On site vs off site for WDW About This Page:

[SharonK0527]

I totally agree with Diane. We have stayed onsite several times now but the last two trips have been offsite in timeshares. Now that we are timeshare owners in Orlando, we will probably always be staying offsite, except for short getaways to see the Mouse - then we will probably stay on-site.

Personally, we don't feel that we are missing anything by staying offsite. We like the freedom of coming and going as we please so we always rent a car - DH doesn't like taking the Disney busses. With our Annual Passes we get free parking which is a nice perk. We definitely get more for our money staying offsite as far as the room goes. Our timeshare is a 3BR house with our own private pool & hot tub in the backyard, full kitchen, living room, dining room, etc. With the annual maintenance fees we pay on the unit, it comes to less than $100 a night for a 7 night stay.

We don't use package delivery and we usually don't charge things to our hotel room so the only perk we are missing is EMH, but for the gorgeous unit we are staying in, I'll trade a few hours out at the parks.

Don't get me wrong, I love Disney hotels and I love staying on property, but like Diane said please don't feel that your trip will be ruined or somehow not as magical just because you are staying offsite.

[NJMama]

Free parking at the parks...And, my son's favorite - wake up calls from Mickey!!

[KathyL]

The first time my DH and I went to WDW together, we stayed off-site in a Downtown Disney Hotel. We loved being able to walk to Downtown Disney. We found the DTD hotel busses to be fine. We had actually rented a car, but ended up returning it as we didn't really need or use it.

My DH and I enjoy Disney. However, when we are at WDW, we never plan on seeing or doing it all. We are early risers and do try to get into the parks at opening. However, we are happy leaving the parks at around 1:00 and going back to the hotel to hang by the pool or just read a book. We may or may not return back to the parks early evening. Perhaps this is why DTD worked for us. It is a vacation, and we want to return home rested and relaxed.

Whatever you decide to do, have a great trip.

KathyL [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[KandJluvdisney]

we have done both and we will never stay off property again - even just walking into the lobby of whaever reosrt we are in is worth all of the saving from staying off property. One of the reasons that I do not like staying off property is becuase we are at the mercy of the transportation. In 2003, we had to miss fantasmic because the bus would not be making a late pickup.

[Smiley]

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we have done both and we will never stay off property again - even just walking into the lobby of whaever reosrt we are in is worth all of the saving from staying off property. One of the reasons that I do not like staying off property is becuase we are at the mercy of the transportation. In 2003, we had to miss fantasmic because the bus would not be making a late pickup.

[/ QUOTE ]

We actually missed Fantasmic on our last trip on property due to the transportation... [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

I never got another chance to see it and cannot wait to see it this time... I was soooo hoping that we would have a chance to go back while it was still there!

[AbbysMom]

One perk that I love having a small child and another on the way is being able to return to the hotel at anytime and not everyone from our party has too. Renting through disney for villas can be very expensive but you can always rent points from a DVC member and this works out very cheap. We will be staying in a 2 bedroom and studio unit next year for $2700.00. I only have to pay $685 of that and will have my own bedroom and bathroom. Another perk isthe dining plan. It really is a good deal if you want to do character meals.

Erica

[yalibrarian]

We have done it both ways and definitely prefer staying on site. Of course, my son loves eating every meal out--he wants to do that at home, too! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] We are only paying $64 a night with AAA on our upcoming stay, so with the advantage of the WDW transportation and free parking if we drive to the parks, we don't really feel the need to search elsewhere. We did stay at the Radisson Resort Parkway on one visit and can recommend that to those looking for an off-site hotel at a reasonable price.

If you want a large accomodation with the ability to cook and don't care for Ft. Wilderness cabins and the Disney price, then staying off property can work too. I have seen many good deals on family-style places in the tourist flyers we pick up at the Florida Welcome Center. But if you just need a room for up to four people, you can't beat the Value Resorts, especially in value season.

Sandra in Northern VA
AS Music 11/27 - 12/5 and MVMCP 12/1

[lablady]

Another vote for staying off site! We've always rented a villa and we absolutely love it! One night in a hotel room with a baby was enough to convince me that I wouldn't want to do that for a whole vacation. Now we have a room for the girls to go to sleep in, while we watch tv, have a drink by the pool, or enjoy the hot tub! All for about $130 a night.

We'll never spend the $$ for one room again!

Here are the pix of the home we're renting in May! web page
(We're staying in the Liberty Bell.)

[mickey0823]

I used to go to WDW every year with my friend, and we would stay off-property to save money. At the time we thought that was the best way to go. Now, whenever my family and I go we stay on-property. It's soooo much more convient! You don't have to worry about driving anywhere, which is a huge plus. First of all it's expensive to park, then when you leave, (especially if you stay for the fireworks), you have to fight the traffic to get out. Also, if you stay for the fireworks at MK, then you have to wait in a long line for the monorail just to get to the parking lot! Also, like you mentioned, the extra-magic-hours are great, especially if you are going at a busy time of the year! We found the EMH to come in handy for the MK! There are so many benefits to staying on property I could go on and on! I would check into staying at a value resort if money is the concern! Well, good luck! -Jenn-

[bosswife]

The only reason we go to Orlando is to go to WDW so we stay on site. We have stayed off site approx. 4-5 times as some trips were business related and we didn't like it at all. In 1995 we became DVC members. One trip there with family that was offsite cost us $5000, after going to the DVC presentation we figured that buying into the Vacation Club we could have many many many years of Disney Magic ONSITE. Our daughter is currently interning there from Aug to Jan and we've been 3 times! We'll be back again at Christmas all using DVC points! From Orlando Int'l to OKW, let the good people at Disney take care of us and we just have fun! There's no magic at a Comfort Inn, no matter what anyone says.

[Joanne929]

You will have a good time regardless of where you stay! I've stayed on International Drive (probably wouldn't do that again), at the Grosvenor (DTD - would stay in one of the DTD hotels again), and on-site (POR-AB and the Villas, but that wasn't what they were called in 1994).

Anyways, I personally would prefer to stay on-site whenever possible from now on, but wouldn't hesitate to stay off-site if I was getting a good deal with nice accommodations.

[nonnyd]

I'm about to plan a reunion for my extended family. They all love Disney. But half love off-site and half love on-site. Stay tuned...

I vote for onsite because of the easy ability to split up. If my husband wants to take our son back to the hotel for a nap, or if *he* wants to go for a nap or pool time, while I want to shop, he can get on the bus. No negotiations about who will meet who with the car, etc.

Offsite, though, there are some amazing homes with private pools and separate bedrooms for the parents and kids. Those are tempting arguments to me, but...

I make 21 meals for a family a week. If we have a kitchen, there is the risk that somehow I'll end up fixing meals on my *vacation*. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

[Joy J]

My first two trips to WDW were spent in off-site hotels but once I experienced the wonders of staying on-site, I could never go back to off-site again. Along with the perks others have already mentioned, I love being able to charge everything I do in the parks to my room card, thereby enabling me not to carry any cash or credit cards into the parks. I also adore the free package delivery service to my resort. It's so great to be able to shop away on any given day and not have to worry about hauling my purchases around with me. In my opinion, you really can't beat staying on-site!

Joy

[stretch2864]

The biggest thing for me is the magic of being surrounded by Disney 24/7. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Two years ago we stayed at a wonderful condo over New Year's because it was the most economical way we could find to get down to WDW over the holidays. And while we loved it and definitely would recommend it, we really did miss staying on WDW property! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img]

The other disadvantage of staying off-site is all the driving back and forth to get to WDW. Even though our condo was only three miles from the entrance to WDW, with the holiday crowds it usually took us 45 minutes to get there. Try doing that several times a day! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] We still rent a car when we stay onsite, but we can zip back and forth across property within a matter of minutes.

We are going back in March and even though it is spring break and peak season, we are going to be staying onsite. The Disney magic is just too strong to resist! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Becky2005]

I'm just going to add, we went this summer for our first time as a family. We have a larger family so it did cost us but even my DH who is in no way/shape or form a Disney person (I just call him Grumpy! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] ) has said that if we go again, it would be on-site. The just hopping on a bus whenever and getting to whatever place we wanted to be at was enough for him.

After getting ourselves TO Disney and having a hard enough time driving there, the thoughts of driving when it's dark and I'm unfamiliar with the area for late nights would not thrill me. I would have gotten lost a LOT there (we missed a turn leaving even!)

We were able to split up easily and not have to stress about it (I had some tours planned with the older kids and DH stayed in the hotel room with the baby since he was too little, etc...).

Just my opinion though. I know each has it's advantages and it all depends on your family make-up. For us, after going this year and staying on-site, going off-site isn't even in the equation next time.