Would you stay offsite during Spring Break?

[Tattylou]

Moderates do, but I believe most values have 2 doubles. That’s one of the reasons we would book a moderate over a value.

I believe the refurbished rooms at Pop have queen beds. There is no slide at the pool though.

 

[maxiesmom]

No way would I stay off site knowing ahead of time the parks will be very busy. EMH is your friend for busy days.

I know there are times when Disney has the Magic Kingdom as a morning EMH for many days in a row. So no matter when you arrive, if you are off site you are automatically behind thousands of other guests. Not sure if that is true of the exact time you are going, but it is worth checking out.

 

[kirstenb1]

I completely understand, but I'd never stay off site during what has to be one of the top 5 busiest weeks of the year. I'm actually a big fan of off site, during less crowded times. And the posters who addressed the MK are spot on. You'd be waiting in traffic forever, just to park.

 

[ChristineOH]

It's hard to plan without knowing what the discounts will be, but we are staying at CSR the week before this Easter for $216 per night. We will not be there Easter weekend, but I was not expecting to get a rate that good during spring break. I don't have any experience staying offsite, but if that's the way you decide to go, you'll figure out how to make it work for you. As our kids get older and more adult-sized, I can see us moving offsite eventually as well.

 

[jenmsmith]

We stayed at Wyndham Bonnet Creek the week leading up to Easter in 2016 and had a great time. With the money we saved, we were able to get an additional condo for cousins to travel with us. We stayed at the Poly over spring break last year and had a great time. Was it busy both years? Sure. But we drive to the parks (except MK when staying onsite), and didn’t have any problems either year. We are staying at WBC again this year the week leading up to Easter and looking forward to it. To me, the EMH and 60-day FP+ advantage is not worth $1300+.

 

[kwdw]

If you stay off-site - and plan to go back to your room each afternoon - that's going to be a hassle. I don't like off-site when planning to return to the hotel mid-day - sucks up WAY too much time during the day. Maybe I'd consider Bonnet Creek or a good neighbor hotel - but farther than that really is a hassle.

In my opinion - for a family of 4 in a room with 2 queen beds - especially during a busy week - on-site pricing tends to be "worth it" in terms of price vs. what you get.

 

[SwanVT2]

How about looking into aaa rates at swan? Queen beds, fantastic pool, 60 day booking..only issue is lack of Disney transportation from the airport. If you book meats online in advance you can save 15 percent.

 

[HopperFan]

I would continue your research and see what is offsite that might fit your needs. There is so much just 10 minutes drive to parks that I would check them all out and compare what you get.

One thing you said is your kids won't hang late, and thinking about how it was hard when we got back to our room ... trying to get the kids to sleep but we were not ready yet. Having offsite suite or condo allows you to get them a good night sleep while you have some quiet evening time. We do love Bonnet Creek ... have had a few good stays at Sheraton Vistana Resort as well. While we had to drive those trips are way more relaxing than our Disney hotel stays.

This way you have plan A and plan B depending on Disney offers ... because no Disney resort is worth it's rack rate ... sometimes not even it's discounted rate.

I was under the impression that all moderate Disney hotels now have 2 queen sized beds. Am I mistaken? Thanx.

Moderates do, but I believe most values have 2 doubles. That’s one of the reasons we would book a moderate over a value.

Moderates do except for the Pirate rooms at CBR, they are full.

Values are changing. POP Century will have all queens by time OP goes. The Allstars are beginning their renovations now so some will have Queens as well by next year although likely no guarantee to get them.

It really depends on what week you will be going since spring breaks cover a number of weeks and prices/discounts can be all over the place.

This year I couldn't get a general or AP discount for POP even looking as soon as discounts were released for Easter week. I am offsite in a suite with two rooms, queen beds, wonderful hot breakfast buffet, evening reception and 10 minutes room to parks .... $113 per night. I am fine with being offsite, I'm getting way more for my money and will save on food as well meaning we can avoid some of the spring break crowds at the parks dining spots.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

@HopperFan wow! Sounds like you got an amazing rate - show me your ways...

 

[deedubb]

We have stayed off site many times in March and I didn't mind it at all. With Pandora, and now Toy Story Land coming, I would be less inclined to do it unless I stayed at one of the off sites that gives you 60 day FP+. I spent under $2K last March off site in a 3 bedroom with in suite laundry, full kitchen etc, versus >$4K last Xmas in an Art of Animation suite (which equated to close to $6K Canadian), for a room to sleep in and a place to shower. We did not do any resort days and did not use the pool. That's a pretty hefty price to pay for a bed and shower.

 

[HopperFan]

@HopperFan wow! Sounds like you got an amazing rate - show me your ways...

I constantly check even if I "might" go ... sometimes I plan a trip just because of the rate. Spring Break is not my first, second or tenth time of year to go but we did last year and it was quite doable. So I started checking in December.

I got Embassy Suites LBV SOUTH, which I LOVE, for the $113 (I think plus $10 to park). It's a beautifully decorated ES, their breakfast is even better than most ES with some extra items. Great to have cooked to order omelets and eggs. The evening reception is beer wine and mixed drinks with a small spread of snacks like cheese cubes, crackers, excellent salsa ...

The pool is simple but very classy with nice lounges and all, but we are mostly park people. We have stayed here at least 6 times and once for 9 days with FIVE of us with no issues.

Since I booked the room has been as high as $189 and now at $145. Room prices always changing so it's a matter of timing. We go often and to do that I stay on top of great rates. AND we have stayed at LOTS of places. This is direct with HILTON with AAA.

Many direct bookings will get you free internet and other things that have fees. Look via Mousesavers they offer great rates, and I will sometimes book via Disney Springs Hotels website. Worth a check now with EMH and 60 day FP+.

My favorite if I could get good rate would be Wyndham Bonnet Creek or but have had some great trips to Sheraton Vistana Resort. I've never paid over $90 a night for two bedroom units at those using Sky Auction. Been a couple years since I've checked. [I just looked and I can get WBC 2 bedroom for $114 a night - 7 night package.]

 

[halfpintpeggy]

I constantly check even if I "might" go ... sometimes I plan a trip just because of the rate. Spring Break is not my first, second or tenth time of year to go but we did last year and it was quite doable. So I started checking in December.

I got Embassy Suites LBV SOUTH, which I LOVE, for the $113 (I think plus $10 to park). It's a beautifully decorated ES, their breakfast is even better than most ES with some extra items. Great to have cooked to order omelets and eggs. The evening reception is beer wine and mixed drinks with a small spread of snacks like cheese cubes, crackers, excellent salsa ...

The pool is simple but very classy with nice lounges and all, but we are mostly park people. We have stayed here at least 6 times and once for 9 days with FIVE of us with no issues.

Since I booked the room has been as high as $189 and now at $145. Room prices always changing so it's a matter of timing. We go often and to do that I stay on top of great rates. AND we have stayed at LOTS of places. This is direct with HILTON with AAA.

Many direct bookings will get you free internet and other things that have fees. Look via Mousesavers they offer great rates, and I will sometimes book via Disney Springs Hotels website. Worth a check now with EMH and 60 day FP+.

My favorite if I could get good rate would be Wyndham Bonnet Creek or but have had some great trips to Sheraton Vistana Resort. I've never paid over $90 a night for two bedroom units at those using Sky Auction. Been a couple years since I've checked. [I just looked and I can get WBC 2 bedroom for $114 a night - 7 night package.]

Thanks for the info! We're Hilton & AAA members and ES SOUTH will definitely be on my radar now!!!

 

[HopperFan]

Thanks for the info! We're Hilton & AAA members and ES SOUTH will definitely be on my radar now!!!

We've stayed at lots of Hiltons at Disney, and that one is our favorite. We've stayed at 4 Embassy Suites in Orlando.

 

[Jchoma]

This is all such helpful advice. Thanks!!!

 

[maxiesmom]

In situations like this, I always find it best to make lists. List out the benefits and downfalls of staying on site and off site. We can all tell you what works for us. But only you know what works for your family, what will make or break your vacation.

 

[Jchoma]

In situations like this, I always find it best to make lists. List out the benefits and downfalls of staying on site and off site. We can all tell you what works for us. But only you know what works for your family, what will make or break your vacation.

Great advice, thank you!! I know we would have a nice stay offsite. We stayed offsite one year in a rental vacation home when both sets of grandparents came to Disney with us and didn't mind driving to the parks. My biggest concern is losing out on EMH/ 60-day FP during a crazy busy spring break week which we've never experienced. It's so much pricier on site but is having that extra park time and the Fast Passes we want worth the cost? Plus we only get to WDW once every 18 months or so. Is on site worth the splurge for that reason, too? I think it might be, I just wish it wasn't *so* much pricier to stay onsite!

 

[maxiesmom]

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

 

[pixiegoose]

I’d look into renting points, particularly at Old Key West since their studios have 2 queen beds (the only deluxe studio that has them). When I was playing around with numbers for our December trip (so, not peak season but still), we could get a dvc deluxe studio (I think I was looking at BLT) for roughly rack rate of a POR standard room. We ended up renting points from a friend (he gave us a better deal than the rental sites) and will be staying in a studio at OKW (since that’s where he owns), unless we manage to snag a studio elsewhere at 7 months though that would take a miracle, for roughly the price of a rack rate standard room at Pop.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I would try the Swan or Dolphin. That’s where we are staying Easter week this year. Our Dolphin standard room had a rate of $280 a night including all fees and taxes (only parking not included in that rate). That rate was pretty good compared to the rates at the Boardwalk resorts, and we get all the benefits of the onsite resorts except DME and Magic Bands (and we have a big set of bands already and plan on driving).

Check rates and see what you can get. It’s really nice to walk to Epcot during F&G.

 

[BigB0882]

We planned a last minute trip for this Spring Break and we were forced to stay off-site. Ended up staying at Universal since they offered us a room and 3 days worth of tickets with Unlimited Express for cheaper than just a room at Disney. We are driving anyway so we will just drive to WDW 4 of the days we are there. We get free parking with our AP. It isn't ideal and we couldn't get FOP at 30 days out but we literally got every other fastpass we wanted. I am a little bummed about missing the EMH, especially since there is a night where MK is open until 2am! However, the truth is I am exhausted every night by 10 so I don't know how much I would have used those EMH hours and we have all the fastpasses we want at MK anyway. I won't need to stay late to ride Splash or Space again with a shorter wait.

Staying on-site is definitely preferred but my point is that it isn't the end of the world if you have to stay off-site. The FP issue is only a problem for FOP.

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.