when staying on resort how hard is it to go off rop

[traumamama]

Hi all I am way new at this never been to WDW but I am think i would rather stay on resort but I do want to go to universal for 2 days and I would like to do a day of shopping at the florida mall. also is the 35$ pp/pd for one counter meal a snack and one sit down meal worth it or should i go it on my own. Am I in well enough shape to do 8 days of disney doubtful but i am gonna give a try. any other advice would be appreciated.

 

[Mymatisse]

I know when we go we usually go someplace off property (usually Universal). I think it makes it easier if you have a car, then you can really just take things at your own pace and go wherever you want. I actually think if you are staying that long it's nice to take advantage of your time there and get in as much as possible, including shopping or going to toher themeparks.

 

[KlippertFan]

If you don't have a car available how difficult is it to go? I also would love to go to Universal but I will be flying down and don't want to rent a car because of the expense of it. Anyone know how far Universal is from Disney? And what kind of transportation could be used to get back and forth from there? Oh and same questions for Sea World , I'd really love to go there too.

 

[Mymatisse]

When you don't have a rental car I would suggest using Mears for transportation there. You just call them to make a reservation, let them know what time you want to be picked up from your hotel, and we had to call maybe about 20mins before we wanted to be taken back to the hotel. Or you can just use a taxi, may be more expensive though.

 

[ncbyrne]

If you are going to WDW for 8 days and be off site at Universal for two days, you will have to plan carefully to know if the dining plan will be worth it for you. To get the most out of the plan on the days you will be off site, you could use the counter service options for breakfast. You can also make PS for two signature restaurants that use two options each and that would use the same amount of the sit down options.

 

[Kristina]

We used Mears when we were there last year, and that worked very well for us. What you do is call the evening before you want to go, if the number hasn't changed it's (407) 423-5566 or better yet just pick up your room phone and dial 0 and ask to be connected to Mears. You will be told a choice of times for the next day and you meet up with the bus out in front of your resort. Also when after you've paid you will be given a reciept and the phone number which you call 2 hours before you want to be picked up . Bring your cell phone and have fun! You can also use Mears for Sea World and Beltz Outlets amongst other places .

 

[Luv2Roam]

Depending on where all you want to go, by the time you pay for taxis and Mears, you might be just as well to rent a car.
But the other transportation is a lot less hassle.
You will be taking I4 to get back and forth from Universal. And anyone will tell you I4 is not a good drive. If you are lucky you will make it there easily within a half hour. Worse case, I4 is shut down due to a fatality and it is a big parking lot. (I remember one morning just a few months ago where three sections of I4 were shut down from 2 separate semi accidents and a suicidal jumper.)
Agree, you will need to plan more careful.

 

[IwasatWDWforamonth]

Hi
I really recomend a rental car if you are planning to leave disney property, if you add up all the money that will be spent on either mears or a taxi and the hassle of not being able to come and go as you please the rental car is a better deal.
How many days will you be in florida? I'd skip the mall but thats just me , there is so much to do and see, Id spend the day either going to WDW again, or taking a drive to the space center.
Also do you have reservations yet?
I cant comment on the dinning plan, as I have annual passes.
Sea World is just a few miles from WDW, I didnt find the drive there to be bad at all. Although we drive from michigan and in the past 6 years we have made the news twice, once was Indiana's 2nd worst tornado and just this past december we ran into an ice storm, so I4 is a breeze
I would be happy if I just stayed at WDW I understand you wanting to see other places though. even when we went to Sea World and universal I had to spend the rest of the evening at a Epcot

 

[Brikate]

Depending on where all you want to go, by the time you pay for taxis and Mears, you might be just as well to rent a car.

I totally agree! You don't mention when you are going or how many are in your party, but you may want to look into renting a car as these options will factor into your savings.

If you check the Transportation Board, you can learn how to rent a car for the least amount of days necessary as well as the best deals. We almost always rent from National {Emerald Aisle} and plan in advance.
I am currently {just booked this last week} holding a reservation for 8 days in December - mid-size car - for $119. (all taxes and fees included). For my family of 4, this will save us not only $$, but time.

 

[powellrj]

Even when we stay on site, we always rent a car. This year our cost for June 13-18 including all fees and taxes for a midsize is $107.23. We like to visit other things while we are in orlando and like to eat several meals off-site, so renting a car is a bargain for us.

 

[traumamama]

Even when we stay on site, we always rent a car. This year our cost for June 13-18 including all fees and taxes for a midsize is $107.23. We like to visit other things while we are in orlando and like to eat several meals off-site, so renting a car is a bargain for us.

is it a really big hassle driving off site and back on ect.... are there alot of places off site to eat at nearby? that is very inexpensive for a car and i can imagine that the DH is gonna be kinda tired of themeparks after a couple of days we could break out and go to the beach or kennnedy ect...

 

[powellrj]

no, its really not hard to get around at all. We even drive to the parks when we stay on-site because we don't like to have to depend on disney transportation and they are really easy to get around in. Everything is well marked. There are many, many resturants in the area. Name a chain, and they usually have one in Orlando. Have a great trip!

 

[KlippertFan]

I totally agree! You don't mention when you are going or how many are in your party, but you may want to look into renting a car as these options will factor into your savings.

I haven't booked a trip yet, I just decided a couple days ago that I was going to plan a trip and go to WDW . I'm thinking of doing a solo trip since I don't have anyone that wants to go to or can afford to go. So I'm not sure when I'll be going, I would love to go for MVMCP but I'm not sure if it's in the budget for this year (maybe have to wait 'til next year). But anyway after visiting this WDW site I realized how much stuff there is to plan so I've started doing my research and then found this message board which has been a HUGE help!

Anyway those prices for car rentals that a few people quoted are AMAZINGLY CHEAP! I may go the rental route if that is how much they are, as someone mentioned it would be far cheaper for food to go off-site. I'm not so certain about the driving part though, I don't like driving in other cities when I don't know where the heck I'm going, that is a very uncomfortable situation for me.

How much is the Mears and WHAT is the Mears, lol? Also, are Universal and Sea World something that you can plan as part of your itinerary? Probably not eh since they are not a part of WDW, would have to do them completely seperate I guess.

 

[hannahouse]

tramamama, if you are going to universal and seaworld, you might consider moving over to a universal resort for that part of your trip. on site guests have fotl privileges at Universal, and they have free shuttle service to seaworld.

 

[Luv2Roam]

There are many nice eating places around WDW. Too many to count. Most are chains.
They may be a little less than Disney. But not by a lot I don't think. And they are just chain restaurants. Not that they are bad. Most Disney restaurants are more unique than your typical TGI Friday's or Perkins.
The closer you are to WDW, the more food, gas and most everything costs.
I would suggest Cheesecake factory (full service restaurant) at Millenia Mall!

 

[dpinchot]

Well, I'm going in June for 10 nights, and there's six of us (dw, ds7, dd4 and my parents). I'm planning only one day off site, and have been contemplating a rental car. I looked into Mears, and if it's a small group, it might be cost effective. But from what I learned, they charge per person, so that's not cost effective for us. I called, and you can get a taxi van from POP to Universal for just under $30 one way. To rent a car and pay for Universal parking, it's a wash. To avoid the hassles, I think I'm just going to take a taxi van. Anyone think this is a bad idea?

BTW, if I was planning to go off site for two or three days, I would definitely rent a car those days.