what would you do?

[SleepyatDVC]

My parents own a timeshare which we use sometimes to exchange into an Orlando resort even though we own at DVC and prefer to be on-site. We stayed at various places, some great and some not so great. Personally, the particular timeshare condo resort and location make a big difference.

I wouldn't hesitate to stay off-site but it would totally depend on which resort. Personally, we prefer the quality and location of the Marriott vacation club resorts. I guess I would not take a chance (anymore) and stay at a resort of lesser quality, but then I'm spoiled. The advantages of the condo, if you don't expect a 4 star resort, would be ALL THE EXTRA ROOM, full kitchen, laundry machines, cheaper groceries, and a more relaxing (subjective) vacation.

We stayed at the Contemporary (garden wing) for 4 nights last December in 2 connecting rooms (on DVC points). Our group consisted of 3 adults and 7 kids ranging from 19 months to 13 yo (ALL female!!!). The rooms were very spacious and the location was very convenient. We hardly ever used the monorail, we chose to walk to and from the MK everyday. We found that much faster. It wasn't a bad or long walk, even though we were in the wing farther away from the park.

It was much more convenient for us to stay there with all those kids instead of off-site or even somewhere else on-site because we never had to fold up the 4 strollers we had that trip! Lol!

I have to admit that I really did not like the decor of the wing rooms. The colors and patterns were very loud. 1970's version of Modern Art, I guess. I really missed having a fridge for the baby's milk but we made do with changing the ice a few times a day.

It was not a cheap trip because we had to feed all those kids, meals and snacks at Disney inflated prices. Since we didn't have a kitchen, we didn't bother with buying groceries. Although, we stocked up on bottled water, and we had donuts for the kids one morning so we could get an earlier start.

Someone mentioned a kiddie pool? Well, we never found it. So, I had to go in the pool and hold my 2 little ones who at that time, did not like the deep pools or life vests/swimmies. The older kids were fine with the pool.


The Contemporary's in a great location, especially if you have a stroller. And $100/night is a great rate. However, don't forget to add tax to that amount, in addition to the $$ you'll be spending on snacks and meals out. While your niece can sleep on the daybed, not sure if it would be comfortable or feasible for 3 kids to sleep on one bed. Bed rails might help. There is ample room for a roll awy bed (extra charge?). If one of the kids is under 3 yo,, you won't have any problems and should probably request a crib

In terms of soaking up the "atmosphere," there isn't much of it in the garden wings, unless you like 70's disco. Maybe more in the Tower because of the monorail and cavernous feeling, but I wouldn't call it Disney atmosphere. JMHO. But nothing beats walking to MK for that "Disney atmosphere."

If the condo were at one of the "higher quality" resorts, such as the Marriotts or Hyatts, I would definitely recommend off-site. However, since I'm not familar with that resort, I really can't make that recommendation. Unless, as I mentioned before, you won't be disappointed that it's not a 4 star resort. Then the extra amenities, as well as the savings, will definitely be worth it.

Another thing to consider, Disney TV is VERY limited. They have like 20 "Disney" channels and not much else besides the local channels and definitely no NICK. Whereas, the condo resorts usually have tons of channels on cable including some that we don't get a home.

Hope you enjoy your trip whichever you decide - only you know what you can really afford and live with. Good luck in deciding!

 

[sln88]

for about $250 for a week through Skyauction. 2 bedrooms, 2 baths and a kitchen.
You will also save $ by eating breakfast/whatever at your condo.
You won't have to pay an extra $10 per night for a fridge for soda/milk.
You will have extra bedrooms for privacy.
I vote for offsite, but I like to save the $ and spend it on more trips.
It sounds like the Contemporary would be very convenient for when you go to the MK, but not the other parks.
I think I had a bad experience when I did stay on-site- at Ft Wilderness. The transportation was a pain. I find it much easier to drive from off-site than wait for busses, ect.
You will pay extra for parking and a car rental, so you will have to factor that in.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Boy that's a toughy- it really depends on what you planned on doing. I mean if you planned on getting up early (and would realistically REALLY do it- not just plan on it) for EE in the mornings. Also were you planning on using WDW transportation or were you going to be driving anyway even if you stayed at the resort? Have you been to WDW before or is this your first trip? Did you plan on going back to the resort midday or did you plan on going to the resorts only once per day and when you left- that was it for that day?

All I can say is that we stayed off site for our first trip (2 adults, 3 young children) and although things didn't work out as planned on where we ended up staying as opposed to what we PAID for (hint: never use hotels.com- they screwed us by overbooking)- other than that fact.... it was fine for us. We probably would not have gotten up even ONE day early enough for EE anyway, we even had a near 30min drive to the parks each morning and we were fine with that -your drive sounds much shorter.
I stayed on-site for my solo trip and our next trip with family is onsite also- BUT.... only because I want my family to experience onsite also- and we're going to TRY to do the midday back at resort thing although I'm not sure we'll actually end up doing it. Or maybe DH will with the youngest while I stay at the parks with the older two. We'll see. But we plan on having a vehicle anyway because I'm quite sure we'd rather drive (have free parking anyway with my PAP) than deal with all of us on WDW transportation with stroller/etc. Plus we just don't like the idea of being "stuck" unable to go to the stores/etc. without using taxi's etc. I could barely stand that when I was ALONE- let alone with 3 children ( I mean really.... how can I pack enough pullups when we're flying there this time? LOL)

Our future trips will most likely be at FW since we have a travel trailer now- but if they weren't, we most likely would stay offsite again after this trip. More room and less cost (since after this trip we'd be considered FIVE people and have to get 2 rooms if we stayed onsite) is attractive to me. LOL But the travel trailer gives us that also- so hopefully we'll be camping at FW. But if something happens where we can't do that- we'll probably stay offsite after the next trip UNLESS for some reason DH enjoys onsite more or something.

Tough decision- tough to try to help you with that decision I mean.