Is staying offsite going to be hard when I'm used to onsite?

[Scout'sHonor]

Silly question, I know. We've stayed at Boardwalk and Poly the last two times and adored the ease of getting to at least one park or the monorail with these. Potentially planning a late fall trip or in Jan with H's family and they'd prefer to stay offsite and have more space and a kitchen. The resort they're looking says 20 min drive to the TTC, but the reviews say it could take 1 hr with traffic.  Two things I like to avoid on vacation are driving and cooking, so this just isn't appealing, but maybe I can be swayed    How hard is it getting back and forth when offsite? Is it really worth the savings?

[daisyduck]

I stayed at Boardwalk once about 6 years ago and since then I've done 9 trips staying off-site. I was at Wyndham Bonnet Creek for all but one and for that one I stayed at Wyndham Cypress Palms. I love having a lot of space, there are 3 of us and we get a 2 bed/2 bath with living room, kitchen and dining room. We can put our daughter in bed and stay up in the kitchen/living room. We don't cook, but we do get a lot of snacks and fresh fruit to take into the parks with us so it is nice to have a full size fridge and kitchen to prep everything.

From the two places I've stayed, getting to the parks is no big deal. Bonnet Creek is surrounded by Disney property so you are right there and Cypress Palms wasn't too bad, maybe 15 minutes in traffic. I personally would not stay further away than that. You can look them up to get an idea of how their location compares to where you are considering.

For equal money, it would be a hard decision, but I'd probably stay on property most of the time. However, I can get 8-9 nights at one of those resorts for less than the cost of 2 nights at Boardwalk. That plus the extra space makes it an easy decision for me.

[litebright]

I think I would have a really hard time staying offsite after the on-site experience. Have you looked at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek? That is on-site, but not a Disney hotel. We stayed there once -- very nice, great pools, quick shuttle to the parks, and we got a two-bedroom suite with a kitchenette, full sized fridge, etc. Sat outside watching the fireworks at night (our kids were little and we had early nights). Since it's not a Disney property you don't get the perks associated with staying at one of their properties, but it is less expensive and it would maybe be a compromise option that would eliminate the driving?

[Scout'sHonor]

Yeah, Wyndham Bonnet Creek is one I'm going to mention to them, Windsor Hills is the other that is promising. They're currently looking at Reunion, which looks lovely if you're only going to hang out at the pool and rental house and not do parks.

[nicolewi]

I've only gone once as an adult. We stayed on site and absolutely loved it, but now that they've taken away SO many benefits, I don't think I can justify the extra cost for our next trip with our family of 6. So this is interesting to read.

We have friends who LOVE Wyndham Bonnet Creek. That's probably what we would try.

[curbsideprophet]

How many people would be traveling? There are on-site rooms with kitchens, laundry and more space.

In theory you could rent a DVC 1, 2 or 3 bedroom by renting points. Availability could be slim for fall, but January might be possible. You can pay cash for a DVC room directly through Disney, but this typically costs more than renting points. Not sure how the cash availability is.

[buckeyegirl]

We stayed at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek for 6 nights this past Spring Break. It was the first time our family of 4 had stayed off site. We used points so our hotel stay was free which was why we chose that hotel. If we were paying cash I would've stayed on site. There are a few differences which are annoying. They have shuttles but didn't run them at the times our family wanted them. We like to be there for park open and the shuttles didn't get going that early. We started booking a Mears taxi the night before for the time we wanted to leave in the morning. The taxi was always there waiting for us. It added some cost but the convenience was very nice. Also, if you're booking lightning lanes you can't book until you're in the parks if you're staying off site. Also, we like when we're staying on site we just charge everything to our room and pay once at the very end. We had to pay for each item as we went. Again, none of these are huge deals but did provide some inconvenience when we were used to staying on site in the past.

[daisyduck]

Jun 2, 2022 8:37:16 GMT -5 buckeyegirl said:

We stayed at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek for 6 nights this past Spring Break. It was the first time our family of 4 had stayed off site. We used points so our hotel stay was free which was why we chose that hotel. If we were paying cash I would've stayed on site. There are a few differences which are annoying. They have shuttles but didn't run them at the times our family wanted them. We like to be there for park open and the shuttles didn't get going that early. We started booking a Mears taxi the night before for the time we wanted to leave in the morning. The taxi was always there waiting for us. It added some cost but the convenience was very nice. Also, if you're booking lightning lanes you can't book until you're in the parks if you're staying off site. Also, we like when we're staying on site we just charge everything to our room and pay once at the very end. We had to pay for each item as we went. Again, none of these are huge deals but did provide some inconvenience when we were used to staying on site in the past.

I agree that the Bonnet Creek shuttles aren't worth messing with. We've always gotten a rental car and driven ourselves.

One correction though, you can get Lightning Lanes at 7:00 each morning just like everyone else. You cannot get Individual Lightning Lanes until you get in the park. This only matters for Rise of the Resistance though since it is the only one that sells out within minutes every day.

[Scout'sHonor]

Jun 2, 2022 11:02:01 GMT -5 daisyduck said:

Jun 2, 2022 8:37:16 GMT -5 buckeyegirl said:

We stayed at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek for 6 nights this past Spring Break. It was the first time our family of 4 had stayed off site. We used points so our hotel stay was free which was why we chose that hotel. If we were paying cash I would've stayed on site. There are a few differences which are annoying. They have shuttles but didn't run them at the times our family wanted them. We like to be there for park open and the shuttles didn't get going that early. We started booking a Mears taxi the night before for the time we wanted to leave in the morning. The taxi was always there waiting for us. It added some cost but the convenience was very nice. Also, if you're booking lightning lanes you can't book until you're in the parks if you're staying off site. Also, we like when we're staying on site we just charge everything to our room and pay once at the very end. We had to pay for each item as we went. Again, none of these are huge deals but did provide some inconvenience when we were used to staying on site in the past.

I agree that the Bonnet Creek shuttles aren't worth messing with. We've always gotten a rental car and driven ourselves.

One correction though, you can get Lightning Lanes at 7:00 each morning just like everyone else. You cannot get Individual Lightning Lanes until you get in the park. This only matters for Rise of the Resistance though since it is the only one that sells out within minutes every day.

Interesting, I thought the 7am Genie+ was for onsite guests only. We just did ROTR at Disneyland, and while it was cool, I won't be upset if I miss it. I saw they are doing extended hours for onsite again too. I just love being in the bubble.

It was originally 5 adults and 3 kids (two 5yr olds and one 2 yr old), but now they're talking about inviting like 5-6 other adults :/

[meganew]

Jun 1, 2022 13:52:50 GMT -5 Scout'sHonor said:

Yeah, Wyndham Bonnet Creek is one I'm going to mention to them, Windsor Hills is the other that is promising. They're currently looking at Reunion, which looks lovely if you're only going to hang out at the pool and rental house and not do parks.

I stayed at Windsor Hills my first trip and that was super easy to go back and forth to. I wouldn’t be willing to stay offsite that far away.

[Scout'sHonor]

Jun 2, 2022 11:48:29 GMT -5 meganew said:

Jun 1, 2022 13:52:50 GMT -5 Scout'sHonor said:

Yeah, Wyndham Bonnet Creek is one I'm going to mention to them, Windsor Hills is the other that is promising. They're currently looking at Reunion, which looks lovely if you're only going to hang out at the pool and rental house and not do parks.

I stayed at Windsor Hills my first trip and that was super easy to go back and forth to. I wouldn’t be willing to stay offsite that far away.

Yes! BIL is like "Google says it's 20 min!" But that is literally front of resort to the entrance of the parking lot, not counting actually parking, shuttling to the entrance/transportation center then ferrying or monorail into MK.

[Doggy Mommy]

I've stayed at Wyndham Bonnet Creek 3 times and love it (twice on girls' trips and once with my mom and sister). I've never bothered with the shuttles though, I've gotten a rental car and have taken Lyft/Uber. It's a great place and I love the extra room. Next trip in October (girls trip), and we're staying at Universal. The trip after that (husband and I next May) we're probably staying on site at AKL, which is somewhere I've always wanted to stay. But I'd stay at WBC again for sure.

[VillainV]

We’ve only ever stayed off-site. It’s a different experience. Mostly it’s a lot harder to leave the park and come back later in the day. Once you’re back to the resort, going back to park just feels like so much energy (do-able, but I’ve never been able to muster up the energy to do it). If you don’t take a resort shuttle, you’ll have to pay for parking at Disney, which adds up.

[tacokick]

I can’t speak to staying off site but I would set some expectations about cooking now lol. I do not cook on vacation so I’m with you on that. I can’t imagine coming back from the parks and whipping up a meal. The most I would do it open some yogurt in the morning or eat some fruit which I’ve done when I’ve stayed at the park in a regular room. I’ve heard some horror stories from friends about relatives expecting actual meals when staying in a place with a kitchen though! My friend’s MIL surprised them by traveling with her instant pot (!) and made a big fuss about them leaving the park to eat meals and worrying about grocery delivery. I would address that before making firm plans if possible.

Once I’d get back to my resort it was hard enough to get the energy to return to the park and I was on the monorail, I can’t imagine going off site and returning at all TBH.

[meganew]

Jun 2, 2022 16:30:22 GMT -5 tacokick said:

I can’t speak to staying off site but I would set some expectations about cooking now lol. I do not cook on vacation so I’m with you on that. I can’t imagine coming back from the parks and whipping up a meal. The most I would do it open some yogurt in the morning or eat some fruit which I’ve done when I’ve stayed at the park in a regular room. I’ve heard some horror stories from friends about relatives expecting actual meals when staying in a place with a kitchen though! My friend’s MIL surprised them by traveling with her instant pot (!) and made a big fuss about them leaving the park to eat meals and worrying about grocery delivery. I would address that before making firm plans if possible.

Once I’d get back to my resort it was hard enough to get the energy to return to the park and I was on the monorail, I can’t imagine going off site and returning at all TBH.

Yes to all of this. We stayed offsite really close by and the one time we did try to leave and come back it was such a pain and then everyone was tired and didn’t want to drive again. So the rest of the time we just stayed in the parks all day, which meant no afternoon pool and we never used the kitchen anyway because we ate every meal at the park.

[daisyduck]

I agree that taking a mid-day break is harder when staying offsite, especially for MK. When we are staying off-site and want a shorter day in the park, we'll do the pool in the morning and then go into the park around 1 or so.

However, I think mid-day breaks are hard for any resort that isn't walkable or has monorail/gondola access. The buses can be so slow. We'll bus to various resorts to eat for a mid-day break from time to time and it takes FOREVER!

[Scout'sHonor]

Jun 2, 2022 17:00:36 GMT -5 meganew said:

Jun 2, 2022 16:30:22 GMT -5 tacokick said:

I can’t speak to staying off site but I would set some expectations about cooking now lol. I do not cook on vacation so I’m with you on that. I can’t imagine coming back from the parks and whipping up a meal. The most I would do it open some yogurt in the morning or eat some fruit which I’ve done when I’ve stayed at the park in a regular room. I’ve heard some horror stories from friends about relatives expecting actual meals when staying in a place with a kitchen though! My friend’s MIL surprised them by traveling with her instant pot (!) and made a big fuss about them leaving the park to eat meals and worrying about grocery delivery. I would address that before making firm plans if possible.

Once I’d get back to my resort it was hard enough to get the energy to return to the park and I was on the monorail, I can’t imagine going off site and returning at all TBH.

Yes to all of this. We stayed offsite really close by and the one time we did try to leave and come back it was such a pain and then everyone was tired and didn’t want to drive again. So the rest of the time we just stayed in the parks all day, which meant no afternoon pool and we never used the kitchen anyway because we ate every meal at the park.

His family has the 2 yr old and is planning on breaks, which is why I don't understand why they want to be further out. 

I'm going to do some investigating if there's the possibility of two 2bd DVC villas somewhere for when we are thinking. 

[ssmjlm]

Jun 3, 2022 12:13:33 GMT -5 Scout'sHonor said:

Jun 2, 2022 17:00:36 GMT -5 meganew said:

Yes to all of this. We stayed offsite really close by and the one time we did try to leave and come back it was such a pain and then everyone was tired and didn’t want to drive again. So the rest of the time we just stayed in the parks all day, which meant no afternoon pool and we never used the kitchen anyway because we ate every meal at the park.

His family has the 2 yr old and is planning on breaks, which is why I don't understand why they want to be further out. 

I'm going to do some investigating if there's the possibility of two 2bd DVC villas somewhere for when we are thinking. 

We took E at 2 and I'll echo above that it's really better to be closer IMO. It's just much easier to pop back to the resort, nap/pool, and then grab transport back to the parks in the evening.

We've stayed in a 2bd a Bay Lake Tower, but there are plenty of DVC resorts available.

[ksun]

I stayed at Windsor Hills once and it was nice and convenient, but not "take a mid-day break" convenient.

I'd look in to renting DVC points.

[Deleted]

It's doable, but it's also a pita.

All of the theme park hotels properties with complimentary bus service are very close to the parks so if any kids have an issue, you can quickly hop on a bus.

Staying off-site it's pretty normal to be 20-30min from exiting the park, walking to your car and getting back to your room....with an adult it's doable, but with an overestimated child who is melting down it's a bit more complicated.

[mcppalmbeach]

My fil owns Wyndham timeshares and we do bonnet creek because it’s free for us. It is very convenient. We have stayed at reunion before and it’s nice, but too far if this is going to be a “Disney vacation.”

[sent]

I think 1 hour including traffic would mean planning park days from either rope drop to mid-day, or mid-day til close. We stayed at an on-site but not Disney owned property on this last trip. We usually took the hotel shuttle to the park, but sometimes we would take a cab back to the hotel because I didn't feel like waiting 40 minutes with the kids for the next shuttle. We had our car with us but didn't usually drive to the park since we'd have to pay for parking. We only drove one evening when we had a reservation at Topolino's. We parked at the Riviera Resort for free since we had the reservation at Topolino's and took the skyliner to Epcot. At this point I've done Disney enough times where I could make it work whether I stayed on-site or off-site.

[eddy]

Personally Disney already feels so hectic to me. Adding a drive on top of that is an immediate no for me. I have never done it. I often research it as a "what if" sort of scenario. I always come back to staying onsite.

[ndgrl]

We really enjoy the Disney Spring hotels. They’re offsite, but get some of the benefits of onsite hotels (early entry), easy drive to parks, and walkable to Disney Springs for dinner/evening entertainment. Doubletree has affordable two bedrooms. This last trip we stayed at the Hilton Palace and loved the pool. They have suites as well. (If you’re a Costco member, look at Costco travel for these hotels—you can get really good deals).