Please help first-time-off-site visitor!

[tamaraten]

This will be my family's second time to WDW. The first time, last December, we stayed at the Contemporary which was wonderful for its location. My husband and I have four children, ages 12, 10, 8 and 6, and it was tight in our one room. However, in our case, we really used the hotel just for sleeping. We were out all day long, and never returned mid-day to the hotel. We'd arrive very late, and just crash.

We're hoping to go again this December and am seriously considering an off-site location. For the prices I've seen and the space (despite that we're not in the room much), I think it's a good idea. I also don't mind getting away from the parks for at least 8-9 hours (of sleeping time!).

I have researched like crazy and my head is swimming with possibilities. I think I've narrowed it down to a few and was hoping for some advice.

Which would you recommend between the Floridays, WorldQuest and Sheraton Vistana Resort?

Is there any other that might be even better? (I'm looking in the $100-$150 per night range)

I've read almost all the reviews on TripAdvisor for the Orlando hotels, and I don't know how I narrowed it down - I'm sure my short-list could probably be improved.

I'm wary of what things look like over the internet and what the reality is. I'd like to have something close to the parks (we'll have our own car), that can comfortably sleep 6, with a kitchen, and CLEAN!! We are not so interested in the hotel activities as we'll be out at the parks all day (we live abroad, so the experience is really for the WDW parks as opposed to the hotel).

I appreciate the help and thank you in advance!

 

[Pineapple Whip]

You might not get too many responses in this board so I'll chime in with my limited info.

I've had "hardcore onsite disney" family stay at Floridays and they loved it. It is in a very nice quiet location and you shouldn't be disappointed. The Sheraton vistana villas are nearby. I love the access from this "hidden" area to many points of interest.

The Vistana resort is on 535, nearby and still a nice location.

A lot of the offsite people like Buena Vista Suites, and everyone has their favorites so I hope you do get more opinions. You're sure to enjoy your offsite stay.

 

[tamaraten]

Thanks for answering. Should I have posted on a different forum? I'm a bit new to this and would definitely appreciate replies!

Also just found out about Worldquest which sounds really nice.

Any ideas?

thanks.

 

[kathy884]

The only property we've stayed at in your list is the Sheraton Vistana. We like this resort and can recommend it. They have recently remodeled most of the units, and they are really nice. The landscaping and ammenties are great too. We've stayed here on four different trips. Sometimes if we are staying for full week we rent from timeshare owners we find on TUG2.net and Redweek.com

21 trips since 1971 Camping offsite 71, 72, 74 (twice) , 75, 77 / Camping Fort Wilderness 75, 76 / Onsite Hotels: Contemporary 93, 99 Port Orleans Riverside 07 / / Rental House Gated Community (Name escapes me – house available through my husband’s company) 95 / Offsite Condos: Marriott Royal Palms 86, Polynesian Isles 94, Cypress Pointe 01, 04, Sheraton Vistana Resort 03, 04, 07, 08, Cypress Point Grand Villas 07 / Offsite Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Sea World 09, 10 / Note: Will be staying at Orange Lake March of 2011 (Another offsite condo stay) // Note: For the 07 stay we were at three different places

 

[greenclan67]

We like Cypress Pointe for it's location, and price! We rent from a timeshare person that we found on resortnetwork.com We paid $765 for a 3 bdrm,forr 11 nights last year, and really enjoyed it! There is mixed reviews on tripadvisor, but we had 3 units booked for other family members, and none of us had problems like others have said at all!

 

[tamaraten]

I've just learned about Bonnet Creek, so now I think I've narrowed it down to Bonnet Creek, Floridays or Worldquest. Given these choices, which would you go for?

Any ideas appreciated!!

thanks.

 

[Pineapple Whip]

Thanks for answering. Should I have posted on a different forum? I'm a bit new to this and would definitely appreciate replies!

Also just found out about Worldquest which sounds really nice.

Any ideas?

thanks.

No, this is the right place. It's just that offsite Orlando tends to be less popular among the Disney fanboys/girls, and a bit less traveled. If you posted this in their strategy board, it would get moved here quicker than they close threads which should be closed fast. Mainly because you would be flamed for staying offsite. This is also the less busy season so the boards seem to have gotten a little quieter.

There's also a sub-forum in this section for lodging reviews. In your price range, you should be able to easily find great quality. There are plenty of lovely lodging options for offsite, they just require a tad more research than relying on "Disney quality" as your end all be all guide to the universe.

I also recommend looking at timeshare websites like RCI and checking owner reviews of the properties. Sometimes you can snag a bargain on a 2BR 2BA apartment with full kitchen, LR, W&D, since they rent out weekly as well to non-owners. If they're trying to fill up open apartments, they slash prices.

I can only vouch for Floridays (based on the picky WDW resort only in-laws that loved it), and the timeshare I used to stay at, Polynesian Isles. I can say that after spending 2 weeks at a time at Polynesian, I never really cared to stay onsite... and the krispy kreme down the road is a big plus.

Westgate is another popular name I've seen around here.

I recently saw a 2BR WDW DVC "apartment" and would rather stay offsite with more sq. footage.

Don't be afraid to call the resorts and ask about square footage, # of beds, extra (rollaway, sofa) bed availability, etc... 6 people isn't fun in a small room.

Good luck, and hope you have a great trip!

 

[cds62]

We own at DVC and Hilton Grand Vacations Club and I personally prefer staying off site. If you can get Bonnett Creek, stay there. It is as close to Disney property as you can get (next to Caribbean Beach Resort/behind Epcot). If you decide to stay off site make sure you rent a car as it will be cheaper than a taxi. If you can't get Bonnett Creek than Vistana would be a good choice. You may want to look at HGVC, either the property on International Dr. of the new Parc Soleil. Both allow easy access to Disney, Universal or Sea World. Stayed at Parc Soleil in January and it was very nice. Good Luck.

 

[LuvMyEAR]

Windsor Hills!

Once you have stayed in a condo, townhouse or vacation home in a resort like this, you will never want to cram yourselves into a room again. One month from today, we are renting a 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom house with private pool and jacuzzi, and every amenity you can imagine for $150/night, taxes AND pool heat included!

We can pack light and do laundry at will, enjoy wine in the jacuzzi while children are sleeping, all sit down for dinner away from the crowds when we want to slow the pace a bit. We enjoy breakfast on our lanai while the kids grab an early swim... I could go on. Yes, it was an internet deal, second time from same owner, 4th time altogether. We use vrbo.com every time and have never had a bad experience!

Here's our owner's website - just to give you an idea. http://www.vrbo.com/82895

Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[saphyre]

On our last few trips to the Orlando Area we rented a 4 bedroom home with pool for only $125 a night. DO a search for Vacation Home Rentals or look on one of the large travel sites. This is perfect for a large family!

 

[pmanko]

Bonnet Creek! It's inside WDW (near Epcot); has transportation and free parking.
go to We loooove Bonnet creek thread - you'll find lots of helpful info there!

Made a believer out of me - we go in 1 months!

 

[loveysbydesign]

I 2nd Windsor Hills and Bonnet Creek and would also like to add Indian Creek to the list!
Check out this amazing map to see the location of all these places and more!
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...8.272032,-81.608849&spn=0.068335,0.11055&z=13

 

[1tufgt]

This is good information to know. We are planning on going down there next Oct. and it will be with a big group of at least 6 adults and 3 kids so this is something we were looking into since it's much cheaper than trying to rent mutliple hotel rooms or a villa on Disney property.

 

[GingerJay]

We stayed at the CR for our first ever time at Disney but stayed offsite for our 2nd visit and one was just as good of a visit as the other I really enjoyed the extra space and it sounds like with your family, you could really use it too

 

[tamaraten]

We stayed at the CR for our first ever time at Disney but stayed offsite for our 2nd visit and one was just as good of a visit as the other I really enjoyed the extra space and it sounds like with your family, you could really use it too

I see you stayed at Windsor Hills, how was that?

 

[kathie859]

Stayed a week at Bonnet Creek in a 3 bedroom unit.....LOVED IT!

Stayed at Windsor Hills twice...one week in a 3 bedroom condo--was on main level and the people above were a bit heavy-footed BUT the unit itself was marvelous AND in November, 2009, stayed 10 nights in a 5 bedroom house with pool for <$1500 which included pool heat, cleaning, etc. and the house was fantastic and gave us plenty of room to spread out.

Those are the only 2 that anyone has mentioned that I have firsthand knowledge.

Happy Planning. Oh, and one more thought...depending on the number of park days you are planning, be sure to price out buying 1 annual pass (free parking!!!!) and if you plan on eating inside WDW, buying the Tables in Wonderland card which gives you 20% off food and beverages.

 

[Disconsin Gal]

My only suggestion is when you are looking at Bonnet Creek, be sure you know which Bonnet Creek hotel. Bonnet Creek is a kind of cut-out within Disney Property that includes the Waldorf Astoria, Hilton and Wyndham Bonnet Creek properties. We are staying at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek in January, so I have spent a lot of time reading up on the We Loooove Bonnet Creek thread started by VetteChick. It gets very in depth, but it only encompasses the Wyndham property. The other two properties were reviewed on the most recent podcast though, so if you're not a listener, you might want to at least check out the 9/29 roundtable show. Good luck!

 

[tamaraten]

For the people who recommend Bonnet Creek, why is that, aside from its great location - we do have a car which makes things a little easier I think - don't have to rely on hotel transportation.

I'm still going crazy trying to decide between the Vistana, Floridays, WorldQuest and Bonnet Creek. They all sound pretty good!

Any advice?

 

[tamaraten]

My only suggestion is when you are looking at Bonnet Creek, be sure you know which Bonnet Creek hotel. Bonnet Creek is a kind of cut-out within Disney Property that includes the Waldorf Astoria, Hilton and Wyndham Bonnet Creek properties. We are staying at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek in January, so I have spent a lot of time reading up on the We Loooove Bonnet Creek thread started by VetteChick. It gets very in depth, but it only encompasses the Wyndham property. The other two properties were reviewed on the most recent podcast though, so if you're not a listener, you might want to at least check out the 9/29 roundtable show. Good luck!

Thank you for that, I did notice there were a few of the Bonnet Creeks and I am trying to focus on the Wyndham. How did you choose that one with all the other choices out there?

 

[tamaraten]

Stayed a week at Bonnet Creek in a 3 bedroom unit.....LOVED IT!

Stayed at Windsor Hills twice...one week in a 3 bedroom condo--was on main level and the people above were a bit heavy-footed BUT the unit itself was marvelous AND in November, 2009, stayed 10 nights in a 5 bedroom house with pool for <$1500 which included pool heat, cleaning, etc. and the house was fantastic and gave us plenty of room to spread out.

Those are the only 2 that anyone has mentioned that I have firsthand knowledge.

Happy Planning. Oh, and one more thought...depending on the number of park days you are planning, be sure to price out buying 1 annual pass (free parking!!!!) and if you plan on eating inside WDW, buying the Tables in Wonderland card which gives you 20% off food and beverages.

That's great to hear about Bonnet Creek. What did you love about it? And if you had to choose between BC and Windsor Hills, which would it be?