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beachgirl
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 7967 total posts
Name:
sara
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BTDT Moms Disney Q's for you.
We are "thinking' of taking our 3 year to disney next month. This will the first visit for all of us.
I have been on VRBO and wonder would we be better off renting a house near disney so we can have our own pool / space etc as opposed to staying at the disney resort?
Any info / tips greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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Posted 2/19/09 12:31 PM  |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: BTDT Moms Disney Q's for you.
Well it definitely can be cheaper to stay off site (well depending on the place the values might be cheaper so you have to do some research).
The advantages of staying on site:
Extra magic hours - each park one morning and one night a week stay open for up to 3 hours after the park closes or they open one hour before official start time. This can only be taken advantage of by those staying in a WDW resort.
Magical Express - free bus transportation to and from the airport and your hotel. You can even tag your bags at home and disney will pull them for you and deliver them to your hotel room so you don't have to worry about your luggage.
Dining plan - you can save some money with the disney dining plan which you can only get if you have a package and are staying on site.
Charging privileges - You don't have to carry a lot of cash or credit cards with you b.c your park tickets, room card are all on one card - and you can charge everything to your room like on a cruise.
Some people feel that you don't get the whole disney magic without staying on site.
You don't need a rental car the disney transportation is free and pretty good.
Easier to run back to your room if you want a break from the parks in the afternoon or if you forget something
Staying off site:
Cheaper can save money on accommodations is a BIG reason.
Easier to eat off property where you can save money or many places have a kitchen so it easy to cook yourself (although the disney villas have kitchens so you can cook there too).
Disadvantages:
You really have to pay to rent a car b.c although some off site places do provide bus service I have read that it is very spotty and not very good.
You have to pay to park at the parks which is something like $10-12 a day and that can really add up if you spend a week at disney. If you stay onsite you park at the parks for free if you decide to rent a car and drive.
Etd if you go before Aug 15th - WDW is having a pay for 4 get 3 for free - so you get 7 nights park tickets and hotel for the price of 4. Which is a great deal. If you decided to get the meal plan that isn't included in the 7 for 4 deal.
Message edited 2/19/2009 2:01:50 PM.
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| Posted 2/19/09 2:00 PM |
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beachgirl
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 7967 total posts
Name:
sara
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Re: BTDT Moms Disney Q's for you.
WOW...thank you SO much. I really appreciate your help. The main reason we were thinking of staying off site is because we only want to do about 2-3 days at disney max.
Thanks
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| Posted 2/19/09 3:54 PM |
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Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
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Re: BTDT Moms Disney Q's for you.
I've stayed both on and off Disney property and personally I much prefer being on property. It was so much easier, we used the Disney transportation for everything so we didn't need a car at all, we used the Magical Express to take us to and from the airport, and the dining plan was awesome. I just loved the ease of staying on property and I don't think I would ever go back to a non-Disney property. And to be honest, we stayed at Port Orleans and it wasn't any more expensive than hotels on Lake Buena Vista Drive or other hotels in the area. We went in May '06 and paid about $115/night. Pretty awesome for Disney if you ask me. Have a great trip!!! I am SO jealous!!!!! 
Message edited 2/19/2009 4:22:05 PM.
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| Posted 2/19/09 4:20 PM |
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Bops
My 3 wishes
Member since 12/07 13625 total posts
Name:
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Re: BTDT Moms Disney Q's for you.
We are going in October and staying at the Sheraton Vistana Resort...They have a shuttle which is a big bonus ....I have also stayed on-site at the Movie one (cant for the life of me remember the full name - LOL !)
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| Posted 2/19/09 4:36 PM |
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dooodles
When you wish upon a star
Member since 5/05 11997 total posts
Name:
Because 2 people fell in love
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Re: BTDT Moms Disney Q's for you.
We actually were thinking the next time we go we might book through VRBO and get a suite for more room and a full kitchen. We stayed on property in January which while nice, won't make or break my trip.
As our children get older, we may go back to staying on property to take advantage of the extra magic hours, but I don't think I'll need them while they are young.
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| Posted 2/19/09 4:39 PM |
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MrsMaz
Best "THINGS" in my life.
Member since 5/05 2431 total posts
Name:
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Re: BTDT Moms Disney Q's for you.
We went and stayed in Kissimmee. We got an entire townhouse (3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bath, washer/dryer, garage, porch and we had the pool a 60 sec walk away) for $119 a night.
Check out www.floridamagicvacation.com
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| Posted 2/19/09 4:43 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: BTDT Moms Disney Q's for you.
Posted by beachgirl
WOW...thank you SO much. I really appreciate your help. The main reason we were thinking of staying off site is because we only want to do about 2-3 days at disney max.
Thanks
For 2-3 days max it is a toss up depending on what you want to get out of the experience but I would say for that short of a time maybe it isn't worth it unless you want to take advantage of the extra magic hours. OR what some people do is stay on site for 2-3 nights then switch to an off site hotel closer to whatever else they want to do if you can handle and are okay with moving your hotel. But I would say for only 2-3 days out of a week I probably wouldn't stay on site.
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| Posted 2/19/09 5:34 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: BTDT Moms Disney Q's for you.
Posted by dooodles
As our children get older, we may go back to staying on property to take advantage of the extra magic hours, but I don't think I'll need them while they are young.
See there are so many different opinions on this - it is really about what works for your trip plans - for us the EMHs were VERY important, especially the EMH mornings. We were there when they dropped the rope for the EMH and were able to get in so many rides before the lines started - which was important b.c DD was 15 months and wanted to run around not stand in long lines. So we got in a lot of what we wanted by lunch and could then return to the hotel for a break rather than stay in the parks all day. We would go back and rest and swim. The EMH evening was nice at MK b.c they closed at 7pm - so we were able to do some early items - with DD then around 930 when she got tired my parents brought her back to the room and DH and I stayed for a short while after. But that was 2 extra hours we got in with DD and if my parents hadn't come we would've just gone back to the hotel at that point.
As they get older and wait in more lines they become a little less important but they are still helpful b.c you can get a lot down if you are willing to get up and get to the parks when they open.
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| Posted 2/19/09 5:39 PM |
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dooodles
When you wish upon a star
Member since 5/05 11997 total posts
Name:
Because 2 people fell in love
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Re: BTDT Moms Disney Q's for you.
Posted by Lillykat
Posted by dooodles
As our children get older, we may go back to staying on property to take advantage of the extra magic hours, but I don't think I'll need them while they are young.
See there are so many different opinions on this - it is really about what works for your trip plans - for us the EMHs were VERY important, especially the EMH mornings. We were there when they dropped the rope for the EMH and were able to get in so many rides before the lines started - which was important b.c DD was 15 months and wanted to run around not stand in long lines. So we got in a lot of what we wanted by lunch and could then return to the hotel for a break rather than stay in the parks all day. We would go back and rest and swim. The EMH evening was nice at MK b.c they closed at 7pm - so we were able to do some early items - with DD then around 930 when she got tired my parents brought her back to the room and DH and I stayed for a short while after. But that was 2 extra hours we got in with DD and if my parents hadn't come we would've just gone back to the hotel at that point.
As they get older and wait in more lines they become a little less important but they are still helpful b.c you can get a lot down if you are willing to get up and get to the parks when they open.
Oh I completely agree it's going to be different for everyone. For us though, we'd prefer to get some late sleeping in so for now we don't need the morning hours. We rent a car regardless of where we stay and many of the VRBO places are within a 5 minute trip to Disney anyway. Same amount of travel time from some of the hotels. For us, we'd rather have the extra space with 2 next time
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| Posted 2/19/09 5:58 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: BTDT Moms Disney Q's for you.
Posted by dooodles
Posted by Lillykat
Posted by dooodles
As our children get older, we may go back to staying on property to take advantage of the extra magic hours, but I don't think I'll need them while they are young.
See there are so many different opinions on this - it is really about what works for your trip plans - for us the EMHs were VERY important, especially the EMH mornings. We were there when they dropped the rope for the EMH and were able to get in so many rides before the lines started - which was important b.c DD was 15 months and wanted to run around not stand in long lines. So we got in a lot of what we wanted by lunch and could then return to the hotel for a break rather than stay in the parks all day. We would go back and rest and swim. The EMH evening was nice at MK b.c they closed at 7pm - so we were able to do some early items - with DD then around 930 when she got tired my parents brought her back to the room and DH and I stayed for a short while after. But that was 2 extra hours we got in with DD and if my parents hadn't come we would've just gone back to the hotel at that point.
As they get older and wait in more lines they become a little less important but they are still helpful b.c you can get a lot down if you are willing to get up and get to the parks when they open.
Oh I completely agree it's going to be different for everyone. For us though, we'd prefer to get some late sleeping in so for now we don't need the morning hours. We rent a car regardless of where we stay and many of the VRBO places are within a 5 minute trip to Disney anyway. Same amount of travel time from some of the hotels. For us, we'd rather have the extra space with 2 next time
Did you go back to the hotel during the day or just stay for the day once you got there?
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| Posted 2/19/09 6:15 PM |
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MommaTo3Dogs1Boy
All of My Dreams Came True
Member since 2/09 1989 total posts
Name:
Kimmie
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Re: BTDT Moms Disney Q's for you.
Posted by Bops
We are going in October and staying at the Sheraton Vistana Resort...They have a shuttle which is a big bonus ....I have also stayed on-site at the Movie one (cant for the life of me remember the full name - LOL !)
My family owns Vistana. It's a great resort, you'll love it. We're actually staying there in October too!!!
As far as disney goes, I work there so if you want me to give you some quotes, I can get you a REALLLLLLLY good price. Just FM me (anyone else as well) I get great discounts and love to help people out so just say the word!
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| Posted 2/19/09 6:24 PM |
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Bops
My 3 wishes
Member since 12/07 13625 total posts
Name:
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Re: BTDT Moms Disney Q's for you.
Posted by MommaTo3Dogs1Boy
Posted by Bops
We are going in October and staying at the Sheraton Vistana Resort...They have a shuttle which is a big bonus ....I have also stayed on-site at the Movie one (cant for the life of me remember the full name - LOL !)
My family owns Vistana. It's a great resort, you'll love it. We're actually staying there in October too!!!
As far as disney goes, I work there so if you want me to give you some quotes, I can get you a REALLLLLLLY good price. Just FM me (anyone else as well) I get great discounts and love to help people out so just say the word!
Wow  I'm glad to hear that !!!...We belong to a time-share type of thing, and we are going there through RCI , so it looked beautiful in the book 
We are going Oct 10-17th 
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| Posted 2/19/09 6:35 PM |
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MommaTo3Dogs1Boy
All of My Dreams Came True
Member since 2/09 1989 total posts
Name:
Kimmie
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Re: BTDT Moms Disney Q's for you.
ahh that's crazy because I'm going October 18th-25th. Believe me, you'll have a great time!!! the pools are fantastic and so are the bars It'll be DS's first trip (he'll be around 3 and a half months, I have to go to work at disney) so you better believe I'll be hitting the bar once! ohh I want a mudslide with an umbrella straw!!
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| Posted 2/19/09 6:46 PM |
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Bops
My 3 wishes
Member since 12/07 13625 total posts
Name:
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Re: BTDT Moms Disney Q's for you.
Posted by MommaTo3Dogs1Boy
ahh that's crazy because I'm going October 18th-25th. Believe me, you'll have a great time!!! the pools are fantastic and so are the bars It'll be DS's first trip (he'll be around 3 and a half months, I have to go to work at disney) so you better believe I'll be hitting the bar once! ohh I want a mudslide with an umbrella straw!!
I'll tell them to make you a cold one on me  !
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| Posted 2/19/09 6:58 PM |
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Alina1515
LIF Zygote
Member since 2/09 1 total post
Name:
Alina
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Re: BTDT Moms Disney Q's for you.
I actually have a time share at Vistana, i've been going every year since I was 10 months old (I'm 24 now). Now I'm taking my 4 month old son next week! You're going to have an amazing time there!! have fun!!!!!!
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| Posted 2/19/09 7:56 PM |
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Bops
My 3 wishes
Member since 12/07 13625 total posts
Name:
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Re: BTDT Moms Disney Q's for you.
Posted by Alina1515
I actually have a time share at Vistana, i've been going every year since I was 10 months old (I'm 24 now). Now I'm taking my 4 month old son next week! You're going to have an amazing time there!! have fun!!!!!!
Thanks ! (to the OP= sorry for the hi-jack )
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| Posted 2/19/09 8:31 PM |
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jellybean78
:)
Member since 8/06 13103 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: BTDT Moms Disney Q's for you.
Honestly I loooooooooooved staying on Disney property. The value resorts are reasonable..you can even get a room for like $70 a night and they are themed which the kids love. We stood at All Star Sports...the rooms were spotless, the transportation was fast and so convenient. We got a great rate of $70ish dollars a night (can't remember the actual rate). You also save money by not having to rent a car and you can do the Disney meal plan. Good Luck!!!
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| Posted 2/19/09 9:23 PM |
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MommaTo3Dogs1Boy
All of My Dreams Came True
Member since 2/09 1989 total posts
Name:
Kimmie
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Re: BTDT Moms Disney Q's for you.
depending on the time of year, i can get you the all stars or pop century for around 49 a night. fm me if you want
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| Posted 2/19/09 10:32 PM |
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