Review Staying off site or at other non-Disney resorts

[1tufgt]

I'm early in the process of looking for what kind of deals or saving we could have by staying off-site or at a non-disney owned hotel for our trip next year in Oct.

This will be our 1st time trying off site if it is cheaper. If we can get both families to go it will roughly be 12 adults and 5 kids 4 (between 7-5yrs) and 1 (2yrs)

Would it be wise to check with Disney also to see what kind of group discounts can be had? I'm still hoping for some good discounts for when we plan on going like free dining or room discounts.

But what are some companies you have used to find houses / villas or just so other off site hotels. I know with being off site we will need to pay parking fees each day too.

 

[ZellyB]

We are staying off-site and found a 3 bedroom/2ba townhouse that is about a 15 min drive from WDW for a really great price.

I was going to post links for you, but I don't have enough posts yet, but you can google for HomeAway.com and also for VRBO.com. These are reputable sites that I've used on numerous vacations and always had good luck.

 

[4forMe]

If you are considering staying offsite in a house/villa, I would consider going through a management company rather than private rental as the company can book you in homes near each other. You would probably need two 5-6 BR homes. The following communities are the closest to WDW: Windsor Hills, Windsor Palms, Emerald Island, and Formosa Gardens. Windsor Hills tends to be the most expensive than the others due to more amenities such as community pool with slide, fitness center, movie theatre, etc.

Here are some highly rated management companies that rent in the above areas:

www.floridasunvacationhomes.com

www.allstarvacationhomes.com

It sounds like your group would be considered a grand gathering per Disney; however, I don't think that you would get special discounts on rooms as a grand gathering.

You could also check out the Bonnett Creek thread and see about renting several 2 BR units. I still think it might be cheaper to split your group between 2 homes (near each other) in one of the above mentioned communities.

Good luck planning your trip.

 

[1tufgt]

If you are considering staying offsite in a house/villa, I would consider going through a management company rather than private rental as the company can book you in homes near each other. You would probably need two 5-6 BR homes. The following communities are the closest to WDW: Windsor Hills, Windsor Palms, Emerald Island, and Formosa Gardens. Windsor Hills tends to be the most expensive than the others due to more amenities such as community pool with slide, fitness center, movie theatre, etc.

Here are some highly rated management companies that rent in the above areas:

www.floridasunvacationhomes.com

www.allstarvacationhomes.com

It sounds like your group would be considered a grand gathering per Disney; however, I don't think that you would get special discounts on rooms as a grand gathering.

You could also check out the Bonnett Creek thread and see about renting several 2 BR units. I still think it might be cheaper to split your group between 2 homes (near each other) in one of the above mentioned communities.

Good luck planning your trip.

Thanks for the great information. I'll take a look into it.

My only concern is would it be that big of a benefit than to not try and get in on the "Free Dining" or other offers in the end but that will be just a lot of number punching.

 

[janey123]

I would definitely suggest staying off site. The one time I stayed on site, me and my family didn't have the best of times.

I went back last summer and stayed at a local hotel. I had the chance to see the other attractions and had a lot of fun.

If anyone's interested I got my hotel from hotelbook.com

Definitely consider staying off site, mainly because you have a chance to visit the surrounding areas.

I hope that helps.

Janey