Onsite - offsite ???

[minnie2000]

We are a family of 4, with 2DD, ages 6 and 9.

We have been to WDW 3 times, stayed in the Howard Johnsons Maingate east 7 years ago - never again! We have also stayed in Orange Lake twice. It was fine, but I really want to experience a Disney Hotel.

This is the way I see it:

Orange Lake: pros: nice spacious accomodation,(2 bedrooms, kitchen, 2 bathrooms, washer and dryer v. imp!), short cut to WDW, good pools, peaceful location, self catering

cons: still a fair drive to Disney, have to rent a car (expensive insurance), no Disney magic, no EMH, have to pay to park at Disney

Disney property, pros: obviously the magic!, Magic Express, so we would not need to hire a car

cons: more expensive, much less space in rooms and my 2 girls argue when they are in close proximity, no free washer and dryer( I use these a lot - can you tell?), no kitchen so we would have to eat out all the time.

So - does anyone have any advice? We would probably go to Port Orleans if we stay onsite - I did wonder about a cabin at Fort wilderness, but they are much more expensive, or maybe a suite at the all stars. Help!

 

[Monty]

You'll probably get a lot of opinions, here's mine:

For me it would really depend most of the two girls. If they can't get along well enough to share a bed, the on-site accommodations that avoid that would be quite expensive. If they can share a bed, go for it! You likely won't spend all that much time in the room other than to sleep. The benefits of on-site significantly out-weigh the costs in my view. How do you put a price on 24/7 Disney Magic?

 

[ILUVTHEMOUSE]

My DH and I own a timeshare at Orange Lake. We are also a family of 4 with two DS ages 7 and 11. Being owners, we obviously love the property and all of the benefits of staying in a 2BR villa.

If it's a matter of money, IMO you get more for your money staying in a villa vs. a hotel room. As you stated in your post, there are three major cons to staying off property, parking fees, lack of free transportation and Disney magic 24/7.

Let me just give you some things to think about. First, parking fees are expensive but so is purchasing all your meals on property. If you stay on property you can take the parking fees out of your budget but you will need to add more money to your food budget. If you stay at POR, I believe you will have a refrigerator in your room. But if you choose not to rent a car, you will have to purchase any food you would keep in the room at the hotel instead of a grocery store. I think you need to ask yourself, would the extra food you would need to purchase on property be more or less than the parking fees.

Second, the rental car. I assume you live in the US. If you do, are you purchasing insurance through the rental car company? If so, you may not need to. If you have auto insurance, you may be covered on rentals as well. Check with your insurance agent to see if you are covered. In addition, if you purchase your rental car with Visa, they also have insurance at no charge. We never buy the insurance through the rental car company. The prices are outrageous and our auto insurance covers us.

As for the Disney magic 24/7, nothing can replace that short of staying on property. You could always stay on property and just try it and see how it goes. You will then have both experiences to compare and see what's best for your family. I hope this helped. Whatever your decision, have a wonderful trip!:wave:

 

[minnie2000]

Hi - thanks for the info - we live in the UK, so car insurance for us in the US is expensive!

 

[New2WDW]

We are alsoa family of four with two DD 5 and 9! I can not say too much about off property because we have always found deals at staying at the Value Resorts. We usually go in the Value season to get the lowest price and then look for room discounts or this Free Dining Plan! Yes all that has been said is true about size of room , etc. but all I can say is nothing beats staying on property. We drive down to WDW from Georgia, park the car and do not get back into it until it is time to go home! We take advantage of all Disney offers.Our girls fight a little on the bed issue as well. When you price everything togther it sounds like you might come out even and thus enjoy the on-site stay! Add the Dining Plan which IMHO is well worth it and be worry free about pinching pennies for food! Hope this helps!

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

I concur with your views re staying on property being expensive which is why we now stay offsite. We've stayed on site (POFQ) twice and really enjoyed the experience but it costs. I have 2 teenage daughters who like their privacy so one hotel room sharing with dad is now a thing of the past.
Last trip and this year we're staying in a private home - 3 beds, kitchen, washer etc etc (everything that you want and need) plus a swimming pool - cheaper than Disney accom and only a 20 minute drive.
No EMH - so ? We can do everything we want to do in the parks (rides & shows) during the day.
Disney Magic - hard to replace but we have done it before.
Rental cars - not cheap and insurance is ridiculous BUT when you add the totals together staying off site still works out cheaper.
My suggestion would be - price out your POFQ holiday (travel agent or online) and then see how much cheaper staying offsite is - is the difference £££ worth missing a few hours in the parks some nights ??
Any queries then feel free to PM me

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Disney has the free dining offer for Aug. 13-Sept. 30th of this year so if you can take advantage of that, you have the food taken care of if you stay on property. Also, you have the free magical express for transportation.

Contact me if you need any help planning your upcoming vacation. I will help you find the cheapest avenue.

Pam

 

[DISMUM]

Minnie
if you book a complete car hire fromthe UK insurances are included as they don't work out expensive but if you try to hire from an amercan site then yes it will be expensive

 

[barnum42]

If you are staying for a couple of weeks, one of you get an Annual pass - it includes free parking.

Put the pros and cons next to a price difference and decide if £X more and less room to stay on-site it worth the extra expense.