To Go or Not To Go????

[Cinderella]

Yo people:
Here's the question: Should DH and I rent a time share from our neighbors at Westgate in Orlando outside the gates for one week for $250 for a two bedrooom or $500 for two weeks or stay at DW for a gazillion dollars more just to be inside DW?

It seems like such a low price for one week (two bedrooms, two baths, w/d, kitchen, liv.room/dining area/patio etc.) that we can splurge on tickets with dining included. It would also be in our budget.

Downside: Westgate has shuttles to DW only a few times a day so you'd have to plan within their schedule and not stay at the parks too long. If we drive, we'd have to pay tolls every day and then park in the parking lot, take tram and then bus etc. to each park. It might be too much walking for me each day.

What do you think? $250 a week or DW resort for a gazillion a week.

Cinderella:confused: :confused:

[Belle]

Well... if you can stay for 2 weeks at your neighbors timeshare and still save money, that might allow you more time overall to tool around WDW. Plus, that would probably make living by the shuttle schedule less of a bother if you know you have lots of time over the course of 2 weeks to do what you want to do. Having the luxuries of "home" may also be nice to return to after a day at the parks too and offer some down time...

But, if the convenience of being on property is worth it's weight in gold, then do that. Your heart won't be happy unless you do what it tells you to... Consider how where you stay affects your mood - we don't want to hear you had a bad time and should have done "this" instead... :wink:

{hugs}
Belle

[Linda S]

Can you still get tickets with the dining package if you're not at a WDW hotel? (I ask because a friend of mine is staying at Shades of Green and was told they can't get the dining package).

Are you staying for 2 weeks? WOW, I think I'd go for it and then maybe make plans to "splurge" for a night or two and stay "inside." It would still be way less $ and you'd get kind of the best of both.

[Cinderella]

Don't know if we're even staying for one week yet but just the thought of being able to stay two weeks is appealing to me. Never stayed more then 8 nights. IT would still be expensive for food and tickets though for two weeks and I should just settle for one week and be happy with the low cost. I guess I could always take my FIRST visit to the "other" park? At least I'd get to see Mickey again (who probably forgot all about me) and I'd still be able to pay my bills when we returned.

What to do???

Cinderella

[BriarRose]

At two weeks it would be cheaper to have an AP which then gives you free parking and free park hopping :D

[Linda S]

Plus, if you stay at the timeshare for 2 weeks and do at least SOME of your own cooking, you could probably get 2 weeks there (even WITH a night or two treat on-site) for the same amount of money as week onsite. With AP's (and maybe the DDE giving you 20% off most meals at WDW), and a little grocery shopping......
And you are right, with that amount of time, you could "squeeze" in a day to the "other" place. We've wanted to go there, but not at the expense of a Disney day, so it could be a great opportunity to try it.

[kathleena]

That's a nice price for two weeks - and I agree - you would save so much $$$ you could get the AP and the DDE card. AP holders get free parking. As for the rental car - you could try the resort transportation the first week, and if you don't like it - get a rental car for the second week. But even getting one for two weeks would be less than onsite plus food.

I have to say if I was staying offsite, no question, I would get the car. I've tried the route of the resort shuttle and it was too confining. I just didn't like having to reserve a spot the day before, be tied to the shuttle timeframes etc.

Either way - you are sure to have fun!

[Sheryl]

Clarie,

I'd check on the tickets and dining. I'm almost sure last year, the dining package went off how many nights we were staying at the resort, not how many park days we did.

[Snickerdoodlesmommy]

Claire,

If you stay at Westgate, you won't be sorry! Very conveniently located and you could always rent a car and have the best of both worlds by being able to come and go as you want.
You could hit PUBLIX and get some groceries and save a BUNDLE on eating out all the time (but if you do decide to eat out, I will be happy to give you directions to all the best spots for dinner!)
The price is so great on that timeshare. If you buy the Annual Pass as someone suggested, you will be able to park hop and get free parking to boot! (PLUS, there are other AP discounts as well to be had) :)

When will you be coming down???

[Snickerdoodlesmommy]

Yo people:
Here's the question: Should DH and I rent a time share from our neighbors at Westgate in Orlando outside the gates for one week for $250 for a two bedrooom or $500 for two weeks or stay at DW for a gazillion dollars more just to be inside DW?

It seems like such a low price for one week (two bedrooms, two baths, w/d, kitchen, liv.room/dining area/patio etc.) that we can splurge on tickets with dining included. It would also be in our budget.

Downside: Westgate has shuttles to DW only a few times a day so you'd have to plan within their schedule and not stay at the parks too long. If we drive, we'd have to pay tolls every day and then park in the parking lot, take tram and then bus etc. to each park. It might be too much walking for me each day.

What do you think? $250 a week or DW resort for a gazillion a week.

Cinderella:confused: :confused:

What tolls are you speaking of? The tolls on the way down or the tolls here? If you will be coming/going to Disney from the timeshare, there will be NO tolls!! Westgate is located right off of Turkey Lake Rd. you are right on top of Downtown Disney`~not to mention all the shopping at the Outlets!!!! :yes:
As far as the Westgate Shuttles go, you would have several continuous hours in the parks each day.

[Timon]

Claire,

If I remember right Ronny has an aversion to flying so I'm assuming you'd be driving down. If that's the case, 2 weeks for $500.00 and getting AP's and a DDE card plus eating a few meals in the timeshare is the way I'd go. You'd have your own car and having at least 1 AP you'd get the free parking. No you wouldn't be immersed in the magic the same way you would if you spent a week on site, but you'd just have to make up for that by going to the parks more often.

Oh yeah and having an active AP you'd have just one more reason to go to MF. I'm sure you'd have no trouble finding a roommate or two if Ronny doesn't want to go.

[Collette]

Okay, I vote for the WDW resort and a gazillion a week. But that's me.

Last October, my niece and I stayed at a close timeshare for four nights. I will never stay offsite again. If I can't stay onsite, I will take fewer and/or shorter trips. Along with not wanting to leave Disney property, I didn't like staying in a place that looked like I should cook and clean. DVC might even be a stretch for me. I don't mind doing laundry on vacation, but that's about it.

I suppose it depends if you are on a Florida vacation or a WDW trip. I felt like I was just visiting WDW every day. When I stay onsite, I feel like I live there. I love using Disney transportation, too. With ME or Quicksilver, my trip is complete.

If WL isn't in the budget, POFQ is very lovely. And I adore Pop - probably not as relaxing, but quite fun with a very good food court. With the refrigerators provided at POFQ, you could save money with breakfast items, snacks, and even sandwiches for a meal if you'd like. I liked it for leftovers, too.

Well, I'm definitely not the one looking at this from a cost effective point of view. I always have to go with my heart. And when Belle said to consider how where you stay affects your mood - my family would be so agreeing with that one about me!

Whatever you decide, I hope your trip is everything you wish it to be!!!

Collette

[Cinderella]

Yes Timon, you're right - Ronnie has no love for airplanes and yes, we'd be driving (I mean, yes, "I'll" be driving both ways). I don't mind having the car as it is very convenient. So, we could stay two weeks and buy just one AP and save on parking fees. I know some of you have posted about the parking at a resort when you're not staying there. Didn't someone post that they said they were going for dinner and then allowed to park at a resort parking lot or has that changed? I know we have that card we put on our windshield when we stay at the WL and we can leave our car in the parking lot but can we just park at a resort each day and say we're eating there? How strict are they about that?

I have to check prices for one AP and one maybe 8-day park hopper (non expiring) and check out the difference between that and 2 AP's (I know the prices are up since our last Mousefest trip). Or I can get one AP and one ten-day park hopper (non expiring). I have one day left on an old park hopper from years ago.

Okay - decisions to make soon so neighbor can free up the time we pick:

1. At Westgate or at POFQ
2. Drive to parks or take shuttles
3. One AP and one park hopper so we don't pay parking


I don't mind at all cooking a few meals to save money that way. I always bring breakfast foods (juices, cereal, milk, muffins, fruit) and eat in the room before we go to the parks to save money. I'm not a big lunch eater so we used to grab something light and have one big meal a day. Last few trips we were having our big meal at lunch (cheaper) and having a snack later. So, we can have breakfast each day in the room and have a big meal in the parks at our favorite spots and then drive back to Westgate and have dinner there or drive to a restaurant nearby.(still cheaper then eating in the parks for dinner). this way too, we can go back to the hotel anytime and use the pool (something I've never allowed time for) and time to take showers/rest/walk around the grounds etc.

It's just that the cost of driving down (gas/tolls/food/hotel) and then the cost of staying in DW (we were going to try POFQ in lieu of WL the next trip) and eating in DW was leaving us with a big bill left to pay on our credit card (other then having the resort bill paid ahead of time).

We can pay our neighbor now, and then just save for one night hotel going down and back and food/gas and pay for meals as we go once we are there. I can get the tickets at a slight discount at AAA ahead of time also so we'd just need pocketmoney for going down and back.

Must decide within the next few days so I can let neighbor know. He has days banked from last year and he owns a three bedroom unit so he has plenty of days left and rooms. Plus, the two-bedroom still has the kitchen, two baths, liv/din. room/patio and w/d.

The cost of a trip to POFQ last fall was going to cost us $700 for the room for eight nights. If we stay two weeks we can rent the neighbors timeshare for $500!

I can still "feel the magic" once I just step inside the MK so that's not a problem. I can't walk as much as I used to so I think that taking the hotel shuttle back earlier might be a good thing for me and help me not overdo it and then feel exhausted the whole trip.

Later.

Cinderella

[GloriaK]

If money is the major factor I would then go with the timeshare and drive your own vehicle to the parks. True there is a parking fee but it is a once a day fee and not so horrible since your lodging is a discount. The tram system is not that bad....once you park normally the tram will be there or pick you up right in your section and rerturn you to the same section when you leave. Luckily you will have your own car but I lost my rental car in one row.....you should have seen me holding up the key ring hitting the door lock so the car would light up.:yikes:
I have stayed offsite and onsite and if staying offsite was easier on the budget and the lodging was good quality I would do it in a heartbeat. Staying within WDW great but sometimes a little variety is good.

[tinkertam]

We've stayed at Westgate and LOVED it! The space, privacy and luxory was wonderful. (We had a giant jacuzzi tub!) Having a washer/dryer and full kitchen helped save lots of time and money for our family of 5. We were able to save time and money by having most of our breakfasts at the condo. Thereby, allowing MORE moola for dining in our favorite places in WDW! We bought AP's and managed a second trip with them the passes before they expired! Also, the rate you pay for Westgate should allow for a car rental. We drove, so we always had a car, and parking is free with your AP. With a car, it really was no bother to come and go for breaks (naps and swimming) throughout the day.

[kathleena]

Parking at a hotel for a day really depends some on the hotel. The Epcot resorts have signs saying the parking is for hotel guests, not for park visits. If you say you are dining, they will ask for your ADR# and if you don't have one, they will write down your vehicle plate # and give you a couple hours parking pass - I have had that happen at AKL, BC and Poly. They didn't do it at the BW as of last Dec, but being a DVC member, all I did was flash my card and they let me in - it may have been because of that.

I'm not saying not to park at a hotel, but I definately know it's been done. ;) I will say that I think parking in the lot at the park and using the tram is actually easier and more convenient (except for the MK, which is a pain), especially if you are not switching parks.

[Topaz]

GO FOR IT !!!

It gives you a chance to try something new. Sounds like a great place to stay. And if nothing else, you'll know not/to do it again.

If I could swing 2 weeks staying anywhere, I would be in nirvana!!!

Have a great time:girlears: :girlears: :girlears:

SusanR

[pixie]

You've have received great advice Claire. I just want to add that my sister and family rent a house when they go to WDW and love it. They don't mind leaving the property at all. This sound like a great opportunity so I vote "go for it".

[BetsyBoo]

If I could stay in Orlando near WDW as inexpensively as you have been offered I would go for two weeks shhh You might even think of parking in Downtown Disney and taking the bus from there if you did not want to pay to park each day. I am not sure that you can get the dining plan, I believe someone already said it is based on the nights you stay on property. However an AP gives you dining options too.

It would be a tough choice for me because I too am a person that likes many of the perks staying on property offers.

Good Luck with your decision, I know it would be hard for me to make.

BetsyBoo

[BaciBecky]

Sounds wonderful, Claire! Two weeks at Disney for $500 - and you'll have your own car, with the AP free Disney parking, so you'll be free to come and go as often as you want.

Just one little thing: wish those 2 weeks could be around MF so we could all see you & Ronnie :yes:

[pinoch]

When my mom and I went and stayed offsite last year she brought along her handicapped parking placard from home and we used that when we drove to the parks. That helped greatly to cut down on the amount of walking that she had to do, and as I remember it at MK there were even complimentary wheelchairs near the handicapped lot to help her get to ferry or monorail.

At the other parks the handicapped parking spots were very close to front gates and I even remember a few complimentary wheelchairs at Epcot by the the first row of handicapped spaces. So if you have a handicapped parking placard, by all means take it and that will help greatly.

Barb

[BuzzsMom]

I guess I can speak from experience. Last year we were given our plane tickets down but we had to decide within a week to do it. My Aunt has a condo in Cocoa Beach. For us the problem was that we had nothing saved at all so we knew that we would have to stay at Cocoa for the whole trip and drive the hour over every day to visit the parks. We obviously did it - when faced with no trip or a trip that meant a little more time spent in the car we took the second option. We had never done this before. We would always spend time on property and then go to Cocoa with an occasional day trip. But as you mentioned once you are in the parks you are immersed in Disney. There were no complaints from anyone. It wasn't the trip we were used to but looking back at it now I don't think of the fact that we didn't stay on property, I actually forget that. I just think of the 10 days we spent at the parks and how relaxing we actually found it!!
I'm sure you will enjoy your trip just as much as you usually do and will probably enjoy seeing it from a different point of view. Just knowing you are going and will have more money to spend at the parks or on better tickets should keep you smiling the whole way down!!
Susan

[Robin]

I know where this place is! It's right near the SeaWorld exit off the I-4. It shouldn't take more than 15 minutes from there to the Epcot lot.

I'd say take the 2 week vacation and have a leisurely trip. The money you save staying off site, will give you freedom to splurge a bit without breaking the bank.

For that price, it's an offer you can't refuse. ;)

[Robin]

Oh my goodness! Party at Claire's!

http://www.westgateresorts.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=photos.show_photo&resortID=WESTGATE_LAKES&fileHandle=wgl_05

[Cinderella]

If we go with the offer from our neighbor, then we'll have a party for sure. Robin, expect to see you visit us. Wonder how many we can get in that Roman tub? I don't think we'll want to come back home after staying there!!!

Cinderella
:pinky: :dance: :dancer: :boogie: :cp:
:girlLounge: :boyLounge: :hottub: :hammock:
:celebrate: :celebrate: :celebrate:

[SueV]

Claire I just read through al the posts! I agree to go with your heart! 2 weeks would allow plenty of time to see all you want and still be able to deal with the shuttle service from the timeshare! If you choose to get even one AP ther is something else to consider, the DDE card. For $75 you could get 20% off of all sit down restaurants(for one year) and also give free valet parking if you choose to visit a WDW resort during your stay! I know that we're a family of 5 and it will add up quicker for us but over 3 trips last year we saved about an average of $250 per trip!!!! It was most definately worth it and as soon as I buy new AP's I''ll be calling and getting another one of those cards! So many choices to be made but know matter what if you go you will have a great time just being there!!!