Switching to on-site for free dining??

[ceopamom3]

This is a strange question, but I have 8 nights booked at Disney's POR with a trundle bed for our family of 5 in August. My DH will only be with us part of the trip due to work constraints ....

Will we be OK for a week in that little room? I am not sure if free dining is worth it... My kids are 11, 9 and 8 and two of them are good eaters.. We have done all the character meals before too.. Also, rental car rates are high, and I was thinking of using ME... I am worried I will feel trapped on WDW property (what if I forget something - and need to run to Publix or Walmart????)....

We have stayed off site in lovely timeshares through skyauction for years now (better than a dozen trips)... We love the space, and the kitchen and the washer and dryer.. and the price!!!!! We also generally go to Sea World, and Busch Gardens in Tampa - the outlets ... Of course, we rent a car as well..

We have stayed on-site at POP and All-Stars and do not like the value resorts (just our humble opinion)... we stayed the GF in a suite and loved it (one night before WDW vow renewal - likely never happen again!!) - and in a 2 br at Saratoga Springs - and loved that..

Any opinions? I know this is a strange thing to be worried about.. but the trip is more $$ than I generally spend - and i want it to be enjoyable time..

 

[Chuck S]

Only you will know what is truly "right" for your family. Can you get a one bedroom unit at OKW? You'd need to provide an air mattress and bedding for one of the kids, but you'd have the free dining, full kitchen, and a lot of room.

While we usually have a car, we have stayed with only Disney transportation, it works out OK. The resort stores carry most items that a person really needs for a trip, even if they are a little pricey. The stores at DVC resorts have a decent, but not extensive, packaged food selection as well.

 

[familyoffiveAZ]

I'd think you'd come out better financially staying onsite actually. Unless you already have APs or something and are having to pay that hefty 1-day ticket add on to the package.

For us, 6 nights at POR w/ free dining (and 2 adult, 2 children park tickets no hopper) priced out at $1714.18. Priced separately, the park tickets were at least $8xx if I remember correctly, making the room around $900 for 6 nights.

Now agreed -- that's a hefty chunk of change for a room only. But if we'd not have to rent a car, we've got several hundreds in savings right there. Don't have to buy (much or any) food, whoa mucho savings there.

You say you always do Sea World, shopping, Tampa Bay. IF you are still planning to do that on this trip then yes, you'd probably need a rental car anyway. So staying onsite to save on that isn't going to happen. If you don't feel you'd be able to use the dining plan well (I question that myself as we're not big table-service eaters), then maybe onsite wouldn't be saving you all that much on food either.

 

[ceopamom3]

if we stay on site - we will not be going to any parks other than WDW... We have lots of days on exisitng passes too - so we are only doing the one day (and we will save this day toward future 10 day tickets) ticket to complete the package.. I believe it comes to almost $1700 with room and 1 day ticket for 8 nights....

any other thoughts or comments are welcome!!! I will check on the 1 bedroom at Old Key West - is 5 in that room legal by Disney standards?

 

[hercamore]

Hi,

Not worth it to me. 5 in a small room with one bathroom. plus, you probably want to take breaks during the day because of the heat. Also, keep in mind appetites are usually down duirng the high heat of a Fl summer.

I vote for offsite totally or a combo.

herc.

 

[Chuck S]

I will check on the 1 bedroom at Old Key West - is 5 in that room legal by Disney standards?

They are currently allowing it for DVC ressies through member services, I am assuming CRO will allow it for cash ressies, but I don't know for sure.