Pros/cons Staying Off Site Homes

[brooke1]

I have always stayed on site at Disney and Universal, but was thinking about saying in one of the homes close to Disney. My main question is.......is it a pain to go to and from Disney in your car finding parking space etc.

Would love some feedback good or bad.
Thanks Brooke1

 

[Sandyincanada]

Nope, not at all. The streets are very well laid out, lots of signs. You park and grab the tram going by if your too far to walk, we get there early so can walk it easily enough. We grab our car to park hop as well. MK takes abit longer as you have to take the Ferry or monorail but again no biggie. On the ride home, we often stop for supper or the grocery store if we need anything, its handy. We have also got to know Orlando this way as sometimes we just drive around and check things out, lol.

Having the space a condo provides (and the quiet) is worth it to us and honestly, driving is not a concern although I should mention that we tend to go in offseason. I have no idea what the traffic is like during peak times.

 

[Immelman]

having your own car in orlando is the best way to go. the main attractions are easy to navigate off I-4.

 

[ragdoll]

Different opinion here...The first time we went to WDW we stayed off site. The next time we stayed on site and couldn't believe how much easier and more relaxing it was. Now we always stay on site. The hotels are part of the magic. We prefer to use WDW's transportation and avoid the hassle of driving. On site works great for us.

 

[BonnieA]

Off site is the only way I go. I get more for the money offsite. I love the room of a condo/house with separate bedrooms. The quiet, peaceful surroundings are just what I need after a day of crowds at disney. There is nothing magical about being in a cramped hotel room trying to sleep with loud people/kids running up and down outside the door.
I love the drive into the world. It's new anticipation every day. It's part of the experience for me.
I also go during the slower times and have never had a problem with the drive or parking.

 

[Grog]

We grab our car to park hop as well.

Do you only have to pay to park once per day for all parks, or at each park individually? We're going to be staying offsite this time and driving and this question came to mind when I read your post.

 

[Ahrizel]

Once per day, save the parking ticket, it's good when you park hop. I'm on the side of offsite, did onsite once, was nice. But oh, the space, kitchen and laundry when using a condo/house. Wins almost every time, and the price doesn't hurt either

 

[Grog]

Once per day, save the parking ticket

Thanks

 

[brooke1]

thanks to all for helping answer my questions..........but how much is it to park each day?
thanks again
Brooke

 

[chanty]

Same question here - what's the cost?

Also - would you guys have a good website where we could order brochures/map from Orlando in advance??

Any special rates on car rentals?? I'm coming from Canada so should I book in advance or once I get there? At the airport or off-site is cheaper?!?

Any tips/advice is greatly appreciated!!!

Chanty

 

[spiceycat]

It use to be $7 per day - but I think it is now $8 per day.

I have found good deals both at the airport and off site.

although in my case - off site was definitely faster - I know you need to ride the shuttle and then get your car - so how can off site be faster?

we used budget and when budget ran out of our type car instead of letting you move up - they made us wait while they went and got some more economy cars - we waited around 2 hours.

when I used National - this was not a problem - at the last minute he tried his best to make me agreed to an upgrade (that I would pay for) and I say I wanted the great gas mileage - I found out why he was trying so hard - all they had left was the larger cars - I did not like that car.....

the best deal I got was with Priceline for Hertz - great car, great price.

 

[Immelman]

Also - would you guys have a good website where we could order brochures/map from Orlando in advance??
Chanty

here ya go -

http://www.orlandoinfo.com/

 

[chanty]

Thanks!! Ordered the Planning Package!!

Chanty

 

[Jane E.]

Several years ago we rented offsite and loved it. We had two teenagers and there was no way they could share one bed in a hotel room. We loved staying at the house - it had 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, a swimming pool and a game room. Our sons would do the parks with us during the day and at night hang out at home to play pool, air hockey or fussball. They loved it. We'd get them fast food and go out for a nice dinner alone. As for the trip to WDW, we didn't have any problems getting to WDW property from our rental. It was a straight shot. However, on other trips, we've gotten very lost - especially on international drive.

 

[torismom]

We are dvc members and also have a rental home very near disney.

I can honestly say we have gotten to the parks a lot faster from our rental home than the resorts at times and vice versa. We can be at Animal Kingdom in 5 mins. The others take a bit longer.

If being close to Disney is a concern I would book a house in the Formosa Gardens area.Once you stay in a vacation home it will be hard to go back to a regular hotel room.

 

[Bunny/2]

We are looking into a home in the Oak Island Cove area. Any experiences? Safe neighborhood? We have stayed at the Poly, but nothing beats having your own pool and hot tub at the end of the day. Thanks

 

[HappyLawyer]

yes, listen to them go over the the trans board and look at all my posts about being scared to drive in Florida and getting around it was so easy, everything is off one road, no trouble parking either

 

[mareed]

Bunny/2 - We stayed in a vacation home in Oak Island Cove for 15 nights over XMAS and it was safe and great as far as I'm concerned. This neighborhood is right behind the old Splendid China. Our house actually backed up to Splendid China, and it was kind of nice not have neighbors behind us when we wanted to swim. Oak Island Cove is a bit closer than Formosa Gardens and Windsor Palms which are mentioned here frequently.