I use Priceline for EVERY trip to Orlando, the space has never been a huge issue for our family so getting a normal sized hotel room has never been a probelm but if you guys are getting condo's or town homes etc for $50.00 a night PLEASE PLEASE fill me in on the details.
Wanna Join My "Offsite Support Group"?
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spiceycat
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you use to be able to get a condo for a week for $211 to $350 - with skyauction.
but that was last year - it is different this year.
I still am looking for great deals - and they are harder to find this year than I can remember.....
I stay offsite because Spicey is just too old....of course this Dec - I am staying offsite in a place where pets aren't allowed - but it is only a mile further than OKW - so I won't have to drive miles to get to him....
Both are nice for different reasons....
Disney is expensive. It is expensive because most people would rather stay onsite. I remember when the Polyn was $39 a night - now same time - it is $435.....
Now I love this when I am renting my DVC points....but I also appreciate deals and with Disney there are less and less...
I am hoping that the Suites at the All star will be a big success and then I hope Disney will do this to the unopened part of Pop Century....I think they are waiting for the demand to be what it was in the 90's - they generally had 90% occupancy then. most hotels have 70%....I think they are up in the 70's if not 80's...
the only thing lately that Disney has build is DVC. Now I do love them. but they are short low cost rooms (again)....
you know each time they say value - you do realized that CBR was surpose to be value when it was built in 1983. It started at $69 a night....now it is what $159....they really need something to be $35 to start....and not increase it as much - 2 or 3% instead of 6% to 10% each year....
but then the middle to higher offsite places would be screaming that Disney was stealing their business. So I do understand that you can't make everyone happy.
the prices for the suites are on mousesavers. they are a little less than 2 value rooms...
but that was last year - it is different this year.
I still am looking for great deals - and they are harder to find this year than I can remember.....
I stay offsite because Spicey is just too old....of course this Dec - I am staying offsite in a place where pets aren't allowed - but it is only a mile further than OKW - so I won't have to drive miles to get to him....
Both are nice for different reasons....
Disney is expensive. It is expensive because most people would rather stay onsite. I remember when the Polyn was $39 a night - now same time - it is $435.....
Now I love this when I am renting my DVC points....but I also appreciate deals and with Disney there are less and less...
I am hoping that the Suites at the All star will be a big success and then I hope Disney will do this to the unopened part of Pop Century....I think they are waiting for the demand to be what it was in the 90's - they generally had 90% occupancy then. most hotels have 70%....I think they are up in the 70's if not 80's...
the only thing lately that Disney has build is DVC. Now I do love them. but they are short low cost rooms (again)....
you know each time they say value - you do realized that CBR was surpose to be value when it was built in 1983. It started at $69 a night....now it is what $159....they really need something to be $35 to start....and not increase it as much - 2 or 3% instead of 6% to 10% each year....
but then the middle to higher offsite places would be screaming that Disney was stealing their business. So I do understand that you can't make everyone happy.
the prices for the suites are on mousesavers. they are a little less than 2 value rooms...
isla bonita
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I'm in!
Loved the pool homes so much we bought.
If it was just me and my husband I would love to rent a hotel room. With kids a single room is torture. It is not forevery one but it works for us.
Loved the pool homes so much we bought.
If it was just me and my husband I would love to rent a hotel room. With kids a single room is torture. It is not forevery one but it works for us.
swillis
"Make your next dog a Blue Dog!"
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Sign me up!
My kids can't sleep in the same bed, they are 10 and 11 and a boy and girl. So if we stayed onsite I'd need to get connecting rooms. It's soooo not worth it.
I booked a 2 bdrm/2 bath villa at the Marriot Grande Vista for 191.00 per night.
My kids can't sleep in the same bed, they are 10 and 11 and a boy and girl. So if we stayed onsite I'd need to get connecting rooms. It's soooo not worth it.
I booked a 2 bdrm/2 bath villa at the Marriot Grande Vista for 191.00 per night.
MinnieMom
Because everyone needs a little magic in their lif
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DonnaLeah said:
We've never had a bad experience at a pool home. I always book from www.vrbo.com directly from the owners to save on the rental agency fees.
This year, we rented a home we read fabulous reviews on. It is a 5BR, 4BA with an extra large pool, jacuzzi, and kiddie pool. We're sharing this with my parents and my sister's family and only paid $2,100 total. That's $700 a piece and I got my rental minivan for only $200. And this is for 10 days!!
To me, that is a steal. I am so excited. There is no way I could ever stay onsite for $900 for 10 days and have all that room and my own private pool.
TravelinGal
DIS Veteran
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MinnieMom said:
Wow - that seems high to me - guess it pays to contact more people - (or maybe your travel dates are in a higher season...we're going in May). We are getting a beautiful 6 bedroom 4 bath home in Emerald Island for $1275 for 10 days.
We took our lowest quote (from early on) for a similar size home/location and then contacted others to see who had the best bid for OUR business. We then had 4 or 5 AT THAT PRICE to choose from - looked for the features we liked the best from those.
This will be our second trip off site using a vacation pool home.
We searched on vrbo.com to find the best rates.
Honestly, with just the two of us, I'd take on site any day (we still did a rental car because we hate the bus system). But now that we have a child off site is the only way to go! I can't imagine being crowded in a single hotel room having to be quiet as a mouse so he can sleep when we aren't tired... And, as much as I love the Disney Villas, they are far too expensive. 10 days at Old Key West 2 bedroom villa was almost $6000 - ROOM only. Remember, we are getting a 6 bedroom home for under $1300! Can't even begin to compare those!!!
/
MiaSRN62
DIS Legend
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- Feb 1, 2000
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Hi there,
Just in case you're interested for a future trip, there are much cheaper ways to stay in DVC 2 bedroom accomodations. I'm a DVC Member and not sure if you're aware of the DVC rental boards here on the DIS ? http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29
While they're still going to be more expensive than offsite, they are much more attainable compared to Disney's rack rates for them.
I just figured out 7 nights in a 2 bedroom at OKW during the month of May would cost about $2,630. If you wanted 10 days there, add on another $800. Most Members rent for about $10/point. So the grand total would be $3,430-----alot better (almost half) than the $6,000 disney quoted you.
I still agree, you'll save ALOT more money offsite, but just wanted to mention this option to those who might not be aware.
Summer months would be more expensive because the points jump up.
Wow, I'm glad I have so many club members, I thought I might get a few flames from the "onsite or die" club!
You know what else I don't get? In addition to all the money they spend to be onsite, they open themselves to a whole pile of stress worrying about what room requests to make. I mean, they want a certain building with a certain view, right down to the exact room number. They are all in a dither over how many of their 1/2 dozen requests will be honoured, and God forbid if the frazzeled CM "look at them in a mean way" at checkin when they are whining about not getting everything they asked for. Seriously, I have never seen as many whiners in one place as on the resort board. Some of them are literally crying when they check in if they didn't get a particular view or building. That's insane! These people must be wound tighter than a spring.
You know what else I don't get? In addition to all the money they spend to be onsite, they open themselves to a whole pile of stress worrying about what room requests to make. I mean, they want a certain building with a certain view, right down to the exact room number. They are all in a dither over how many of their 1/2 dozen requests will be honoured, and God forbid if the frazzeled CM "look at them in a mean way" at checkin when they are whining about not getting everything they asked for. Seriously, I have never seen as many whiners in one place as on the resort board. Some of them are literally crying when they check in if they didn't get a particular view or building. That's insane! These people must be wound tighter than a spring.
melomouse
DIS Veteran
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- Jul 6, 2001
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- 1,396
Mia -
If I did ever decide to go for a larger accomodation onsite, I'd definitely rent points from a DVC member on the DIS.
But although the rental points price is less than 1/2 of what Disney quotes, you are still talking about DOUBLE again from a private owner of a pool villa.
You have already acknowledged the price difference and simply respectfully offered a choice.
I guess part of me feels for the DVC owners who are "priced out" of the competition... I am not sure how many people actually chose to rent points, even though I am sure that's a large part of Disney's pitch when they sell ownership. Everytime anyone mentions the prices and needing larger accomodations,a DVC owner reminds us of the rental points option instead of going offsite. Maybe I feel guilty
about not helping out another DIS'er....but for me - DVC rental is still overpriced.Your still talking twice the priice to be onsite. And from what I've been reading, some of the DVC properties are losing ground in terms of upkeep.
But much better than Disney's quotes, yes.
Or maybe it's not considered competition at all because you can't really compare onsite DVC with ANY offsite property?? Guess I am trying to get into the whole onsite/offsite thinking thing. If you want to stay onsite, you're gonna make it happen. Everything depends on each family's needs.
melomouse
If I did ever decide to go for a larger accomodation onsite, I'd definitely rent points from a DVC member on the DIS.
But although the rental points price is less than 1/2 of what Disney quotes, you are still talking about DOUBLE again from a private owner of a pool villa.
You have already acknowledged the price difference and simply respectfully offered a choice.
I guess part of me feels for the DVC owners who are "priced out" of the competition... I am not sure how many people actually chose to rent points, even though I am sure that's a large part of Disney's pitch when they sell ownership. Everytime anyone mentions the prices and needing larger accomodations,a DVC owner reminds us of the rental points option instead of going offsite. Maybe I feel guilty
about not helping out another DIS'er....but for me - DVC rental is still overpriced.Your still talking twice the priice to be onsite. And from what I've been reading, some of the DVC properties are losing ground in terms of upkeep.But much better than Disney's quotes, yes.
Or maybe it's not considered competition at all because you can't really compare onsite DVC with ANY offsite property?? Guess I am trying to get into the whole onsite/offsite thinking thing. If you want to stay onsite, you're gonna make it happen. Everything depends on each family's needs.
melomouse
- but I can get a 2-bedroom with my DVC points - but as I pointed out I am cheap....I would probably get 2 studios first.... more privacy - plus I can be in a differen building.... 
MiaSRN62
DIS Legend
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I didn't mean to sound like I was trying to corral up business for DVC Members on the rent board. FWIW, I have never rented my points---nor do I plan to. So there's no monetary compensation in it for me. Rather, I was just simply pointing out that one can stay (if they really wanted to) in a DVC unit cheaper by going through a Member vs Disney. Alot cheaper. I only mentioned it because there were a couple posts about the unattainable rates (so to say) of DVC villas. Really, respectfully----just wanted to offer an option. I didn't mean to make you or anyone else feel guilty at all. I totally agree offsite homes and timeshares are much cheaper. I did add that in my above post as well. I am sorry if you misunderstand my intent for posting that info.
spiceycat
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melomouse said:Mia -
I guess part of me feels for the DVC owners who are "priced out" of the competition... I am not sure how many people actually chose to rent points, even though I am sure that's a large part of Disney's pitch when they sell ownership. Everytime anyone mentions the prices and needing larger accomodations,a DVC owner reminds us of the rental points option instead of going offsite. Maybe I feel guilty
melomouse
don't feel sorry for DVC members. I am one too. Believe me more people want to stay onsite then offsite...
I have never had a problem renting my DVC points. Last year I got people asking me to rent to them. This year too - but not as many - of course it is only Feb....
the price she quoted you included Fri/sat - very, very expensive with DVC points.
OKW sun=thurs - 2-bedroom - 27 points - so around $270 per night - so around $1,350 for your 5 night stay.
I would recommend 2 studios (okay my family doesn't get along very well) - each studio is 10 points - so 20 points each night - so $1,000 per 5 day stay.
however that say the real deal is during Oct/Nov - the WDW resorts now have this as regular season. DVC doesn't....
so you can get a 2-bedroom for 24 points so $240 per night - $1,200 for 5 nights Sun-thurs . but the real bargin is the studios - 8 points so $80 a night - $400 for 5 days stay....ON SITE!!! this is again OKW - the others are much expensive.
now my Westgate completely difference story.....
oh - the DVC resorts are exactly as designed. they can't lost ground on upkept - because the members are paying for it.
they have been complaints about the stuff in the BCV. Well they were designed as grandmother's cottage - not a new resort. So they are surpose to looked lived in.... I hope I explained that enough to stop those complaints. It is people who didn't listen to their sales guides explaining what they were buying....
OKW has a problem with a couple of housekeepers - they just don't do a good job. Now most of the housekeepers at OKW are wonderful - and I mean wonderful.... but one or two aren't.
the other problem is with Disney in general!!! Disney likes most hotels - doesn't change the lock on the door until a new guest checks in.... some people are rude and don't give a darn what they do.
they come back to a room that is clean. THey know they took their luggage out.... so the maid assumes that they have left. they haven't. they mess up the room then don't call housekeeping and leave.... the poor housekeepers get blames for the mess....
until Disney changes it policy this will continue to happen. as soon as a maid has reported a room clean - the room key should cease to work....
MamaLema
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to OP!We paid $65 nightly for our family of 6 and got a delicious, free breakfast every morning. It took us less than 10 to drive to the parks.
We only used our room to shower and sleep in. When I checked how much it is to stay on Disney property for a family of 6, it was quite a shock!
Maybe we are missing something by not staying on Disney property, but we really are happy staying off site
spiceycat
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I still love both!!!
staying onsite is difference if you haven't tried it - try it once.
some people will love it, others will hate it, some won't feel any differ, other will say that they have to stay onsite from now on.
Boss - he claimed that onsite was too expensive. he would never stay onsite. It was a waste of money....then work put him at the Yacht club for a convention...guess who now only stays at the YC..... He won't listen to me tell him that the other WDW and DVC resorts are just as nice or nicer. I didn't like the YC.
some people claim that staying onsite is the only way. Others claim that offsite is the only way.
well I do both - and I am very, very happy with my decisions. If you aren't your problem not mind....
I have gotten some wonderful deals offsite - $211 for a 2-bedroom once, $221 for a 3-bedroom, and my first winning bid - $245 for a 2-bedroom. I needed that one family was coming - or I would not have bid that much...
also through RCI $104 for OL 2-bedroom.... gotten some one bedrooms for $149 too. I do love Orlando. oh all these prices are for week stays not nights.
I gave you the price for renters. but as a member I only have to pay for the maintence fees (I got my original investment out long, long ago) - so $4.24 * 8 = $33.92 * 5 = $169.60 for 5 days on site....
but I really like to try new places...one day (after Spicey is gone to kitty heaven) I will try all the timeshares in the area that I can...I only have one SA so I can't do them all - I just don't believe I have 69-5(I have stayed at) = 64 more to go - I don't think I can do them all...
but for now it will be Celebration World resort until he dies...okay december I am definitely going to Cypress Pointe - but next year back to CWR...
staying onsite is difference if you haven't tried it - try it once.
some people will love it, others will hate it, some won't feel any differ, other will say that they have to stay onsite from now on.
Boss - he claimed that onsite was too expensive. he would never stay onsite. It was a waste of money....then work put him at the Yacht club for a convention...guess who now only stays at the YC..... He won't listen to me tell him that the other WDW and DVC resorts are just as nice or nicer. I didn't like the YC.
some people claim that staying onsite is the only way. Others claim that offsite is the only way.
well I do both - and I am very, very happy with my decisions. If you aren't your problem not mind....
I have gotten some wonderful deals offsite - $211 for a 2-bedroom once, $221 for a 3-bedroom, and my first winning bid - $245 for a 2-bedroom. I needed that one family was coming - or I would not have bid that much...
also through RCI $104 for OL 2-bedroom.... gotten some one bedrooms for $149 too. I do love Orlando. oh all these prices are for week stays not nights.
I gave you the price for renters. but as a member I only have to pay for the maintence fees (I got my original investment out long, long ago) - so $4.24 * 8 = $33.92 * 5 = $169.60 for 5 days on site....
but I really like to try new places...one day (after Spicey is gone to kitty heaven) I will try all the timeshares in the area that I can...I only have one SA so I can't do them all - I just don't believe I have 69-5(I have stayed at) = 64 more to go - I don't think I can do them all...
but for now it will be Celebration World resort until he dies...okay december I am definitely going to Cypress Pointe - but next year back to CWR...
MiaSRN62
DIS Legend
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Both your posts were well-stated Spicey
I totally feel offsite offers some wonderful bargains---nothing against it. BUT, if some people haven't stayed onsite ever, they might want to give it a try just for the experience. I know we had no desire to stay onsite for the first couple years we went. Then one year--we stayed onsite---and "got it".
Now of course, not everyone is going to agree with this or even feel a difference staying onsite. We do. We love our onsite and offsite timeshare (we've had 2 "just ok" experiences with offsite hotels, so it REALLY depends on WHERE one stays offsite imho), but we feel a bit more of an attraction to onsite. But luckily for ALL, Orlando has SO much to offer for all different tastes and needs. We can all be happy 
jekajekalynn
DIS Veteran
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Count me in!!!
Check out my siggy too
,
I THOUGHT it would be $$$$ feasable to stay onsite with 4 ppl.... Ch'yeah right...
And now we have a small army going with us again so of course we are staying OFF site. 
I LOVE LOVE LOVE staying at vacation houses.
-Love being able to spread out
-love not having to cram as many ppl in a room as possible to save money.. because who wants to hear..and otherwise other family members bodily noises at night??!
-Love having our OWN pool. OWN hours.. with NO big hairy men in Speedos hanging out in the hot tub and I don't have to be self concious about my arm flab since it is just family and not other ppl's family staring at my pale white Michigan complection.
Check out my siggy too
, I THOUGHT it would be $$$$ feasable to stay onsite with 4 ppl.... Ch'yeah right...
And now we have a small army going with us again so of course we are staying OFF site. I LOVE LOVE LOVE staying at vacation houses.
-Love being able to spread out
-love not having to cram as many ppl in a room as possible to save money.. because who wants to hear..and otherwise other family members bodily noises at night??!
-Love having our OWN pool. OWN hours.. with NO big hairy men in Speedos hanging out in the hot tub
and I don't have to be self concious about my arm flab since it is just family and not other ppl's family staring at my pale white Michigan complection. jennobrn01
DIS Veteran
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Count me in! 
Using my logic it would be wasteful to stay onsite. Knowing my family we would not like a value resort. We would only feel comfortable in a mod. or deluxe. There is no way we can afford that.
I am hoping that the $85/night at Double Tree Suites is offered again through the end of the year. I wanted to book that soooo bad!
Using my logic it would be wasteful to stay onsite. Knowing my family we would not like a value resort. We would only feel comfortable in a mod. or deluxe. There is no way we can afford that.
I am hoping that the $85/night at Double Tree Suites is offered again through the end of the year. I wanted to book that soooo bad!
TravelinGal
DIS Veteran
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- Feb 9, 2003
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- 2,064
SpicyCat - there is only one problem with your OKW quotes. It's only for 5 nights - to avoid the higher "priced" weekend nights. We are going for 9 nights. No way to skip the weekends there!
As a travel agent, I can get a slightly better rate than the $10 a point would cost, but again, it is still significantly more expensive than the 5 bedroom pool home.
Studios would never be a consideration for us since they lack some of the very features we desire - full kitchen (IF we decide to cook) - Living Room that is not part of the bedroom area - Washer and Dryer.
As long as the onsite villas are out of our budget, we will be staying in pool homes.
I fall in the 3rd group - "3) "middle-of-the-road" group"
Love what on site offers
Love what off site offers
The final choice depends on our budget and group size/demographics
As a travel agent, I can get a slightly better rate than the $10 a point would cost, but again, it is still significantly more expensive than the 5 bedroom pool home.
Studios would never be a consideration for us since they lack some of the very features we desire - full kitchen (IF we decide to cook) - Living Room that is not part of the bedroom area - Washer and Dryer.
As long as the onsite villas are out of our budget, we will be staying in pool homes.
I fall in the 3rd group - "3) "middle-of-the-road" group"
Love what on site offers
Love what off site offers
The final choice depends on our budget and group size/demographics
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