Split Stay Offsite to Dolphin

[ginny65]

I had this in another post but thought I would get a better response here.

We are contemplating changing our last 2 nights currently booked at Sheratan Vistana Villages on International Drive to 2 nights at the Dolphin. We just love being onsite and in particular, the BW area. We wouldn't do parks during those 2 days, just relax at Dolphin and Boardwalk and go to DS one evening. Tell me, is it worth the extra $$ for 2 days at the Dolphin? Or should be just stay put and enjoy our last 2 days at SVV? I'm torn; probably just the uncertainty of not knowing how we are going to like SVV having never stayed there.

The cons that I see in doing this are: $400 (total) increase in staying at Dolphin 2 nights plus parking fees (as opposed to cost of 2 nights at SVV (we are using points for part of the stay)); the hassle of packing up and moving; going from a 2 bdrm villa to a 1 bdrm hotel room - 2 adults and 2 adult children.

Pros: It is WDW! We love the Dolphin / Boardwalk area. We can relax at hotel and walk over to BW and take a bus to DS instead of having to drive.

Your thoughts and tips??

 

[DisneyWishes14]

As much as I love the EP area, I wouldn't do it. I would save the packing and save the $400 and treat yourselves to something super special either on your DS night or on a night at the Boardwalk. My DS10 also loves the Boardwalk area and wants to stay there every time we go. We compromised last time (when I wanted to stay at WL) with a night at the Boardwalk where he could do whatever he wanted - watch the shows, play carnival games, watch a part of a game at ESPN and get Ample Hills ice cream. Especially if you aren't going to EP or DHS, I would be hesitant to spend the money for proximity to parks that you won't take advantage of. I would just plan a super special night on the Boardwalk - have a great dinner, walk around and enjoy what the have to offer in the evening.

 

[loves to dive]

Worth it is subjective but for me, if you aren't going to the parks, I don't see paying more to stay there. Take Uber over to BW and enjoy the area if you want to spend some time there. I stay at the Dolphin often, I actually have a trip coming up in May and I refuse to stay off site no matter how much less it is because I just like being in the bubble. Having said that, I really wouldn't spend more to stay on site if I wasn't using the transportation and ease of getting to the parks.

 

[ginny65]

Great points. Thank you both. We will have a rental car. We've never stayed offsite before, so I'm not sure how visiting a Disney Resort and parking works. I know a lot of people want to visit the Boardwalk so I assume they have ample parking. Is that the case? or should we leave the rental car at SVV and take Uber? FYI - We are not going during any specials events like Food and Wine at Epcot. Will they let us come in the middle of the day and stay until evening? Or is their a time limit?