Racking my brain!!! HELP!!!!!

[IMADSNYLOVR]

Ok I have reservations at Pop Century 12-27 thru 1-2 for 3 rooms-it will be me and DH, DS-11, DS-6, DD-6, DD-4 and my parents. So we need 3 rooms Checking into other resorts to accomodate is way more expensive and we are paying 2500 already for PC. So here is my dilema-do I keep it and stay onsite since it's the busiest week of the year or do we rent a house at Windsor palms and rent 2 cars which will save us $1000 (the house and cars $1500). It will give us 4 bedrooms, full kitchen, full laundry (i have never made a trip without doing a lot of laundry no matter how much i pack) privite screened pool, 2 car garage and tons more space. Located <3miles from WDW entrance. I also figure we will save a bunch being able to store snacks and drinks in full size fridge eat breakfast at home and maybe even have a night or 2 with something in crockpot when we get home. I haven't figured the total for feeding 8 of us at WDW 3 meals a day plus snacks-but I am sure it won't be pretty. I can't decide! I love staying on-site but it seems like a wast right know with the amount of us! What would you do!

TIA!

SARAH

 

[A Mickeyfan]

In my opinion... I would go with offsite... it is peak season but it Disney isn't like Universal...you will not be getting front of the line ...with the amount of family you are going with... you will need the full kitchen to help cut down on costs...you will also be more comfortable... as long as you leave early to head out to the parks...you will be sure to get in...just make sure you don't leave...when the parks hit capacity.. you will not get back in...

 

[SB in KY]

I am usually a pretty big fan of on site...but for your group I would have to say that the house sounds better.

If you think you will be spending 12 or 14 hours a day in the parks then Pop would be fine...but it sure would be nice to have more room and someplace to sit and visit besides the beds. The value rooms are fine for sleeping, but that is about it...and that week is so busy there is no guarentee that you could get all 3 rooms near each other.

At the house everyone could have some space and there is room for the kids to run and swim...it is so nice to have breakfast there when you get up, and when everyone is tired to be able to come back to a nice house where you can throw something together for dinner while the kids jump in the pool vs waiting in crowded restaurants, etc.

In addition to the $1000 you save on the accomodations you will probably save $2 - 300 more on breakfast for 8 everyday and a couple of dinners.

I don't know because we have never been brave enough to go Xmas week, but we went Spring Break week this year and it was nice to take breaks in the room...but all in all I would have to say for 3 generations travelling together the house sounds better.
Not to mention saving all that $$. With 2 cars if some were ready to leave and some wanted to stay you could still get back and forth.

A 2BR at Old Key West would be perfect for you (best of both worlds), but I guess that peak week the cost even with renting DVC points from a member would be prohibitive... oh well it would be nice!!

 

[Doodlebug939]

I would definately go offsite. We are staying at a windsor palm rental this year as well. We decided to go with the rental for the following reasons:

1. Private pool that is heated-My kids are fish and would live there
2. Laundry-I could have bought a new washer with all the money that I spend on those washers/dryers at Disney. (Ok not quite but very close)
3. Have the ability to make food at the house. This is a real savings to be able to have breakfast in the house.
4. My family can spend more time with the rest of our family that will be staying with us because if you book 3 rooms then in the evening everyone goes to their room and the time together is cut short. This way we can all hang out at the pool or in the living room and enjoy our time together.
5. If it rains then our pool is indoors and we can swim until we are all wrinkled. At Disney we would be out of luck.
6. We are saving so much cash by staying offsite because it is cheaper to rent a house then have three seperate rooms.
7. It is easy to eat something offsite and save money there too.
8. If one of my kids are having an off day we can stay at the house and have some fun and not be stuck together in one room.
9. If we had booked the two rooms for my family then my husband and I would be sleeping in seperate rooms because the kids cant sleep in a room alone. So it wouldnt be a vacation for me if I had to sleep without him.
10. I agree with the crockpot idea. Put stuff in it in the morning and have something good in the evening with no effort.
11. If we all get really sick of each other then Windsor Palms has it owns movie theatre to catch a flick for free.