We're offsite converts now!!!

[Cindy B]

Hi Neighbor! We're in Cherry Hill too!


Anyway, another vote here for staying off site. We stayed onsite once and felt like sardines. We also didn't like that we have to trek out for every sip of coffee or drink and having 1 bathroom is awful. Our neighbor turned us on to rental homes and we fell in love with so much space. ahhhh...
We've since bought a TS at Summer Bay and love it. 3 BRs, big jacuzzi, kids have their own room and tv and dh and I get some privacy. It gives us all a chance to unwind after a day in the parks.
We like having a car anyway since there's so much to do in FL besides WDW. I guess if WDW is truly all you want to do and you're a small family then onsite would be appealing.

Hi to another neighbor!

We are a family of four and the one hotel room is getting very iffy. We have a boy and a girl - preteen and teen and sharing one room just has an ICK factor now.

We've been staying offsite for a while now. We are trying Windsor Hills this year for the first time.

In the OP's situation, I'd get a car and do go offsite.

 

[MaMa3Princess]

I also say that it makes it HARD I mean Hard to give up a 4,5,6 bedroom house with private pool, internet access,gamerooms, DVD players and tv's in all the rooms. Your own private washer and dryer for a hotel room.

We first felt the "magic" back in 2004 when we had 3 kids. This was before I knew anything about the DISBOARD and actually realized you had to plan a trip to Disney and not just show up. We saved 2 yrs worth of tax returns to stay 5 nights/4 days at the Allstar Sport. For us that was a lot I mean alot of money. The kids of course enjoyed it but I told my DH we had to get something bigger which means we could not afford to come back until we saved again.

Well I found the Dis and found that loving Disney you can stay off site for cheap and plus eat off site. We are now able to go every year and now that we have 4 kids it is just not an option, sure we could stay in Villas and that Family Suite but I cannot get over the fact that I can get 1,000 more square feet for 1/2 the money.

My kids love picking out our homes each year and they have never uttered one word about going back on-site.

 

[horseshowmom]

Hi to another neighbor!

We are a family of four and the one hotel room is getting very iffy. We have a boy and a girl - preteen and teen and sharing one room just has an ICK factor now.

Well I found the Dis and found that loving Disney you can stay off site for cheap and plus eat off site. We are now able to go every year and now that we have 4 kids it is just not an option, sure we could stay in Villas and that Family Suite but I cannot get over the fact that I can get 1,000 more square feet for 1/2 the money.

My kids love picking out our homes each year and they have never uttered one word about going back on-site.

Same with us (as far as preferring houses), and the last thing I want to do is share a bathroom with teenagers (and boys can be just as bad as girls! ).

 

[klwdisney]

ive been looking around at off site properties for our group of 7-8 adults. i was looking at all star vacation homes. is there any other places you would recommend? if i looked at vrbo, which developments are closer to the universal/sea world area?

thanks so much!

 

[horseshowmom]

ive been looking around at off site properties for our group of 7-8 adults. i was looking at all star vacation homes. is there any other places you would recommend? if i looked at vrbo, which developments are closer to the universal/sea world area?

thanks so much!

To be close to Universal and SW, I would look at www.vistacayrent.com.
Vista Cay is located up by the Convention Center on Universal Drive (pretty much runs parallel to International Drive but much less traffic) which would put you in between U and SW.

They are very upscale condos and townhouses with a very nice pool area. I think they even have a small movie theater and game room. Some prices are very high, but not all. I had a quote for Thanksgiving week of last year for about $600 for the week for a 3BR unit, so good deals can be found (just takes a little looking).

ETA: This site has some good pictures and information - http://vistacayholidays.com/

 

[klwdisney]

thanks! i just checked out the site, but it only has up to 3 BR rentals. i think we're looking at a 4 br rental... with at least 2 masters. i saved that site for future reference though for another trip! thanks so much!

 

[sympatico]

thanks! i just checked out the site, but it only has up to 3 BR rentals. i think we're looking at a 4 br rental... with at least 2 masters. i saved that site for future reference though for another trip! thanks so much!

You won't find anything that's close to Universal and Seaworld because short term rental homes aren't allowed in Orange County, that's why everything is in Kissimmee, Davenport and Clermont.
http://www.thedibb.co.uk/villa-map.php

Some of the homes in the Poinciana area might work for you: Terra Verde, Chatham Park areas, Indian Wells would be the closest but there's only a few rentals there, it's mostly full time residents.

 

[horseshowmom]

thanks! i just checked out the site, but it only has up to 3 BR rentals. i think we're looking at a 4 br rental... with at least 2 masters. i saved that site for future reference though for another trip! thanks so much!

Have you considered two of the 2BR/2BA? The location is very good for what you want to do.

 

[Amirah95]

We just got back last night from our fourt trip to WDW and our first trip off disney property. All I can say is we'll never stay onsite again!
We rented a home in Indian Ridge through VRBO. It was so nice to have all that space and our own private pool! The best part was that we could drive to the parks in under ten minutes! Try that with a disney bus!
And all that for less than the cost of a room at one of the so-called value resorts! Yep, I'm hooked!

Isn't it just sweet??!!!