Staying offsite for 4th of July???

[maggiew]

Currently we have reservations at All Star Sports for July 3 - 8. My kids aren't really excited about staying at the All Stars (I guess I have resort snob kids and I can't figure out why because we usually do Values or Moderates?????) Anyway, I have been thinking of staying offsite at either Buena Vista Suites or Cypress Pointe. We would get more space, for a comparable price. Although we would have to give up the dining plan (I was on the fence about this though, so no big deal. My kids are "adults" so it will cost us more anyway.) We would also have to pay to park. I just worry that with it being the holiday, we should stay onsite. Any opinions on this?? We do not plan to go to MK on July 4, so no worries about not being allowed in due to park closure. We plan to go to AK on July 4, so I don't think that will be closed. We have an ADR at 'Ohana for dinner at 8 pm to watch the fireworks. So we can still do that.

What do you think? Stick with the All Stars? I am trying to keep this trip relatively inexpensive since I have tacked this 5 day trip onto our already scheduled cruise (Royal Caribbean). I can't be so close to WDW and not go, but DH isn't quite so anxious.

Maggie

 

[spiceycat]

I would stay with All Stars because of EMH - with adults kids you could definitely get your money worth out of that - especially on the late nights at the parks...you know when the parks doesn't close until 11pm or midnight - 3 hours after that - oh yes- wonderfully!!!

but back to your question.

for the deluxe resort July 4 is the end of the regular season and starts the value season - does that tell you anything.....

the parks will be crowded - but not so much as you can't move...I don't think other than July 4 it will any park closing because of capacity.....

hope this will help
http://www.touringplans.com/
http://www.touringplans.com/BestDays.htm

 

[maggiew]

We probably aren't going to do any EMH. So, would that change things?

Maggie

 

[spiceycat]

definitely you won't have a major problem staying offsite....(my opinion)

go look at the bestday links I send you - the parks is going to be crowded - but all of summer the parks will be crowded until the later part of Aug.

 

[maggiew]

Thanks spiceycat. You are always so helpful.

I am going to keep the All Star reservations until codes come out (if they do) or until the deadline to cancel without penalty. Then I will see what I want to do. But I am leaning towards the offsite stay.

Maggie

 

[Mickey527]

I stayed offsite one year for the 4th of July and won't ever do that again only because the drive home took over 3 hours. The traffic was so bad and the security closed roads so when I left Epcot I wound up going around toward MK, then out of the park from that exit.
I love Epcot fireworks so now when I stay for the 4th I make sure to stay at the resorts in the Epcot walking area, usually BCV because I am a DVC owner.
If you have ressies for dinner at Ohana try and drag out dinner so that you are at the resort at least an hour after the fireworks end so you miss some of the major traffic.
Last year MK, MGM and Ak were all closed at points because of the crowds. I don't know if staying on site has a benefit of admission to closed parks but others might know. Peggie

 

[cinamin27]

I stayed offsite this past July 4th (7/1/2005 through 7/8/2005) at Celebration World Resort. We used the back way in & out of Disney grounds (Sherberth Rd, brings you close to the Animal Kingdom Lodge/Animal Kingdom Park). We had absolutely no problems at all with traffic. We even went to the Board Walk on the 4th of July to meet family that was at EPCOT, the fireworks at EPCOT were aparently cancelled, or maybe just really really late because of lightening but the ride home was no longer than it was any other time.

I also think Cypress Pointe would be a good option with little traffic.

Right now there are a couple options available that would fit your timeframe if you would like to use skyauction.com buy it now's (the check ins are 7/1 with 7/8 checkout, you can check in later if you call & let them know). For $699 you can stay a week at Vacation Village at Parkway in a 2 bedroom or 1 bedroom (same price for both), Westgate Vacation Villas in a 1 bedroom, Summer Bay in a 1 bedroom, Silver Lake in a 2 bedroom, & Celebration World Resort in a 1 bedroom. I think all would be ok traffic wise.

 

[CarolA]

Park closing

Parks are closed in something resembling the following order
1. parking lots closed. In other words when the MK lot fills up you get sent to Epcot and take the monorail over
2. Parks closed to offsite guests.
3. Parks closed to all guests. (Note: Onsite guests are guranteed admission to A park, not always the park of thier choice)

So the risk with July 4th is that the park will close. If you plan on going to MK you may be impacted. All others, I wouldn't worry about it.

That said, considering how crowded it would be EMH would be worth considering.......

 

[hercamore]

Peraonally, I'd go with Cypress Pointe. I have stayed there once and it's a quick shot to the parks via 535/536.

Yes, traffic will be heavier on the 4th, but you're only going to the AK, I don't see the problem. Get there before opening. This park closes before the other parks do, so you'll be out of the more crowded return home traffic.

herc