Can I ask you a question? I am struggling to get excited to stay off property. It’s just so much less to stay off property. I like exploring resorts and watching the fireworks from afar. Do you feel like you miss out staying off property? I lost my ability to drive a few months ago, my dh doesn’t love Disney and is nervous to drive around, do you still utilize Disney transportation while driving? Just curious what you thought. We love having the kitchen and the laundry and Disney is just too much to swing. You had such a great reply, you sounded like a pro.
I used to think driving around in Orlando was no big deal easy/peasy -- On our last trip, though, and I was the only one on the rental car contract for the minivan, so got to drive all six in our party everywhere, I really didn't like the driving. Maybe it's that I'm getting older (in my 60s now), maybe it's that I work from home full time (don't deal as much with rush hour traffic), and maybe it's that this trip was a super busy time spring break. It does, though, feel like there are more crazy drivers on the road.
I sure did though love our offsite condo and resort and we did some resort days, didn't go to the parks every day.
Uber does work really well in Orlando if you are comfortable using the app. I think it's a really good option. The one downside for with uber though is I usually make fewer grocery store trips than I do when I have a rental car -- usually just do one trip and then pick up higher priced stuff at the condo convenience store (just not worth the cost to pick up a few items when you have uber costs).
My last trip too was the first time offsite visitors don't get rope drop at WDW, I really missed that as in the past I'd always do non extra magic hour days and be one of the first people in the parks and ahead of the crowd. Last time all those onsite guests (who were paying for the privilege for sure) got in a 1/2 hour early.
I guess bottom line, I'd prefer not to drive and to have rope drop. But I love the great offsite condos and great prices and think Disney hotel prices are ridiculous (my bean counter personality is unwilling to pay those prices). Also renting DVC costs (Disney onsite condos) when I did the math was triple the cost of a fantastic offsite place (And that's for the less expensive Disney onsite condos -- There is absolutely no way I'd spend that money -- my bean counter personality again). Also, I'm never really happy onsite as I feel trapped into paying Disney prices for food and such and want to escape from the Mouse (This was the case for me when DH has had conventions at Disney hotels.)
I think there are compromises both ways. I'm am offsite girl though. Overall that works better for me. I would seriously in your shoes consider offsite and using uber (work really really well in Orlando).
You can still visit the Disney resorts as an offsite visitor too and use the monorail etc., watch fireworks from the beach. We often have devoted a non park day to doing that when we've been offsite.
so we will see what happens when we get there. Thanks again!
