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PLANNING FOR Disney WORLD

planning for Disney: part two

1/8/2017

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on site or off?

In Part One of this Disney planning series, we covered traveling style. If you are just joining us, you can read that post here.
When you think Disney Vacation , you think $ signs. Thinking to save some of that budget to spend elsewhere, off site seems like the way to go. No doubt there are some exceptional values to be found off site but there are many reasons to stay on site as well. As a mom of a Disney loving family that has stayed both on site and off , let me help you compare.
As I mentioned in Part One, our first visit was about 10 years ago and our travel group was multi-generational. We had grandparents, parents and kids; 10 total. So many things we learned this first trip! For now we will just focus on accommodations. Specifically, to stay On-Site or Off Site.
We, all 10, stayed at the Coronado Springs Resort. Each of the 3 families had separate rooms and we did not spend much time there. In fact. Other than sleeping, bathing and changing clothes, we did nothing there. We didn't even try out the fabulous pools! (They have really beautiful pools!)
At the time we only had three requirements: 1) room for all of us together, 2) transportation to the parks for all of us, 3) decent price. We went to the parks all day! The kids slept in the strollers when they got tired; We were younger so I guess we never got tired. On-Site was awesome!
Fast Forward 7 years...We went as a group of 13, again multi-generational, and had access to a Time Share 4 bedroom condo. The Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort is technically on Disney World property but not a Disney resort. It's lovely, and we have stayed there a couple of times since then. Our Vacation Style had changed. The 4-year-olds were now 11 and there were 2 new toddlers along.
This time, we spent a bit more time at the resort. Naps were taken, movies were watched, food was cooked. We visited the parks but did not stay all day long. We drove our own vehicles and paid to park because it was cheaper than the transportation offered by the resort. Our needs were met by Off-Site.
Below are lists that might help you decide if you should stay on property or off. These are just my opinion...
On SitePros
  • Closest to the parks.
  • You can make dining and fast pass+ choices earlier
  • Magic Band room key
  • Complimentary Transportation
  • Disney themes and characters
Cons
  • More crowded (depending on time of year)
  • Transportation could take longer than just driving to the park
  • In most cases more expensive ( not always a big difference but there are always cheaper places Off-Site
Off SitePros
  • Cheaper per night
  • Cheaper dining options, or kitchen(ette) for in room meals.
  • Time out from parks (if you need it)
  • Closer to other area attractions if Disney is not your only stop.
Cons
  • You pay for parking at the theme parks
  • Distance to/from the parks.
  • If you are flying in you will most likely have to rent a car.
  • Outside of the "Disney Bubble" , may not have the "Disney" feel.
Knowing your Vacation Style ( Part One ) definitely helps when deciding Part Two. Once you figure out On or Off site, it's easy to choose your accommodations.

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Planning for Disney: part one

1/1/2017

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Planning for Disney

vacation style?

(PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED ON MY OLD SITE thedancingalligator.com)

So you have finally decided on that Disney World vacation. Congrats! You are going to have a blast! The sights! The Smells! The planning!

You may not think planning your vacation is exclamation point worthy but I do. I love the research, the details, the lists! Call me crazy but the planning is almost as fun as the trip. It's the build up I guess. Just make sure you are not building the trip into a PERFECT experience; there is no perfect! Things will go wrong, people will melt down , rides will be delayed and lines will be long. Manage expectations and you will be fine. Now, put on your planning pants and let's get started!
What's your Vacation Style?

It's important to know your Vacation Style before you start planning. Are you a "go with the flow" family? Maybe you are the "cram in as much as possible", type. Maybe you fall somewhere in-between?

Our first trip, when GG was 4 years old. We went as a large, family group and we had no preconceived notions of what to expect except FUN! We planned. We made reservations. My sister made each family a little agenda/flip book. We had a great time. Our most recent trip, with a now 14-year-old GG and a 3.5 yr old BG, was a combination of fun packed park time and chill out down time. GG and I could have gone all day to the parks. I fall into the make-it-worth-EVERY-dollar-spent category. My husband knew we were just a boat ride from our room, so he liked a bit of non-park time. BG being 3, needed a little nap every now and then.
10 years ago, our vacation style was different from now. Our needs were different. In ten years we have traveled to Disney World 7 times. Flown once (I'm not a flier), driven 7 times, stayed on site and off, did and did not do the Dining Plan, budgeted and gone in blind. Every trip was adjusted according to our changing circumstances, vacation style and needs.
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Spend a few minutes to think about these questions?
  • How many days? Total and In-Park.
  • Who will be traveling? (Ages)
  • What are the expectations? (Rides, Shows, Characters, Everything etc.)
  • Will we need downtime away from the parks or will we want to see other attractions besides Disney?
  • How important is transportation time?
  • Will we want/like entertainment at our resort/hotel? (Games, Pools etc)
  • Will we bring food? Need a kitchenette/groceries? Dine in park or resort?
These are just a few questions to help you determine the rest of your vacation, you will probably run into more along the way, but it's a decent start. Now that that's settled, let's figure out where you want to stay! Join me next week for Part Two: On Site or Off !

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    Author

    My name is Joni...

    I am a Christian, building my relationship with God. I am a wife, committed to loving and supporting my husband. I am a mom , trying to raise two children to be the best they can be spiritually, mentally, and physically. I am a US citizen trying to be a responsible, knowledgeable and informed American. I am an unapologetic Disney World junkie and love to help people enjoy their Disney Vacation! In my heart, I am an organized, exercise loving, meal planning super mom. All that being said....I, like many others, sometimes fail miserably at some or all of the above. This is a blog to help me dump some of the never ending thoughts that clutter my mind and help me make the most of the EVERYDAY.


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