Staying off property

[Military mom]

I'm staying at The Buena Vista Palace in June and buying my tickets separate. I'm not doing the dining plan either. I'm debating on doing this or booking a package to stay at the Port Orleans Riverside. Can't really spend much this vacation. Really need some input on this before I book. Worried about long bus rides to the parks because of staying off property. Thanks!

 

[HM2012Butler]

Its always a better idea to stay on property. Makes everything easier. It will be extra money but POR is a great resort. Busing off site is less consistent. Not to say it is bad by any means (I have had very few experiences with friends staying off site so I am by no means an expert). BUT the dining plan and busing will make the trip. Not to mention the service and magic of staying with disney

 

[happymommy]

You may be better off not buying the dining plan. I have always done better paying out of pocket for meals. The transportation is much better staying at a Disney resort, but if you have a car you can drive.

Some things to consider: how many are in your party? Do you need queen beds? If double beds and no coffee maker in the room work for you, then you could consider a value resort. Are you flying? Magical Express saves on the cost to get from and to the airport. Have you looked at the Swan or Dolphin? Some perks like staying at an Epcot resort (walk to Epcot) and true Disney bus service to DAK and MK is nice, but you do have the daily resort fee plus you'll need transportation from and back to the airport.

Either way, I'd look at a room only versus package reservation personally.

 

[aaarcher86]

Eh, I'm gonna disagree with the PP.

If you need a budget vacation, offsite is the way to go. You're losing some convenience, but that's the trade off. I don't think the DP should be a factor. If you're doing a cheaper trip, you can eat for less without it 100%.

I'd look into renting a car. Add in parking costs and see what your total offsite is compared to onsite. I've never found the onsite busses particularly convenient, so this could be my bias talking.

You could also stay at a value for less than POR.

 

[strat68]

Eh, I'm gonna disagree with the PP.

If you need a budget vacation, offsite is the way to go. You're losing some convenience, but that's the trade off. I don't think the DP should be a factor. If you're doing a cheaper trip, you can eat for less without it 100%.

I'd look into renting a car. Add in parking costs and see what your total offsite is compared to onsite. I've never found the onsite busses particularly convenient, so this could be my bias talking.

You could also stay at a value for less than POR.

This is what I would do too. The DP won't save you money and you can't buy it staying off site, if I understood the OP post. We've ridden 1 WDW bus in all the times we've visited. Offsite rental is best to save money.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Eh, I'm gonna disagree with the PP.

If you need a budget vacation, offsite is the way to go. You're losing some convenience, but that's the trade off. I don't think the DP should be a factor. If you're doing a cheaper trip, you can eat for less without it 100%.

I'd look into renting a car. Add in parking costs and see what your total offsite is compared to onsite. I've never found the onsite busses particularly convenient, so this could be my bias talking.

You could also stay at a value for less than POR.

Agree with this.

Also, the Dining Plan is not even available to offsite guests....only those staying at Disney Resorts.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

We stay in the Disney village occasional when passing through. It's convenient to DS and POR (our main on site resort). The resort buses from the DV are decent too. If I had to stay off site I wouldn't think twice about it. You can't get the DP off site anyway.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I always stay off property to save money. I love staying off site, gives me more $$ in my pocket for other fun stuff. I have never had an issue getting to the parks within 10-15 mins of wherever we stay.


Have fun on your trip!

 

[rcraw45425]

Also check Swan and Dolphin. While technically "offsite" (Wyndham and Sheraton properties) they are located in the EPCOT resort area next to Boardwalk. Discounts abound there, I actually have a passholder rate at Boardwalk Inn that comes to $356 + tax per night and a room or the same dates at the Swan for $231+ tax and resort fee and parking fee. And that is four "adults" in the room (our kids are in college).

 

[JasonMouse]

Disney resorts do not have a parking or resort fee, so Swan & Dolphin end up being just as much as Boardwalk and Beach Club. The "$100" offsite hotels is usually for people who want a full sized hotel room with coffee maker and microwave for the same price as Pop & All Star, or you're late in making reservations and Pop & All Star are at that hideous $135 rate. If you can afford a moderate, it is well worth it at the $155 to $175 range.

 

[rcraw45425]

Disney resorts do not have a parking or resort fee, so Swan & Dolphin end up being just as much as Boardwalk and Beach Club. The "$100" offsite hotels is usually for people who want a full sized hotel room with coffee maker and microwave for the same price as Pop & All Star, or you're late in making reservations and Pop & All Star are at that hideous $135 rate. If you can afford a moderate, it is well worth it at the $155 to $175 range.

......no resort fee .....yet..... Have you seen the various posting regarding a $15 per day resort fee? I was one of the ones that received the survey regarding that....... Don't get me wrong I love the Disney Deluxe properties but the passholder rate of $356 is still higher than the $285 I'm paying at the Swan with their fees. Granted I don't get Dining Plan or Magical Express, but I need use either. The only thing I don't get that I do use is charging to room and Magic Bands , but I have at least one Band in every color from prior visits and can easily use another form of payment.

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm staying at The Buena Vista Palace in June and buying my tickets separate. I'm not doing the dining plan either. I'm debating on doing this or booking a package to stay at the Port Orleans Riverside. Can't really spend much this vacation. Really need some input on this before I book. Worried about long bus rides to the parks because of staying off property. Thanks!

I would price both, onsite vs offsite. Do not include the DDP, you can keep your costs way down if you choose QS options.

If you need to rent a car to go to and from the parks, add that as well as parking into your costs. Look at the time of year and see if discounts are available. I would rive value and moderates and see where the costs fall.

 

[Ratpack]

We usually always stayed on site and even got into DVC sometime back, but this past year we stayed off site and had just a good a time as if staying on site, even sold the DVC. Of course there are a few perks to staying on site, but offsite gives you so much more in terms of hotels and amenities. My daughter graduates this year and wants to stay on site so we will just as part of her trip, but offsite, I could get a 2 BR condo for less than POR will cost. It would even have a water park onsite and not just a pool and small slide. I see us being offsite from here on out just because the cost to value of staying on site is not there anymore. In regards to the DDP, as mentioned it is not available to offsite guest, but we never bought it anyway as it costs about twice to three times what we normally spend on meals each day so definitely not a value to us.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

Price out both and add up any extra fees like resort fees, parking fees or transportation from airport to hotel.

 

[Military mom]

If I drive to the parks from The Buena Vista Palace, is it a long walk to get to the front entrance? I read that is was. Do you think park hopper would be better than one theme park per day? Thanks for all the help.

 

[Ratpack]

To me the only entrance that is a lot different from driving vs Disney transportation is MK. The other parks aren't that bad unless you get there late in the day and have to park in the very back of the lot.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

I recently was looking at the Buena Vista Palace as we had a potential Disney trip around Easter, and the onsite resorts were mostly full (trip not on). Just a word of warning that this hotel appears to be undergoing a renovation due to change in ownership, and as a result seemed to get more than their share of bad reviews. While I take some bad reviews with a grain of salt, they got too many to disregard.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

The walk to the TTC from the MK parking lot isn't bad at all. I really enjoy walking, and I think it is easier than taking the tram. It's about a 5 to 10 minutes walk from parking to the TTC, then another 5 to 10 bus or tram ride. The ferries take longer but the ride is nice. I find it way less hassle than trying to deal with resort busses.

 

[maxiesmom]

I wouldn't recommend staying off site unless you rent a car. The off site shuttles run very infrequently. Some you need to reserve your seat ahead of time, and some only drop off at the TTC.

Why is your only other option a package at POR? How about staying at the Pop? Or for a few dollars less an All Star? Forget the dining plan. Bring down some granola bars and bagels with you. Order kid sized quick service meals (I started doing that my last trip and it is nice! Saves money and I don't get stuffed). There are many places you can save money instead of going off site.

 

[Sue M]

If I'm not mistaken, that hotel is part of the DTD Hotel Circle. They have pretty good park transportation, running every 30 min, continuously. And you can walk to DTD. Many hotels there have theme park views, and it still feels like you're in Wdw. SSR is right across the street!!
With a budget I'd stay in this area. Mousesavers.com has some of their preferred hotels in this area, and freq has discounts.
With walking distance to DTD and good bus service it's a good option. You really wouldn't need a car. Most off site hotels you would, but not in this area. Every 30 min is pretty good. I've waited for a Wdw bus occas for 30 min!!

Edited to add one trip we decided to arrive a day earlier, so booked that night at the DTD Doubletree with a Mousesavers discount which included a room discount and free breakfast buffet. We had a 1 bdrm large suite for the price of Pop. Although my pref is to stay on site, if I had budget concerns I'd stay there again, no problem. It was very nice.