. Even though it was a fun time to plan and to actually do, I wouldn't want to do it again.

 

[richmo]

We are staying at Windsor Hills

Great! Windsor Hills is awesome! You'll love the pool...

A couple specific Windsor Hills tips:
- The improvements made on US 192 the past couple years have helped a lot, but it can still be busy at times, especially morning rush hour on weekdays. There's a way into Disney property by only crossing US 192, not getting on it. From Windsor Hills, you'd make a left onto Old Lake Wilson, then bear left on Morgan Williams Blvd, left on Funie Steed, then right on Entry Point Blvd. That takes you to a light at 192, where you just go straight ahead. This is Sherberth Rd, which takes you right into Disney property near Animal Kingdom Lodge. Just follow the Disney signs to where you want to go. The turns I described above sound somewhat complicated but are really easy.
- Exception to above: If you're going to Hollywood Studios, just put up with 192. Going the other way takes you to the back entrance of DHS, where there's only one entrance plaza lane, which backs up quite a bit.
- Groceries: There are two Publix's nearby (and a Winn Dixie at Formosa Gardens). The Publix on 192 may be slightly closer, but its usually quicker to go to the one in Reunion (?). As you exit Windsor Hills, make a right on Old Lake Wilson. Follow it about 3 miles. The Publix will be just beyond a traffic light on your right. Only about 5 minutes from Windsor Hills entrance...

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I always leave and return even when staying off site. Depending on where you stay it's often just as fast as getting to Disney resort. Now getting 9 people rounded up to do this... that's another whole issue.

 

[mindeola]

Don't let people stress you out about the large group. You know your people! I have planned many trips for our family of 15 - both to Disney and other relocations. It works well for our family. I love planning and research and they do not. We have some group texts / meetings about specifics and I always send a spreadsheet so everyone knows FP and ADR's. We generally do a park a day with one shared ADR per day. That leaves the evening to break up into smaller groups and hit another park. Granted, we do stay onsite so that gives more flexibility. But, I have never had anyone in the group leave the park to head back to the hotel.

 

[lauris87]

Great! Windsor Hills is awesome! You'll love the pool...

A couple specific Windsor Hills tips:
- The improvements made on US 192 the past couple years have helped a lot, but it can still be busy at times, especially morning rush hour on weekdays. There's a way into Disney property by only crossing US 192, not getting on it. From Windsor Hills, you'd make a left onto Old Lake Wilson, then bear left on Morgan Williams Blvd, left on Funie Steed, then right on Entry Point Blvd. That takes you to a light at 192, where you just go straight ahead. This is Sherberth Rd, which takes you right into Disney property near Animal Kingdom Lodge. Just follow the Disney signs to where you want to go. The turns I described above sound somewhat complicated but are really easy.
- Exception to above: If you're going to Hollywood Studios, just put up with 192. Going the other way takes you to the back entrance of DHS, where there's only one entrance plaza lane, which backs up quite a bit.
- Groceries: There are two Publix's nearby (and a Winn Dixie at Formosa Gardens). The Publix on 192 may be slightly closer, but its usually quicker to go to the one in Reunion (?). As you exit Windsor Hills, make a right on Old Lake Wilson. Follow it about 3 miles. The Publix will be just beyond a traffic light on your right. Only about 5 minutes from Windsor Hills entrance...

Thank you so much!

 

[tlmadden73]

i simply don't like to Park Hop in general because of the time "wasted" involved getting out of the park .. getting to your transportation (bus or car) and then driving to another park, but when I have done it (while staying offiste) it is actually easier with a car since you can get nice "up front" spots near the end of the day as the park clears out. Plus getting to you car is probably faster than waiting on a bus.