Would you stay onsite or Rent a house... look at the prices???

[djm99]

I will be traveling to Disney this summer and I'm kind of in a Dilemma. Since so many of my friends and family wanted to travel to Disney during the same time (although some will be staying longer than others), my big mouth decided to plan a huge trip to Disney (some 13 different friends and family). Everyone originally wanted to stay onsite. I called Disney and got great rates on booking 10+ rooms (Value resorts $64 (excluding Pop), moderates $99, and Animal Kingdom Lodge for $129 a night). The catch is - 80% of us have to choose the same resort and at least 10 rooms need to be occupied one night at the same time.

The problem is during my many internet searches I've found that rental homes are reasonably priced. I found (3) - 6 bedroom houses (thru www.wholesale-travel.com) for only $169 (this includes ALL taxes) a night (they are cheaper than that if your willing to go to a timeshare presentation - we are NOT willing to). 3-4 families can stay in these homes near Disney with Private Pools. All of us are not trying to vacation together, but simply take advantage of these great prices.

Also, this is a 8 day 7 nights vacation, we are doing at least 3 days at disney and at least 1 day at Universal Studios. Some are only planning 1 day at 1 park and plan to relax (people 50 years and older). Some family members are driving and others are flying - remember the objective is to vacation not to see one another everyday. But wherever we stay I'm sure we will "hook" up at least once.

What would you do and why - A home or Onsite?

 

[Candice30]

you also have to take into consideration travel time. are alot of you flying in or driving? if flying, are you getting a vans or rental cars. even if you have your own car you have to consider if the savings is worth the travel time in the car to the parks. i love staying onsite and only once stayed off site and i hated it. it is nothing like using disney's transportation to get everywhere and i love that the resorts are themed.

it's just my opinion but when you stay onsite, you feel like you've been hit with pixy dust and float on a cloud you never come off of. that disney spirit seems to last all day long when i am in one of disney's resorts!

 

[Tigger Fans!]

Have you considered renting DVC points? This would be the best of both worlds - onsite and kitchen facilities! I'd suggest looking at the DVC rent/trade board.

We stayed in a vacation home in Orlando when we went with a big group. The homes were great, very clean with pools but it did take quite a while to get to the parks. Depending on where you stay, some of the access roads charge tolls. If staying off-site you will also have the added expense for parking each car.

We'll be staying at Old Key West for our upcoming trip!

TTFN!

 

[della]

We had stayed off site a few times before buying into the DVC. Although we were right down the road from WDW, there were days (and nights) that we had to sit in traffic. That was a pain. And this was off season.

Also, I have an older teenager, not old enough to drive a rental car, who brings a friend(s) when we vacation. When we were off site they were often coming/going at different times than we were. My dh started to feel like a shuttle driver. When we are on sight it is more carefree and easier for everyone.

Also, we once looked at some homes that were rentals. The homes were nice but I was surprised that the pool was quite tiny-especially for a large group. Maybe it was just the ones I looked at.

 

[Pig Pen]

Unless you are renting vans, I would stay on-site. Could you could stay at WDW for part of the trip then move over to US the remainder? Or would a DTD hotel work? I've never been to US so don't know how it works over there.

It seems to me that the logistics of getting all these people to and from the parks would be a nightmare!

Plus, sharing a house with so many people for so long could prove tiresome after awhile.

 

[#1hockeymom]

for your own sanity... please stay onsite! Transportation, food restaurant choices, great pools, I think everyone will be much happier when they realize what they would have missed had they stayed off-site!

 

[motaei]

My group is 2 families. We looked at town homes, but we decided with on-site due to convenience & the Early Morning benefits. We are flying in & taking town cars to the resort. We decided if we were going to stay on site, then we would pass on things like Universal Studios. But that is something we agreed on before hand.

Also, if our two families had to share the same living space for a whole week, we may not be friends anymore.

 

[tjmw2727]

With a large group I would definately stay onsite. The convenience of meeting here for lunch, here for a parade as well as letting everyone go on their own is really worth it. Older kids can do a few things on their own and your not tied down by transportation. You can meet a the pool for a swim while others take in a meal etc.

TJ

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Plus what would you do if some one became ill during the day, you would either all have to leave or try and find everyone.
I went with another family once, we were staying at an off-property timeshare the Mother got upset with the children and said OK everyone to the car...we left and it was 10:30am. I didn't have a car so I got to sit in a tacky timeshare all day.

 

[BillPA]

If this is an annual trip, save the money stay off site. If it's that once in a life time trip. Stay on site, anywhere. To me if you are going to Disney, stay at Disney. It's like going on a beach vacation, and staying is some townhose in the next town, miles away from the beach... what good is that?

 

[djm99]

Wow, everybody thinks on-site is the way. There are a few items that homes offer that makes me want to stay off site. 1. Washer/dryer 2. Full kitchen 3. Peace and Quiet 4. its money saving and 5. most importantly for me is Space. The thought of being in a 312 sq. ft. room - on my relaxing day - drives me nuts. But I will for the sake of getting along I'll go with what the majority votes on (in truth it really doesn't matter to me as long as I'm in disney). We are planning on seeing one another on Turkey Day, so decisions will be made then.


Thank you again for your responses!!!!!!

 

[motaei]

Originally posted by djm99
Wow, everybody thinks on-site is the way. There are a few items that homes offer that makes me want to stay off site. 1. Washer/dryer 2. Full kitchen 3. Peace and Quiet 4. its money saving and 5. most importantly for me is Space. The thought of being in a 312 sq. ft. room - on my relaxing day - drives me nuts. But I will for the sake of getting along I'll go with what the majority votes on (in truth it really doesn't matter to me as long as I'm in disney). We are planning on seeing one another on Turkey Day, so decisions will be made then.


Thank you again for your responses!!!!!!

To address some of you issues:
1) I don't know about all the resorts, but CSR has a washer/dryer. I think I remember the All-Stars having them too.
2) I have no desire to cook on my vacation. But I am renting a small fridge & will use the coffee pot for instant oatmeal.
3) There are "quiet" pools at most resorts.
4) Consider parking fees, time wasted in traffic, car rental....
5) Space - that's a tough one, but the rooms do get bigger when you pay more

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving & may you all decide on whatever works best for your family & friends!

 

[swilphil]

The Dolphin has washer/dryers, as well as jr. suites. Does anybody qualify for the nurse/teacher/govt. discount?

Renting DVC points may work best, at least for part of the trip. They also have washers and dryers and more room to spread out. I do agree that it's nice staying on site, so you don't have to rent a car. Plus with a large group, it's much easier to plan when you split up.

 

[Efastpitch]

here is my advice for what it is worth. I would book my reservations through the new Disney Gathering Vacation Program ( you can find it on the home page of the disney web). Although spending time with family is a great idea, at times you just need some time alone. Staying on site in seperate rooms is the way to go. Everyone is responsible for their own expenses, transportation to different parks is available. I believe you will have a much better time if you plan your trip this way. I hope you have a great time.

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by djm99
Wow, everybody thinks on-site is the way. There are a few items that homes offer that makes me want to stay off site. 1. Washer/dryer 2. Full kitchen 3. Peace and Quiet 4. its money saving and 5. most importantly for me is Space. The thought of being in a 312 sq. ft. room - on my relaxing day - drives me nuts. But I will for the sake of getting along I'll go with what the majority votes on (in truth it really doesn't matter to me as long as I'm in disney). We are planning on seeing one another on Turkey Day, so decisions will be made then.


Thank you again for your responses!!!!!!

I am totaly pro on-site so take this with a grain of salt. Every disney resort has a nice laundry room and most if not all are by the pool area. Just pop in a load, grab a book, drink of choice and a lounge chair and then 20 mintues later switch them up. Sure beats sitting inside a home doing laundry! Kitchen - none unless you do a home away from home but we do cold breakfast in the room, sit down lunch and quick service dinner. For me cooking on vacation is very last at the LONG list. Space - make sure you have only the alloted 4 per room and you will have plenty of space. Many rooms have a balcony and you may find you spend a lot less time the the room than on a typical vacation. The most important factor for us is transportation, you will be amamzed how far even the closest "off property resort" is. WDW proper is the size of Rhode Island so on property is really much closer than off. With a large party the option of bus transportation and meeting for lunch, parade or a few hours at a park is worth every penny imho. Especially when traveling with a large party - you can save quite a bit by not having to rent a car - cost that into the expenses.

We did wdw with dh's two brothers and our neices and the older kids could do a few things by themselves which made everyone's vacations better. They did water mice while the kiddos swam and then napped and went to disney quest while the little ones did fantasyland. We all met for lunch and went on from there. With a large crowd its impossible to keep everyone happy unless you separate sometimes. HTH and have a great trip. I can't wait to do another group vacation.

TJ

 

[crazelion]

I would suggust you post on the Orlando and attractions board and get more opoions by the offsite experts. They can tell you the benfits of staying offsite.

Plan next year if they offer the rate 20.04 at the Courtyard by Marroitt that's where I am staying at.

If they don't I going to stay at the offsite or All-Star Resorts because that's all i can afford. Also i like the fact All-Star Resorts only offer one bus stop so I won't get lost. Trust me I have got of the wrong bus coming from Downtown Disney.

 

[ear_poppin]

Ive stayed on site and off site and I would 100% recommend on site for your trip.

Imagine getting up every one in each others way in the kitchen etc trying to work out which park today? What car, kids arguing I want to go with such and such, Keys...who takes the keys...who will be back first etc etc...there would be NO peace and quiet...I would not under any circumstances share with loads of other families. Arguments over food,arguments over cooking, arguments over clearing up, TV shows..........etc.....etc

On site the prices you have been offered are great but if you only have 13 people why would you want 10 rooms? At least with the bus transportation you are free to come and go as you please. One family can go MK another MGM no one is under each others feet but you could meet up for a drink round the pool bar at night etc.

If it was me I would stay onsite 5 nights Disney and then move to US and stay onsite for 2 nights. Get front of the line access at US for staying onsite and again use the transport system.

Why not look at the prices if AP rates were ( and its a big were/maybe) available for your dates if you really don't need 10 rooms.

PS IF you DO really need 10 rooms think of all those people crowded into one house??

Lastly if you are still considering off site what about the Amerisuites or Country Inn suites at Calyso Cay. Each room fits 6 people, they have mini kitchens, it is relatively new 2002 ( has had good reviews) each get a continental breakfast and Hotel Kingdom has rates for $43.88 per nights ( probably more if you have extra adults in the rooms ) but at least it would give you some respite from the other families should you need it by having your own room.

Hope you sort out whats best for you

Denise

 

[jann1033]

we went once with about 20 people/3 families plus ..all but us (5) stayed off site in a "home" with a pool ( that was pretty small and basic) they had to change to different rooms twice cause of various problems..one family liked it OK( although truthfullyI do not think they would have admitted not liking it since they were the ones who pushed it. they also have a special needs daughter who can be very loud and could be a"problem" in a normal hotel setting), the other family HATED it. we stayed off site once and hated it. Also be careful of "bargain " prices and I would not stay anywhere some one I knew I could trust had not personally stayed and recommended. sometimes I think the photos in some of the ads are from the 50's and nothing has changed there since.

 

[dwfanatic]

Looks like I'm in the minority. We have stayed on site several times and in a vacation home twice. We loved both, but now we stay at the vacation home- it's a 5 minute ride to the parks and we NEVER have hit traffic. We like having our own pool that never closes, having 2 TV's, having 3 bathrooms, and just having lots of room. It is a VACATION, after all!! We have been to Disney lots of times, so we never feel we are out of the "magic" when we drive off property. Check out this link to the home that we stay at. www.mickeyspahome.com The family that owns the home has been great- I called them a bunch of times before our first trip to get particulars- quickest routes to the parks, etc.. the day we got to the house I drove to the parks at 8 pm by myself to time the drive- it WAS literally 5 minutes away!! Trust me, I take my Disney vacations seriously- I wanted to be sure that I got there in plenty of time in the AM! The house is right behind Splended China. The savings of a house to resort prices is worth being off property!! We spend the extra money on other stuff!