Staying on site vs off site with Autistic child and on a tight budget

[Beemitchcowski]

We want to bring our 6 yr old child to Disney. There will be a total of 3 adults, my 6 yr old and an infant. We are on a tight budget (can't afford villas on property or 2 moderate resort hotel rooms) I guess we could always get 2 rooms at a value resort with connecting rooms but I've heard the beds arent' that comfortable and it can be very noisy.

We are torn with staying onsite vs offsite. This will be our first trip to Disney. Our child has high funtioning autism...he gets overstimulated very easily...he looooves pools/waterslides so I would like to be able to stay at a resort that offers a nice pool area.

With staying off site..I'm wondering if getting walking to our car..getting in a car..standing in line at the TTC at MK will be a real pain...I've also heard that if you stay at a value..even a moderate on property that a rental car/taxi service is HIGHLY recommended rather than using Disney transportation (buses).

for off site..I was thinking if we stayed at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek..Ive heard really good things...otherwise a condo at Windsor Hills?

Anyone have any advice? Thank you.

 

[jmartinez1895]

We have stayed at both value and mod and loved them both. Our son has special needs and the resort was very helpful with getting us into a room that met our needs. For value we stayed at POP.The pool looked like a lot of fun. When we where there is was very nice and quiet and we where in a room near the pool. Also we had no trouble with the buses at either resort. We just planned to use them when the bulk of the crowd had already gone Either try to catch on of the first buses out and then plan on waiting outside the park for it to open ( or make ADR's for breakfast) or go about on hour or so after they park has opened. Then when you leave just go about an hour before closing or hang around the park after fireworks and let the bulk of the crowds go out first. We found that the beds where fine, but everyone is different. I enjoy the perks of staying on property.

 

[bookwormde]

Bonnet creek would be a good choice, there are lots of owners who rent for very reasonable prices. Driving is not a big deal from that close and the trams can be fun for our kids, as can be the ferries (just remember to take a picture of where you parked each day it can create extra anxiety for our kids when they are tired and ready to go and mom or dad can not find the car (been there).

bookwormde

 

[seethruguy]

We find that waiting involved with busses can be hard for our DD, who has Down syndrome and falls on the spectrum. A perfect world for us is a villa on site, If not I would opt for one off site. Either way we rent a car. The full kitchen is great because eating out every night can be a bit much on her, and us, and seperate rooms allow her to get some quite time if she needs it. We have never stayed at Bonnett Creek, but I have heard a lot of really good things about, and want to try it in the future and it is on Disney property. My favs off site are the Hilton properties especilly the one on International drive. I have bought my park tickets in the past from AAA which includes a Diamond parking pass. These spaces are the next to the handicap parking area and skips the tram, which some of our kids love and others not so much.

 

[MSSANDRA]

You will all fit into a room at pop and we love it there. If you request a room on the back side of the 70's building, you will fine a rather quite out of the way location. WE find bus service great there. Beds are doubles, so a little small but comfortable. Being on site would allow you to use EMH and the dinning plan as well as allow your group to split up if your child needs a break at the room. Pop prices really are good as well.

 

[kirstenb1]

We have DVC, but if we didn't I would rent offsite in a minute!

Couple thoughts...dd has same dx. At the end of the day, she is so overstimulated, it takes her a while to settle down. Having her own bedroom is key. We drive down, and on our first night stop in Georgia, we rent two hotel rooms, just so she has her own bedroom.

Second thought, again, at the end of the day....it will be nice for you all to have access to a less busy pool, rather than at the Values.

 

[lucigo]

My son is 7 and has high functioning autism. He has hyperlexia, which means he was an early reader and basically loves numbers and letters, music, patterns, that type of thing. He LOVES Pop Century. Loves to read the words on the buildings, sit in the numbers, and play on the giant keyboard on the ground.

Definitely worth checking out.

You can also find lots of helpful hints on these boards for the overstimulation. My two favorites at the moment are hearing protector earphones and even at 7 my son still sits in a stroller with a giant hood that can become his cave.

 

[Beemitchcowski]

Thank you for all of your replies! I'm taking notes! I've heard Pop is the nicest of the value resorts...I think my son would love the themeing...as well as the All Stars Movies (he's a huge Toy Story fan!)...My head is still spinning with all of the possibilities. I keep on going back to Bonnet Creek just because it would be nice to be able to spread out and have a quiet area for my son to go to..as well as have a quieter pool area.....hmmm...decisions..decisions...

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Although Bonnet Creek Resort is surrounded by Disney on three sides (I-4 is the 4th) it is not part of WDW and you do not get any of the on-site benefits.

If driving you have to pay to park.

If using their transportation, it is on a set schedule and will take you to the Charter Bus lots and not the regular bus parking. For example, for MK their bus will only take you to the TTC and not MK. And if you miss the last bus back you will need to take a taxi; if at a Disney Resort they will guarantee you a ride.

You are not eligible for any Extra Magic Hours, cannot have purchases shipped to your resort, and cannot use the 180+10 for dining reservations.

 

[ireland_nicole]

We have a dd with pdd-nos. We always stayed onsite but our last trip we moved to a townhouse at Windsor hills. My kids were so much happier. They had their own rooms when everything got overwhelming, had a small pool literally right outside the patio door, we could park right I front of the house, could make some of their favorite meals, etc. Also, the adults weren't all stuck in a dark hotel room while the kids fell asleep. I planned to go bak onsite our upcoming trip because there are Only 3 of us- but for less than one value room we are getting a Disney themed 3 bed townhouse with a pool- I had to go with it. Plus, dd does really well in the parks for up to maybe 4 hours, and then she's done- it's nice to have the extra space in the afternoon, too.

 

[DisDadDoc]

How about the Nick Hotel? We've stayed there twice with our autistic son and it worked out great. They have mini-suites with 2 bedrooms and a mini-kitchen. They have free breakfast buffets too, so with 3 adults you can minimize transitions by sending someone down to get food for the group.

Whatever you do, plan lots of breaks during the day and expect to be shocked at improvements and the things that your child will try at Disney (that he'd never do at home!)

 

[Beemitchcowski]

Thank you for the suggestions..the Nick Hotel looks really neat...I'm just not sure if I would want to spend my entire vacation there since we also will have an 11 month old that will need some peace and quiet at times

We are leaning towards Windsor Hills because having a private pool seems very inviting and it is still near the parks and we would all have our own bedroom.

 

[Hasil72]

Here's another vote for either Bonnet Creek or Windsor Hills. Our DS is on the spectrum and specifically asked us if we can have more down time on our next visit. He LOVED Windsor Hills. It's so close to the parks, they have a great playground, and a zero depth entry pool with a slide in addition to whatever you have privately with your rental. Most have great themed rooms without being overstimulating. DS is a picky eater so it is wonderful to have the option of stopping at Super Target (highlight of my trip) to have his fave foods on hand.

For all the reasons pp's have mentioned, we find that staying there has always been our best bet. Everyone can have their own space and sitting by the pool after a long day is priceless. Yes, you have to have a car and pay for parking each day but we found that it was well worth the expense.

Let us know what you decide. Good luck!!!!

 

[Beemitchcowski]

Thank you

My husband is very much set on Windsor Hills...he fell in love with the private pool! He also wants my son to have his own room...His thoughts are it will be so much easier to get the two kids to unwind and go to sleep if we are not in a single room..or even a cabin.....The more I think about it...it makes perfect sense..I'm just worried about missing out on the "magic" that most people rave about and that its an experience like nothing else.

would you say that it takes about 45 minutes to get into Magic Kingdom from the time that you leave Windsor Hills? Was the driving painful?

 

[DCDisney]

I think you are right to stay off property rather than a Value. If your son has sensory issues I think it would be a problem as they are so noisy and the pools so crowded. Driving to the TTC isn't bad at all. We stayed at Shades of Green on our last trip so usually took a bus to TTC and then monorail or bus from there. There are shaded bus waiting areas if you want to switch to AK or DHS. The monorail is a nice ride from TTC to Epcot or MK.

 

[buffettgirl]

We want to bring our 6 yr old child to Disney. There will be a total of 3 adults, my 6 yr old and an infant. We are on a tight budget (can't afford villas on property or 2 moderate resort hotel rooms) I guess we could always get 2 rooms at a value resort with connecting rooms but I've heard the beds arent' that comfortable and it can be very noisy.

We are torn with staying onsite vs offsite. This will be our first trip to Disney. Our child has high funtioning autism...he gets overstimulated very easily...he looooves pools/waterslides so I would like to be able to stay at a resort that offers a nice pool area.

With staying off site..I'm wondering if getting walking to our car..getting in a car..standing in line at the TTC at MK will be a real pain...I've also heard that if you stay at a value..even a moderate on property that a rental car/taxi service is HIGHLY recommended rather than using Disney transportation (buses).

for off site..I was thinking if we stayed at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek..Ive heard really good things...otherwise a condo at Windsor Hills?

Anyone have any advice? Thank you.

are you in any way eligible for Shades of Green? The rooms there are ENORMOUS. (two queens and a pull out) and the resort is very quiet and calming - with a big Mickey Shaped pool - though no slides. Plus you can use all disney transportation.

 

[Beemitchcowski]

are you in any way eligible for Shades of Green? The rooms there are ENORMOUS. (two queens and a pull out) and the resort is very quiet and calming - with a big Mickey Shaped pool - though no slides. Plus you can use all disney transportation.

Good suggestion but I don't think so...we are in no way part of the military other than going to 2 volunteer coast guard meetings

 

[buffettgirl]

Good suggestion but I don't think so...we are in no way part of the military other than going to 2 volunteer coast guard meetings

LOL. nope, don't think that counts. I mention it because some times people totally forget about it . The rooms are cheap and huge.

 

[Beemitchcowski]

LOL. nope, don't think that counts. I mention it because some times people totally forget about it . The rooms are cheap and huge.

And thank you all for sharing your thoughts... I feel like going in circles trying to plan this vacation... I don't want any regrets!

 

[ireland_nicole]

I really don't think you'll regret driving from Windsor Hills- I want to say it was less then 20 min. driving to MK (which was the furthest by a long shot)- you do have to go through the TTC and take the monorail or ferry, so theoretically by the time you've done all that it could be 45 door to door- but it doesn't at all feel that long to me. The other parks are way closer and you park right out front.

What I am doing is getting an AP for myself, that way our parking is included, I can get a TIW card for less than $100 which gives us all 20% off meals, and we get a discount other placed like WoD. I will be taking a trip also in June with just DS so it def. works out better for us.

As far as losing the magic, I think it helps to geta house with a disney theme, it helps us feel more like we're there. On the other hand, I love just reaching in the fridge when I want a drink instead of trudging to the food court, love having 3 bathrooms, REALLY love having the pool on the other side of the patio door (trust me, my body in a bathing suit is not something the general public should be forced to see LOL) and especially am enamored with parking the car right outside the front door- partiularly helpful with a kiddo who is either crashed out or in full meltdown mode. The 3/3 townhouses we rent generally run $99/night ( or less) which is basically the same as 1 room in a value- I personally think that savings is magical

ETA: I don't find the driving painful- we drive even when we're onsite because the busses with an overstimmed melting down child is just not happening for us- tried it on her first trip- will never, ever, ever do it again. honestly it doesn't feel any farther to WH than to the onsite hotels we used to stay at; I think it's like 1.3 miles off property or something; certainly not far.

Plus, and I know this sounds crazy, but I love driving under "the sign" every morning. There's actually a shortcut somewhere that shaves even more time off, but when we used to stay onsite, I passed under that sign twice a trip- once on the way in and once on the way out. When I stay at WH I pass under it on the way to every park, and goofball that I am, I get choked up every time.