Please help with my decision!!!!!!!

[IMADSNYLOVR]

OK-AGAINI am back to being not sure of where to stay. I am leary aobut staying off site when we go this time. (12-26 thru 1-2) and driving into the huge lines to get in to the parking lots! I think other time of the year it is no prbolem but we are going the BUSIEST WEEK Of THE YEAR-which in of itself scares me a bit. We have gone 2 other time in early August and it has been very crowded-so the whole busiest week of the year thing is a bit intimidating. We are going this week because of school/sports commitments and it is our kids surprise Christmas present this year and we are bringing my parents for their first visit ever. SO that being said I want this trip to be extra special (christmas/parents) I don't know if at this time of year it would be best to stay onsite for convience, tranportation etc but then decrease our accomadation size-help what do you think. We are considering DVC membership if we decide to stay on site so we would stay at SSR in a 2 bedroom suite-full kitchen, washer dryer, one bedroom with 2 queens for the kids-master for my parents (aren't we nice) and queen pull out for us.

Sarah

 

[StrwLady]

Although I have never gone this time of year I would think any time you can shave off of traveling to the park would give you added time to get stuff done in the park. I would imagine staying on site and using Disney transportation would be a little less travel time then it would be off site. Have you thought about the Downtown Disney hotels. I know you can save some money staying there and still have the convience of Disney transportation.

Take Care
Jamie

 

[IMADSNYLOVR]

bump-i can't believe no one has input on this! LOL!

 

[Shells9]

First off that would not be my choice travel time either, but I understand where you are coming from about school commitments and stuff.

I would definately stay on-site. First reason is you want it to be a special trip, and on-site just helps add to that. Second, the OP has a point about using Disney transportation to save time. Traffic outside the parks will be unbelievable at that time of year in Orlando. Add an accident or something unpredictable to that and you could be spending an awful lot of special family time in the car.

I don't know much about DVC, but if that is an option for you, I'd check it out. You might have ample room for that time period if you got adjoining rooms at a moderate.

Either way, just enjoy it, but be prepared to enjoy it with a lot of other people!

 

[momxx5]

You may want to consider staying at a Ft.W cabin or any DVC villa. Friends travelled to WDW last Christmas as part of the children's surprise present - they stayed off site. They flew Christmas day and went to MK 12/26 only to find that the park was closed due to the huge crowds. I think that is a BIG reason to stay on-site - guaranteed entry to the parks. Her children were devastated when they had to head back to the hotel instead of spending the day at the Magic Kingdom.

Good luck!

 

[keddy]

I

 

[fam4jc]

Hi. Maybe I didn't read closely enough, but did you say how many children you have coming? 4 adults with 2 children would do nicely at the Ft wilderness cabins or one of the other home away from home resorts. Or you could do two rooms at a moderate or value resort. The Swan, Dolphin, Poly, and I think GF all can sleep up to five people. In either case I would think staying on site is a must that time of year. The other thing I would suggest is booking soon. Also, check out the dates for the Christmas party at MK. That would be real special for your parents! Try the DVC rent/trade boards. You might catch someone who still has points or can't keep a reservation for your dates. That time of year it is tough to rent points unless you've planned far in advance.
Let us know what you come up with! Have fun planning

 

[Scoootch]

Originally posted by IMADSNYLOVR
OK-AGAINI am back to being not sure of where to stay. I am leary aobut staying off site when we go this time. (12-26 thru 1-2)

I think other time of the year it is no prbolem but we are going the BUSIEST WEEK Of THE YEAR-which in of itself scares me a bit.

(christmas/parents) I don't know if at this time of year it would be best to stay onsite for convience, tranportation etc but then decrease our accomadation size-help what do you think. We are considering DVC membership if we decide to stay on site so we would stay at SSR in a 2 bedroom suite-full kitchen, washer dryer, one bedroom with 2 queens for the kids-master for my parents (aren't we nice) and queen pull out for us.

Sarah

Hi Sarah
I assume you are talking about 12/26/04 ? thru 1/2
You are correct that it is the busiest time of year. If you are not already a DVC member you may have great difficulty trying to get a ressie for that week with your points at ANY of the DVC resorts. As you may know, DVC members are able to book at their home resort 11 months out and most members do so at exactly 11 mos. for that week being that it's such a popular one.
I agree you should definetly stay on sight and for all the same reasons the previous posters have mentioned - especially about being guaranteed entry to the parks if they reach capacity but you may want to consider back ups like getting 2 rooms at a regular WDW resort as it will be extremely difficult to get that week at the DVC resorts. Sorry to sound discouraging but thought you should be aware

Your post says you are considering DVC membership but your countdown clock says you already are. If you already have become a member

WELCOME HOME!

If not, hope to be welcoming you home soon

Best of luck! Let us know how you make out!!

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

We are going at the exact time. Sounds like you have it planned out well. Only suggestion is that if you are going to plan on staying in a two bedroom villa at SSR I would get on it pretty quickly. The resorts sell out pretty quickly at this time and other DVC members may starting booking this( you are at the 7 month window). Beware that you have to use more points for a visit at this time too.

I would only stay on property! Sometimes the parks get so full they close and if you are not on property you may not be able to get in.

I just finished planning my trip. We are staying at the BCV's for the first 4 days( uses less points) and then we are going to stay at the Poly( which is so expensive at this time of year!). I have never stayed there and I thought it would be fun to give it a try.

Enjoy

 

[snowglobe girl]

I agree with everyone else that staying on-site is your best bet. Not only does it add to the "magic", but you know it is safe and clean. We stayed off site one night before our package began one time and I will NEVER do that again (that's another story) and I would just about pay any amount of money just to stay on the property because its clean, safe & familiar...You don't have to drive around anywhere after you get there, so that just adds to the worthwhile. I also went for New Years in 2002-2003 and it was so crowded that I only rode three rides in six hours at MK. Definitely book now!! Glad you get to go with your parents. What a nice suprise Christmas present for your kids! Have a great time!