Staying Off Property- Transportation Question

[dr28326]

Currently booked on property but may have to move to off site to save some money. I need recommendations as to what hotels provide the best shuttle service or transportation to WDW. I don't think it would be worth moving off property then paying for a rental car and parking. We have 3 adults and 1 child for 7 nts.

 

[spiceycat]

sorry none.

most offsite will go a couple of times in the morning

there return times generally start around 4pm

sometimes the last return time is before the fireworks.

you will spend more on taxi - than you would just getting a rental car.

so plan with the rental car.

now the exception is the DD hotels

www.downtowndisneyhotels.com

but they are as expensive as the value resorts -some get up to the moderates.

the only EMH is with Hilton, generally the more expensive of them.

no airport transportation - so again something else you will need to pay for.

now I do love offsite (and onsite) - but you definitely need a car for offsite.

here is a schedule from best western lakeside
http://017b588.netsolhost.com/shuttles.htm

if you miss their bus - you need to take a taxi - it does not come back

the schedule can change - so you need to be at the stop at least 20 minutes before the bus is due - it may be late it may be early.

so even trying to take the bus for offsite can be pain

if the free transportation stops at other hotels before it gets to yours (and many do) then it might be standing room only - if you get a seat then it might go to other hotels before going to the parks.

one of these offsite buses goes to at least 10 other hotels before going to the parks.

go to the tranportation board - they can help you get a good deal on a car rental.

 

[TC1026]

We have a rental property in Windsor Palms, so when we go to Disney we stay off-site a lot!! We also own DVC at BWV's so we stay onsite lots also...but depending on where you stay many developments are a short drive to Disney. You can also find really decent car rental prices in Orlando. We have always had luck with renting with Enterprise, but with 4 of you there are lots of options for car size/company. Parking is $11 per day at the parks so you also have to factor it in, but you save tons of time vs. waiting for Bus or whatever. Good Luck!

 

[disneystacy]

Offsite = car rental

That is the only way to do it imo.

 

[lizcro326]

Have you considered Bonnet Creek ON Disney property with free transpotation? It's where my family stays when I can get or can't afford a DVC Unit. What can I say, we're spoiled.

 

[spiceycat]

you might consider renting points from a dVC member - then you are on property and still saving some money.

(dvc rentals are generally not as inexpensive as the value resorts - but sometimes they can be)

just go to the DVC rental/trade on this board. (read the FAQ)

no mousekeeping with DVC

 

[auctionmaster]

I have been a number of time on and off property.

Sometimes I get a little tired off staying on the ground so I venture out...

 

[MiaSRN62]

When staying offsite, I feel a car rental is a must. The large majority of offsite hotels just don't have the shuttle frequency or flexibility. So when staying offsite you really need to factor in the extra cost of a car as well as the $11/day parking. This can easily add up to an extra $30-$50/day. Alot of offsite fan complain about waiting for the disney busses. And that's fine if they feel that way, but if one thinks a 15-25 min wait is long at disney for a bus, be prepared for much longer and less frequency from offsite shuttles. I stay both on and offsite on a regular basis. The shuttle at my offsite resort runs about 4 different times in the morning and about 4-5 different times in the evening. Many offsite places don't really offer much shuttle service in the afternoon hours. So those accustomed to mid afternoon breaks (especially during the very hot summer months), don't really get that option. So I know alot of people stay offsite to save money, but think about the money you need to cover the rental car, the gas for the rental and the daily parking fees. Just want you to consider all angles. Good luck with your decision.

 

[davinakb]

Just want you to consider all angles.

I see your point, but IMO the money is worth it for convenience and speed, even if on-property (off, a car is a must, YMMV). That said, what you need to consider dr28326 is where you are going and what you are doing. FWIW:

• If all you will do is get up, go to one park all day, then come home at the end of the night, WDW buses or most off-property shuttles should work fine. (FYI not all off-property shuttles are free, double check with the hotel.)
• Or will you travel back and forth everyday, for afternoon naps, pool breaks? A lot of resort dining, meaning lots of back and forth to change, then resort-to-resort transfers? Stay late for all the closing shows? Will you do things non-WDW like outlet shopping or other parks? If yes, a car is worth considering. Maybe check Priceline, see if you can get a deal.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Originally Posted by MiaSRN62
Just want you to consider all angles.

davinakb says :I see your point, but IMO the money is worth it for convenience and speed, even if on-property

Sure..of course there are varying viewpoints on this. Now that my kids are teens, we value and love the ability to use the busses because we can split up and do our own things. Teens don't always like getting up at 7 am to hit the parks early....and sleeping in and catching a disney bus is a great option. Even when they were little, it was great for us, as parents, to split up and take the younger one back to the room for a nap, while the other parent could stay in the parks with the older kids. Even my elderly mil used to like having the ability to hop on a bus when she was tired and couldn't quite keep up with us. With a car, you cannot do these things.

Onsite, we only use our car for resort dining/DD/water parks. For the main theme parks, we much prefer the busses/boats/monorails. But to each his own ....

But yes, I second the comment about the fact that some offsite places charge for the shuttle. When we stay offsite, it's at Vistana. The shuttle is like $8/person/day. Not worth it to me. So to the OP, look for an offsite place that has complimentary shuttle or go for a rental.

 

[FayeW]

What are your dates? There are some very inexpensive offsite properties that would allow you to rent the car as well. Some Windsor Hills owners will rent a 2-3bdrm condo for $400-500, and skyauction is even cheaper.

Tell me when you are travelling and I will do a search on a couple of websites for you.

 

[robinbutterfly]

Currently booked on property but may have to move to off site to save some money. I need recommendations as to what hotels provide the best shuttle service or transportation to WDW. I don't think it would be worth moving off property then paying for a rental car and parking. We have 3 adults and 1 child for 7 nts.

I think it is more to stay off property. Are you flying? If so you have to pay a lot just to go from the airport to the hotel.

 

[FayeW]

I think it is more to stay off property. Are you flying? If so you have to pay a lot just to go from the airport to the hotel.

Hotels and condos are definitely cheaper offsite. We are renting a 3 bdrm condo for $85. per night, taxes included. We could get a value resort for that, possibly. Even when you add in the $12 daily parking fee, we are less than $100. (we won't go to a park everyday, anyway, and we also visit US/IOA for at least 3 days, so even staying onsite we would have some parking costs)

However you raise a valid point regarding the transportation to and from the airport. OP, that cost alone would cover most of the cost of a week's rental. We booked 9 days with Alamo for $186., so for a week you would probably be around $130 or less. There is an online coupon at www.alamo.com that will give you $25. off a weekly rental.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hotels and condos are definitely cheaper offsite. We are renting a 3 bdrm condo for $85. per night, taxes included. We could get a value resort for that, possibly. Even when you add in the $12 daily parking fee, we are less than $100.

True...the value comes for people staying onsite and not having to rent a car. We spent $400/week to rent a van for our Aug trip when we stayed offsite. Then the 7 days we visited the parks was $84.
But you're right, if someone is going to rent a car even onsite, then offsite is cheaper. But ME and checking your luggage at your disney hotel and not having to wait in lines to check luggage at the airport is also a nice perk (depends on your airline though). There really are pros and cons to both on and offsite and this is the dilemma the OP will need to examine.

 

[AllesonWonderland]

For our first trip we stayed offsite at Windsor Hills. Even with car rental and paying for parking, it was much cheaper than staying onsite. Ditto the poster who said go to the transportation board for rental deals...I lurked there often and got a great deal through Alamo. Good luck with whatever you decide OP.