Staying off site...

[Mnchkn11]

I've been to WDW several times and have always stayed on-site. In June, my boyfriend and I are taking our first trip together and are staying off-site. His parents have a time share and offered a week to us. Has anyone stayed off site and how well did it work? I know we will lose out on EMH (which makes me sad), but the trip is much more affordable for us if we stay off-site. Any feedback would be appreciated!

 

[sunny04]

We stayed offsite twice. A lot of hotels offer shuttles to the parks, which is nice. However, make sure you know when the last one returns. If you plan to stay to park closing, you will sometimes need to drive and park. We started staying onsite to use the bus system and get EMH. However, now we're tired of being cramped on the buses, so we don't use them much and we often avoid EMH. So it really isn't much different. The nice thing about being onsite is just having those extra options. If we get up early, we CAN go to a park early, if we want to stay up we CAN stay later, if we don't feel like driving, we CAN use the bus. It's just really up to you and how you travel as to the benefits you will get.

 

[ujpest_doza]

We have always stayed off site, usually in privately rented Villas with private pools or on our last (and next) trip in a Town House with a community pool in the back yard.

We have always drove to WDW and US and either eaten out in LBV or Kissimmee or at the rental home.

We have always enjoyed ourselves and never felt like we were missing out on anything at all. Its quite nice having a private pool to yourself without worrying about feeling self concious about other guests seeing you in your bathing costume. You can have a swim any time you like as the pool doesn't close and you can also have a BBQ at your own private pool.

 

[spiceycat]

offsite can be nice - just be sure to have a CAR...very important for offsite.

is your parents timeshare in Orlando - or are you going to exchange it with either RCI or II?

if you need to exchange it - be sure to post here what your exchanges are - some are great -

any Marriott or DVC (and yes II does get occassionally a DVC generally a studio or 1-bedroom) is great!

on RCI - Hilton Grand vacation club or Sheraton Vistana (also on II)

on both Cypress Pointe, some of the Marriott.

 

[Mnchkn11]

Thanks for all the replies!

The timeshare is with my bf's parents. We are using RCI, but I have absolutely no clue how it all works. We get to pick a week at any hotel listed. So far we've narrowed it down and are hoping for either the Sheraton Vistana or Fairfield at Bonnet Creek. We WILL have a car, so getting around won't be a problem.

 

[spiceycat]

I would Hilton Grand Vacation- these are excellent - and because they have to at 11 month window (or it seems like it) - they are sometimes availablity at the last few months.