Planning to stay offsite

[Chase47]

We have made the decision to try staying offsite on our next trip to Disney World... This will be our 5th trip and we have always stayed onsite. We are only 6 hours away so we are going to purchase annual passes since we can realistically go several times in one year and that will save us some money. Also staying off site we will be able to go more often...We will have our car so no need for Disney transportation. Looking at several hotels/suites but need some help deciding. Is there a hotel where you would never stay again and why?? What recommendations do you have?? We are a family of 3- Myself, DH and DD... We figure we would try it out for a long weekend in October and if we definitely don't like it can always go back to staying onsite for our April 2016 trip..Thanks

 

[leebee]

We have always been adequately satisfied with the hotels in which we've stayed, so I can't help you there. However, if you find something that interests you, go to tripadvisor.com and see what kind of reviews that property gets. I've never been steered wrong by Trip Advisor; the reviews there are pretty accurate and will allow you to get a feel for what a property is really like.

 

[Alesia]

Have you looked into renting a home? They're often cheaper than hotels.

 

[coastalhh]

We are around the same distance away(Hilton head, sc) and did APs this year as well. Also three of us with a dd.

In my experience the off sites can sometimes before more expensive then onsite when adding in the hotel parking fee and resort fee. And if you don't yet have the AP..then the disney parks parking fee on top of those two

We stay in disney values with our ap discount, use orbitz and use the app hotel tonight for last minute trip deals. We got in the swan at the boardwalk for 99 a night at Christmas but it's hit or miss. (They charge parking and resort fee so more like 150 a night). Right now they are advertised on the same app for over 200 so you just have to check it a lot.

We have had a ton of luck getting values at under 100 a night and disney does not charge for parking or resort fee.


We might rent a condo or house next time we go for a longer trip but with our APs we have been leaving after work on Friday. Getting in really late (around midnight) then doing parks Saturday and Sunday before heading home. House rentals do not help us for trips like that and you can find tons of last minute cheap rates for short last minute trips.

We are booked in May through orbits at all star movies for around 90 a night for 4 nights. We are checking deals for a last minute trip in March and have found decent rates but probably won't decide to go until a couple days before (for a Friday, Saturday)

 

[tink2dw]

Because you have stayed on site, there is nothing as Grand as Disney's Hotel's. You have to decide what are most important to your stay. Staying close to the parks, cost, a pool, free breakfast, what type of room/suite you need, if want a microwave and a refrigerator (for water, soda's) and for food storage. Then you be able pick out your off site hotel.

I have stayed at Desert Inn & Suites many times. They have a Parlor Suite, that is just right for Me, Dh and DD. It is 2 doors down from the cross walk to Disneyland. And it has a microwave and refrigerator. A free breakfast. And Friendly helpful Staff.

 

[MichelleVW]

I would look at renting a condo. More room and usually cheaper. Plus you have a kitchen....I know people say they don't want to cook on vacation..but it's so nice to be able to wake up and have breakfast and then go to the parks. If we stay off site we rent a condo or a house depending on how many people. They are so much better than a pool. vrbo.com has tons of rentals. I always pick one with good reviews...but I've never picked a bad one!

 

[Judique]

Because you have stayed on site, there is nothing as Grand as Disney's Hotel's. You have to decide what are most important to your stay. Staying close to the parks, cost, a pool, free breakfast, what type of room/suite you need, if want a microwave and a refrigerator (for water, soda's) and for food storage. Then you be able pick out your off site hotel.

I have stayed at Desert Inn & Suites many times. They have a Parlor Suite, that is just right for Me, Dh and DD. It is 2 doors down from the cross walk to Disneyland. And it has a microwave and refrigerator. A free breakfast. And Friendly helpful Staff.

I 'think' they are going to Disney World, but I am filing your idea away for a DL trip.

 

[HeatherC]

I would rent at Bonnet Creek via myresortnetwork. It is onsite but not Disney owned. Cannot beat the location and the resort is beautiful.

You can rent a two bedroom for about $100 a night including all fees.

If you want hotels, check out rates on lastminutetravelclub.com.

Another place to look is Mousesavers for their preferred hotels. sign up for their newsletter for special rates.

 

[Chase47]

Have you looked into renting a home? They're often cheaper than hotels.

I 'think' they are going to Disney World, but I am filing your idea away for a DL trip.

Yes I left that out.. We are going to Disney World.. Don't know how I missed that important bit of information..

 

[Chase47]

I would rent at Bonnet Creek via myresortnetwork. It is onsite but not Disney owned. Cannot beat the location and the resort is beautiful.

You can rent a two bedroom for about $100 a night including all fees.

If you want hotels, check out rates on lastminutetravelclub.com.

Another place to look is Mousesavers for their preferred hotels. sign up for their newsletter for special rates.

Thanks for those great tips..

 

[buzz2400]

we stayed here on year (before it became fairfield inn): fairfield inn, 12191 South Apopka Vineland Road Lake Buena Vista. We will be staying here again in august. We like the location. It has free hot breakfast. We end up taking some of the food for snacks at the parks. It has down the street from disney marketplace so not too far away from the parks. Another good hotel in that area is hampton inn on palm parkway. There are many places to eat around these two hotels plus a walgreens for drinks and such. Do not stay at the comfort inn on palm parkway. Will never stay there again (this was years back).

 

[Chase47]

we stayed here on year (before it became fairfield inn): fairfield inn, 12191 South Apopka Vineland Road Lake Buena Vista. We will be staying here again in august. We like the location. It has free hot breakfast. We end up taking some of the food for snacks at the parks. It has down the street from disney marketplace so not too far away from the parks. Another good hotel in that area is hampton inn on palm parkway. There are many places to eat around these two hotels plus a walgreens for drinks and such. Do not stay at the comfort inn on palm parkway. Will never stay there again (this was years back).

I am going to check it out.. Thanks so much..

 

[Chase47]

Has anyone stayed at Buena Vista Suites or Caribe Royale Orlando?? Just curious..

 

[g8torphan]

Ive stayed at both. Cant beat the location, or having 2 rooms for once the kids goes to sleep
I can get back to my room quicker than getting to Port Orleans Riverside's river view rooms; and you still dont have to drive on I-4

BVS is a better deal...same rooms, but a high quality free breakfast. Eggs, meat, fruit, cereal, etc. not just some bagels.

Caribe you have to pay for all meals.
Caribe has a better pool, but big deal.

Book through DreamsUnlimited and BVS is usually $89/night.
Also, they run one day sales through their websites on Wed &Thurs. Check it out, sometimes they offer gas cards or Disney Gift cards

Can't say enough good stuff about both of them...

 

[Chase47]

Ive stayed at both. Cant beat the location, or having 2 rooms for once the kids goes to sleep
I can get back to my room quicker than getting to Port Orleans Riverside's river view rooms; and you still dont have to drive on I-4

BVS is a better deal...same rooms, but a high quality free breakfast. Eggs, meat, fruit, cereal, etc. not just some bagels.

Caribe you have to pay for all meals.
Caribe has a better pool, but big deal.

Book through DreamsUnlimited and BVS is usually $89/night.
Also, they run one day sales through their websites on Wed &Thurs. Check it out, sometimes they offer gas cards or Disney Gift cards

Can't say enough good stuff about both of them...

That is the one I was leaning towards.. The free breakfast about had me sold.. but just wanted to hear from someone who had actually stayed there... I found a really good deal with hotels.com using my mobile app...

 

[g8torphan]

on a recent podcast Pete said he put his family at BVS when they were here.

So theres another endoresment

 

[Cynt]

Wyndham Bonnet Creek is an excellent choice. We stayed there and it was awesome. It was our first time offsite and I would stay there again in a heart beat.

Something I realized about myself during the trip was that I do not like to drive to the parks. It was no big deal but something about not driving for the week is very appealing to me. I'm sure it's because I commute to work every day 1 hour each way.

 

[mieuxmew]

Wyndham Bonnet Creek is an excellent choice. We stayed there and it was awesome. It was our first time offsite and I would stay there again in a heart beat.

Wyndham Bonnet Creek is mostly a timeshare and usually rented from a private person and paid upfront. Probably a lot of hassle for a last minute weekend trip. The Wyndham Bonnet Creek, however, has one building that functions like a hotel. I stayed at Wyndham Bonnet Creek a few years ago and we were not big fans. (maintenance issues, parking issues, cheap furnishings etc). The location is great. There are other hotels in the Bonnet Creek area, including a Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and the Waldorf Astoria, but they are usually more $$$$$. We have stayed offsite many times, including Marriott Cypress Harbour, Marriott Grande Vista and Marriott Lakeshore reserve and I highly recommend any of these properties.

 

[danygirl]

I like downtown Disney hotels. Transportation every 30 minutes (multiple buses to different parks) means no driving. You can walk to both downtown Disney and other shops and restaurants. You can see the fireworks from some of the hotels. We like the best western. Big beds and you can get 2 queens and a sofa bef

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I always love the "by the time you pay parking it's just as cheap at Disney" thoughts. I don't know where you folks stay but.... Random weekend late April
Disney Hotels
Art of Animation $157
Port Orleans $177
CSR $203
Beach Club $433

Off Property
Sheraton Lake Buena Vista $106
Fairfield Inn $107
Staybridge Suites $142
Vistana (condo) $137
Waldorf $279

Since OP has an AP the offsite parking better be steep plus some of the offsites have free breakfast) Yes, the Waldorf has a resort fee too, but considering it's $154 cheaper then the Beach Club.....