Want A Good Laugh? Read This!

[Aurora's Mom]

Have those of you saying you MUST stay onsite done both? Not a criticism at all--just honestly wondering if you have tried both and why you have such a firm opinion about it. I am sure it doesn't help that we also hated the busing system.

We've stayed on-site and off-site. This year for the first time in several years, we are looking at off-site again. It's really been tough even making ourselves consider off-site, but we can get a great condo, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, full kitchen (even though we don't cook), living room and private heated indoor pool - 680 sq. ft.! All for $170/night including tax. We'll have to rent a car and that's the part that bothers us. We have a not-quite 2 year old and usually take her to the room at some point during the day to nap and that's soooo convenient with the buses at the resorts on-site. I'm not sure I want to face staying past about 2:00 with her without leaving for down time and a nap. Then, we shower, change and go back to the parks for dinner and fireworks, etc. I really think we'd have to change our whole schedule if we are off-site.

But, we stay for 2 weeks each time we go, and last year had to pay right at $287/night (plus tax) for a room at YC - we didn't get any deals and even though we've gone for 12 years now, we didn't know about this site or the codes. We do buy an annual pass each year because of the length of time we are there, but we still paid more than I think it was worth last year.

So, even with a great deal more space and the private pool, I'm still leaning toward on-site simply for convenience and location - viva la bus system!

 

[HappyLawyer]

Do you need to include transportation for 6 in that $2,000? Are you planning to drive or fly? What month would you be going and for how many days? We need more details to calculate better.

well u could look on skyauction and get a villa i got mine for 215 for 7 nights, it would not get much lower then that, so that would leave you 1785.00
tell you hubby he should increase it by at least another 1000.00 the tickets will cost not including if you wanted to do seaworld, ioa or universal
good luck

 

[hambirg]

We were there in Dec 2003 with our 3 little ones (8,3 and 1 at the time). I would say to definetley stay on site if you can. Don't underestimate that extra early hour. You can see so much in that time (instead of standing in line), especially in Fantasyland. I bought an annual pass and we stayed at CSR. We would hit the early hour park, stay until about 1, head back to the hotel for lunch and swimming then head out to an evening parade or fireworks show, etc. Sometimes my husband would stay behind with the two youngest at night. It worked out great. Something else to think about; buy the 10 day hopper, non-expiring pass with plusses and use it for two vacations. 5 days at the parks (with hopping you can still hit each park at least twice) and 1 or 2 days at the water parks. My little ones loved the kiddie area at Typhoon Lagoon and it was a easy day for mom . I think POR if you don't mind having MIL with you in the room would be fine. We spent more time walking around the resort and hanging out at the pool than in the room. We stayed at POFQ in Oct. and spent a day swimming at POR. It seemed nice and DD liked the pool. I think next time we go I will check into renting points for OKW (now that it will have a waterslide, a must for DD). That might give you more room and be cheaper during that time. Good luck whatever you decide

 

[aanthony03]

Thank you to all for some really great advice. I took some mega notes on what all of you said. I'm also going to look into AAA vacation packages, and Annual Passes to see what sort of discounts they may have. I also requested some information on the Disney Club. I think I'm going to get the basic my way. I think that ticket is the best. I'm definetly going to stay on sight. It's to much trouble with three littles.

Thanks Again!
Christina

 

[yecats]

Everyone has really given up great ideas. I had to laugh when I saw the figure for 6 people. The ticket price is a fixed thing so you have about $1,000 to work with for the 7 days/nights. I would say to rent a vacation home or condo. Look into Skyauction or Hotel Kingdom. I know that on Skyauction you can get a 2/3 bedroom condo for $300-$400 or a bit more for a week. Then by checking Mary's site (Mousesavers), use a code to rent a van for the week (say $200 or a bit more for an extra day, gas). I know there are condo's called Silverlake that a lot of people like to stay at because it is in Disney's back door (down just a few blocks from Animal Kingdom). Then again, you may be able to find a rental home (some even come with specials for rental vehicles during the summertime). This would probably come close to around $800 or more for the week and you may want to inquire on the UK boards (post thread about rental homes and cost) as there are a few Brits who own vacation homes in Orlando and can send you there site info directly. IMO this works out pretty well as your not dealing with a management company who is having to run several hundred homes at once.

Now the FW cabins are a good idea. Sometimes codes are released for summer and the cabins can go as low as $140 ish per night. Mother in law would have to stay in Murphy bed in living room (check out photographs of cabins at wdwig.com under accomodations). This would also give you a full kitchen to use and a living room as well so kids could sleep in bedroom with adults up in front of cabin. Also on Disney property. Only down to this is, there is only one bathroom for use for everyone.

You may want to look into renting DVC points (stays at OKW are cheaper than anywhere else) but you may need to rent two studios and then move out to a cheap hotel for the weekend as points double for weekend stays.

You do have options.

 

[MAGGIED]

do you qualify to stay at the Shades of Green - their room prices are great and you also get discounted ticket prices!!!!

 

[Tinker_]

If you want a "luxury" hotel this won't work for ya, but I thought I'd throw it up here for anyone else who is in the same situation and looking at the thread. We really like staying on site (however we have never stayed off-site, so I cant really compare!), because of the trans, and atmosphere. I cant imagine having to drive a rental car to the parks each day! Anyway, I got a Pop Century room this year, during spring break for $59/night with the BHP code (expired now)! If you go during off season that could easily be 50/night, so you could easily get two rooms! Staying on site, and being able to take the kids back to the hotel for a swim/nap when they get cranky in the afternoon would be a blessing!