Pros and Cons to staying off site

[dyna]

We have done both onsite an off either way we always had our own vehicle onsite we used disney buses off site we drove.

Our biggest issue offsite is with parking at the MK an getting out of the MK at closing which is why we often do not stay at the MK till closing or go on days when the MK is open later than we plan to stay. Which ois even easier since we now live local. We do still go over an stay onsite once in awhile to enjoy all the MK has to offer.

 

[Beemitchcowski]

Where in Bonnet Creek did you stay for that price?

All the locations I checked were a few hundred a night.

Ken Price from Vacation Upgrades...I've heard good things from him..and just got a quote from him!...

also..I've heard if you check out VRBO.com there are owners renting out their timeshares as well.

 

[brettcw23]

Last time we went to Disney we stayed at Pop. DH hated it. He kept saying that we would never stay at a place like that if it wasn't Disney, so why do it there. So this year we were thinking about Contemporary, and I just CAN'T stomach the cost. So we are talking about the benefits to possibly staying off site (though I'd rather stay on site at a Value place).

Any thoughts? What are the benefits and drawbacks? I know we will have to pay for parking, can't take advantage of the extra magic hours or dining plan. Anything else I should know before making our final decision?

Thanks!!!

I don;t have any pros for staying off-site. I've done it and it doesn't compare to staying on-site. If ypi want to stay onsite at a nicer hotel, look at the DVC section of the DISboards and consider renting vactaion points from a DVC member. Way cheaper than going through Disney or AAA.

 

[Mister Skellington]

I don;t have any pros for staying off-site. I've done it and it doesn't compare to staying on-site. If ypi want to stay onsite at a nicer hotel, look at the DVC section of the DISboards and consider renting vactaion points from a DVC member. Way cheaper than going through Disney or AAA.

Where did you stay offsite? I cannot imagine how a private pool and hot tub, 4 bedroom house, and cheaper meals dont have any positives.

 

[Beemitchcowski]

Totally understand not being able to stomach the Contemporary prices! When we planned our last trip (also our first)...we knew that we wouldn't be comfortable at a value...but knew that we really couldn't comfortably afford a moderate.and NO WAY could we do a deluxe!...we also heard that if you stay at either one(value/moderate)...a rental car is highly recommended if you dont' want to wait for buses (wasn't sure how well our son would do waiting)...and with research/advice we found out that other than going to MK that driving could actually be quicker than the busses!

When we found out that we could comfortably afford a townhouse AND our son would have his own private splash pool to relax in...that it was a MUST! Sure we were nervous about our decision...sure I was wondering if we were missing out on any "magic"..and I still wonder if we did! .....

But I keep on reminding myself this: Once you enter that park....Its not like you are wearing a sign that says OFFSITE/ONSITE....It was the moments when my children met Woody from Toy Story....when we saw Rope Drop at MK....that made me feel all tingly inside!...sure it may be a "little" bit harder to go back to your room for a rest midday...but it also I think depends on how determined you are to do so.....When we left the other 3 parks (except MK) all we had to do was walk out to a parking lot to our car (we had the AAA diamond pass so we got a good spot) and drive..what 10 minutes? Maybe longer..but it didn't seem that long because in just a matter of minutes you were already under the "sign"...and going and back and forth from MK...it wasn't that bad...because of the Diamond pass..we didn't have to do the "tram"...we just walked to the TTC...rode the monorial (which is FUN) ...it was like an adventure! You have already stayed at a Value...how long did it take you to go back to your hotel? Did you bother? Was it 100% magical on the buses going back and forth? For me..it was that "wow"...I can't believe we are SO CLOSE to Disney...and that we actually was able to bring our kids there..FINALLY!

We are going again soon and we are trying out Bonnet Creek..it will give us a little bit more of a "vacation" feel and we will still be within the "gates of Disney"...just not a Disney owned resort.

Whatever you pick...you will have a great time!

 

[kathy884]

The Contemporary is great, but I only stay there when someone else is paying (DH has had four different four day seminars there, so we went along for the freebie accomodations.)

When it's my vacation dollars, I really like a good value, and an offsite condo or house in the Orlando area offer some of the best prices for high quality accomodations and ammenities that you will find anywhere. The area is so overbuilt, and there are just so many good deals on absolutely terriffic places. The more people in your party, the bigger the savings of offsite for you. I agree, though, too, that I would not stay offsite without a car or at least someone in our party having a car.

A little more about us too and what makes offsite so appealing.
For a vacation of more than three days, I start getting really tired of having to eat meals out, so I love the full kitchen a condo or house provides. It saves big dollars too. I love to have laundry facilities for longer stays too. I pack less, as it's just so easy to throw in a quick load. We often travel with extended family and having the common area LV and big deck or patio that a bunch of people can sit out on at the same time and visit is PRICELESS -- just perfect for extended family visiting. Offsite has meant that I have done an Orlando trip annually for the past six years, as an add on trip not my main vacation. Onsite in no way, shape, or form would have fit in my budget. Offsite too makes it so much easier to justify doing some of the wonderful non-Disney things in the area. SeaWorld, for example, is our favorite park, and it's easier to get there from an offsite condo/house than from Disney (almost seems silly to do a SeaWorld day when you are staying at Disney, yet we have on every onsite trip as we love that park so much). It also when you are staying offsite makes it easier to justify that beach or Kennedy Space Center day trip, that mini half day to check out Gatorland, etc. which are actually wonderful family diversions.

A house would be cheaper than a condo, but my favorite way to go is to stay in one of the timeshares in the area and rent from a timeshare owner. I usually find my rentals on TUG2.net and Redweek.com. Places that are nice that I've been able to get easily for whatever week I want and get what I think is a very good price are: Cypress Point and Cypress Point Grand Villas and the Sheraton Vistana Resort. Both have convienent Lake Buena Vista locations with the Cypress Point properties being extrememly close to downtown Disney.

 

[baler31]

We stay on and offsite depending on trip needs etc. However, the one thing I would add is I would not stay offsite during the busiest holiday seasons. Even at Bonnet Creek or DTD the traffic during those periods is a real PITA and this is the only time that I really think it is necessary to use the EMH benefits.

Other than the holiday seasons (Christmas, Easter, 4th of July) I don't have a problem with offsite, as mentioned a car is a necessity. Also, remember you can go and visit any of the resorts or book some ADR's at a resort so you can enjoy the Disney theme.

 

[tkldisney]

We just returned from a month stay in a Windsor Hills 3 bedroom condo. It was great. 5 min. to AK, about 10 min to DHS, and 15 to MK & Epcot. Great pool, playground and security. You have full kitchen, washer/dryer, + lots of other amenities. I booked through homeaway.com, and directly with the owner. We pulled in gave guard our confirmation letter and went straight to condo. There are quite a few to see pictures of and READ the REVIEWS.
They have townhouses, condos, and individual homes. vrbo.com is another site that list Windsor Hills properties. Our property #242463

 

[Brian Noble]

Even at Bonnet Creek or DTD the traffic during those periods is a real PITA

If the traffic at Bonnet Creek is a pain, it must be a pain from CBR or OKW as well---CBR is right next door, and OKW buses often drive right past the Bonnet Creek entrance.

 

[HeatherC]

We have been so many times, that we no longer feel the need to do parks from open to close. We also love to go for about ten days on average and are a family of five. For these reasons, we love offsite.

We love a resort feel and love a couple days at the pool just hanging out.

Our favorites have been Bonnet Creek for both price, location, amenities, pools, etc. Another favorite is Marriott Grande Vista Resort...beautiful villas, pools, and right on a golf course. Easy drive to Disney too.

We still do all the Disney stuff we want, including character meals, parades, special restaurants.

We would never want to wait for buses and love paying $14 to have our car to come and go when we want.

We really feel like we aren't sacrificing anything by staying offsite. In fact, we don't think we would have as much fun and come home as relaxed as we do if we were to stay onsite in a hotel room. After having these great villas, we never want to downsize.

The money we save offsite, is actually just an added bonus to us.

I think every family has to think about what is important to them. For us it is the resort and pools in combination with the parks. For others, it is hitting the parks from sun up to sun down.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We wife and I stayed offsite once and HATED it. Space is not a very big deal for us because when we're at Disney, with or without kids, we hardly spend any time in our room. Also, we didn't have a car, so we were at the mercy of our hotel's "shuttle." I highly recommend having a car if you stay offsite. If not, be sure to check the shuttle schedule of your property and if they share shuttle service with other resorts. That can be a huge headache.

Our particular property had great daily rates, but it took us an hour to an hour and a half to get to and from the parks. There are plenty of offsite resorts that are a 5 min drive to WDW. This is not an "offsite" issue; it's a lack of planning issue. Google maps would have told you this in 0.003 secs. On top of that we were dropped off in the Siberia of each park, at the farthest corner of the parking lot. At the end of each day we watched all of the onsite guests being picked up in their Disney buses every 10 to 15 minutes or so, while we waited and waited. No thanks. Car= 0 wait, my own comfy seat, AC blowing in my face & no one's smelly armpits in my face on a packed bus.

With all of the options Disney has for on-site resorts I don't see us ever staying offsite again. If the POP wasn't to your husbands liking try a moderate resort, or a family suite at one of the All Star resorts.

No, we did not plan as well as we should have, which is why I said to have a car if you're staying offsite. Ultimately, where you stay is a personal decision and there are no right or wrong answers but for my family, we don't go to Disney to save money, we save money so we can go to Disney. When I get there I want to dive into all things Disney and not come up for air until we leave for the trip home. Others disagree. All I know is we'll never stay offsite again. Whatever decision you make, I hope you're happy with it.

All of your frustration would have been solved to have a car & find a place close to WDW. To completely give up off site because of these things is your decision of course but don't put the blame on it being offsite.
This reminds me of when people stay offsite in a 2* dump for $40/nt then gripe about how they'll never stay offsite again. Not all offsite experiences have to be so crappy.

 

[Mister Skellington]

All of your frustration would have been solved to have a car & find a place close to WDW. To completely give up off site because of these things is your decision of course but don't put the blame on it being offsite.
This reminds me of when people stay offsite in a 2* dump for $40/nt then gripe about how they'll never stay offsite again. Not all offsite experiences have to be so crappy.

Our first trip to Orlando we stayed in a motel and used the "free" shuttle to get to the parks. It was still a fun trip but what a major pain!
On our second trip we stayed at a hotel and rented a car...what a difference!
On our third trip we rented a house with a private pool we also rented a car....
BINGO!
We havent looked back since.....

 

[lsulindy]

I haven't stayed onsite as an adult, and so I can't accurately compare it, but so far, we've loved staying offsite. Both times we've stayed close and both times we've had a car.

Pros:
1) cheaper, last trip us, my parents, and our 3 kids stayed in a condo for the cost of 1 Value room.
2) way more space. 1st trip we had a suite with bedroom and separate living area. Tons of room for dd's playpen, room to play, room to just move. Could put dd to bed, and stay up in living room with lights, TV, etc on
2nd trip we had a 3 bedroom condo. 1 br for us and baby, 1 br for 2 older kids, 1 br for my parents. 2 bathrooms, full kitchen. Tons of room for baby swing, and 2 families/3 kids worth of stuff.
3) Laundry, condo had a washer and dryer which was invaluable b/c baby soiled at least one set of clothes each day.
4) Never had to wait for a bus, or stand on a bus with a tired/sleeping child in my arms, or stand on a bus while someone else's child vomited on the bus and as the vomit rolled down the aisle with each stop of the bus
5) Got to ride under the Disney arches every day!
6) Had a microwave and fridge first trip for milk, snacks, etc. Had a full kitchen in condo. Never cooked a full meal, but we had breakfast in condo every day. Fridge and microwave are a requirement for me traveling with young ones. Suite included a full breakfast buffet every morning.
7) Travel time was very short. Friends staying on site said that when they factored in walks to the bus stops from room and wait times for buses, we made it into the parks quicker than they did. And that was the time we stayed in the condo, which was a bit further away than the suite. Neither trip did we ever hit any traffic.
8) Our condo was Disney themed, my kids were thrilled with it. I didn't feel that we were lacking any magic at all.

Cons:
1) No extra magic hours, but I don't think we would have used them much.
2) No option to get a dining plan, but I saved food receipts both trips and both times we spent far less than what a dining plan would have cost.
3) If I had older kids, the bus may be nice if we wanted to go to/leave the parks at different times, but right now that's not a factor.

I can't directly compare, but DH's best friend and my best friend (two different families) both stayed onsite roughly around the time of our first trip. They thought they "had" to to have a good trip. Both stayed offsite for their next trips after hearing about our good offsite experience. After their offiste stays (one in a suite, one in an offsite townhome w/ pool), both said they will never stay onsite again.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

As much as we love the space of offsite, I can't even say we'll never stay onsite again but if we're going for a full week, we need space, adult privacy, a kitchen, W/D so offsite condo/timeshare is a must.
For our last cruise we stayed 2 nts at BCV before the cruise & will stay 2 nts at BWV pre cruise in April, both times renting points which was still expensive but we knew we'd only have 1 full day for parks & ds14 was missing Epcot so being a short walk away would make the most of our 1 day.

Eventually when the kids are old enough to venture out on their own we'll consider more onsite stays so the kids can come & go separately from us but for now we're offsiters.

 

[Friendly Frog]

Hello fellow Texan.

We do both. If we have a car we prefer off site. If we will not have a car we just let Disney do the driving the whole time and stay on site.

You need to give both a try.

 

[jjjmranch]

We've stayed at Windsor Palms (smaller than Windsor Hills) and loved it. The quiet is important to me. I don't want to hear people walking down the halls, screaming teenagers in the pool area, etc. The space of the condo is incredible and the time it took to drive to WDW is about the same as if you would take the resort buses. I have found rental car deals for $100 - 130 for one week plus the parking costs still doesn't compare to the price of staying onsite.

 

[lsulindy]

Also want to add that we rented the condo through All-Star Vacation Homes and there was no mention of time-share anything.