staying off-site without a car, is it doable?

[fac]

I have talked my sister and DBIL into going to WDW without a car as I used to stay on-site and felt that it is possible.

However, given the discount code I received covers part of her trip, they may plan to stay off-site. My experience is only "on-site with a car", therefore I cannot help them too much. I know some of the off-site properties provide transportation to the Parks, but how frequent is the shuttle? do they pick up after the firework?

Will someone help?

thanks

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

If they aren't traveling with young children, they could do it. Just be prepared to plan ahead and leave early for everything.

I would call ahead to the hotel where they are staying and see if they provide shuttle transportation to WDW.

The room only discount codes just came out so staying on-site can be very affordable.

BTW, I just got a great rate from Dollar on rental cars using the discount code VFGET, a compact for $114.95 base price for one week.

Good luck!

 

[toystorymom]

If their hotel has a shuttle then it will be doable but they may have to be willing to be very flexible. You are definitely at the mercy of the shuttle schedule which will depend on the hotel. We stayed off site a couple of years ago and I remember that there was a shuttle from the parks back to the hotel at noon and the next one wasn't until dinner time. We had 3 young kids with us, what if they had had enough mid-day, we would have been stuck. Having young kids with you changes everything.

I agree with the last poster, if it's adults only it is definitely possible. If there are children and they stay off site, then I would definitely look into renting a car for those days. Of course, for that money they may be able to just stay on site!

 

[LMC]

You didn't mention when you are going. Is it in value season? If it is then they can get a great rate on property. Go to mousesavers.com to see when value seasons are compared to your travel dates. Also, check to see what discount codes may be out for that time period. There is always AAA discount too if you have that. I personally would not stay off property w/o a car, because like previously stated, you are at the mercy of the shuttle schedules!

 

[HappyLawyer]

yes my hotel offers shuttles to disney, universal and seaworld, i could not go somewhere and drive i would get so lost

 

[fac]

Originally posted by LMC
You didn't mention when you are going. Is it in value season? If it is then they can get a great rate on property. Go to mousesavers.com to see when value seasons are compared to your travel dates. Also, check to see what discount codes may be out for that time period. There is always AAA discount too if you have that. I personally would not stay off property w/o a car, because like previously stated, you are at the mercy of the shuttle schedules!

They are going between the regular and value (i.e. end of this month and I will make two bookings). Trust me, I have already checked mousesavers.com and even had talked to the CM about AAA discount (in fact, the CM told me it is okay to use my AAA number), but nothing beats the e-mail discount code, which was what I told them in the first place. The CM was very nice and told me I would qualify for the discount quote for this month if I booked before 07/31/04.

They are thinking off-site and I am not sure. This is their first trip in 12 years and the first for their daughter, therefore I hope they have a good experience.

 

[fac]

Originally posted by HappyLawyer
yes my hotel offers shuttles to disney, universal and seaworld, i could not go somewhere and drive i would get so lost

Did you stay in Howard Johnson? What was your experience with the hotel shuttle? was it good? How frequent was the shuttle service?

 

[floridagirrl2]

The hotels with the best shuttle service are probably the Downtown Disney hotels, and they will probably not be any cheaper than onsite hotels. I thought the DD shuttles were great on the weekend, not-so-great on weekdays.

Most of the other hotels contract for shuttle service and the shuttles stop at many different hotels. Expect a long wait for these shuttles, and I think I've read they are sometimes standing room only (just like Disney shuttles sometimes).

How old is your niece?

 

[SonicLogic]

Originally posted by floridagirrl2
The hotels with the best shuttle service are probably the Downtown Disney hotels, and they will probably not be any cheaper than onsite hotels.

The Downtown Disney Hotels are "onsite". They have a wonderful shuttle service. It's better than WDW buses IMO.

 

[liferiley]

WDW without a car is very doable! i did it this year(stayed near wet'n'wild)we used shuttles to Disney and taxi's to universal/belz.transportation is great around Orlando imo,and i also don't have to worry about having a sly beer or two.if staying off site and you are sure of your dates use hotwire/priceline there cheap as chips!

by the way we had a rental car and used it only to get from the airport to our hotel.

 

[fac]

Thank you all, it really helps to make the decision.
they decided on a downtown disney hotel.

 

[sln88]

If there are only 3 of them, they could rent a compact. It probably would not cost much more than their airport transfers.

 

[fac]

It may be true that it is cheaper to rent a compact, but they do not drive in a new city.

Thank you for sharing your ideas and experiences, in particular SonicLogic's cleaification on Downtown Disney Hotel. They decided to stay in Hilton in WDW from expedia. They found the price better than staying in value resort.