staying off site (budget related)

[MacFam4]

I know I could have put this on the resort thread, but I like you budget folks so much and you always give good advice Anyway, we're looking at doing the ultimate budget trip this coming November. We will be arriving the 18th, which is the Friday before Thanksgiving. We can't go any earlier because of DS10's school.

For the first time ever, we're thinking of staying off site to help with expenses a little more. My parents and myself will be splitting the cost of everything. So, if you stay off site and actually like it, tell me why. Tell me where you stay. We would rather have a condo than a hotel room so we can cook some of our meals. I will say that my parents would rather share a room at a moderate, but I just don't know if I can spend that long in the same room with no alone time. Also, my mom can't climb stairs, so if we rented something off site, alteast one bedroom or a pull out couch would need to be downstairs.

Speaking of meals, which meals do you usually cook? I'm sure you eat breakfast in the room, but do you usually eat dinner too? Do you bring a crock pot? We're just throwing around alot of different ideas, so any help would be appreciated!!!

 

[mamajo]

My daughter and I stayed off site to save money and loved the place we had.We stayed at the Royal Plaza (got a great rate) and it was fabulous!! Luxury room, view from the 11th floor of all the parks fireworks at night, view of Downtown Disney!! (you could walk there easily) Shuttle buses were great!!
It saved us a ton and we just loved the place.

 

[mrsklamc]

How many people would be in your party total? I have a couple spots I would suggest, based on that....

We LOVE staying offsite. Last trip had 11 people and trying to cram them all in hotel rooms...I can't imagine!

 

[horseshowmom]

I love Wyndham Bonnet Creek (check out the thread on the Orlando Attractions and Hotels board - or something like that - here on the Dis). You can get some great deals, and the condos are wonderful.

That said, you wanted a real budget trip, so here's a good one. We rented a house the week leading up to Christmas that was 5BR/4BA (very roomy) that is only minutes away from Animal Kingdom. There were only 4 of us (2 couples) but the price was excellent so we took it. It has one master suite downstairs and another one upstairs.

It's at Sunset Lakes (a gated community), has a private pool, and is backed up to a lake. The owner was excellent to deal with. Depending on when you go in November, I suspect you could get a killer rate.

If you want the information, PM me, and I'll send it to you.

 

[MacFam4]

How many people would be in your party total? I have a couple spots I would suggest, based on that....

We LOVE staying offsite. Last trip had 11 people and trying to cram them all in hotel rooms...I can't imagine!

We are a party of 4; 3 adults and 1 child. We would also need to make sure that one bedroom and bathroom is downstairs because my mom can't walk up stairs.

 

[mrsklamc]

As for cooking- we've done it very differently- 4 years ago we had an 8 and a 9 year old with us. Went back to the house during the day, took a swim, a nap, might have baked something that took a little longer ...

Last trip, we had teens and toddlers that napped in the stroller so it was go, go go! Maybe packed PB& J or brought home carry out for dinner- totally different thing altogether.

 

[mrsklamc]

Ok so 4 people? I would start with 5mins2disney.com - We stayed in 'wishes' a lovely 3 bedroom townhome a few years ago and loved it. Windsor Hills would have smaller condos available too but I don't have one that I personally have stayed at and recommend.

 

[DZNEE4US]

We stayed at Lighthouse Key with my in laws last November, and LOVED it. We are a family of 5 (plus the 2 in laws). We just can't stay on site because of the bed arrangements. I want my 3 kids in beds, not on a couch or pull out. We also need a washed and dryer, as well as a kitchen. My son has autism and he is impossible to please when it comes to food. My other 2 are picky eaters, and we packed PBJ many days for lunches. We ALWAYS eat breakfast at the condo. You can choose how many bedrooms you need. They have 2 -4 bedrooms available. There is a super Target about 2 minutes away- which was a Godsend!!!! We had 2 master suites that each had their own Jaccuzzi tub- (that actually worked!)! I used mine nightly. There is a large community pool, which was as beautiful as pictured. Now it was not bottom basement priced, but it was very reasonable. Another option we used in the past was Springhill Suites at Marriot Village. They were very cheap. I thought it was under $100 a night. Good luck!

 

[Tina]

Another vote for Wyndham Bonnet Creek. You just can't beat these accomodations and location for the price. Definitely check out the "We Love Bonnet Creek" thread on the Orlando Hotels and Attractions section and then contact Ken at VacationUpgrades.com

 

[MissAndrea]

This is where we stayed last May.

http://www.storytimeorlandorental.com/

It may be too big for what you are looking for but we LOVED it!!! We stayed in a 3 bedroom 3 bath unit. One bedroom with a Queen size bed was downstairs. The master bed with a King (and bathroom) was upstairs as was another bedroom with 2 twin size beds and bathroom. The kids room with the twin beds had a Disney theme. They also had a small splash pool in the back. We always drive and it actually took us a lot less time to get to some of the parks staying here than when we stayed at All Star Sports the year before. HTH someone!

 

[mrsklamc]

Storytime IS very nice; we looked there for our last group but they didn't have availability.

 

[My3kiddos]

After staying offsite at Disney we have decided we won't stay in hotels anymore unless it's a have to situation. There is 6 of us so we usually have to get 2 rooms and it's just not economical. We also like having the amenities of home (ie full kitchen, washer & dryer) and a private pool. Here is the house we have rented the past 2 years and we love it. They offer discounts sometimes too and even though I had paid for my reservation before the discount came out they went back and credited me. Right now they are offering $75 off for 5 nights on certain properties. http://www.rentavilladisney.com/rentalsearch/4brexecutive-clermont-privatepool-spl

- This house is in Clermont which is 10 minutes to DW

 

[mrsklamc]

After staying offsite at Disney we have decided we won't stay in hotels anymore unless it's a have to situation.

Did you see that 'homeaway' commercial during the super bowl last night? That pretty much sums it up for us.

 

[vleeth]

We stayed in a condo at Emerald Island. There was a bed and bath downstairs. Because we drove a pick-up we were able to bring a cooler with food that we cooked and froze. We had gumbo, red beans and shrimp stew. We would cook breakfast at the condo, defrost something for lunch or dinner, and eat the other meal in the park.