Resort Shuttles

[tamcase]

I am looking for resorts that offer free shuttle service to Disney. My family definitely wants to stay at a resort off site as well want to be able to cook our own meals. Any help would be greatly appreciated. We are just starting to look. Thanks!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The problem with any of the off-site shuttles, whether free or not, is the scheduling. Some of them will only pick up once or twice in the morning, do one round trip around noon, one or two trips around 5 or 6pm and then pick up once or twice at night. You are slave to their schedule. Also they may only take you to TTC and then you have to take Disney Transportsation to and from the parks.

Also, I can basically see having breakfast in the room, and maybe dinner after you have returned from the parks for the day. However even if the transportastion is available, you will be losing about 3 hours out of the day for any midday meal.

Also, if this is a vacationj do you really want to be cooking your meals?

 

[WDWlover]

Really do some number crunching or have someone here do it for you - just post some details. People always think it's cheaper to stay offsite and that you'll save money on meals....as much as you think you'll cook, you probably won't that much....I would seriously suggest posting your dates, number of rooms and people...and go from there.

 

[CheapMom]

So you are looking for a full kitchen and shuttle service?
If you just need a fridge and microwave- there are lots of places- full kitchen might narrow your choices a lot.
We stayed at Holiday Inn Nikki Bird which had free shuttles- microwave, mini fridge. It was okay. The shuttles were not very convenient though.
If you must have a full kitchen- your best choice might be a timeshare or condo and renting a car- don't forget you will have to pay for parking though.

 

[tamcase]

Thanks. This is my situation. We came to Disney just a few weeks ago and stayed at Summer Bay Resorts. We purchased a timeshare in Gatlinburg and earned a free week at Summer Bay. They have a free shuttle service to the parks. I don't mind being a "slave" to their schedule. I have 3 teenagers and we caught the later shuttle and stayed until close without any problems-they like to push it. My husband and I don't care to fight the traffic. I have one more week deposited for next year and plan on purchasing an additional week. We like to go for a day, rest for a day. I like having the full kitchen and laundry facilities. These are the reasons I am looking for a timeshare/resort with a free shuttle service. I am aware of the following that offer free shuttle: Summer Bay Resorts, Calypso Cay, Vacation Villas at Fantasyland I & II. Any others to add to the list would be appreciated as I am looking for the best rate to "pay" for the second week. We already have tickets as I knew we would be returning and purchased a 7 day park hopper with 5 extra parks, we still have 5 days plus the 5 parks left on them. That is why we want 2 weeks.

 

[canwegosoon]

Add DVC to your list...you can always buy resale.

 

[KristiKelly]

Add DVC to your list...you can always buy resale.

You can also go to the DVC Rent/Trade Board here on the DIS and look into renting DVC points. With a DVC resort, you would use WDW transportation, could get a studio with a microwave, fridge, toaster and access to the laundry room. With a 1 or 2 bedroom or a grand villa, you would have full kitchen and laundry in your villa. We rented points in 2003 for Beach Club Villas and LOVED it. We are now DVC owners.