https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:11:22 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2693973 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 14:42:08 +0000 luckylifemummy 2693973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: It was pricey (in Canadian dollars LOL), but honestly SO fun. It was convenient to strap the stroller to the back of the cart too and DD rode up front</p> <p>We can't wait to go back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2693969 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 14:40:24 +0000 Anagram 2693969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@luckylifemummy: ahh. I looked at the Fort Wilderness cabins but then heard about the buses within the park, to get to other buses that go to other parks, and that seemed too complicated. But a golf cart seems kind of fun. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2693967 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 14:38:43 +0000 luckylifemummy 2693967@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: Yes so when you are facing the dock where the boat is, there is tons of parking to the right (near the outpost) for the golf carts. We decorated our cart with a Canadian flag and leis so we knew which one was ours</p> <p>Dittos for the buses to go outside the resort. </p> <p>It was awesome, we just whipped wherever we needed to go and there was golf cart parking... (you can only park and drive regular cars in certain spots) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2693910 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 14:14:08 +0000 Anagram 2693910@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@luckylifemummy: where do you park the golf cart if you ride it to the boat? Is there gold cart parking? Can you also drive the golf cart to where you take the bus to other parks? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2693899 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 14:07:38 +0000 luckylifemummy 2693899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kpc324: You are so welcome!</p> <p>The dining plan gives you 1 Quick service credit, 1 Table service credit, 1 snack credit for every night you stay, per person. The portions are so big you'd be okay just with that probably. but we didn't know about the portion sizes before going lol</p> <p>I would still do a grocery order to do fruit, veggies and toast but we had so many leftovers.</p> <p>For instance, there is a space themed restaurant in Magic Kingdom - a quarter chicken dinner equaled 1 quick service credit - it included a drink, the meal (which was huge) AND dessert!</p> <p>honestly I'm so grateful there was so much walking lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2693873 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 13:48:32 +0000 kpc324 2693873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@luckylifemummy: this is so helpful!! The cabins were not something I had really looked into before! Did you find that the dining plan wasn't enough for breakfast, or was it just easier to start the day in the cabin? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2693791 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 12:40:49 +0000 luckylifemummy 2693791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi! I'm new to the site, saw this post and I had to comment<br /> :happy: </p> <p>There is no question that staying off property is cheaper buuuuttt...</p> <p>We went to Disneyworld this year from Sept 8-Sept 17th... We got free dining and stayed in a cabin in Fort Wilderness. DD was just shy of her 3rd bday, turned 3 on Sept 16th so she was free! It was an absolutely magical trip. :wink: </p> <p>PROS:<br /> -The crowds were not an issue, at all!<br /> -The free dining was great and the portions are huge<br /> -Fort Wilderness is gorgeous and the cabin with a kitchen was a great resource, we ordered in groceries and ate breakfast every morning in out room.<br /> -DD loved the boat ride to the magic kingdom<br /> -Outside Bus service (to other parks) was fast and efficient 95% of the time<br /> -We got a golf cart to explore the property and get to the bus and boat quickly(a must!!!)</p> <p>CONS<br /> -It was hot... like beyond hot, especially at animal kingdom we ate lots of ice and drank coconut water to hydrate<br /> -The golf cart is pricey in my opinion, and there is an internal bus system but it was slower from what I heard.<br /> -mosquitos were bad near the boats but they do provide bug repellent<br /> -the bus service from Disney Springs was awful... We almost missed the bus to the airport because FOUR buses drove past without stopping. but an amazing Disney employee arranged for an immediate shuttle to get us back to the resort in time.</p> <p>I would 100% stay at Fort Wilderness again </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2693210 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 16:46:47 +0000 808love 2693210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: I beg to differ. We stayed at Ramada Maingate which is now Grand Legacy a few years ago and it was fine. This year, we are going to Del Sol which is a tad closer. :) 5 minute walk was nice. Yes, Disney property is always better (at a higher cost) but if you want to stick to a smaller budget, I would do on property DW and off property DL for bigger bang for your buck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2693144 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 15:18:57 +0000 agold 2693144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Disneyland or Disneyworld? I highly recommend staying on Disneyland property or heading to the beach. Do NOT stay in any value-type property around Disneyland. Its ridiculously gang and crime infested, oddly enough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2693122 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 14:58:15 +0000 808love 2693122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: Yes, works without a car too. Love the touringplans.com site...not sure if I mentioned it earlier.<br /> Here are some split stay sites. <a href="http://www.easywdw.com/forums/showthread.php?22927-Split-Stay-FAQ" rel="nofollow">http://www.easywdw.com/forums/showthread.php?22927-Split-Stay-FAQ</a></p> <p><a href="http://blog.touringplans.com/2012/09/13/staying-at-two-disney-world-resorts-in-one-trip-planning-a-split-stay/" rel="nofollow">http://blog.touringplans.com/2012/09/13/staying-at-two-disney-world-resorts-in-one-trip-planning-a-split-stay/</a></p> <p>One downside to a split stay is you can only reserve Fast Passes 60 days out and dining reservations 180 days out from first day of your trip. If you stayed in only one place for 5 days, you could get a 5 day jump on all days of your trip where as if you did a split stay, you could reserve only (for example) x number of days out from first day of first place, then log back in a few days later when you were x number of days from the first day of the second place. </p> <p>Check with the hotels for check in time. You normally can't check in early at Disney so don't count on it </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2692992 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 12:14:40 +0000 littlejoy 2692992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went in college (with my family) ... we stayed off property, but our resort had a free shuttle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2692987 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 12:02:04 +0000 Anagram 2692987@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: so if you don't have a car, Disneywill transfer the baggage for you? And are Disney resorts the typical 11 am check out, 3 pm check in? Are early check ins ever possible? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2692979 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 11:52:35 +0000 808love 2692979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: We did the split by checking out of one place and putting our bags in the car before park hours (morning). Then at the end of a short park hours day (or was it a long hours park hours day that we wanted to just split up? can't remember right now) we just went straight to our new hotel instead of back to our old. It was seamless. You can even have your luggage sent directly via Disney but we preferred to keep everything with us. We moved from All Star Movies to Art of Animation. Magic Bands were unaffected except that we got two sets (hooray) and I read that there are limits on times you can make purchases in the park before checkout if you want delivery.<br /> I am a pro packer so picking up and moving is not a struggle for us. I did this with a five year old but have also done it in the past too. This is the first time I went Disney to Disney. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2692958 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 11:39:12 +0000 Anagram 2692958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: What was the split stay like?? Did you do it with kids and how did it work with moving from one resort to the other--did you miss park time to do the move? Would love to hear what you did. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2664030 Mon, 12 Dec 2016 00:58:28 +0000 kpc324 2664030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2663878 Sat, 10 Dec 2016 23:28:46 +0000 misolee 2663878@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Iced Tea: @yoursilverlining: </p> <p>We love our Hilton points! The hotel is in the same area as the Disney resorts so it's super close to the parks and Disney Springs. Hilton Bonnet Creek and the Waldorf Astoria are actually connected together and use the same shuttle system. We've stayed there twice and had a great time! Both times, it has been in the winter so we couldn't use the pool, but they have a lazy river and great pools too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2663785 Sat, 10 Dec 2016 11:59:37 +0000 yoursilverlining 2663785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@misolee: oh good to know about Hilton! I didn't even know there was a WA down there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2663774 Sat, 10 Dec 2016 11:23:00 +0000 Iced Tea 2663774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@misolee: Thanks for sharing this! We have lots of Hilton points, so we may look into this in the future! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2663766 Sat, 10 Dec 2016 10:00:54 +0000 misolee 2663766@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We stayed at Saratoga Springs before kids (no dining package) and although the other Disney "benefits" were great the actual hotel room itself wasn't that great. And bc we didn't have dining package and no car, we were limited to whatever hotel and Disney food that they offered. </p> <p>My husband is a huge Hilton member so now we just use our Hilton points to stay at the Hilton "on" Disney property. We've stayed at the Bonnet Resort and the Waldorf Astoria for free. The rooms were better especially at Waldorf :wink: They have a pretty regular shuttle to all the parks and most of the time, we didn't have to fold the stroller bc they just rolled it straight onto bus. Hilton also has character dining on one morning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2663722 Fri, 09 Dec 2016 23:36:31 +0000 gingerbebe 2663722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Everyone I know who is obsessed with Disneyworld seem to love renting giant houses out in Davenport - its about a 15 minute drive to Disney gates. You can get a big house in a gated community with a pool and enough bedrooms for everyone for less than the cost of a hotel room and save yourself a ton of money on food and what not. Some friends of our's stayed at Bahama Bay last summer and thought it was great for their kids about the age of your littles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2663706 Fri, 09 Dec 2016 21:55:16 +0000 808love 2663706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kpc324: Are you going to Disneyland or Disney World? If it is Disneyland...I would be more inclined to get a hotel across the street and walk it over. We have done this two years at a hotel just a simple walk across. We also had a stay at Paradise Pier which was nice. Oh and for one day we stayed at a Marriott (2 loooong blocks away-too far with a 2 year old) and the DL/Marriott shuttle was horrible. Added at least an hour waiting. I responded in previous posts above with DW in mind. DL has no Magic Band and different systems than DW. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2663705 Fri, 09 Dec 2016 21:45:38 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2663705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would totally stay at Dland hotel if you can swing it. You can just walk back, so easy. But my sister stayed at the Howard Johnson I think. It has the same pool-type amenities and a quick and easy shuttle to the park. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2663649 Fri, 09 Dec 2016 17:38:57 +0000 Charm54 2663649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Monorail hotels are definitely the most convenient in terms of transportation but they are $$$$. I can't imagine spending that much on a hotel room. Though I would if I had the money hahaha</p> <p>I have stayed at Caribbean Beach, Pop century and Saratoga Springs. I found the bus service convenient at each. You might wait 5-10 for a bus to come and from there's it's a 5-15 minute bus ride. I love not having to drive, worry about directions, traffic etc so I gladly take the Disney busses to and from the parks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2663563 Fri, 09 Dec 2016 15:04:44 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2663563@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: Yes! Definitely plan on doing that! Thats also part of why we stayed at resort one night just so we could get the reservations we needed (Be Our Guest for dinner!!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2663557 Fri, 09 Dec 2016 14:57:48 +0000 808love 2663557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As for the Resort DINING perk, you get to book from the first day of your vacation for your entire vacation rather than 180 days from each day of your vacation. So if you are staying at the resort for 5 days, you get to book 185 days out for all days of your vacation. If you are off property, you would have to wait until 180 days and then login each day afterward if you wanted to book a different place everyday at the beginning of your window. We got into all the preferred, hard to get restaurants because we were at the resort. It was amazing to have one awesome dining experience a day! I was online at the exact moment the reservations opened up according to my vacation dates! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2663342 Fri, 09 Dec 2016 09:51:39 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2663342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kpc324: </p> <p>Buses kinda depend on what resort youre doing. Some resorts have a more direct path to the park. Some are further away and have to stop at multiple resorts before going to the park. I think you can find the information online. </p> <p>We stayed on-site one night this spring at a value All Star resort. When we talked to the front desk about what time we should meet the bus so that we could make it to the park opening (called rope-drop) he said we should plan on being out front by 7:15 so we could be there by 7:45 (bus drops you off pretty close at the park). Instead, we chose to leave the resort with our car at 7:15, get in and park by 7:30 and walked to the monorail by 7:45. So not really any time difference but we had our own car at the park for when we wanted to leave (we had free parking). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2663341 Fri, 09 Dec 2016 09:47:17 +0000 mrsbookworm 2663341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've done both and I prefer using our timeshare and staying off property. We rent a two bedroom suite which makes things much more comfortable. I also prefer having a car to having to wait around for the bus. However, being able to book fast passes and dining early is one big advantage to staying on property. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2663301 Fri, 09 Dec 2016 09:01:52 +0000 looch 2663301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kpc324: The main thing with busses is that you can not "walk on" with your stroller, it needs to be collapsed. When we last went and used the buses, we stayed at the All Stars resort and the busses for that resort were the absolute farthest away in the queues. And you never know when they are arriving, unless they do a GPS tracking system now, does anyone know?</p> <p>When we drive, we can come and go when we want. We sometimes use the trams to get to the main entrance, but more often than not we walk.</p> <p>My husband also got some kind of Emerald parking pass via AAA that made parking free and in special zones, so look into that if you are members.</p> <p>Next time we go, I want to stay on the monorail line. I think that is hands down the best way to travel in WDW, but I am biased because I adore the Polynesian resort. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2663234 Fri, 09 Dec 2016 00:23:45 +0000 808love 2663234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kpc324: I did both. Last year, we stayed off-site and this year we stayed primarily at 2 resorts. (Split-stay) Yes sounds crazy but we pack up and move very easily. And I really wanted to check out Art of Animation.<br /> At Disney World everything is spread out (as compared to Disneyland) so driving from Resort to parks vs. Off-site to parks is about the same if you pick a good off-site place. You pay about $20 for parking vs. free parking from the resort so add that to the cost as well as the rental car. We drove in from the resort because I don't like being dependent on the bus system/times. The $ that would have gone to parking money (if I didn't stay at the resort) went to the car rental. We got a nice sized car for $20 a day (including taxes) for our stay. We also got to eat at some yummy off-property Mexican food for a little cheaper than Park price.<br /> To add more complication but more fun, my mom, LO and I took the Disney Magical Express in as DH had to fly in a day later and picked up the car.</p> <p>Also if you are planning to use shuttle/bus system from off-site property the times are super inconvenient in most cases. In case you are wondering, I only slightly prefer staying on site over off site for the transportation perks but the benefits of getting to book your fast passes 60 days out rather than 30 blows every other reason out of the water. I was able to book every ride I wanted at all the parks for the entire trip, not to mention the free parking, bus system, Disney hospitality, theming, and free magic bands. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-on-or-off-property#post-2663227 Thu, 08 Dec 2016 23:28:53 +0000 kpc324 2663227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the responses! What is it that makes the bus transportation tough to deal with? Any suggestions on a moderate resort with better transportation options? Or do you have to move up to deluxe resorts for that? </p>