GoTravel

Ditto Patrick. That is what we do also, hit the pool or one of the water parks during the hotest part of the day.

We also like to do Animal Kingdom every morning early.

amcc

Big fan here of staying onsite, but I don't think it's fair to say that there is only ONE good way of doing Disney. I've read tons of travel reports of people who stay offsite and absolutely love the experience. Actually, Windsor Hills, the OP's choice is one of those with the best reviews

For large families, Disney has a big lack of lodging opportunities. The All-Star Music has suites now, but they are more expensive than two rooms at the same hotel. Hopefully, they will build a suite hotel on-property soon. Lake Buena Vista hotels are part of Disney, but I don't think they qualify for extra magic hours.

I'm looking into a trip for the end of February and the only All-Star rooms (not suites) are coming up at $126 a night. That's rack rate, so yes, it can get expensive. I paid $92 in Dec. and thought that was alot, so this blew my mind. I've looked into offsite rentals of homes and the prices are incredible - 4 BR for under $200 a night for a pool home. And, they have very good reviews. I have to admit it is tempting.

Even with three little kids or for that matter when I was a kid, we've never left a park in the middle of the day. It never occurred to me to do it. Even on-site, it takes a while to get to your car, drive over, etc. It's our style, and for the OP, with adults and an older child particularly, it might work for her. We don't like the buses - tried them, not for us.

At Windsor Hills, the OP will not only probably have Bedrooms and bathrooms for everyone, but their own pool, barbecue, TVs, maybe a game room. It's a different vacation than staying on-site, but probably much more cost effective than three rooms onsite, no matter what package. Especially since they can do breakfast and misc. meals at home.

NeoPatrick

amcc, you make some VERY GOOD points, and I also must admit that to some of us Floridians we tend to forget that Disney may be just part of an overall vacation. We tend to go there JUST because it's Disney, we have the rest of the stuff at home.

itsv

Join the Borders Rewards Program (from the borders bookstore). The program costs nothing, but they have a section called Borders Reward Perks. The rewards perks was offering when I checked last week, discount tickets to Disney that were at great prices and included free days. I'll try to get the link for you.

trvlgirlmq

Neo and others - If I had the money to splurge I probably would stay on site just for the conveniences you talk about. Unfortunately I am a single woman who pays for her 2 nephews and neice as well as my mom and this time sister to travel. I always tell the kids I am not made of money. I save every extra cent I can so we can have the opportunity to see some of the world.

The approx $1350 dollar quote was on 2 rooms at All-Star Music for 6 nights at a AAA rate. No tickets included. This is without transportation to FL or food. If we wanted this to be our only vacation all year then it might be OK to spend that much money. I can't travel during the off times due to school schedules so there is no help there.

I did go online to price the MYW package at value and moderate resorts: Approx $2800 for Pop Century and $3750 for Port Orleans (2 standard rms, 5 day tickets). Again, no transportation to FL, food, etc. I could take out a small loan but I prefer to pay as much upfront with my own hard-earned money as I can.

My only argument is that not everyone can afford to pay that much just for a hotel and entrance fees. I love Disney and I think it's a great place for a family vacation but I am just not willing to spend that much on a bed to sleep in no matter how convenient it may be.

I'll stop beating this dead horse and just focus on the fun I know my family will have at Disney this year.

swalter518

MRW1975, you might want to check out the cabins at Fort Wilderness-they were great and economical when we stayed there. It's a campground and your cabin has cooking facilities, a pool, grill etc, plus you get the perks of staying on property. Here's the link...
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw...omsListingPage

mrw1975

Thank you EVERYONE for all the information! I love this Fodor's Website. Can't believe I hadn't heard of it before. I do appreciate all of the advice about staying on site but we are kind of in the situation with the extended family to have to have 2 if not 3 rooms if we were to stay onsite as it is me and my husband, our daughter, my parents and my adult brother (who probably wouldn't particularly like to stay in the same room as my parents) I will check into the cabin situation too! Thanks. But for $100/night for the 3 bedroom 2 bath condo just sounds really really tempting. Has anybody actually stayed at the Windsor Hills??? How about The Encantada or Windsor Palms? Thanks again everyone - You all are great for taking your time to answer the boards!

swalter518

You're right, $100 a night is a steal-I missed that originally. Much more money for you to spend on fun things. I would suggest don't feel like you have to do marathon days in the parks-take a break, sleep in late on day, etc. You'll find your stay much more enjoyable!

makeovermama

To the Original Poster - I don't want to get caught up in the on-site v. off-site debate. Just a quick note to you that we stayed in a Windsor Hills 3 bedroom, 3 bath townhome with our own private pool this past June (for much less than a Disney Value hotel would have cost). Windsor Hills is close enough to Disney that we did take midday breaks from the park, which was a necessity for us because we had a 2 year old who needed a nap. It was less than a 15 minute drive from Magic Kingdom to Windsor Hills, and even shorter than that to Animal Kingdom. And you only have to pay parking once each day, so you can leave for breaks and not have to pay twice.

Windsor Hills is fabulous. Our 2 yr old loved the fountains at the pool and we loved the water slide! It's a beautiful resort. Have fun on vacation!