WDW - is staying in a Disney Hotel the be all and end all?

[furby]

We're going to WDW just after Thanksgiving. Predictably, the Disney hotels are v.expensive.

I've found some off-site ones (Looking at the Wyndham Resort as an example) that seem too good to be true - cheap, luxurious, free bus to the parks.

What sayeth the experts?

[lala]

I like being in the Disney bubble, so team on property. But we don't do non-Disney stuff, we fly, don't rent a car, etc.

Early to mid December is a great time to go - not as expensive or as crowded. We are big DVC renters (rent the disney time share units through a broker) instead of book hotel rooms through Disney. It's possible some kind of promo will be offered at that time but it hasn't been released yet.

[pagas]

It's worth it to me to stay on site for the advance FP booking.

[furby]

Mar 4, 2016 13:59:53 GMT -5 lala said:

I like being in the Disney bubble, so team on property. But we don't do non-Disney stuff, we fly, don't rent a car, etc.

Early to mid December is a great time to go - not as expensive or as crowded. We are big DVC renters (rent the disney time share units through a broker) instead of book hotel rooms through Disney. It's possible some kind of promo will be offered at that time but it hasn't been released yet.

We're in the UK - I don't know how possible the DVC would be from here? The WDW trip (4 days) is part of a much bigger trip, so we're trying to keep costs down. If needs be, we can rent a car.

[furby]

Mar 4, 2016 14:05:34 GMT -5 pagas said:

It's worth it to me to stay on site for the advance FP booking.

Like I'm 5 - fast pass? Do you get priority if you stay at a Disney Resort?

[tinkerbell]

If you want access to things like the dining plan and extra magic hours you just need to suck it up and stay on property. The value resorts aren't as bad as a lot of people make them out to be.

Historical Disney discounts
www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/

[furby]

Mar 4, 2016 14:07:22 GMT -5 tinkerbell said:

If you want access to things like the dining plan and extra magic hours you just need to suck it up and stay on property. The value resorts aren't as bad as a lot of people make them out to be.

Historical Disney discounts
www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/

Thanks - is there much of a discount to be had? (Am reading and typing!)

[tinkerbell]

There are often room-only discounts (usually just a % off depending on the resort) or free-dining (but you need to be booked at a moderate level room or higher in order to get the regular dining plan; values only get the quick-service dining plan). If you know when you're going, you can reserve early (like now) and then call back once the discount becomes available and re-book with the new rate.

[countthestars]

Mar 4, 2016 14:07:18 GMT -5 furby said:

Mar 4, 2016 14:05:34 GMT -5 pagas said:

It's worth it to me to stay on site for the advance FP booking.

Like I'm 5 - fast pass? Do you get priority if you stay at a Disney Resort?

fast pass is like a ride reservation. It tells you to come to X ride between 9-10am and you go to the front of the line.

Everyone can get them but if you stay on site you get the 60 days out instead of 30 off site so you have a better chance to snag the good times and rides.

I personally like to stay on site but it's definitely not the be all end all. Some things to consider when staying off site - you have to pay to park ($17-$20/day), it takes some time to get into magic kingdom from the parking lot, fast pass reservation booking is later, can't do meal plan.

[pagas]

Mar 4, 2016 14:07:18 GMT -5 furby said:

Mar 4, 2016 14:05:34 GMT -5 pagas said:

It's worth it to me to stay on site for the advance FP booking.

Like I'm 5 - fast pass? Do you get priority if you stay at a Disney Resort?

wdwprepschool.com/fastpass-at-magic-kingdom-for-on-site-and-off-site-guests/

On-site guests (and people staying at the Swan and Dolphin) can make FastPass+ reservations for their whole trip up to 60 days in advance of their trip's start date, beginning at midnight eastern time.


Off-site guests can make FastPass+ reservations up to 30 days in advance of the day they plan to be in the park (which means off-site guests will have to be online for multiple nights in a row).

[furby]

Gotcha. This seems so complicated!

DD will be 3, so we won't be doing the 'big' rides - will we need FP?

[tinkerbell]

If you want to do character meet & greets, you will still want fast passes for those.

[curbsideprophet]

Does your DD still nap? Do you plan to return to your hotel for a mid-day break? Do you plan to bring a stroller?

I know plenty of people stay offsite but most people I know drive in. My biggest concern with your plan would be how often does the bus run/does it work for your schedule?

If you stay onsite you can book all your dining reservations at 180 days for the length of your stay (up to ten days).

[furby]

She doesn't nap, didn't plan to return and may bring a stroller.

Will definitely want to do character meets.

From the look of the schedule, the buses are frequent.

In 'normal' circs, I wouldn't hesitate about one of the top Disney hotels, but this trip is going to be a lot. Maybe I should bite the bullet here and cut back elsewhere?

I love the hotel with the giraffes. How good are the budget/animation(?) ones?

[furby]

Can you rent them there? We have a Bugaboo, but I'm not thrilled at the idea of carting it halfway across the world. Do they do those car stroller (shopping mall) things?

[pagas]

Mar 4, 2016 15:06:18 GMT -5 furby said:

Can you rent them there? We have a Bugaboo, but I'm not thrilled at the idea of carting it halfway across the world. Do they do those car stroller (shopping mall) things?

Take an umbrella stroller so it is easy to carry on the bus.  I like the Maclaren.

[lala]

Definitely a stroller. Animal kingdom lodge is great but I don't like how far away it feels to me.

If I was staying at a value, definitely art of animation, she'd probably love the little mermaid rooms.

You can also check the swan & dolphin (Starwood properties) - they're on site but not run by Disney. They still have busses & other perks that other no Disney hotels don't have.

I'd rather stay at a value than a nicer hotel offsite.

[lala]

Rent a stroller from an outside company or get a decent umbrella. What else are you doing on your trip? Will you need one anyway?

[RandZB]

Also a fan of the Disney bubble. We go about every other year or so, so I like to go all out and stay on property. However, we've sized out of the regular hotel rooms so I'll probably explore DVC rental or offsite hotels because suites on property are ridonkulous.

[furby]

I have no idea what an umbrella stroller is (off to google)

We're cruising from the UK: Boston-NYC-Orlando-Miami. We're then driving up to WDW, then flying to Canada for a bit.

[furby]

Ohhhhh - a stroller that folds like an umbrella?

[lala]

Mar 4, 2016 15:16:18 GMT -5 furby said:

Ohhhhh - a stroller that folds like an umbrella?

Yup. Look up maclaren, mamas & papas has one too I think. Those are the 2 off my head I know are in the uk. Maclarens are British.

[furby]

Mar 4, 2016 15:22:36 GMT -5 lala said:

Mar 4, 2016 15:16:18 GMT -5 furby said:

Ohhhhh - a stroller that folds like an umbrella?

Yup. Look up maclaren, mamas & papas has one too I think. Those are the 2 off my head I know are in the uk. Maclarens are British.

We bought a cheapie and gave it to my parents. I think that is one.

[alleinesein]

Mar 4, 2016 14:06:24 GMT -5 furby said:

Mar 4, 2016 13:59:53 GMT -5 lala said:

I like being in the Disney bubble, so team on property. But we don't do non-Disney stuff, we fly, don't rent a car, etc.

Early to mid December is a great time to go - not as expensive or as crowded. We are big DVC renters (rent the disney time share units through a broker) instead of book hotel rooms through Disney. It's possible some kind of promo will be offered at that time but it hasn't been released yet.

We're in the UK - I don't know how possible the DVC would be from here? The WDW trip (4 days) is part of a much bigger trip, so we're trying to keep costs down. If needs be, we can rent a car.

Go to the site that DVC members use to rent out their points and book one.  Anyone can rent DVC points; it doesn't matter where you live.  

I stay on property since I own at Saratoga Springs and I always rent a car.  I've had to use Disney buses and off property buses and they are a hassle.  Having a car is so much easier and it can save time.  

[curbsideprophet]

Mar 4, 2016 15:14:51 GMT -5 RandZB said:

Also a fan of the Disney bubble. We go about every other year or so, so I like to go all out and stay on property. However, we've sized out of the regular hotel rooms so I'll probably explore DVC rental or offsite hotels because suites on property are ridonkulous.

Have you looked into Art of Animation?

[taratru]

Totally worth it for all the reasons people have listed, mostly the fast passes and the parking costs. I *like* being in the bubble.

[huskymom]

We are staying at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek and from what i've read, the shuttle is no longer free and reviews don't make it seem that convenient. We are renting a car. If you are doing a short stay I'd consider on property.

I would rent a stroller unless you want it in the airport.

[arch01]

Mar 4, 2016 18:12:16 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

Mar 4, 2016 15:14:51 GMT -5 RandZB said:

Also a fan of the Disney bubble. We go about every other year or so, so I like to go all out and stay on property. However, we've sized out of the regular hotel rooms so I'll probably explore DVC rental or offsite hotels because suites on property are ridonkulous.

Have you looked into Art of Animation?

Does AoA have fully separate bedrooms? After our cruise this is a necessity for us. I'm so confused on the setup of AoA and All-Star Music suites. 

[curbsideprophet]

Mar 6, 2016 14:36:29 GMT -5 arch01 said:

Mar 4, 2016 18:12:16 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

Have you looked into Art of Animation?

Does AoA have fully separate bedrooms? After our cruise this is a necessity for us. I'm so confused on the setup of AoA and All-Star Music suites. 

My understanding of the AoA suites is yes, there is a bedroom with a door. There is one bathroom in the bedroom.

There is another bathroom for the rest of the suite. The couch turns into a bed and so does the table. It sleeps six. We have not stayed there yet but I think we are going to try it in the fall.

[ilikedonuts]

Mar 6, 2016 14:36:29 GMT -5 arch01 said:

Mar 4, 2016 18:12:16 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

Have you looked into Art of Animation?

Does AoA have fully separate bedrooms? After our cruise this is a necessity for us. I'm so confused on the setup of AoA and All-Star Music suites. 

Yes the AoA suites (lion king, nemo, cars) have a living room/kitchenette and then a separate bedroom. 2 full bathrooms.