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Disney World - Best Options for Staying Off-Site?
Posted on 1/31/17 at 7:53 am
Posted on 1/31/17 at 7:53 am
A few years ago we (4 adults, 2 kids) stayed in a cabin at Fort Wilderness. Had the dining plan and it was convenient to just grab a bite to eat without having to go back to the cabin, and then returning. I hardly remember being at the cabin at all, since we just stayed out so late. Everyone had a blast. We went over Mardi Gras so the crowds were not unbearable later in the day.
We're thinking about going back next year. If we stay onsite, we'll probably get a cabin again. For those of you that stay offsite:
- Do you find that you save money after paying for food onsite while you're there?
- Where is a good location/place to stay offsite that will accommodate our size group?
- Is parking a hassle?
We're thinking about going back next year. If we stay onsite, we'll probably get a cabin again. For those of you that stay offsite:
- Do you find that you save money after paying for food onsite while you're there?
- Where is a good location/place to stay offsite that will accommodate our size group?
- Is parking a hassle?
This post was edited on 1/31/17 at 7:53 am
5
Posted on 1/31/17 at 8:16 am to meeple
My wife only wants to stay onsite. I prefer renting a house with a pool. It's MUCH cheaper and more relaxing. Just about everyone can have their own bedroom. There are a lot of neighborhoods south and southwest of the park within a short distance. Parking isn't a problem. Even when staying on site, I like to drive to the parks and resort restaurants (except for Magic Kingdom).
Posted on 1/31/17 at 8:43 am to CoolHand
You can save a lot of money by watching for deals on offsite hotels. There are hotels all over the place down there. There are hotels that aren't owned by Disney over by Disney Springs that are classified as onsite that do give you access to magic hours and have transport to the parks too. Stayed in one of those for a work convention.
You don't end up eating as much when you don't get a meal plan and save money that way too.
Convenience factor does come into play for some of the hotels that don't have transport. Staying onsite I find to be a lot less stressful.
You don't end up eating as much when you don't get a meal plan and save money that way too.
Convenience factor does come into play for some of the hotels that don't have transport. Staying onsite I find to be a lot less stressful.
This post was edited on 1/31/17 at 8:47 am
Posted on 1/31/17 at 9:06 am to meeple
quote:
- Is parking a hassle?
It's Disney, everything is a hassle.
Posted on 1/31/17 at 10:10 am to RandySavage
quote:
It's Disney, everything is a hassle
Not true, and especially not true in regards to parking. If you have a car parking is very easy for everywhere except Magic Kingdom where you must park at the TTC.
Now, it's expensive but it isn't a huge hassle.
I would argue that for 3 of the 4 parks driving is easier than taking disney transportation (unless you're at a deluxe resort). Now, where driving becomes a pain in the arse is when you start mixing in park hopping and such.
OP, Buena Vista suites has rooms (full, free daily breakfast) that are always priced very competitively and you have access to their larger and newer resort/pool next door. If you plan on driving in you can certainly save money by staying offsite. We prefer to stay onsite because we fly almost every time and in that case, it really doesn't make much sense to stay off-site.
Posted on 1/31/17 at 10:11 am to LSUfan4444
quote:
meeple
Have you looked into renting villas from DVC owners?
Rooms have full kitchens (resort have more grocery items), can accomodate large groups, etc
LINK
Posted on 1/31/17 at 10:33 am to LSUfan4444
quote:
Not true, and especially not true in regards to parking. If you have a car parking is very easy for everywhere except Magic Kingdom where you must park at the TTC. Now, it's expensive but it isn't a huge hassle. I would argue that for 3 of the 4 parks driving is easier than taking disney transportation (unless you're at a deluxe resort). Now, where driving becomes a pain in the arse is when you start mixing in park hopping and such.
100% agree.
I'm a Fl resident we stay in a hotel on international drive or rent a vrbo house. You can get a vrbo house for $250/ night for a 4-5 bedroom. Tons of hotel options for $120-150/ night.
We eat breakfast at the hotel or in the house, then grab lunch at the park, and dinner at the park. If we finish the day early we'll grab pizza to go or delivery food on the way home. Eat at the hotel/ rental. We usually do one big breakfast and one big dinner for a 2-3 day weekend trip. The rest of the time we just eat to eat.
Parking is $19/ day. As said it's a small hassle at magic kingdom, the other 3 it's easier to drive yourself than take the transportation.
This post was edited on 1/31/17 at 10:35 am
Posted on 1/31/17 at 11:05 am to meeple
I have stayed at Windsor Hills Resort 4 times. Love it! Last time was end of May 2016, 9 nights cost around $800! 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo right by the pool area. This place is VERY close to the parks! I like to stay offsite because you can get a much large space to stay in! I also, like to drive my own vehicle, because I hate waiting on those buses and ALL the extra stops they make! This is a place where a lot of people from the UK stay, so you may meet people with English accents! Hope this helps.
Posted on 1/31/17 at 11:13 am to meeple
We always rent a home in Kissimmee. The advantages are:
We get a five bedroom home for 10 nights for about $1600
Washer and dryers are worth their weight in gold
Unless we have a reservation for breakfast we eat before leaving in the morning
Their are boat loads of restaurants all around us.
We have a tremendous amount of room an don't feel like we are living on a cruise ship.
The disadvantages are:
Have to pay to park each day ($20)
It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to get to the parks and about a half hour to 45 minutes to get back to the house.
You miss out on what each resort has to offer (pools, theming, etc.)
We used to get a suite at one of the resorts as we have three kids but it became crazy expensive and we still did not have the washer/dryers.
We get a five bedroom home for 10 nights for about $1600
Washer and dryers are worth their weight in gold
Unless we have a reservation for breakfast we eat before leaving in the morning
Their are boat loads of restaurants all around us.
We have a tremendous amount of room an don't feel like we are living on a cruise ship.
The disadvantages are:
Have to pay to park each day ($20)
It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to get to the parks and about a half hour to 45 minutes to get back to the house.
You miss out on what each resort has to offer (pools, theming, etc.)
We used to get a suite at one of the resorts as we have three kids but it became crazy expensive and we still did not have the washer/dryers.
Posted on 1/31/17 at 11:26 am to jojoca
quote:
Windsor Hills
We've always stayed at a house here....perfect location.
Posted on 1/31/17 at 11:49 am to CoolHand
quote:
My wife only wants to stay onsite. I prefer renting a house with a pool. It's MUCH cheaper and more relaxing.
And you will hardly spend any time there.
Posted on 1/31/17 at 12:46 pm to baldona
quote:
then grab lunch at the park, and dinner at the park
How much does this typically cost (and for how many kids)?
Posted on 1/31/17 at 1:19 pm to meeple
quote:
How much does this typically cost (and for how many kids)?
My personal opinion is to not worry about it and the dining plans. Disney takes a good bit of planning, its my opinion the dining plans go overboard on planning. You may save a little bit of money or it may cost you more, its just not worth the extra hassle. Its not going to save your family more than $20/ day from everything I've seen.
You can spend $10 for lunch and $15 for dinner or you can quadruple those.
The food at disney is nothing close to being memorable. Some is very good some is not good, but its theme park food. I would not worry about your meals, just plan a couple fun meals for the experience whether it be the location, the theme, character meal, etc.
Posted on 1/31/17 at 1:24 pm to baldona
FYI you can also uber/ taxi/ lyft to the park. With 6 that's not as easy, but after you factor in parking and having to rent a car its not a bad way to do it at all especially if you fly there. Then you can go to another park, go to downtown disney for food, etc. and just uber it back home.
If you stay on international drive or one of the other places close to the park like most, you are talking 10-15 mins from your hotel door to parking within 300 yards of the gate entrance to everywhere but Magic Kingdom. Its no different time wise than walking to where disney transportation picks you up, waiting on the bus, and taking the transportation to the resort.
If you stay on international drive or one of the other places close to the park like most, you are talking 10-15 mins from your hotel door to parking within 300 yards of the gate entrance to everywhere but Magic Kingdom. Its no different time wise than walking to where disney transportation picks you up, waiting on the bus, and taking the transportation to the resort.
Posted on 1/31/17 at 2:14 pm to RandySavage
Not at all! I borrowed my neighbor's handicapped sign. There are LOTS of unused spaces close up. The buses are a hassle!
Posted on 1/31/17 at 4:23 pm to meeple
We stayed at the Liki Tiki Village by Diamond Resorts. Not far from the parks, nice, and clean.
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