To stay on site or not??

[Baby Giraffe]

Hi, first time poster here. Any help or advice anyone might be able to give would be really helpful and apreciated.
I've been keeping tabs of this site for a while now because, well, I'm a huge fan of all things disney (what one would call a bit sad I guess).

Anyways, I'm planning a trip this coming May, I've alread booked the flights and will be in Orlando for 14 nights from Friday the 2nd until Friday the 16th. I'm one of those that likes to have everything planned as far in advance as possible (booked the flights way back in July). At present my friend and I are booked into staying at the doubletree next to sea world as it seemed like quite a centralized location, we have already reserved a car to hire for the two weeks.

So my question is, what's people opinions on staying on site in the disney bubble compared to staying somewhere in I-drive? Especially now that FP+/ magic bands are being implemented. We intend to visit sea world, discovery cove and both the universals on our trip also, but my main focus will be disney. We managed to get the 14 nights for the equivalent of about €1100 and from a quick look even a value resort on site will be another couple of hundred on top of that, which is the main reason we booked the doubletree in the first place, but I am having second thoughts now.

On another note, any wdw restraints that I should avoid? We've already worked out which parks we will do on what days and reserved accordingly, but I'd rather change that now than be disappointed.

Sorry for rambling on and thanks in advance for helping.

 

[Betsyboo]

What are the value disney hotels like? I think they are the only ones I'd be able to afford and I've heard mixed things about the rooms themselves. No storage space, cramped etc.

I can only speak to Pop Century. It's a lovely resort and has a large following of those that will stay only there. Great food court. For the amount of time you spend in the room it's worth it to be on property. We had no problem with storage etc. Yes the room is on the smaller side but how much time are you really in it?

 

[brifraz]

Many have said it already, but I definitely think a split stay would be worthwhile. Not necessarily an even split, maybe 10 nights off-site to 4 nights on-site. Book Pop Century or Art of Animation for just 4 nights, so you can get the advance FP+ benefit in each Disney park, enjoy a few Extra Magic Hours, and enjoy the on-site experience. I definitely think Pop and AoA are nicer to stay at than the All-Stars.

If it was me, I would start the trip with the 4 nights on-site at Disney. Flying over from 6 (or more) hours ahead, you will be up early in the mornings and can enjoy EMH at a Disney park, then back to the room for a nap and have evening FP+ booked for a park so you can enjoy some of the more popular attractions without a wait. By day 5, you will most likely be all set on Florida time and ready to move off-site, where the pace of the world (and heavy traffic on I4 and International Drive) will be much easier to deal with!

 

[Baby Giraffe]

Seems pretty emphatic that people think a split stay is a good idea. I like the idea of maybe only doing a few nights at disney rather than a 50/50 split. We've already had to sort out where we are on what days due to ADR being ridiculous ie 180 in advance, booked places to eat for every 'disney day'

Our rough plan is arrive on the Friday evening, AK on Sunday as it's not a whole day park, so can get over jet lag a bit, IOA Sunday, discovery cove on the Monday (it's her 25th on this day so wanted to do something special). MK tues, Epcot weds eve/ thurs, Sea word fri, day off sat, Uni Sunday, BG mon, MGM (it'll always be called that in my mind) tues and then the rest depending on where we want to go to again. So I'm thinking maybe change hotel on the sat or sun, just have to see if can afford it now!

 

[rt06]

Resort discounts should be rolling out soon so keep an eye out for those.

http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/#codetrends