Who has done Disney Resort and off-site in one trip?

[cheryterese]

We are thinking of splitting the accomodations for our next WDW trip - the first week in a Disney Resort followed by the second week off-site. Those who have done this, can you chime in on the pros and cons?

We're looking at going for 2 weeks next September. It would be our 3rd family trip and we've only ever stayed off-site (10 minute drive away, pool house) with the kids. Hubby and I have stayed at Wilderness Lodge and Port Orleans French Quarter (before children). The off-site house has worked really well for our family both times and we really love the extra space and the ability to make our own meals, but we'd like to give our kids the Disney Resort magic experience as well. I just don't think I can stay in a hotel for 2 weeks!

I'd love to hear from people who have done this - thoughts, advice, etc. I'm also interested in how you worked a rental car. I was thinking we'd use Disney transportation that first week and rent a car the next, but do we have to get back to the airport to rent one? Also wondering which resort you'd recommend we stay in. There are 5 of us (kids will be 8, 6 and 5).

Thanks!

 

[taymorel]

We are doing a similar thing on our next trip. We will split our stay between WDW and a Universal hotel since we are doing Legoland and the Universal parks. We will stay at WDW resort first and use the buses and then are renting a car. Last time we were at WDW we rented a car from the onsite National rental car and they even picked us up from our resort. We will rent a car from there again.

 

[msp2mco]

We have stayed both on- and off-site on the same trip depending on what we are doing when we are staying off-site. I can understand how you enjoy the space and privacy of a rental home. Maybe you would want to consider renting DVC points for a villa so you can still cook in your room and have extra living space while staying on-site.

Just the other day, my DH and DS said they have enjoyed WDW so much, in part, because they can immerse themselves in the beauty of the resort 24/7.

 

[Mom2HandR]

We just did 10 days, 5 off site and 5 on. I would definitely do off site last. Then you end with more space etc. It was like 2 separate vacations.
Off site we did 2 days at Sea World and one at Aquatica. We shopped. Enjoyed our condo and pools.
Then we went into the bubble. I loved this, best of both worlds

 

[MelissaTnNc]

We just did this for two weeks. We stayed off site for 12 nights, on site for 3. We loved the space (and price!) of the 1200 sq ft 2 bed/bath condo at Bonnet Creek, but wanted to spend a few nights at Art of Animation Little Mermaid. For that long of a stay, we wouldn't have lasted in a hotel room happily, but I'm so glad we did it for a few nights. But I recommend doing the Disney stay at the end...such a fun way to end out vacation.

 

[Kim1964]

We did it last year, with three nights at YC, a week at Windsor Hills, and three nights at Universal (RPR). It was our first time trying offsite, and I have mixed feelings about it. If we do it again, I would do the offsite part first.....I spent much of the week wishing I was back at YC. We do split stays just about every trip, and I try to save the best part for last. How you define "the best part" is personal preference. For me, I LOVE YC and would live there if I could, so from now on the trip will always end there. (It's killing me that we aren't going to be there when we go in February, but the kids wanted Universal instead of WDW after our Disney cruise.....I know, rough life.)

 

[maxiesmom]

We have! One trip we started out at POR and ended in Staybridge Suites, LBV. It was nice to go from being cramped in one resort room to having tons of space to spread out. I love being on-site but it was a relief to get some space to breathe! I would do on-site first, and then move off-site. Plus that way you get to ride ME to your resort, which is more magical than ME the ride back to the airport.

You can rent a car from over by the Swan and Dolphin. No need to go back to the airport. I believe one of the DTD resorts rents cars as well. You may want to ask that over on the transportation board, I'm sure they will have tons of information on both places. Or maybe have a better option.

 

[rochefamily]

We have done it as well. We spent a week offsite by Sea World. Large 2 bedroom condo. We then spent 3 nights on site. We had never been onsite before and our young girls loved everything about it. (as did we) We were glad we ended the trip onsite. We had a rental car from the beginning so that was a non issue.

 

[hsmamato2]

offsite first...otherwise it feels like a letdown after a disney stay...IMHO we've done it the other way,an no one is happy when we move....

 

[Karabee]

I've never been for 2 weeks but we stayed offsite a few nights once before switching to WDW and I hated it. However, 2 full weeks down there I might want more room. I agree with PP and would stay offsite first, than onsite.
You can rent a car at the Disney Car Rental right near the MK resorts. It's right at the MK entrance gate when you're driving into that area. There is also one at the Swan and Dolphin.

 

[wdw4rfam]

We did a split Universal/ Disney a few years ago. Now we still do Universal, but we drive from Disney. Its just not the same. Plus, September is usually Free dining at Disney, so you might want to consider that also. You can get free meals those extra days without having to go to a park.

 

[Tink415]

If we're doing a WDW and Universal trip (both hotel rooms) I like to stay at WDW first and then Universal. WDW tends to be more rush rush rush where as Universal can be much more relaxed, front of the line access leaves plenty of time to relax and enjoy the resort.

If staying offsite someplace besides Universal resorts, I'd have to think about it. Usually, I choose to stay in nicer or larger accommodations at the 2nd part of a trip.

Offhand what I remember is you can get a rental car from the WDW Car Center (National and Alamo), they have a small bus that will pick you up. Also the Dolphin and Doubletree on Hotel Blvd have car rental desks. I've used all 3, depends on what kind of rental rate I can get. Mousesavers has details on all the rental companies.