Staying onsite with mealplan vs staying offsite - The DIS Discussion Forums

fam6 · 01-20-2013, 12:11 PM

My family of 6 is going to Disneyworld in Nov. We are in the process of planning our trip. We are torn on what is best. We have 2 small girls ( which can share a bed) and 2 older kids boy and girl (which will need their own bed) We found a really roomy place just a few minutes from Disney. But would it be better if we stayed at a resort onsite and got the mealplan? We are also wanting a character meal. Does anyone have any input on what our best route would be? What would save us the most money?

aaarcher86 · 01-20-2013, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fam6

My family of 6 is going to Disneyworld in Nov. We are in the process of planning our trip. We are torn on what is best. We have 2 small girls ( which can share a bed) and 2 older kids boy and girl (which will need their own bed) We found a really roomy place just a few minutes from Disney. But would it be better if we stayed at a resort onsite and got the mealplan? We are also wanting a character meal. Does anyone have any input on what our best route would be? What would save us the most money?

There's no general answer for this. You'll need to head to allears.net and take a look at the menus/costs of places you want to eat and compare it to the dining plan.

You'll also have to compare the cost of onsite versus offsite. Remember to add $15 parking/day if you're driving and staying offsite.

There are so many different costs lumped into offsite versus onsite - not just the DP. You'll have to take them all into consideration. Even people staying onsite don't always save with the DP.

cmoran81 · 01-20-2013, 12:39 PM

We were also looking into Bonnet Creek (roomier digs) as opposed to staying in a Disney resort this year, but after adding up tickets, parking and food it didn't make sense for us, especially that we will likely be going during the current Spring Special. We will be taking the Regular dining plan, as when we went last year we did Deluxe and felt obligated to make at least one sit down meal (if not 2) a day to offset the cost of the meal plan. Like the PP said, try to crunch your numbers for both scenarios and compare. Good luck!

julie4423 · 01-20-2013, 12:55 PM

I have a family of 6. The cheapest way to stay is without a doubt offsite. The only thing that could possibly change this is FD. It will mean that you have to get 2 rooms, or a high priced cabin. It also depends on if the older kids are "disney adults". So many variables invloved.

BuzznBelle'smom · 01-20-2013, 02:11 PM

We have a family of 6, too, and my gang prefers offsite. You can save so much money, not only on accomodations, but meals, as well. We rent a 4BR/4BA house--not the cheapest option, but we like the space and the private pool, as well as the closeness of Windsor Hills.

We're only staying onsite this next trip because it's a different style of trip--it's a gift to my younger two children from their grandmother. So, we're leaving Dad home with the teens, and staying at the Poly for a week.

You need to determine just what kind of vacation you want, and what your families priorities are. I don't mind cooking a few simple meals on vacation--some people don't want to touch a dish, and I respect that. I also have 4 kids over an 11-year span, so I work hard to include special vacation items for each child when I plan. Kids closer in age might not need quite so much diversity. I also find that, for my crew, being stuck in one or even two hotel rooms for more than a couple of nights drives us batty--everyone is on edge. So, space is important to us. A commando family that is only in the room to sleep might be fine in 2 hotel rooms or a WDW suite.

6disneykids · 01-21-2013, 08:02 AM

I have 6 kids, so we don't fit into a standard hotel room at all. Have you looked into what the cost would be to rent DVC points for a 2 bedroom villa?
While not as large as a house, you would get the advantages of staying on property, without sacrificing a lot of space. My kids really like Old Key West & Saratoga Springs, and are a little sad that we will be staying at Beach Club Villas this March (even with the cool pool). DVC members can also add the DDP with out park tickets, so renting and having the member add it and adding that to the rental price.
Good luck with your decision.

01-20-2013, 12:11 PM	#1
fam6 Earning My Ears Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 1	Staying onsite with mealplan vs staying offsite My family of 6 is going to Disneyworld in Nov. We are in the process of planning our trip. We are torn on what is best. We have 2 small girls ( which can share a bed) and 2 older kids boy and girl (which will need their own bed) We found a really roomy place just a few minutes from Disney. But would it be better if we stayed at a resort onsite and got the mealplan? We are also wanting a character meal. Does anyone have any input on what our best route would be? What would save us the most money?

01-20-2013, 12:39 PM	#3
cmoran81 Earning My Ears Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 31	We were also looking into Bonnet Creek (roomier digs) as opposed to staying in a Disney resort this year, but after adding up tickets, parking and food it didn't make sense for us, especially that we will likely be going during the current Spring Special. We will be taking the Regular dining plan, as when we went last year we did Deluxe and felt obligated to make at least one sit down meal (if not 2) a day to offset the cost of the meal plan. Like the PP said, try to crunch your numbers for both scenarios and compare. Good luck! __________________

01-20-2013, 02:11 PM	#5
BuzznBelle'smom There are tomato-ey paw prints all around the stove I've never had it burn, and I do this regularly Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NH Posts: 3,758	We have a family of 6, too, and my gang prefers offsite. You can save so much money, not only on accomodations, but meals, as well. We rent a 4BR/4BA house--not the cheapest option, but we like the space and the private pool, as well as the closeness of Windsor Hills. We're only staying onsite this next trip because it's a different style of trip--it's a gift to my younger two children from their grandmother. So, we're leaving Dad home with the teens, and staying at the Poly for a week. You need to determine just what kind of vacation you want, and what your families priorities are. I don't mind cooking a few simple meals on vacation--some people don't want to touch a dish, and I respect that. I also have 4 kids over an 11-year span, so I work hard to include special vacation items for each child when I plan. Kids closer in age might not need quite so much diversity. I also find that, for my crew, being stuck in one or even two hotel rooms for more than a couple of nights drives us batty--everyone is on edge. So, space is important to us. A commando family that is only in the room to sleep might be fine in 2 hotel rooms or a WDW suite. __________________

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01-20-2013, 12:55 PM	#4
julie4423 Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 260	I have a family of 6. The cheapest way to stay is without a doubt offsite. The only thing that could possibly change this is FD. It will mean that you have to get 2 rooms, or a high priced cabin. It also depends on if the older kids are "disney adults". So many variables invloved.

01-21-2013, 08:02 AM	#6
6disneykids Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 243	I have 6 kids, so we don't fit into a standard hotel room at all. Have you looked into what the cost would be to rent DVC points for a 2 bedroom villa? While not as large as a house, you would get the advantages of staying on property, without sacrificing a lot of space. My kids really like Old Key West & Saratoga Springs, and are a little sad that we will be staying at Beach Club Villas this March (even with the cool pool). DVC members can also add the DDP with out park tickets, so renting and having the member add it and adding that to the rental price. Good luck with your decision.