Should we stay in Disney?

[SecondStarTilMorning]

New here but I'll chime in- the only "off property" resort I would consider is Wyndham bonnet creek because it has just as good of a location as a a value resort but offers massive 1 bedroom condos for around the same price. Otherwise I'd stay in a Disney resort and enjoy the extra magic hours =). Hope this helps.

 

[kymom79]

I can't say what would be the best choice for you, but my family really appreciated staying onsite at WDW. For us, the ability to completely escape from the "real world" for a week was incomparable -- and given that we had an amazing deal at the Swan and Dolphin (came out to about $140/night), it wasn't astronomically expensive. Now, if I were paying $400/night at the Deluxe hotels like some people mention: no way. We'd very reluctantantly but very definitely stay offsite. However, that magical week free of venturing into real-world traffic and problems is something we wouldn't trade at this point.

 

[shalom]

Thank you. We're planning to do all of the main Florida parks except Kennedy and Legoland basically and are also doing discovery cove so transport of of Disney was another one of our questions

I would normally recommend someone doing just WDW who doesn't want to drive to stay onsite, but if you want to do the other parks as well that's another thing entirely. The WDW buses get you from the airport to WDW, and from the resorts to the parks or Downtown Disney just fine, but Disney does not encourage people staying there to go to Universal or SeaWorld. If you can afford taxis or find shuttles that service multiple hotels that might work (the Transportation Board is where to go to get that sort of info), but may be costly.

There are also public bus routes into WDW; the local system is Lynx and I know there's a Lynx bus along Irlo Bronson that runs twice an hour from quite early until fairly late that would drop you off at the TTC, where you can transfer to a bus to SeaWorld, but be prepared for a long trip time! Getting to Universal from WDW by bus is a bear and I would recommend using a taxi or the like. I would definitely post to the Transportation Board if you want to visit WDW and the other parks without renting a car. It's easy to find places that are a quick bus route to WDW or to SeaWorld, and there are a few that aren't too bad for either (at least according to my son), but throw Universal into that mix and it's tough.

But the Transportation guys would know more about your options than I do; there are a lot more possibilities than WDW transporation, buses, or driving if you're interested:
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=16

 

[bowbat]

I just got back at a one-night stay at a non-Disney property in Orlando and vowed to never do it again -- and that wasn't even for a Disney trip.

Seriously, Disney makes things so easy about staying there, it's hard to stay anywhere else. So long as it's in your budget and otherwise fits your needs, I would definitely recommend staying on-site.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thank you. We're planning to do all of the main Florida parks except Kennedy and Legoland basically and are also doing discovery cove so transport of of Disney was another one of our questions

You can book Mears shuttles to US/IoA for about $19 pp r/t. SeaWorld is probably a bit less. Or in the case of SW, you can head to the TTC and take the Lynx bus...costs a few dollars each way, pp, and drops you at the parking lot for SW.

 

[married2mm]

I would say an definitive yes if planning on just doing Disney.
However,if you are planning on doing lots of parks,I think you'd be better offsite.
As a pp stated,cabs will soon mount up,added to the cost of all your tickets,would make your trip really expensive.

I'm in the UK also,and we've stayed offsite and onsite,but always had a car.

I would add,there are two main ways of booking your trip.
Either booking a package online/or with a travel agent.
Or,booking everything separately-namely diy.
You book your flights,accommodation and tickets all yourself.

If you decide to book a Disney resort,be aware,there are sometimes special offers,sometimes discount on the rooms,or free dining offers.

However,free dining is never available on values-free dining starts with moderate resorts- so it can sometimes work out cheaper staying at a moderate than a value.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I might consider a split stay with onsite Disney time and then a time at a Universal hotel for the time you wanted to spend at Universal - adding Seaworld in while you are staying onsite at WDW. DIsney's Magical Express would take you from the airport to your hotel at WDW then again back to the airport where it is convenient to get a Mears shuttle to your Universal hotel or may be check the Universal packages about transportation.

If I were going to stay offsite totally I would choose the Seaworld area as is it right between the two - Universal and WDW and there are buses and the I ride trolley to help you get around in that area.

Taxis and Mears will be your most expensive but convenient transportation options between WDW and Universal IMO. You can estimate fares by going to the Mears taxi website. Generally offsite hotel shuttles will provide drop off and pick up times once a day (to Disney and/or Universal) and may stop at several hotels along the way. Sometimes they can be very crowded and I generally preferred Lynx bus over the hotel shuttle as it ran every 1/2 hour.

It is actually very simple to get from WDW to Seaworld by taking Lynx 50 (fare $2/person). Lynx 111 will take you from WDW to the airport and passes near the Seaworld area also Florida Mall. The I ride trolley is also convenient for the I drive area which will link you to the outlet shops/Seaworld/I drive. Just be aware that it may take some time - public transport in Orlando is great for what you find in many US cities but probably not at all what you are used to in the UK (how I see it as a expat who has lived overseas many years and lived without a car while overseas and for a few months in Orlando).

When I moved to Orlando my hotel was near Seaworld and it was about 30-45 minutes to the TTC at WDW on Lynx 111. It is not as convenient to take Lynx from WDW to Universal (takes around 2 hours or something ridiculous) - the helpful folk at the Visitors Center can give you more information on the buses and trolley and how to use the combination of the two to get lots of places. Also be aware that the i ride trolley often does not run late at night - I saw this put a crimp in many visitors plans as if they wanted to stay for evening fireworks at WDW getting back to their hotel wasn't very easy - I remember one family with two young children basically stranded half way to their hotel. That's why I'd recommend onsite for your Disney time.

www.golynx.com

Anyway - have a great trip and fun planning.

 

[DizDaD7]

I would say an definitive yes if planning on just doing Disney.
However,if you are planning on doing lots of parks,I think you'd be better offsite.
As a pp stated,cabs will soon mount up,added to the cost of all your tickets,would make your trip really expensive.

I'm in the UK also,and we've stayed offsite and onsite,but always had a car.

I would add,there are two main ways of booking your trip.
Either booking a package online/or with a travel agent.
Or,booking everything separately-namely diy.
You book your flights,accommodation and tickets all yourself.

If you decide to book a Disney resort,be aware,there are sometimes special offers,sometimes discount on the rooms,or free dining offers.

However,free dining is never available on values-free dining starts with moderate resorts- so it can sometimes work out cheaper staying at a moderate than a value.

This isn't all entirely true. Disney in the past also offered FD with the values. It was a great deal too. But lately its the quick service for free. Which some enjoy. It's still considered FD. Just not the reg. FD. Also u can just psy the difference if you want and upgrade to reg. DP.

 

[married2mm]

I've just thought,if you fly into Sanford airport-there's no magical express from the t from Orlando international.

I second the idea of a universal onsite hotel for express line benefits also.
Why not,have a total multi centre stay?
Disney,universal,and possibly another location nearby your other parks of choice?

Not to be a Debbie downer,but don't try and do too much-you'll never fit everything in,and you want to have fun,not end up exhausted!

 

[DizDaD7]

I would say an definitive yes if planning on just doing Disney.
However,if you are planning on doing lots of parks,I think you'd be better offsite.
As a pp stated,cabs will soon mount up,added to the cost of all your tickets,would make your trip really expensive.

I'm in the UK also,and we've stayed offsite and onsite,but always had a car.

I would add,there are two main ways of booking your trip.
Either booking a package online/or with a travel agent.
Or,booking everything separately-namely diy.
You book your flights,accommodation and tickets all yourself.

If you decide to book a Disney resort,be aware,there are sometimes special offers,sometimes discount on the rooms,or free dining offers.

However,free dining is never available on values-free dining starts with moderate resorts- so it can sometimes work out cheaper staying at a moderate than a value.

This isn't all entirely true. Disney in the past also offered FD with the values. It was a great deal too. But lately its the quick service for free. Which some enjoy. It's still considered FD. Just not the reg. FD. Also u can just psy the difference if you want and upgrade to reg. DP.

 

[married2mm]

This isn't all entirely true. Disney in the past also offered FD with the values. It was a great deal too. But lately its the quick service for free. Which some enjoy. It's still considered FD. Just not the reg. FD. Also u can just psy the difference if you want and upgrade to reg. DP.

I'm only referring to UK offers.

 

[FantasiaMagic]

I recommend staying at a Disney resort. You are fully immersed in all the magic Disney has to offer. you are also close to the parks and some of the more expensive resorts have extra transportation options besides bussing/driving such as monorail, boat, walk....

Disney resorts also have amazing amenities that cannot be beat in my opinion. The pools are always so much fun and the experiences you have at the resorts are ones you'll never forget.

If you're worried about the price tag that comes with staying at a Disney resort - you don't have to stay at one of the deluxes - you could stay at a value which are just as fun in their own way!

Have a great trip and good luck with your decision!!!

-FantasiaMagic