rental car vs. disney bus

[ashleendanny]

So please bare with me, I will try to make this short as possible, but I know you experts can help me out.

So I have out reservations made, for Pop Century, with free quick service dining, but upgraded to dining plan with surcharge, and our tickets.

Well my dad found out we were going to disney and he has a timeshare and said he would use his points and let us use his timeshare for free. He made us reservations at Star Island, I think it is a Wyndham Hotel in Kissimmee.

So my question is, do you think it will be cheaper to just keep my current reservations or go with the timeshare my dad has and just get tickets, (can I get Dining Plan without staying at a Disney Resort?)

We would have to rent a car also, DH says he would rather not have to drive and let disney do the driving for him, so I don't know if it will be cheaper in the long run, anywho, hopefully I have made myself clear, if not please let me know...

 

[sam_gordon]

Not enough facts into evidence counselor.

First, where exactly is the time share? My parents live an hour from Disney (Poinciana), and the first time we visited after they moved we stayed with them. That hour trip (especially with kids) was WAY too long. Now we do split stays... a couple days with them, a couple on property.

Assuming the timeshare is close, now you look at prices. You know what POP + upgraded dining plan will cost. Find out what timeshare + meals OOP (you can use the menus on allears.net to get sample prices) + rental car will cost. I'm guessing staying off site will cost less, but how much less? IMO, if it's less than $50/night, I'll stay on property. If it's $100 a night and I'm only staying 2-3 nights, I'll stay on property (maybe). If it's $100 a night and I'm there a week... timeshare here I come.

 

[ashleendanny]

Not enough facts into evidence counselor.

lol...

Well when my dad made the reservations, they told him it was 5 miles from Disney, so about 10 minutes they said.

I will also have parking fees to right?

So I will have to pay for food, I can't do a dining plan if we aren't staying at a Disney Resort?

Thank you, you gave me some good things to think about

Ashlee

 

[3BoysRDisneyFreaks]

no dining plan if you are off site.
parking is what $14/15 per day now.
rental car/gas/insurance (if you buy that)

you have to run the numbers and see what you can get. if savings are minimal then I would keep my POP reservation.

 

[At World's End]

no dining plan if you are off site.
parking is what $14/15 per day now.
rental car/gas/insurance (if you buy that)

you have to run the numbers and see what you can get. if savings are minimal then I would keep my POP reservation.

I would say the opposite. If savings are minimal, I would prefer to have more space, a kitchen, and washer/dryer (assuming those are included in the timeshare). Plus I like the freedom of having a car to shop and eat offsite and not rely on buses to get from one place to another.

Also, when comparing the costs of onsite vs. offsite, don't forget to factor in housekeeping tips, ME driver tips, laundry costs, etc.

 

[sam_gordon]

I would say the opposite. If savings are minimal, I would prefer to have more space, a kitchen, and washer/dryer (assuming those are included in the timeshare). Plus I like the freedom of having a car to shop and eat offsite and not rely on buses to get from one place to another.

Not me. If savings are minimal give me onsite every time. There's just something about being "enveloped" in the magic. Also, I like not having to drive, so Disney transportation...

Also, when comparing the costs of onsite vs. offsite, don't forget to factor in housekeeping tips, ME driver tips, laundry costs, etc.

Do you not tip "housekeeping" at a timeshare? Also, why would you have laundry costs on site but not off site? As far as ME driver... I thought that was only if you brought your bags with you.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

lol...

Well when my dad made the reservations, they told him it was 5 miles from Disney, so about 10 minutes they said.

I will also have parking fees to right?

So I will have to pay for food, I can't do a dining plan if we aren't staying at a Disney Resort?

Thank you, you gave me some good things to think about

Ashlee

Others have covered most of the facts, but the information that Star Island is 5 miles and 10 minutes to Disney is not exactly true if you are going to the Magic Kingdom, for example. Practically, the time to get to parking would be more like 20 minutes and 10 miles, depending on traffic on route 192. And, you have to factor in the daily parking fee. You pay OOP.

As others have said, it is personal opinion but I would stay onsite.