[jk8]

Originally Posted by alicefan

Bella, that is a great idea! Actually, maybe we can extend our stay and add on 2 or 3 nights onsite at a deluxe!

That sounds like an awesome idea!!

[Goodegirl2007]

I think Bella's idea is great...
My Mom has a time share at Orange Lake, and I grew up going there. It's really nice - and my sister says the new lazy river is really nice there!

If you have the WDW rooms for part of the vacation, then you will feel like your not missing out on the EMH's. Can't wait to hear what you decide on.

[alicefan]

Originally Posted by nitaworm

I have stayed at Orange Lake and its a beautiful resort with lots to do. I have stayed onsite and off, and truth be told I try to get 2 days onsite then use my TS if possible.

However, when I stayed at Orange Lake I didn't leave the resort for 3 days and I was not at all bored.

They have great pools, tons of entertainment, the onsite beach was a hit with me and the kids, they had live bands, putt putt, and Houlihans (a great restaurant) walking distance (if your in West Village). They have restaurants and starbucks onsite and much much more. It was a pleasant surprise.

So if it was me, I would stay at the TS most of my trip and do a 2 day stay onsite. If a 2 day trip onsite is not possible, I'd go with the cheaper option and fill up the non park days with a Disney resort restaurant meal.

It's great to hear from someone who loves Disney and has stayed there. I am sure that both my husband and son will love it because of all there is to do there. Thanks!

[alicefan]

Originally Posted by jk8

That sounds like an awesome idea!!

I'm thinking I might want to do the Contemporary for a couple of days!

[Jennatrz]

We have done both. It is really nice to stay on-site. However..... it is great to save the extra dollars for your next trip. Since you'll be saving so much on the accomodations it means you'll be able to plan another trip much sooner. I really never mind staying off site. As far as EMH.....it great but you also have to look at what parks are having EMH. Will it be worth it on this trip? If you have a free place to stay I say go for it. You will have much more to spend on meals, Souvenirs....etc etc. Good luck to you. Where ever you stay it will be fabulous!

[alicefan]

Originally Posted by Jennatrz

We have done both. It is really nice to stay on-site. However..... it is great to save the extra dollars for your next trip. Since you'll be saving so much on the accomodations it means you'll be able to plan another trip much sooner. I really never mind staying off site. As far as EMH.....it great but you also have to look at what parks are having EMH. Will it be worth it on this trip? If you have a free place to stay I say go for it. You will have much more to spend on meals, Souvenirs....etc etc. Good luck to you. Where ever you stay it will be fabulous!

It will definately give us the freedom to splurge a little on other things!

Hey - one of my best friends lives in Cape Coral and we were there about 2 years ago.

[BDavis932]

What a great opportunity to get a free week! If you end up just taking the TS week, you could use those evenings that you would normally spend in the park at DQuest, Downtown Disney, and maybe since it's October a MNSSHP. Maybe an evening doing Hoop De Doo or Trails End, hayride and then stay for the campfire and watch the parade from the beach at Ft. Wilderness. Maybe tour some of the resorts in the evening. These are all things I've personally always wanted to do, but never break away from the parks long enough to do them. This would be a great excuse to fit some non-park, yet Disney related things in to your plan and still have FREE accomidations!

[alicefan]

Originally Posted by BDavis932

What a great opportunity to get a free week! If you end up just taking the TS week, you could use those evenings that you would normally spend in the park at DQuest, Downtown Disney, and maybe since it's October a MNSSHP. Maybe an evening doing Hoop De Doo or Trails End, hayride and then stay for the campfire and watch the parade from the beach at Ft. Wilderness. Maybe tour some of the resorts in the evening. These are all things I've personally always wanted to do, but never break away from the parks long enough to do them. This would be a great excuse to fit some non-park, yet Disney related things in to your plan and still have FREE accomidations!

Thanks! Those are all great ideas and some things that have been on our list for years that we never got around to doing. I already have MNSSHP planned in there. Hoop De Doo I haven't done for years, I barely remember it, and have been wanting to go back. I have always wanted to do the BBQ and campfire at Ft. Wilderness. DTD is something we do at least one night so that gives us 4 nights filled already! Have you ever done the Luau at the Poly? I have heard mixed reviews.

[BDavis932]

We went to the Luau YEARS ago, but it's wasn't something we would pay to do again. I would MUCH rather go to O'hana then the Luau, personally.

Do they have Mickey's Backyard BBQ in October?

How many nights are do you have booked to be there?

[BDavis932]

Personally, I think FREE hotel = awesome!

Like others mentioned, I'd say give it try! Do some things in the evenings that you've always wanted to try and then you'll know for sure how you like off-site, and will have had some new experences at the same time! Who knows, because of the free hotel you may get to go twice as much if you buy AP's, you can get two trips for the price of one each year!

[alicefan]

Originally Posted by BDavis932

We went to the Luau YEARS ago, but it's wasn't something we would pay to do again. I would MUCH rather go to O'hana then the Luau, personally.

Do they have Mickey's Backyard BBQ in October?

How many nights are do you have booked to be there?

Maybe we will do O'hana late enough to watch the fireworks on the beach - which I just love! I am afraid to try the Luau (Spirit of Aloha) because of the reviews. The have Mickeys BBQ Thursdays and Saturdays, from March - December according to AllEarsnet. We will be at Orange Lakes for 7 nights. We might add on a couple of days onsite but it depends on when my hubby has to go back to work.

[alicefan]

Originally Posted by BDavis932

Personally, I think FREE hotel = awesome!

Like others mentioned, I'd say give it try! Do some things in the evenings that you've always wanted to try and then you'll know for sure how you like off-site, and will have had some new experences at the same time! Who knows, because of the free hotel you may get to go twice as much if you buy AP's, you can get two trips for the price of one each year!

When we did have Ap's for a couple of years we would go 3 times a year and it was a little decadent considering we live in NJ.

[BDavis932]

This is what we do, too! We don't buy AP's every year, we go three times within that year. This year we'll go last week of May/first week of June, Week of Christmas, and Spring Break 2009. Then we will use our DVC points to stay other places for a year like Disney's Hilton Head Island or Keystone (want to try Tanque Verde Ranch in Arizona!) or maybe we'll do a trip to DisneyLand??? There are so many places we want to go! We make sure we make it to Disney World often, but we want to squeeze some other trips also!

O'hanas sounds great! You could also try Boma or Jiko one night and then do the night vision goggles and story telling around the fire pit at AKLodge!! You can easily fill up each night without going to the parks!

You've been gvin a great opportunity and a lot of good advise! Good Luck on your decision! Have you made your ADR's yet???

[dancing4disney]

We have always stayed off site and have enjoyed it. We like the space of renting a Villa. We don't mind the car ride as we are usually in the car and at the park gates within 30 minutes. We still feel immersed in all things Disney and don't feel like we are being cheated. We don't get to experience extra magic hours but do spend extra time at the water parks and Downtown Disney. Just make sure you get park hopper tickets and you can go from one place to another all day long. Although we have done Disney for 10 days with no park hoppers. We just added the plus option for the waterparks...etc and had more than enough to do each day.

[Jennatrz]

Originally Posted by alicefan

It will definately give us the freedom to splurge a little on other things!

Hey - one of my best friends lives in Cape Coral and we were there about 2 years ago.

That is so great. We just moved to Cape Coral in Oct 07. We love it. I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip.