UGH!!! So confused over off-site places to stay!!

[chager]

OK, my brain is overloaded. I have tried to read most threads but still not sure where exactly to look for a great place to stay that won't bust the bank! We need a 3 bedroom place that has a king, a queen, and one other doesn't matter size bed. (4 adults and one teen) We started looking off site becuase dh and I do not want to be squished in a full size bed again. We also like the idea of a fridge and microwave along with somewhere that doesn't cost an arm and leg to wash clothes. We would like somewhere that is close by WDW. Also how does parking work at the parks? Does the parking pass let in and out of each park for that day? Or do you have to pay each time? Our trip is tentative for Feb. 2009 right now. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[4forMe]

Hi. Let me answer your parking question first. Once you pay, your parking pass is good for the whole day, even if you hop between parks. Just show your pass as you return or enter a new park that same day.

We are staying in a vacation home in Windsor Hills which I selected based on all the information I learned from this board. They also have 3 BR condos and townhomes. It is located in the Formosa Gardens area which contains a lot of other rental communities. The Formosa Gardens area is @ a 10-15 minute drive to the parks.

Please check out the following thread for additional information:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1873688

Good luck in planning your vacation!

 

[sympatico]

I would post again but if you go to the link given in the previous post by 4forme, it's already been said. I posted the same on that thread as I would tell you now.

 

[Aliceacc]

Hit the library or bookstore and get a copy of the Unofficial Guide to WDW. He does pages and pages of place, both on and offsite, and reviews everything from distance to the parks to the softness of the pillows.

among his suggestions:

www.allstarvacationhomes.com

www.disneyrents.com

and, from his off site offerings, take a look at
Sheraton Vistana (www.starwoodvo.com

 

[FayeW]

We are renting a 3 bdrm condo in Windsor Hills with the exact bed configuration you need for $762 Total for 9 nights. Works out to $84.67 per night. There are some condos at Windsor Hills that rent for $399 per week + cleaning fee, but they are only Sat-Sat rentals, if that works for you.

We used floridasunvacationhomes.com. Just do a search and see what comes up for your dates. We chose the Never NeverLand condo.

 

[Cruz91]

We have gone to WH several times and rented two different units. We're going back again in Nov as well. The units we've stayed at were rented through VRBO.com. You should be able to get into both of these 3BR, 2BA condos for around $100 each. That naturally depends on time of year - with holidays and busy times being more expensive, slow times maybe slightly less. If you want more specific details about either - just send me a private message and I'm happy to answer!

Stayed here 1 time, nice place - no issues: http://www.vrbo.com/72901
Stayed here 2 times, going back a 3rd in Nov - a bit bigger than the other place, great owner - very willing to work with us: http://www.vrbo.com/83238

 

[twooley2]

ok Im excited I booked and paid my deposit for Mickeys Adventure Condo at Windsor Hills... Never stayed offsite but we are so excited . It just seems more official now. Going to stay 8 nights....The owner gave us a great deal. Even made up for the parking all week.

 

[KEVD]

ok Im excited I booked and paid my deposit for Mickeys Adventure Condo at Windsor Hills... Never stayed offsite but we are so excited . It just seems more official now. Going to stay 8 nights....The owner gave us a great deal. Even made up for the parking all week.

When you get back be sure to post and let us all know how you liked it. We've been to WDW twice and stayed offsite both times... our friends rented us thier time share. We won't have that option for our next trip so I'm looking into vacation homes. WH seems to get a lot of positive reviews. We just got back from one week at Sheraton Vistana and loved it. Comparing what you get at an off site home/villa rental compared to staying on Disney property... seems to be a no brainer to me. We can't really afford to stay at one of the "luxury" hotels that are right on top of the parks.

I'd much rather rent a car and have the comfort of a multi bedromm fully equipped unit and drive to/from the parks rather than cramping into a WDW hotel room for 7 nights and waiting to get onto a crowded bus that makes several stops along the way. And I don't understand why folks say you can't go back to your room for a mid day break if you stay off site. We did it several times and had no problems. When I look at trip times from place to place using WDW transportation it can take just as long if not longer to get back to your WDW room using the Disney transportation system that it does to drive back to your offsite room.

 

[sln88]

someone on here recommended the site: last minute villas. You put in your dates and owners send you info and prices on their homes. You won't be any less confused because there are tons to pick from, but it will gie you lots of choices. I have stayed off site in time share condos and they are always nice. I think we are going to try a pool home this year. More expensive, but still way cheap for what you get.

 

[chager]

Thanks for all the great ideas!!! I know what I will be doing this week I was worried my DH wouldnt want to stay off property but when I told him about the benefits he was excited! No waiting in line for breakfast or walking to get drinks! Plus the microwave for popcorn. He is in heaven I think! LOL Well off to start looking at the links now!!

 

[pleefy]

www.dreamsvillas.com

Three bedrooms: a king in one room, a queen in another, and two twins in a third. Normal fridge, stove/oven, microwave, washer/dryer (apartment size), dishwasher, kitchen totally stocked with everything you need other than actual food.

Living room with couch, love seat, cofee table, end tables, TV and dvd player (with bunch of movies, some Disney), books, whirlpool tub, and LOTS of Disney touches - more than many Disney hotels.

Pool wasn't crowded when we were there. The whole place is adorable.

And a Sam's Club membership.

And a free gift.

We had 8 nights for under $1000 with tax and all.

And you can book it through the DIS, which kind of made me a little less worried about going offsite for the first time.

 

[Lisa06468]

We are staying here in Oct, great rates, 3 Bd, 3 bath, private splash pool and close to the resort pool. http://www.vrbo.com/78298 Owners are very friendly.

 

[spiceycat]

there use to be a site for Emerald Island villa - and it doesn't seem to exist any more.

www.vrbo.com - is listed by neighborhood - florida/orlando - then pick Kissimmee from the list

Davenport is also pretty close

the ones listed in Celebration are NOT - they are in kissimmee or even worst Orlando

most of the houses listed for LBV - are in Kissimmee.

so you need to look for neighborhoods

here is a map
http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/maps.html - this site is not working.

this is the best map (for now) I could find
http://www.orlando-maps.info/top_down_maps/kissimmee_top_down.htm


here is a site for Emerald Island
http://www.orlando4villas.com/community/Emerald_Island_Resort/?gclid=COaOjvntspQCFQlqsgodQg3pTA

 

[conniehar90]

www.disneyneighbor.com

We have stayed at this owner's condos in Windsor Palms and Windsor Hills 3 times. Great rates, great service and very nice accomodations. I will never stay in a cramped hotel room in Disney again.

 

[kaguilbeau]

Chager - I have a question/thought for you as I'm in a similiar situation.

With four adults and a teen, will you all go to the parks and return from the parks at the same time? I'm assuming you will not have the convenience of a shuttle. What kind of thoughts do you have on this.

We will be 7 adults/older teens and we will not want to go and come at the same time. And I am not renting two cars (and paying $11 x 2 per day).

Just looking for some varying opinions. They best I can come up with is a DTD suite - and then 7 is pushing it there too!

Have fun planning!

 

[calgarygary]

One of the lesser known resorts that provides the space your family needs with a resort feel is Worldquest. We stayed there last year and it was great. Had a 3 bedroom/3 bath unit with a free continental breakfast and snacks/beverages available at other times for $159/night.

 

[chager]

Chager - I have a question/thought for you as I'm in a similiar situation.

With four adults and a teen, will you all go to the parks and return from the parks at the same time? I'm assuming you will not have the convenience of a shuttle. What kind of thoughts do you have on this.

We will be 7 adults/older teens and we will not want to go and come at the same time. And I am not renting two cars (and paying $11 x 2 per day).

Just looking for some varying opinions. They best I can come up with is a DTD suite - and then 7 is pushing it there too!

Have fun planning!

I understand what you mean!
It will be my parents, dh,ds14 and me. So far the times we have been at WDW we have stayed together mostly only seperating in the parks at times. We always rent a car anyway while we are there and often drove other places too. I will check those out too though! DH is really not a people person so the more privacy the better for him. When we have stayed on property we always have had adjoining rooms so we want a little more room and a way to visit without sitting on beds.
Off to look at some more ideas!!!
Thanks!!!!

 

[mombare]

We stayed at WH this past February and it was great! We had a 3 bedroom (1 King Suite, 1 Queen Suite and a room with two singes) - for 4 adults and 4 children. There was also a pull out couch. Price was just under $100 per night (value season). I highly recommend WH! We spent a lot of time at the parks, but did stay back a few times for swimming - not real warm, but that doesn't matter to kids. Transportation was easy for us, but we also had two vehicles and we did split up several days. The only thing I can say about that - cell phones are great for communicating if some people want to split. I bet you could work it out pretty easily. Anyway - good luck!!