Old Key West 1 bdrm vs Sheraton Vistana off site?

[maggieb]

Hi there, :wave:

This is my first post here and I would really appreciate all of your expert advise. This is my first trip to WDW with my 14 yr old triplet girls.
We are staying in Orlando for 2 weeks May 3-17th.
First we spend 5 days at the Pop Century , then 4 nights at Hard Rock Hotel then I get confused!

I want something with a bit more room for our next 5 days. I have a Old Key West 1 bdrm villa booked @ 305.00 AP rate.
I also have the Sheraton Vistana just outside of Disney at I-4 and 535 near Hotel Plaza Drive for 149.00 plus $205.00 for a car for that 5 days..
1 KING+2 SINGLES
2 BEDROOM VILLA, FULL KITCHEN, 2 BATHROOMS,ONE WITH JACUZZI, ARMOIRE WITH TV AND VCR, BALCONY OR PATIO, KING IN MASTER, 2TWINS IN GST ROOM,LIVING AREA W/QUEEN SLEEP SOFA,DINING TBL, WASHER/DRYER,IRON,HAIRDRYER,1300SQFT.

So half price for a much bigger villa BUT I have to drive etc.

I can't decide which way to go..I don't know enough about Orlando/WDW transportation. I know I lose Early/Late Magic hours.
I would really appreciate feedback from all you Disney experts!

Thanks,
Maggie

 

[Boray]

I would choose the Vistana. I've stayed there before and it's beautiful and spacious. Also, the drive time is very short. I'm a little biased, though, I've never stayed on-site. I usually take the better bargain (more space, less cost) and figure I'm saving money for the next time I visit!

Also, you will have already stayed on-site during part of your visit, so it's not as if you've spent the whole time without the full "Disney Experience."

 

[Diztechie]

I take exactly the opposite approach. I have 4 children, and we stay on-site every trip (number 14 next month). I would gladly pay the extra amount for the ability to park the car and not drive it again until it's time to leave. Even a little traffic is too much for a vacation!

BTW, OKW is a world of difference from Pop Century! It will be like 2 entirely different vacations. And I do like those Extra Magic Hours.

Seriously, though, I think it does become a personal choice. If you decide that you want to spend time outside of the park, offsite is probably a wise choice. Since we don't go around Orlando once we're there, we stay inside the park, and I won't complain a bit... especially after the 11-hour drive to get there!!

 

[lcsrig]

We stayed at OKW last month and loved it. We had a one bedroom villa. It was so nice to have all the room. We were in building 19 and VERY close to the bus stop.
I haven't stayed off property so can't help with you with that aspect.

 

[maggieb]

Thanks!

Thank you for your responses...I do appreciate them....
Boray can you tell me how busy traffic was to get to WDW...I live in a small rural community so do not deal well with big expressways etc. From the maps I have looked at the Vistana doesn;t look too far to drive but I need to get a feel for what size the roads are that I would be driving on. Are they 2 or 4 lanes etc.....
also did you always drive or did you use their shuttle and if so what was it like?

 

[Boray]

We are always getting to the park as it opens and have never really dealt with much traffic at all. I was there (at the Vistana) in 2001, so I don't remember exactly how we got there, but I want to say that we took 526? and hooked up with 192 and went in. (I'd have to check a map) so we didn't even have to get on I-4. We left Vistana by 8:15 at the latest and were in any given park by the time it opened, but we also only go in October, so there are far fewer people around. I think most of the highways are at least 4 lane. We've always rented a car, so we've never used any shuttles.

As far as choosing off-site rather than on property, we don't like to share a single bedroom with our kids. They usually go to bed before we do, and they can have their own bedroom (at a better price) if we stay off-site. We all get more personal space. It's a personal preference, I guess. Since I've never stayed on-site (in 6 trips in 9 years) I guess I don't miss what I don't know.

Hope this helps!!!

 

[fredtom]

My wife and I are are DVC members and have stayed in an OKW Studio twice. We love everything about the resort. It's a beautiful "community" of its own... and has a peaceful small tropical town atmosphere. You can take the water taxi to DTD or rent your own craft and explore the waterways. Olivia's Cafe is great for a casual meal, and the Gurgling Suitcase bar overlooks the marina too.
I think you'll appreciate the "welcome home' feeling at OKW.
Have fun.

"An Adventurer's life is best!"

 

[maggieb]

I have read so many good things about OKW I have decided to stay there...yes, it is twice the price of the Vistana with much less room but I think I really like the idea of no driving.
Being from Canada I find the signs and lights different in the US and hard to acclimatize to, plus the last time I drove in the States I was living in Toronto and used to traffic. Now, I live in a VERY rural area..our town has ONE traffic light!

Thanks again for all your responses.......
I can't wait to get their now!
Maggie

 

[fredtom]

Best of luck to you, Maggie. I hope all goes well for your trip.
Let us know after your stay how you enjoyed it.

-- Mouseketeer Freddie :lol:

"An Adventurer's life is best!"

 

[jim1051]

Okw

I agree with previous poster. If you will be spending most of your time at Disney, stay at Old Key West.

How can someone who has never stayed in a Disney resort give advice to someone else trying to decide where to stay?

 

[eroyee]

where to stay?

One thing no one mentioned is that most of the closer motels around Disney have so called free transportation to the parks. we didnt like that, though, cause it only went once or twice a day and never when we wanted to go. Plus, they usually stopped at other hotels on the way. We stayed off-site once and the traffic down there almost made me come on home! It was awful! Stay with the Disney experience. I think you will love it. Have a magical vacation. 9 months till next magical vacation!!!! :sohappy: