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| Wed, 01-17-2007 - 10:03am |
Hi everyone!
I am afraid I found this message board a little late as we have already booked our flight and hotel (although I can cancel the hotel for $25)
We are planning a trip to Disney in September 2007. I found a new place that just opened in September 2006 called the Worldquest Resort. There are 6 of us (2 adults and 4 kids). I realized that Disney just does not cater to bigger families. So for us to afford going there we had to book outside the park.
But, this place is a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, full kitchen condo that is 1 mile from WDW entrance. It is $146.00 per night.
My questions are, does it really pay to stay on Disney? Is it worth the extra cost for the free transportation between parks? Is it a bad idea to drive to the parks? (Our condo is literally a 4 minute drive).
I am second guessing myself by staying off Disney grounds. Does anyone have a preference either way? Has anyone gone in September? I am taking my 4 kids out of school to go on this trip too which I think is fine but my husband is a bit worried. Has anyone taken their grade schoolers our of school??
Sorry for the bombardment of questions!

I am one of the exceptions on this board.
I have mostly stayed off site. With one trip staying on site.
I LOVED staying onsite. We stayed at the contemporary and had dining plan. But, having a 2 bedroom villa with full kitchen and washer dryer can't be beat. Our drive to WDW is a little longer, but still we can be parked within 15-20 minutes after departure. I love being able to go to the store or eat at a cheaper place than at the parks. We are going in November and staying at our time share again (first time was in 2004, this will be our second stay). I am planning on eating 3 table service meals at Disney during our trip so we still feel like we are "at" Disney.
M'Shel was right about the time factor to the parks. They say "___to WDW", but that is to the entrance of the 47 mile area, not the park. So tack on 10 minutes +.
In past years Disney has offered a Free Dining promotion from August to the end of September. Speculation is that is won't be offered this year. BUT if it is that might be something you would want to check into. At all star music they have family suites that might cost you the same as what you are paying off site...and then if they offered the free dining (only available if you book a package through Disney) that would be a plus for your family. So maybe hold out for a bit. If I remember correctly the free dining offer showed around April.
As for taking the kids out of school in September. We went in September 2006 - the last week. I figured it was before they really got into anything major at school. No testing yet. My kids are still young 8, 5 & 1, so what do they miss in Kindgergarten? Nothing. What do they miss 2nd grade? A bit more. But my DS has no problems making work up and didn't have problems missing. Our next trip will be over Thanksgiving, missing 5 days of school. This will be the last year they will miss for a vacation. Unless they offer free dining again. LOL!
Sarah