^^Melissa! We just booked our trip for September, also!
Wait, was that weird? I swear I'm not a stalker or anything...just super excited.
Anyway, we are annual Disney visitors and we always stay on-site; however, this year, we decided to cut costs considerably by doing a villa off-site with SPG points rather than pay through the nose again for a Deluxe Villa on Disney property. (And, to our complete shock, paying cash turned out to be a heckuva better deal than using points!)
This thread has been so super helpful and it's put my mind at ease about staying offsite, especially knowing that the distance isn't too far and it's fairly central to Sea World and Universal.
Now, what I'd really like to know is how some of you were able to request rooms. We booked our 2 brm suite through Starwood, so should I call the hotel directly and request this now? And what rooms do you recommend for a fun view of that adorable pirate-themed pool/close proximity to it? My kids would be in 7th heaven...
SVV has Diamond Lane checkin; fill out the form at:
https://www.mystarcentral.com/services/diamond.jsp?propertyId=15
and in the comments request a view of the pirate pool if possible. Not sure how much latitude SVV has around switching up sections, but it's always worth asking
Lastly, I'm sort of up in the air about driving vs. shuttle vs. cab. I know from experience that on-park Disney transportation can take awhile and several times we've used cabs to get from a hotel to a park or vice-versa (especially during inclement weather or when running behind for dining reservations). Here are my specific questions:
1. Is there a cab service you recommend? How responsive are they?
Can't help here; never taken a cab in Orlando, we always drive. Ask the question over on the transportation board and I'll bet you get lots of god advice on cabs.
2. I have an annual pass that makes parking free; however, I'd like to know how much of a pain it is to find your car/get out of the parks. I've seen the parking lot trolleys, but we've always flown in and never needed to use them.
Well if you have free parking that makes the decision a no brainer! Drive - it offers incredible convenience and the parks are really easy to get to from the resort.
My best tip for finding the car? First picture we take each park visit is the row and section indicator at the end of the line near the trolleys. At the end of the day, grab your camera/phone and look at the picture.
My second best tip for parking at Disney? If you have a GM vehicle with autostart and OnStar, get the phone app. (other brands might have this too, I only know my Chevy) I can start my car while boarding the trolley so the A/C has it nice and cool by the time we get there.
3. How is the hotel shuttle?
In a word, "horrible", I've never heard from anyone who really liked using them
Do you have to call and request it or does it have a set schedule?
It runs a set schedule, if I recall right 3 trips to the park per day and 3 back at set times. The stop locations at the park are a pain, and you probably won't be ready to go at the shuttle times. If using, you should call the transportation to reserve a spot on the shuttle in advance.
4. Do they run a shuttle to Sea World and/or Universal? If so, your thoughts?
Yes, they run shuttles to the other parks, but there is a charge. For "hotel" guests the shuttles to Disney are I believe free (assumes they run it same as at SVR) so that the resort can qualify as a "Good Neighbor". Timeshare guests pay a fee for all shuttles.
If you made it this far, God bless you!