Would you stay offsite during Spring Break?

[Jchoma]

Oh, and definitely look into DVC rental! Should save you a ton of money even though it will still be high because of the time of year. We got Boardwalk Villas during Christmas week and it was the same price as the Moderates. Great deals through DVC rentals.

Thanks!! I’ll definitely look into DVC!

Would you honestly take advantage of Extra Magic Hours? If so then I think it is worth the money.

We would definitely use morning EMH. Im not sure about evening. I dont think my kids would do well really late. I think Easter week evening EMH are usually really late, right?

 

[WaterLinds]

I'm working through some similar questions for our trip next March, so this thread is helpful for me too!

The one other thought I'd mention that I haven't seen yet, but that I am including in our lists...if staying off site saves us a ton, we can put some of that money into improving our trip experience in other ways. Maybe EMM or a fireworks dessert party, maybe a special tour or package somewhere, maybe an extra character meal, etc. So as I go through and make our lists and consider EMH vs off site, I'm going to try to figure out how many of the things we EMH would allow us to do are experiences we could also pay for, and compare the extra costs there vs the extra cost of the room on site.

I suspect we're going to end up off site, because we have a grandmother coming as well and the extra space of a condo would be nice--I'm looking at 2 bedroom DVC villas as well but even with points rental most look too expensive. Also if we do WBC I can save money on not doing a water park day, plus the savings on food, etc. But on site sure is tempting with EMH.

I'm also going to keep an eye on park hours for the same period this year, too--like you we wouldn't use evening EMH, it's too late for us. Mornings we would probably use unless its crazy early--we had planned to use the 8 am EMH at AK recently but they moved it up to 7. We made it there about 7:30, and it was fine, but realistically I'm not going to get everyone up and organized to rope drop super early EMHs regularly. I know there's no guarantee that next year's hours would be the same, but it's the best way I have to predict things!

 

[TrooperMickey]

If you can stay on site it’s great; the feeling is always a bit more “special” with the way Disney hotels give guests the experience.

However, Bonnet Creek and the large World Marriott are extremely close. The rooms are cheaper and nicer.

I often tell my friends if you’re going to Disney during a festival or plan to stay at the parks; do what’s cheapest for your room and transport. If you enjoy the Disney hotel experience; then arrange the vacation to meet that aspect.

Eitherway you won’t go wrong; and the savings can be used for your next trip!

 

[Sue M]

Sign up for the Mousesavers newsletter. They freq publish discount codes for the Disneysprings area hotels. Sometimes room discount, free parking, no resort fees, etc.
We stayed a night in The Doubletree Suites. Really nice, and you can have your own space. There is a pullout in the living room. We had a promo code with room discount plus free breakfast.
Have you checked out what it would cost with discounts for similar times this year? It would prob be similar to next years discounts.

 

[gharter]

Having been there during Spring Break, traveling with our school, my only words of wisdom - don't do it! If at all possible, it is packed and just not fun. There are so many other weeks that are much better. If you have no choice, just expect it to be ridiculously busy and anything less is a bonus. Fastpasses are a must if you hope to do much. Get there early and hit the popular rides early. Good luck. Did it once, never again.

 

[cdnusagurl]

I would. My first visit to WDW was during spring break and my parents stayed at a timeshare. The amount of relaxation I got even as a child after leaving the crowded parks for the day was almost priceless. The only downside was trying to force my sister to leave the pool to go back to the parks in the afternoon and the nightmare of driving back to WDW for my parents.

 

[720L]

No.

 

[Monykalyn]

If you are comfortable refreshing for FP day of to maybe snag a few you couldn't get ahead of time, then yep to offsite.
Really-only (maybe) 7DMT and (for sure) FOP won't be available at 30 days, likely Galaxy edge won't be open by then either. I'd bet some people will postpone a trip to see the new Star Wars stuff as well.
Or do the split stay with a couple nights onsite to get the booking window, then offsite for rest. We do that for longer trips, or if there is more than just 2 or 3 of us-more than that crammed into a tiny room just isn't vacation for us.
We stayed offsite at Thanksgiving, no issues with traffic or FP, but of course, YMMV.

I just booked a trip for 3/19/18-3/22/18 on 2/28/18 and the only FP NOT available (also a spring break week, but not Easter break busy) is FoP and SDMT. Disney has us in such a frenzy over preplanning everything that I think it is easy to forget that you can have a great time and not plan 6 months in advance...

 

[happymommy]

I've stayed several times off site for spring break, only because I got great deals via Interval International for Marriott condos (2 bedroom) for at most $350 for the full week.

We had excellent times. It was a pain to drive (I hate driving on vacation), but other than that, it was great to have a condo that is so much larger than a DVC 2 bedroom villa (Marriott ones are much larger), and we relaxed a lot (although did go to parks every day).

The only time I won't go now is Easter; did that 2 years ago, and it was too crowded for me (but we've gone almost every spring break for my kids, only once was Easter).

I love spring break at Disney! Headed there soon! Like, tomorrow!