The Disney Experience

[kcarp]

Castillo Mom

You were saying you could live with the wait for the bus system. Yeah, it's ok the first few times, but when your trying to get somewhere it really sucks. After 5 or 6 days it gets old.

 

[finnie48]

Swan/Dolphin??

Hi, again,
There are great rates available for the above deluxe resorts starting at $139, and less if you are a teacher, nurse, or Gov. employee. The location, in my opinion, can't be beat. Also, check out the just released Fairytale package. Have fun planning, but try not to overplan. Bob

 

[crisi]

I've stayed at the CBR twice, both times dependant on Disney transportation, and enjoyed my stay both times. One time we were in the "island" directly across the bridge from the main pool - that was good - a little off the beaten path, but easy to run to the food court.

But its a matter of tolerance. Compared to staying at the Poly, the CBR is way too far from everything, with poor transportation options. Compared to staying at a hotel in Kissamee, its heaven. Some people have very little tolerance for having a long walk to the bus stop or the food court, or a long wait if they miss the bus. For others it doesn't phase them (I've been for longer than six days, and it didn't phase me any more at the end of my vacation than it did at the beginning - but I'm easy).

 

[Castillo Mom]

Audflash, did you make a decison yet? I'm curious to know what hotel you chose.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by mickey4ver
I don't believe they allow this anymore unless you are dining at the California Grill. The observation deck is neat to go visit though, even in daylight hours to get a wonderful view of the whole area.

Last I heard this was correct. The 15th floor observation deck is only open to people dining at California Grill. However, anyone can watch fireworks from the landings along the outdoor staircases of the hotel. In fact, a pretty good crowd gathers on the 4th floor (concourse level) staircase. People bring out chairs and all.

As for onsite vs. offsite and Disney transport vs. driving, this is an extremely individual decision. My wife and I love to drive and hate waiting for buses. We like to come and go when and where we want. Disney transport is great considering the size of the property and the vast number of guests they move incredibly efficiently. But even when I stay onsite I will not use their buses. I can almost always get from point A to point B faster by car. Plus, there are some places that are very difficult or impossible to get to without a car. For example, if you are at one Disney hotel (non-monorail) and want to get to another, you have to travel to a park or Downtown Disney first and change buses. It can take you close to an hour to do so.

So again, think about the type of person you are. If you don't want to drive on your vacation, offsite hotels have shuttles, often free, but they run on a limited schedule. Some people don't mind this at all - others find it very inconvenient. Onsite hotels have much more convenient transportation, but it still has its limitations and hassle factor. Staying onsite with a car lets you zip around property at will and parking is free for resort guests. Staying offsite with a car (our preference) is pretty simple assuming you don't stay too far away. On our last trip, it took us 7 minutes to get from our hotel to Disney MGM Studios (the closest park). Certainly, the trip from many onsite hotels would take longer than that, so don't be deceived into thinking that onsite automatically means closer. Disney property is huge.

Steve

 

[audflash]

Castillo mom:

I did make a reservation at the Grosvenor (I think I got a good deal) but their cancellation policy is good and I am still looking. Has anyone stayed at the Port Orleans Riverside? This looks like a great place, too. I see that lots of people recommend the Caribbean, specifically the Martinique section. How can I get a better deal on these resorts. The prices on Expedia seem high...

I can't believe the activity on this board - it's great. You all have so much info to share!

Thanks, Audrey

 

[RobinMarie]

We stayed at the POR a year ago. We switched from the Fort Wilderness Cabins over to POR (and later to the Swan). There were 3 of us on the trip and we each loved a different spot. I loved the Port Orleans Riverside for the Magnolia trees, gazebos and Victorian atmosphere. I loved my morning walk for coffee and the swimming hole was fun! HE loved the FW cabins for the comfort/space and my daughter loved the Swan for the views of Epcot and MGM.

We stayed at the CBR in August and didn't love it. Different strokes for different folks!

 

[westjones]

We are a family on a budget, and we have done both. I have to say our first trips we were SO overwhelmed with the parks, trying to get in all there is to do there, but we spent VERY little time at our hotels. So offsite was just fine.

We are at a point now that we plan to do once a year and so we want a more relaxed experience AND we want to try out different resorts at WDW, so we are now staying onsite and enjoying it very much.

So I think you will be just fine off site because you will have SO much to do and see with this being your first trip to the parks.

We started watching a TV show called Great Hotels on the Travel Channel, and that got us interested in trying out the onsite resorts. Next week (May 12th) at 12:00 noon EST they are showing the Animal Kingdom Lodge and then later that week (May 15th) at the same time they are showing the Grand Floridian. Once I saw some of these resorts on this show, I was hooked and I wanted to 'experience' them. But you can't do everything on every trip......so for a first time there I would just focus on the parks and not worry about staying at an onsite resort.

DJ

 

[crisi]

disneysteve,

There is also the cab option for those times that a shuttle will be inconvienent (i.e. resort to resort) for those that don't want to drive. So you don't need to spend an hour on shuttles if you don't want to and don't have a car.

 

[audflash]

Based on the feedback here, we have decided to stay onsite - probably at the CBR. I have been searching the web for rates and they all seem to be the same. So many of you talk about staying at these resorts for such great prices - How do you do it?!

BTW - I am very grateful for the help! We travel a lot but this is a whole new experience for us...

Audrey

 

[safetymom]

Try going to http://www.mousesavers.com/ Mary Waring's site has lots of information on finding better rates at WDW. That is how all of us get better rates is by using codes or special Disney offers.

 

[mouselovr]

We just got back from WDW and we stayed onsite this year. I really think it was not what it was cracked up to be! Granted we stayed at the all-star movies (value resort) so that may have had an impact on the service. Our main reason for picking onsite this time was all the great things we had heard about Disney transportation and let me tell you it was bad! We waited 30 minutes to catch a bus for MK early entry and we were some of the first people in line. The other parks had at least one if not two buses to them before we ever got the first one, and they were not even open yet (what was up with that??) We also waited for 45 minutes one night to get on a bus when leaving and then we chose to go to Sprts instead and walk the 3/4 mile to our room in Movies! The people we talked to at the pool a few nights later said they waited for 1hour anf 45 mins for a bus that night. Needless to say we ended up driving the rest of the time and got around a lot faster. If we go back I will definatly NOT stay on site! The rooms were not that great, although the themeing was. The only real advantage was the early entry.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by mouselovr
If we go back I will definatly NOT stay on site! The rooms were not that great, although the themeing was. The only real advantage was the early entry.

I'm curious - is Early Entry really that big a deal? We always visit during the off-season when the parks aren't all that crowded, so EE probably wouldn't matter. But how about during the busier times - do you really get to do that much more?

Steve

 

[admiral nelson]

I prefer onsite. To me, E-Ride, Extra Magic Hour, and the busses are WELL worth it. Especially when I stay at the value resorts. I am usually so bonked from going all day long, I'm nearly sleeping on the busride back. Better than in my car. (I still get a rental car to get food, and go to universal, take trips to downtown disney) Waiting 15-20 minutes for a bus is not a big deal to me. I guess everyone has their issues.

I also agree about the all around ambiance of the place, vs. just a regular hotel. The rooms are small, but if you are going to vacation in your room, save the admission ticket price and stay at one of the more expansive properties like AKL. I say, stay on site. Pro's far out weight the cons.

 

[audflash]

OK - I can't thank you all enough - here's where we are now...

Cancelled res for Grosvenor - took the FT package for the AKL.

I wouldn't know really, but this FT thing seems like a big deal. We are staying at a super-much nicer resort (a real Disney resort at that) AND adding two days to our trip AND getting UPH passes for only $500 more than we would have paid buying PH passes and staying 5 nights at the Grosvenor. That seems like a good deal to me - and the kids are thrilled to stay at the AKL.

We did get a standard view room, but I requested bunks and the Ostrich trail. I hope I did a good job!!

Check me out - I figured out how to get a countdown!!

 

[Castillo Mom]

Wow, what a leap Audrey! I'm sure you won't have any regrets. Keep in touch on the boards for more planning tips. there's so much to learn from Disney vets.