Pop versus Off-Site

[Seacarol3]

We are going to be at WDW next June. If the price increase is alot for the value resorts, we're thinking about staying off-site. Any suggestions about hotels, motels, renting a home close to WDW that are very nice? Also, has anyone had any trouble with staying off-site? Any hotels, motels, or homes that we should stay away from?

 

[Aurora63]

You will probably get more responses on the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board.

I will say, though, that I loved Gaylord Palms (just barely off site) and if you are willing to gamble, you can often get it on Priceline for a very good price. We got it for $90 a night that way. If you decide to change, this is a very nice place.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi Seacarol....
You will get alot of responses if you post on the Orlando & Attractions boards :
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=15

I personally stay both on and offsite. We own a timeshare offsite and have had no problems whatsoever being offsiters. But definitely post this question over on the other boards......you'll get alot of suggestions.......

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

We stay both on and offsite depending on what else we're doing on the trip. We'll stay onsite if it's a short trip that'll be mostly spent at WDW but otherwise we'll stay at the Comfort Suites Maingate East. It's only about 5 mins from WDW and generally gets very good reviews. The rooms all have fridges and microwaves which is a plus. They also have a free continental breakfast buffet which saves a bit of money every day. Their rooms are usually $80-90/night but this October we're only spending $72/night with the AAA discount. They also have free shuttle buses to the parks if you don't have a car but their schedule isn't the best.

Here's the website if anyone's interested: http://www.comfortsuitesfl.com/

 

[MiaSRN62]

I will add, when factoring in the monetary savings staying offsite, you really should add-in the cost of a rental car. You will not get the benefits of the wdw busses/boats etc which run very regularily. Pretty much all offsite resorts which offer free shuttles have limited drop off and pick up times. The Downtown Disney resorts might be an exception ? I've heard their busses are pretty good---though still not as frequent as the wdw property busses are. Now of course, if you rent a car even when staying onsite like us, then it's even.

 

[Tissa]

We stayed offsite for the first time last week. Loved having all the space and our own private pool. Never onsite again with the kiddos.

Lots of people like the Windsor Hills subdivison. They have pool homes, condos and townhomes.

www.windsorhillsrent.org

 

[Friendly Frog]

IMO, it really depends on what you find important to you.
How much time do you plan on being in the parks vs. at the resort?

I can only comment on Condo's vs Pop.

We look at it this way. POP is a nice, clean, cute Motel 6 that comes with perks like the buses and Magical Express. It also gives you a 24/7 Disney feel but to us is less relaxing.

A condo gives you much more room and more amenities. It allows you to step away from things and relax more, but you don't get the " Instant Disney" feel the moment you wake up. It is also nice to be able to make a home cooked meal, or just eat without the close company of strangers.

Another factor may be what time of year you are going.

If we book off season, we would choose a value, take advantage of Magical Express and not renting a car. The parks are ( normally) less crowded and we enjoy the 24/7 Disney feel.

If it is during a busier time, we would choose a condo. We would rent a car and not deal with a crowded bus. With the added stress of a busier park, we find we enjoy going back to the condo where it is more relaxed.

One last note. People will say that if you stay at a value such a POP you can go back to the room for a nap. Honestly, some hotels and condos are so close that they don't take up that much more time than it does to go back to Pop on a bus.

Have fun!

 

[5mins2disney]

Windsor Hills is actually here, the prior post had it as a .org it's actually .com...the resort is gorgeous and has the best of both being a true resort with an amazing clubhouse and pool, as well as condos, townhomes with pools, and pool homes / villas, all for rent by owner or through mgmt companies in the area.

Do check it out, as close as many onsite places you can stay, and much nicer for a fraction of the cost!

www.windsorhillsrent.com

There are also many other nice offsite resorts with pool homes in the Formosa Gardens "area" which is VERY close to WDW...check the map here to give you an idea of where they're located, then another place you can look for rentals by owner would be VRBO.

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/villa/map.htm
www.vrbo.com


- George

 

[MiaSRN62]

People will say that if you stay at a value such a POP you can go back to the room for a nap. Honestly, some hotels and condos are so close that they don't take up that much more time than it does to go back to Pop on a bus.

Ahhh....but the nice thing about being ON disney property, is that the whole family/group doesn't have to leave just because one or two want to nap. When my kids were little and needed a nap, usually just the younger two ones needed it, while my son still wanted to play in the parks. It's so nice that one parent can go back via the busses to the room and nap with the little ones, while dad or whoever can stay in the parks. One year, my youngest got sick and I was able to go back to POR while my dh, mil and other two children stayed in MGM.

Even now, with teens, the disney busses gives them the freedom to come and go or do their own thing if they want, utilizing the disney busses to get back and forth to the room. The disney busses can definitely be an asset in situations like these. And I'm not totally pro onsite.....we own an offsite timeshare as well. So we're 50/50 on and offsite. But I do notice more flexibility among the family members vacationing when staying onsite.

 

[MiknMinMouse]

Don't forget the extra magic hours. When we went last Oct, my family & I stayed onsite (as always) bro & sis in law stayed off. My nephew was not a happy camper when they had to leave at closing time and his cousins were able to stay.

Oh and you can only get the dining plan if you stay onsite. Makes me wonder why anyone stays off

 

[Friendly Frog]

Ahhh....but the nice thing about being ON disney property, is that the whole family/group doesn't have to leave just because one or two want to nap. When my kids were little and needed a nap, usually just the younger two ones needed it, while my son still wanted to play in the parks. It's so nice that one parent can go back via the busses to the room and nap with the little ones, while dad or whoever can stay in the parks. One year, my youngest got sick and I was able to go back to POR while my dh, mil and other two children stayed in MGM.

Even now, with teens, the disney busses gives them the freedom to come and go or do their own thing if they want, utilizing the disney busses to get back and forth to the room. The disney busses can definitely be an asset in situations like these. And I'm not totally pro onsite.....we own an offsite timeshare as well. So we're 50/50 on and offsite. But I do notice more flexibility among the family members vacationing when staying onsite.

Good point! I didn't think of that.