Spin-off Parking fees... switching hotels

[Farro]

I had another thought - - the other reason we don't like off-site is because we don't want to stay in hotels that we can stay at in anytown USA. Part of the fun is the themed resorts (even if you don't like new room decor, resorts are still "themed"). Like I said, for us it's the entire WDW experience. I want to leave the park and go back to my hotel which feels like a continuation of the park. Not a hotel that looks like all the hotels around O'hare or out in the burbs (in my opinion).

Not saying I'm thrilled with fees or price increases or whatever, but just stating why even with all that, we won't stay off-site. We will just not go until we can go the way we want. And others feel differently and that's okay. It's all okay!

 

[KrazeeK120]

I’m keeping the trip I currently have booked, but will look offsite in the future. I no longer see any value to staying on site.

 

[missbrooke06]

Won't you still pay for parking at the parks though? That's really how I'm rationalizing it. If we stay off-site, I still pay parking.

 

[davale4]

Not me. I have stayed off site before, and to me it still doesn't hold a candle to being on site. I like being in the Disney bubble, not having to see the real world for the duration of my vacation. I've only rented a car once in 10 years, so the fee, while I think it is pretty darned awful, won't affect me.

Yes, this ^^^....We have stayed offsite (at family’s home and hotel offsite). It’s not the same for us. We also like being in the Disney bubble and forgetting about everything else. We have only rented a car once....and didn’t use it.

 

[Hoodie]

Have been loyal onsite guests for 25 years. Stayed offsite last year for 1/2 our stay (onsite the other half). I was pretty surprised how much we liked it. I was still anxious to get back to the "Disney bubble" until we actually got back. The buses were awful. Crowded, late, slow. The room felt so cramped after being in a suite with full kitchen. The pools were crowded and noisy. Getting food was annoying.

We're staying onsite this year as a "last hurrah" but unless things have changed, we'll be offsite from now on. Pretty much the only thing I missed was DME - it's just fun to see all the cartoons and welcome video and then SURPRISE! You're there! Still not worth paying 3 times as much for the room though.

 

[KarenP64]

We are branching out with our vacation plans and finding that there are so many other places to visit and enjoy!

I'm curious what you & others are finding to enjoy for vacation. There is such excitement involved in a Disney vacation & sooooooo many things to see & do & eat, etc. that it's hard for us to find anything that matches that excitement. I'd really love to be able to considering all that's going on with Disney now....

 

[Upatnoon]

For an offsite choice I would want-

Good wdw neighbor hotel
As close to the bubble as possible
No resort fees
No parking fee
Free wifi
24 hour front desk
Dog free
Smoke free
Well maintained
Clean & shiny

I don't know where I'd select!

I've got my favorites, but with all the off-site converts I may be squeezed out next time I need a room!

 

[BlondePirateofSC]

I'm curious what you & others are finding to enjoy for vacation. There is such excitement involved in a Disney vacation & sooooooo many things to see & do & eat, etc. that it's hard for us to find anything that matches that excitement. I'd really love to be able to considering all that's going on with Disney now....

Have you tried cruising? For me, it is the only match for Disney. I have done Carnival, Disney, Royal and NCL and had a wonderful time on each. I actually skipped WDW for several years due to frequent cruising. I have binged Disney World lately, but with the recent changes, I will be shifting my vacation dollars to cruising for the next few years at least.

 

[KarenP64]

Have you tried cruising? For me, it is the only match for Disney. I have done Carnival, Disney, Royal and NCL and had a wonderful time on each. I actually skipped WDW for several years due to frequent cruising. I have binged Disney World lately, but with the recent changes, I will be shifting my vacation dollars to cruising for the next few years at least.

No, I haven't tried it. I've heard too many horror stories about cruises lately though. LOL!

 

[robinb]

Have you tried cruising? For me, it is the only match for Disney. I have done Carnival, Disney, Royal and NCL and had a wonderful time on each. I actually skipped WDW for several years due to frequent cruising. I have binged Disney World lately, but with the recent changes, I will be shifting my vacation dollars to cruising for the next few years at least.

I also cruise and plan to skip WDW until (possibly) next January (NYE). This is a big thing for us since we usually go to WDW every NYE and every summer. My DH also wants to travel to Europe so we're looking at a transatlantic cruise in the future.

 

[robinb]

No, I haven't tried it. I've heard too many horror stories about cruises lately though. LOL!

Like?

 

[katherine52478]

We rent it to dine, drink and shop at other resorts and to go to the waterparks. I'm pretty much gonna chain myself to the Disney complex any way I slice it but now I have to pay to park my car at their resort. We literally spent way more last summer because every day sometimes twice we'd go to another resort to have a drink in their lounge or a meal.

We used Lyft a ton this January. I thought about renting a car but when I figured out the rental cost, using a Lyft 2-4 times a day was actually cheaper. It was $6-11 a trip but with promo codes, we saved a few buck each trip. It was really easy and convenient!

 

[KarenP64]

Like?

Mainly when the viruses start & make the whole ship sick. My husband has health issues, so that always scares me. But, we don't need to go into horror stories since you're cruising soon!

 

[danielocha30]

I am looking at offsite for the first time as well. I never have before- I would only consider on-site. That has changed now, with the parking fee. Where did you book?

Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista

 

[CrankyDad]

Each their own, If the parking fees breaks the budget and you want to go off-site, go for it.

You don’t have to make some grand announcement though. You pass on the on-site room, 20 other families are jumping to take your spot..

Just remember that off site hotels will still hit your with resorts fees and such.. Stiill be cheaper, of course but you lose the perks of being on site. Again, up to you and your budget and if the extra $100ish does not work for you, head off site.

 

[danielocha30]

Won't you still pay for parking at the parks though? That's really how I'm rationalizing it. If we stay off-site, I still pay parking.

We are annual pass holders, park parking is included, now that you mention this, most people liked that as a Resort guest you were getting free parking at the parks, with the new policy now you’re getting charged that perk is pretty much gone.
edited to add not all off-site hotel charge parking, some very good properties don’t.

 

[scjo68]

Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista

THanks!

 

[Jennasis]

Mousesavers often has deals on local resorts that waive resort and parking fees. We did one of their deals for The Sheraton Vistana Resort in 2016 and it was a fantastic place, just 5 minutes from WDW.

 

[DisneyArkie]

I have already been staying offsite because of the amount of money I saved over staying at a non-DVC resort.

Some of my favorite offsite restaurants are:
Miller's Ale House -- specials every day, I especially like Lobster Wednesdays.
Sweet Tomatoes -- huge salad bar with hot sides. Join their club for discounts.
Kobe Japanese Steakhouse -- their late night happy hour is awesome.
Cici's Pizza -- not the best pizza, but super cheap and AYCE. My DD likes it so we go.
Flipper's pizza & Giordano's pizza -- good pizza for take out.
Publix Grocery -- we had some really nice made to order sandwiches there, plus they have nice snacks including healthy ones (and wine )

When you said cici’s I threw up in my mouth.

 

[HopperFan]

First go ask on the Orlando Board
https://www.disboards.com/forums/orlando-hotels-and-attractions.15/
Good place to tell them your budget, what you want in space and amenities to narrow it down
The nightly fee budget is the best place to start.
Even with fees and parking at Disney theme parks many offsite give you way more for the same amount of money or less.

If you want 60 day FP+ and EMH then stick with the Disney Springs Hotels
disneyspringshotels.com
Look at their rates via the above site, directly or Mousesavers deals

If you don't care about the above and have a preference that the hotel be "Disney approved"
Look at the Good Neighbor Hotels
https://www.wdwgoodneighborhotels.com/

NOW, offsite your options grow -
- per night budget
- motel style
- hotel style
- suite
- condo/villa style
- resort style
- house
- amenities
- pool areas
- dining options like free breakfast
- will you have a car?

There really is SO much, you need to narrow it down first. We stay at anything but houses, I have no interest in that. I now have two trips booked in a suite and one trip booked in a regular room (only 2 of us) with different needs for different amenities and they are different price points. If I could do a full week each trip I'd likely do mostly condo/villa style but hotels are fine for shorter trips.