To stay onsite or offsite, that is the question.

[infidex]

Going to disney world late next week, 2 adults and 2 kids (4 & 9). We plan to visit the parks for 6 full days and want to spend as little as possible. I've seen some deals for staying in Disney for about 1500-1600 for 6 nights with 6 days worth of tickets.

My wife wants to stay offsite in a condo (600 bucks for the week), then we'll have parking 11 per day, and cost of tickets, about 800 bucks. This is ideal for making food at the condo for dinner and breakfast, but I worry that everyone will want to leave the park for a couple hours because of the heat, so I'm thinking it would be nice to be able to just go back to the hotel on the free transportation.

Any recommendations. Basically our budget is 3k for driving there (350 bucks round trip in gas) and staying, eating, and having fun.

 

[dizneyluv]

I'm just curious, you are going late next week and you don't have either one booked yet?

We've done it both ways and MUCH prefer on site.

Our first trip we stayed at a great house really close but I loved All Star Movies more on the 2nd trip. I loved Saratoga Springs so much I didn't want to leave on the 3rd trip.

I loved the Disney atmosphere, food, gift shops and just being On Site.

Our 4th trip is coming up, on site again!

 

[infidex]

It was a last minute idea, I've been there a few times, but last time was 12 years ago or more. Wife and kids have never been there. Lots of rooms available still so not worried about that, probably have a harder time getting a condo this late, but I'm really worried about everyone getting tired at the park and calling it a day. If we were onsite, we could spilit up on occassion if someone gets tired.

 

[Aliceacc]

If you stay onsite, even at a Value, you can get the dining plan-- no cooking For 2 adults and 2 kids, for 5 nights, it would cost you a total of $500 for a counter service meal, a restaurant meal, and a snack per person per day, plus tips. Of course, you'll probably want to make those reservations ASAP.

And you have access to Disney transportation and EMH.

I say price out the onsite options first. If your wife has never been there, give her the whole immersion experience.

 

[Aliceacc]

OK, just because I REALLY don't feel like doing housework, I priced out a sample: 7/26-8/1 at POP (a value resort) with meal plan, tickets including parkhoppers.

Disney's Pop Century Resort:Total: $2,386.46
†View This Alternate Offer forDisney's All-Star Sports Resort :Total: $2,105.12 †
View This Alternate Offer forDisney's Caribbean Beach Resort :Total: $2,493.02 †
Take the Virtual Tour View Resort Web Site Experience a Resort that celebrates the fads, fashions, toys and dances of American pop culture that have captivated the world through the decades.


Standard Room Included
All rooms have either two double-size beds or one king-size bed, table and chairs, vanity area with sink, and a bathroom. All rooms are non-smoking. Amenities include in-room wall safe, voice mail, hairdryer, iron and ironing board. A crib is available upon request. A mini-fridge is available upon request at a charge. Wheelchair-accessible rooms are available. These rooms offer views of the Resort hotel.


Your Current Selection: 7 Day Magic Your Way Ticket with Park Hopper® Option
Magic Your Way Theme Park tickets are conveniently customizable and offer you and your family all the fun-filled flexibility needed to make the most of your Disney dream vacation.


Park Hopper® Option
Visit multiple Walt Disney World® Theme Parks on the same day for the entire length of your ticket.
** Buying tickets for your Length of Stay plus one day lets you arrive early on your first day or stay late on your last day to make the most of your vacation.


Your Current Selection: Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining

Disney vacation packages offer a variety of dining and entertainment benefits to make your vacation even more magical, and many packages are now available with a special wine add-on. To view all benefits, click "Change Selection."

Save up to 30% on Disney dining! For each night of your reservation, the Disney Dining Plan provides one table-service meal, one quick-service meal and one snack per person with over 100 participating restaurants to choose from!


Total: $2,386.46 †

 

[imthatgirl]

you should be able to get a room onsite, but maybe not your fist choice. but i think youll have a hard time finding a condo in such short notice.

we used to rent a home, but have the past to trips stayed in the parks. i much prefer staying in the parks. we didnt find havinga kitchen all that convienent, as we really werent there when we were hungry. and to drive back to eat was a waste of time. sure we could ahve breakfast in the room, but we find it just as conveinent, if not more to just keep milt in the fridge in the resort and bring paper bowls for cereal.
we also have packed a suitcase full of nonperishable, if you are driving this is even easier for you. we bring peanutbutter and jelly, buy bread there and pack a picnic lunch to eat in the parks. juice boxes travel easily. we have this year, abandoned that, because we got the dining plan this year.
as far as dinner goes, i really think its unrealistic to plan to be back everynight for dinner, unless your kids can hold out that long. but i know we like to eat by 6, i just couldnt imagine leaving the parks at 6 everyday. youll miss all the parades and fireworks. if we do a picnic lunch we eat counterservice meals for dinner. they arent all that expensive, we feed(with the smaller kids sharing meals) my family of 5 for usually about $30.

 

[4forMe]

It was a last minute idea, I've been there a few times, but last time was 12 years ago or more. Wife and kids have never been there. Lots of rooms available still so not worried about that, probably have a harder time getting a condo this late, but I'm really worried about everyone getting tired at the park and calling it a day. If we were onsite, we could spilit up on occassion if someone gets tired.

Exactly the reason to stay onsite! My oldest and youngest are 4 years apart. My youngest (at age 5) still gets crabby in the afternoon if he doesn't have a rest. It is much easier to split up if you need to if you are onsite. We are a large family and usually stay off-site; however, in your case, I believe onsite would be better.

Have a great trip!

 

[dancin'daisy]

I have stayed onsite and offsite. I would recomend staying onsite since u have 2 kids. Its so much easier onsite since you dont have to drive anywhere because your already there. With my family I really enjoy the onsite accomadations since they always have really neat pools and u can also get them with kitchens in them at hotel villas which are a little price difference but overall to me its just easier and more themed out.

 

[tzolkin]

personally, with your family size (only 4 people) i would stay onsite at one of the value hotels. for us it was very nice to just park the car and use the busses to go to the parks. we came back everyday for a nap and headed out to a different park in the late afternoon. especially with kids of different ages it's nice to have the option of one parent going to the park. once i took my 9 year old to MK and the little ones stayed back with dad to go to bed early. another day the baby got sick at the bus stop, so i took the girls to epcot while he and dad went back for a bath and a nap.

as far as saving money on food... you could either rent a fridge or bring a cooler with you since you'll be driving. we had two coolers (one for a few food items and one for drinks). we went to the grocery store and bought snacks and some food. we ate breakfast in the room every morning and then packed some snacks and even pb&j sandwiches to take to the parks. with the groceries we had we just ate about 1 counter service meal in the parks per day (maybe $30). at pop century (not sure about the other value resorts) you can also get a large pizza for about $15 that you can take back to the room to eat.

 

[jnzimm]

We have a 9 yr. old and have always stayed onsite. We go to a park early go back to the resort around 2 and swim clean up and back to a park for dinner and fun. We also have a shoping service do some grocery shopping for breakfast in the room, water by the gallon and a six pack of 20 oz. waters we reuse and put in our backpack cooler for the parks. We find bagels, peanut butter cereal,milk and juice work well if your room has a fridge.