planning a trip maybe 2-budget

[cocoa_lovely]

hey gang! Im new to this site and Disney. This trip Im trying to plan is a first or my daughter and ME! We have both been to Florida and even stayed for a few months and have never been to Disney.
I am really excited:sohappy: about the Buy 4 deal. I have some questions about a few situations. Just so you know I was up in the wee hours of the night reading message boards and playing around with prices. I am so excited! :sohappy:
1) considering a Feb trip to use buy 4
2) Going in April- now to decide if I want my own room and use the Buy 4 deal or to stay(not pay) at a VERY expensive hotel w/ mom on business. Outside of the park.

If we get our own room we want to stay at the CBR.

SO what do you Disney experts suggest...things you need to know is I will probably rent a scooter for use in the park. I have mobility issues that become more of an issue if I walk around the park.

oh- if I get Buy 4/3 can I add no expiration on the tickets?

Thank you, I hope I didn't ask too much I just cant decide which is the better way to go...
COCOA

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Well there's a pretty big debate on whether to stay on or off property. Staying off property for free is definitely tempting!! I prefer to stay onsite, for the convenience, the free parking, the magic of it all and the list goes on.

You're certainly not going to match the price of "free" offsite, but if you want to try a Disney hotel, the buy 4 get 3 discount is one of the best, and it's a great time to try it.

We really enjoyed CBR. It's a nice quiet resort with a fun pool.

You can add the no expiration to this deal.

If you need any help booking and planning, give me or someone else at Kingdom Konsultants a call!

 

[DISMOM]

If you stay off-site for free, will that allow you to save $ and be able to afford yet another Disney trip in the near future?

 

[cocoa_lovely]

If you stay off-site for free, will that allow you to save $ and be able to afford yet another Disney trip in the near future?

yes, I am hoping so. My daughters uncle lives in orlando and the MIL likes to either fly or drive once a year. So I was hoping to use a day at WDW probably in the summertime.

 

[cocoa_lovely]

Well there's a pretty big debate on whether to stay on or off property. Staying off property for free is definitely tempting!! I prefer to stay onsite, for the convenience, the free parking, the magic of it all and the list goes on.

You're certainly not going to match the price of "free" offsite, but if you want to try a Disney hotel, the buy 4 get 3 discount is one of the best, and it's a great time to try it.

We really enjoyed CBR. It's a nice quiet resort with a fun pool.

You can add the no expiration to this deal.

If you need any help booking and planning, give me or someone else at Kingdom Konsultants a call!

Thank you Tammy, there is so much to consider and my head is spinning trying to sort it all out.:veryconfu:ROFLOL::veryconfu

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Thank you Tammy, there is so much to consider and my head is spinning trying to sort it all out.:veryconfu:ROFLOL::veryconfu

Haha! I understand!

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

Welcome to the boards! :wave: Your first trip to WDW is always exciting. I definitely prefer staying onsite. I stayed off property once for a day trip to the Studios as staying onsite wasn't really an option for me. My husband grew up staying off property. I can't even put into words how much he prefers staying onsite. If I'm reading your post right, you are definitely staying onsite for your first trip with 4/3 promo (an excellent deal IMHO). Your second trip comes down to staying for free off property or paying for an onsite room using the 4/3 promo. This is a hard one. Free is almost impossible to turn down. However, once you've stayed on property, you're spoiled. Everything pales in comparison. I don't think the quality of your WDW trip will be diminishe by staying off property (you are in WDW :sohappy, but I think you'll miss the onsite magic. I think what you need to do is make a list of the onsite perks and measure them against the money you'll save by staying for free.
1. 24/7 magic
2. EMH
3. DDP (if you use it)
4. transportation
5. package delivery to room
6. incredible experience of Disney resorts
Also, figure out just how much money you would save by staying off property for free.
Hope this helps!

 

[cocoa_lovely]

WVDISNEY FAMILY- thanks for the welcome. Well, right now I have no clue... A few months ago the plan was to JUST go in FEB then my mom said she was going in April. DD had her heart set on FEB. So that would mean either only FEB or both.If we went in April, I thought we would go hang out w/mom and maybe use a Disney day from the 1st trip.
NOW...My daughter is set on just going in April. ( saves me money)
so the FEB trip would be my big money trip. Now, I dont have to worry about that. (unless I hang around here and cant resist the urge to book a early trip :lolI hear that happens a lot around these parts. So, I think we may just go in April and hang with mom. Save money! Yes, I need to make a list to see which would appeal more to us. Thanks again!

I am just worried about renting an EVC. I wonder if the Towncar company would put together the silly cart when they drop me off? I should prob call. That would be an option since we wont be onsite.
CL
* Thanks for listening to the stuff that rolls around in my head:ROFLOL: *

 

[Susan Savia]

Another perspective: We always stay offsite and I do not feel that our trip is any less fun than someone who is staying onsite. Our parking is free and at our door, we have a complimentary breakfast, internet service is free as is the daily newspaper, fridge and microwave and we're a mere 1 mile from the Park entrance. We mainly just need a motel for sleeping anyways. We're in and out of the park in minutes with no wait for crowded busses. We're not into laying around pools when theres four theme parks at our door. We've looked into staying at a Value and although the theming is lovely and the grounds beautiful we like the offsite better. Perhaps you can stay with your Mom one trip and try out a Disney motel for yourself, another. Then you'll know what works best for you and your family.

 

[cocoa_lovely]

You all have great ideas. Thank you! We also plan on spending a lot of time in Altamonte shopping and going to get fresh sea food in Crystal River. Crystal River is a great place purchase frozen seafood to take home if you drive. There is also a restaurant next to the market. This is all on the bay and you can watch the fishing boats come in. There is also a HUGE blue marlin on the wall that the owner caught. On the highway there are lots of tourist shops with fun souvenirs and you see the "air boats"Ugh I cant think of the names right now. They do a lot of gator hunting down that way.

anyway- rambled enough!
Thanks!
CL

 

[cocoa_lovely]

Update

I have been thinking about the luxuries of staying on property vs the luxury of staying off property in a Deluxe hotel for free. Being a newbie, its hard to really gather all of this at once especially the terminology. I think I have the codes figured out. Whew!
One of my big delimas is transportation and I called around to a few of the off property hotels and found out they use the same transportation service and all charge a different fee. :ROFLOL: Which is funny for a deluxe hotel. The economy/moderate hotels offer FREE shuttle and internet. SHOOT! I forgot to ask about internet at the deluxe. I can't be without the WWW! I also found out the if I use the car service the driver will NOT reassemble the scooter. I suspected they couldn't probably due to insurance or service agreements. Although, it never hurts to ask. I want to be as prepared as possible to ensure a happy..uh um... MAGICAL time.
THANKS to everyone on this board for all your input. It's really helpful in figuring out if I want to stay on or off site or do half n half.