Staying Off Site

[laudan14]

Does anyone who stays off site hit the parks early then return to their hotel for a swim, then back to the parks.

We are stopping on internation drive and are thinking its a bit far to go with the Disney parks, maybe Universal is possible.

 

[WDWendy]

We have stayed at the Best Western Lake Buena Vista (which is much closer to Disney than Universal). We drove to Universal for four days of that trip, but we only made it back to the hotel for the afternoon one time.

You could easily do it, we just weren't motivated enough to go back again in the evening. There were too many intersting things to do close to the hotel. Like Pleasure Island!

 

[imfortune8]

I don't think anyone realizes just how big Disneyworld is until you are actually there. Plus International Dr. runs parallel to the freeway, so staying on International Dr. doesn't neccesarily mean you are close to Disney. In my opinion, trying to go back to the hotel mid-afternoon would be very time consuming considering how long it would take you to get to your car, leave Disney, get on the freeway, to your hotel, etc. We have had much more luck with our little kids by going to the park one day and then skipping a day, and staying at the hotel to play at the pools, catch up on sleep and get an early nights rest. I do however, have to admit I have never been to Disney in the crazy summer months. If the heat is just too intense, maybe it would be worth it, but just now that this will be a long process! You could always book a nice meal mid afternoon and take your break for the day while eating in air conditioning. That might work! Good Luck!

 

[jsmla]

I think it would hinge on whether or not you'll have a car. Leaving Epcot, AK or MGM is not that bad with your own transportation. If you're there at opening you'll probably be able to park within walking distance of the park. It would then be just a matter of walking to your car and driving to your hotel. A MK commute would be a little more time consuming. If you have to rely on your hotel shuttle the commute might take too long to make the break worthwhile. We've left Universal for lunch and swim breaks at our Disney resort quite a few times and it was never that big a deal. JMHO, but if I had kids with me and my own transportation I would make the time for a break, especially during the summer months, even if it meant missing a few attractions.


Jennifer

 

[WaltD4Me]

I don't think anyone realizes just how big Disneyworld is until you are actually there.

This is the absolute truth! So many people just have NO idea how big Disney is. I can't tell you how many people tell me they think they can easily hit all four parks in 2 days. I mean, I know they CAN, but it won't be easy and how much would they get to do/see?

Depending where you are on International Drive, you could go back and take a break, but I think you'd need to get to the park right at opening to make it worthwhile.

Have you thought about staying at at Downtown Disney hotel on Lake Buena Vista drive? It'd be much easier to do afternoon breaks staying at one of those hotels. They are alot closer to Disney, provide transportation and you can even walk to Downtown Disney from a couple of them.

 

[civileng68]

I agree that it's too much trouble to go back, especially at MK where it takes 5 months to get back to your car.

HOWEVER, one thing we do, which really helps us, is sleep in, WHICH IS SO NICE, and then go in the parks at mid day and stay until closing. If the parks are open really late, we sleep in later and/or just get up and relax longer before going to the parks. It really is nice that way.

 

[robinb]

Does anyone who stays off site hit the parks early then return to their hotel for a swim, then back to the parks.

Yikes! You'll be there in only 5 days!

I see you're coming from the UK. I would say that you could easily go back to your hotel if you hire a car. Even so, you would probably spend about 30-45 minutes each way since I-4 can get pretty backed up between Sea World and the WDW area. If you plan on relying on your hotel shuttle, you will want to check the schedule. Many of the off-site shuttles only run a few times a day each way.

Good luck and have a great time!

 

[civileng68]

Yikes! You'll be there in only 5 days!

I see you're coming from the UK. I would say that you could easily go back to your hotel if you hire a car. Even so, you would probably spend about 30-45 minutes each way since I-4 can get pretty backed up between Sea World and the WDW area. If you plan on relying on your hotel shuttle, you will want to check the schedule. Many of the off-site shuttles only run a few times a day each way.

Good luck and have a great time!

Beware that many offsite shuttles have their last park pickup so early that you wouldnt even be able to stay until closing OR even the fireworks in some cases. I would make OTHER plans for transportation to and from the parks.

 

[laudan14]

Yes we are from the UK and cant wait to get some heat, we have had hail stones today!!!

We do have a hire car and might try heading back to the hotel.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[disneykid1961]

We just returned and we stayed off-site at the Sheraton Safari which was a great location. Just near the Lake Buena Vista entrance. We had a rental car and the drive to each park was less than 15 minutes. Any hotel near Downtown Disney is great, because you avoid the traffic. The Hilton looked great, our Sheraton had a great pool. We would be at the park at opening, stay until around 2:00, then head back to the hotel for a few hours of swimming and early dinner. Then back to the park. If you do rent a car and drive yourself, then make sure and tell the parking attendant you're meeting friends at your original great and close parking area, or you could be directed to the farthest parking area. This was a lifesaver, because we always remembered where we were originally parked and had a very short walk back to the car at the end of the evening. I saw many people waiting for shuttles both in the morning and evening and we loved the flexibility of the car. The break in the day really helps the kids cool down and relax before heading back to the park. Hope this helps.