wdw first timer needs help

[rubyrain]

well we got our trip all booked for disneyland when my husband said what the heck lets just go to disney world!!! errrrrrrrrr lol so here i go back to reserching hotels and airfare lol my question is , if we stay on property at one of the wdw resort hotels and have no car to get around is it really expensive to eat around the resort or should we get a hotel off site and rent a car so we can eat around the area? any other tips would be greatly appreciated like a good hotel on site and off site .
thanks so much

 

[5wdwfans]

I think staying on property is the only way to go. Mabe you could rent a refrigerator and keep some breakfast and or lunch item in your room and eat dinner out.

 

[wasabi girl]

Have you thought about doing the meal plan? I think it is a pretty good deal.

 

[CleveRocks]

well we got our trip all booked for disneyland when my husband said what the heck lets just go to disney world!!! errrrrrrrrr lol so here i go back to reserching hotels and airfare lol my question is , if we stay on property at one of the wdw resort hotels and have no car to get around is it really expensive to eat around the resort or should we get a hotel off site and rent a car so we can eat around the area? any other tips would be greatly appreciated like a good hotel on site and off site .
thanks so much

Was it Einstein or Trump who came up with the equation "Time=Money"?

Things are more convenient when you stay onsite. I love the bus transportation and even if I got a free rental car I would choose not to use it, unless I was going from resort to resort (which I don't do). Since I've never been in Central Florida outside of WDW property, I can't advise you on how much cheaper things are off-site. I've just always assumed that time is money, and if it takes longer to travel and get meals and such, I'm taking away from my family's Disney time.

Besides, I get to "hide out" in Disney World for a week and don't have to enter the real world for a whole week.

I think staying on property is the only way to go. Mabe you could rent a refrigerator and keep some breakfast and or lunch item in your room and eat dinner out.

All the Disney resorts EXCEPT the value resorts have small refrigerators in them; you don't have to rent, pay extra, or even request.

 

[all4fun]

Have you thought about doing the meal plan? I think it is a pretty good deal.

I would suggest this too. There are a few qualifying factors:

The meal plan can only be booked as a package direct from Disney including admission media and discounts don't apply - you must pay rack rate.

The other way to get the meal plan is to go after April 1st and rent points from a DVC member. This saves you money and you can stay at one of the "home away from home" resorts (Boardwalk Villas, Old Key West, Beach Club Villa's, Villa's at Wilderness Lodge, Saratoga Springs). Check out the DVC rental board here on the Dis. There's a sticky at the top of the board that has an FAQ and general tips about renting.

hth!

 

[MinnieGi]

I too would recommend staying onsite. I think it will enhance your trip. There are ways to reduce your food budget and you will be able to find many of those suggestions here on the boards. Just some quick ways are to have breakfast foods in the room for quick meals each morning. The dining plan seems to be a pretty good value. Also sharing meals as most are of a good size portion anyway. Many town car services will make a stop at a grocery store for your convenience on the way into Disney from the airport.

 

[bartleby1]

You would have to save quite a bit to make up the cost of a rental car. Personally, I would have to say forget the car and eat onsite. It really isn't all that convenient to leave for a meal. I think you will find that even if you rented a car, you probably won't leave to go eat anyway. If you really want to save some money on your food budget, either bring some snacks and breakfast food or make a stop on the way in for some food and drinks.

 

[rubyrain]

thanks everyone for all your input. i have been studing the boards and they do help extremley!!!! I think we will probably go with the dining plan and stay onsite at all star movie resort . this may be alot of money with air for 7 days but this is our very first trip and why not make it a memorable one!!!

thanks again Ruby