staying on-site or off-site??

[amyrajo]

Hello! I am currently planning our first family trip next March, and I am trying to find as
much information as possible! Our hardest decision right now is whether to stay on-site
or off-site. (I had posted this question on the Disney Resorts forum, and it was re-
commended that I ask the question here, as well!)

Here's a little background about our trip:
**We are traveling during our spring break (my husband and I are both teachers) so
we only have 6 days, 7 nights. 2 kids, ages 9 and 5
**We are flying from WI, and don't really want the hassle of renting a car; except maybe
a day for Sea World and a quick trip to the beach (?) Now I'm not sure of if we'll have time for the beach, but Sea World is a must!
** Cost of hotels is a bit of an issue - (I had a quoted rate of $137/night at the All Stars,
and it just seemed like a lot, for what you get..... just my assumption, but I don't want this trip to be a cheap vacation either!

If you stay off site, is it a must to rent a car instead of relying on the shuttles? How much
of a hassle is it to drive in and park everyday?

The responses I received on the other forum were VERY helpful! Thanks in advance!!!!!

 

[Jamieb]

I am sure you will get a few replies to this one and each person has their own preferences. $137 a night seems a lot for the All Stars, even during Spring Break. Also, four people in an all stars room would most likely seem a bit cramped for most people.

We just got back and stayed off site this time. We won a 1 bedroom condo from skyauction over the week of the 4th and could not have been happier. Yes, we had to rent a car but the car and one bedroom condo was less then $500 for the week. We were just a couple of minutes from the entrance to World drive and it took at the most 10 minutes to get to the parks, and only MK since it is a long drive down World drive.

It really depends on what you are wanting/willing to spend for the magic of staying on property. It is a different experience to stay on site then off, as you don't get the magic feeling 24/7. If your dead set against renting a car then I would suggest something on property or one of the Downtown Disney hotels. The transportation service on property will usually exceed anything off site. Some off site hotels have thier own shuttle, some will contract it out and then you may be waiting longer to get to/from your hotel.

Just keep scanning the boards, there is a lot of great information to be found on here.

 

[JANNYANS]

You can rent a home for less than $137 and have all the space and freedom you want as well as your own pool but you will be off site and need a car .

 

[Jailen's Gma]

We've been to Disney two times and have only stayed off-site. The kids were so excited to be going to Disney that it didn't matter were we stayed. Since it was seven of us it would have been too expensive to stay on site, anyway. We stayed at the Vistana Resort in a two-bedroom, and with a car, the costs was less than staying on site.

We may stay on site one day, but for right now, off site is the way to go.

 

[CarolA]

I have done both and there are pros and cons. However, if you stay offsite I think a car is a must. There are a few offsite places with good shuttle transportation, but not many.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

If this is your first trip and you have a limited amount of time my suggestion would be on site, but if price is an issue then you should go off site with a rental car because you are going to want the freedom of coming and going as you please an it will also help you maximize your time by not having to wait infinate amounts of time for shuttles. You should do your day at the beach in the middle of your vacation because all of you (esp. the kids) will love the break and to be able to just hang out in the water and play in the sand. We have stayed on site and off site and one the best experiences we had off site was at the econo lodge hawaiian hotel. It had an great pool area and was very clean. I remember it cost under 40.00 a night. Just look on all the rental car websites for a good deal. We got a car one time for 250.00 a week. As far as maximizing your dollar in other parts of your trip, off site hotels are great for the free breakfast. Our first trip we took we would eat the free muffins and orange juice at the hotel, then we would take a break in the afternoon because the kids need a rest anyway and we would eat lunch at Mcdonalds or KFC, then go out to eat at night at one of the great restaurants outside the resort. There are great chinese and seafood buffets along the main strip. We ate onsite for dinner twice so that the kids could experience character dining. Years later we are still doing this same thing and it always works out great!

 

[disneysteve]

I suggest reading this thread on the budget board:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=398570&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

Staying offsite is far more economical even when you add in the cost of a rental car. I know a lot of people who stay offsite and use the shuttles. Personally, I would never be without a car even when staying onsite. I like to be able to come and go as I please without depending on buses for transportation. Driving to the parks is no hassle at all. What I consider a hassle is waiting for buses then crowding on with a bunch of strangers.

I agree that 4 people in an AllStars room will be cramped. Offsite, you can get a suite, condo or house for less than $137. We're staying in a 3-bedroom condo in Windsor Palms in November for $90/nite!

Steve

 

[J&D]

You can get a two bedroom villa at the brand new Wyndham Palms Resort & Country Club for $88.90/night through Hotel Kingdom. The resort is only minutes from Disney. You can get the villa and a rental car cheaper than a room at All Stars.

You can check out these links for more info on the resort:
http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/MCOTP/main.wnt
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=343655
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=328042

 

[sln88]

get a 2 bedroom condo on Skyauction for $250 ish for a week. We did this last year and are doing it this year. I prefer to save the money and have the extra space- that way everyone can get a good night's sleep.
Yes, you will need a car, but you won't have the hassle of trying to use Disney transportation, and if you are going to Seaworld and the beach, you will probably want a car anyhow.

Deciding to stay on site or off site depends on your goals- do you want to save the money or experience more magic? When we went last year, we were at the parks everyday from open til close, and we only used the condo to crash at, so the 'magic' was not an issue. It was also easier to eat breakfast before we left for the day, and freeze water and snacks to take to the park for lunch. This saved money and we had more time to enjoy the park attractions because we were not in line for food.

I did not think driving was a hassle, but we were there during Oct, so it may be quite a bit busier for you in March.

I am also from Wisc- the Milw area- where are you from?

Whatever you decide, have a blast!

 

[spiceycat]

even OKW the least expensive of the DVC resorts will cost $110 for a studio - if you rent from a DVC member.

an OKW has 2 queen beds - so they are much better than the All Stars.

Spring Break is high season at WDW - how about Thanksgiving - that is a much better season - lower crowds, lower costs and lots of fun....

do you get a fall break? that is also a great time to go to WDW.

a studio at OKW going 5 days - Sun-Thurs (leaving on Friday) - will be 8 points a night for the first 3, then 11 points for the next 2 - so a total of 46 points so around $460 - for a 5 day stay.

this is a WDW (DVC) resort on WDW property - so you get the extra - early morning entry - E-nights - plus you can charge everything (if you want too) to your Resort ID.

this is a studio so you get a mircowave and a under-the-counter refrigerator included in the room. Of course most of the rooms in Kissimmee include this now.

 

[amyrajo]

I am so impressed with the amount of information I have received from everyone. I
really appreciate all the comments, suggestions, and bits of advice, which will make
my planning much easier! Thank you!

- sln88........I live near Wausau, but am originally from Port Washington!!!!!!!!!!!!