off property vs. on property?

[kimbo0569]

I've been to the World numerous times over the years and have stayed both on and offsite (more on that off). It may be cheaper doing offsite but we like the convenience of staying on site. The thought of having to rent a car, drag bags around here and there and drive back and forth to the parks at the end of the day, totally exhausted just doesn't seem like a vacation to me. But that's my personal opinion...

The last time we went (Sept 08) - it was me and dh and my two girls -then ages 3 and 6 1/2. We used Magical Express to and from the airport - didn't have to worry about grabbing the luggage when we got off the plane, went right on the bus and to the hotel. Love using Disney transportation to and from the parks every day.

We are on a budget but we also need things that are convenient and we like staying in the moderate resorts. So if that means we don't go as often to Disney, then we don't but then we enjoy ourselves that much more when we do go because we pay for what we want and we are doing our vacation the way we want.

 

[jodifla]

This is why we bought DVC! 1 and 2 bedroms with kitchens and laundry, and all the on-site amenities!

We also bought almost 14 years ago, when the price was a fraction of what it is now.

To the OP, both things are workable, and there are tradeoffs to deal with. We spent many years staying often offsite before we bought DVC.

 

[maxiesmom]

I have done multiple trips on and off site, and I prefer staying on site.

We usually fly in, so by the time we rent a car that eats up most of the savings of staying off site. Plus, I like the feeling of being take of you get when you stayon Disney property the whole time. They scoop us up at the airport (Magical Express) handle the luggage for us, so I don't have to worry about that hassle or about driving for the rest of our stay.

If the family decides to split up, we can. With a car we are either stuck staying together or have to go to the added expense of getting a taxi. And I much prefer getting into a nice airconditiond bus instead of a hot car at the end of the day.

Don't get me wrong, I have had some great stays off-site. We have stayed at the Staybridge Suites LBV 3 times. We had way more room than we had staying on-site, plus a free continental breakfast. But it did lack some of that magic that I get staying at a Disney resort.

 

[DisneyDazed]

I used to be very opposed to staying offsite until I actually did so! The parking is not bad at all and really seems more overwhelming than it is. Last time we went we stayed at.... I think Bonnet Creek.. its not a Disney Property but it is ON disneys grounds. So you have the best of both worlds. Cheaper, more room yet close and convienant. You could even see the fireworks! You have to ask yourself what works best for you. Now if I go by myself with just my child.. then I would stay onsite for the "majic" of it all.

 

[mrsklamc]

If renting a car eats up your savings from staying off site you are paying WAY too much for a rental car.

 

[loveysbydesign]

If renting a car eats up your savings from staying off site you are paying WAY too much for a rental car.

I totally agree!

 

[Darcy03231]

If renting a car eats up your savings from staying off site you are paying WAY too much for a rental car.

Or you're paying way too much for off-site accomodations.

 

[maxiesmom]

If renting a car eats up your savings from staying off site you are paying WAY too much for a rental car.

We have to rent a van, as we normally have either 6 or 8 people, depending on who all goes.

I have even looked for over Spring Break next year, and cannot find a rental car for 5 for under $300 for 5 nights. While I can find some great places that will sleep 5 for not too much money, by the time we pay for a rental we may as well stay at POR.

 

[pantherlj]

We loved Windsor Hills for many reasons already posted. Food in the fridge, separate rooms for the girls, just plain space!

10 yr old got sick and was asleep by 7 pm 2 nights - everyone else was able to hang out, watch TV, talk, etc.

Free WiFi makes up for any parking fees.
Oh, I always had a cooler with cold drinks in it in the car - that was nice to hit after a day in the parks for the (short) ride home.

We didn't use the community pool much but used the splash pool just about every day. Even on our water park days!

I will say when the girls were 4/7 it was nice to be Disney 24/7 but even then, the 4 yr old got sick in the middle of the night so it was a challenge.

More than one bathroom is REALLY nice too.

 

[loveysbydesign]

We have to rent a van, as we normally have either 6 or 8 people, depending on who all goes.

I have even looked for over Spring Break next year, and cannot find a rental car for 5 for under $300 for 5 nights. While I can find some great places that will sleep 5 for not too much money, by the time we pay for a rental we may as well stay at POR.

We have 5 and we always rent a full size car or mid-size SUV for under $200 for 7-10 days...but that's not during spring break!

 

[minnie10]

We are currently at Disney and staying at Bonnet Creek. While the extra room is awesome (as is the resort), the magic of staying onsite at Pop Century which is one of our favorites, is missing. Even dd 15 and dd11 has asked that when we come back on a real disney trip that we stay back at Pop. We are here for a week but only going to the magic kingdom for one day. We went to sea world one day and downtown disney one day.This was just a fun last minute trip finding a place to go where the weather was warmer. We have been many times but did not plan this as a big disney trip as we are trying to make it as ecomomical as possible. If you are doing the parks almost every day of your trip, my vote is a value resort.

 

[DawnM]

We love staying off-site. It is far cheaper and we get a 2 bedroom with more than one TV (some nights I just want to relax to a grown up show but then my kids are a jumping around mess because they are bored), and we have kitchen, laundry, etc....

We also have a family of 5, so staying on-site is limited.

I don't even like staying in hotel rooms anymore.....so cramped.

Dawn

 

[howlongtildisney]

My mother and I stayed offsite in August 2008. It was our first time offsite (except two trips I made with my marching band during high school). We were pleasantly surprised. We stayed at the Hampton Inn, and loved the included breakfast every morning. Driving the 5 minutes to the property every day was no big deal.

That being said, I'm at the World right now. Stayed offsite the night before our reservation started at OKW and the traffic was a nightmare. I'd never stay offsite during Christmas.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

For those of you with larger families--consider renting two compact vehicles. We did this last time--it was cheaper than a minivan or SUV. It also got us both a car seat and booster seat (we needed both), and allowed us to split up--one parent stayed at the park with the older kids,while the other handled break time.

Of course, we had free parking and the AAA parking passes, so parking costs and location weren't issues. But, it's still worth considering for larger families.

 

[dyna]

On or offsite we always drive or in good weather ride the harley down....with AP parking is free at the parks even if staying offsite.

We are 2 adults no longer travel with the kids an still can not imagine being crammed intoi a hotel room for a week....even for showers an dressing we'd just befalling over each other.

 

[MrsPete]

I've done both and have enjoyed both . . . but your choice makes for a very different trip. With two children, we "fit nicely" into a hotel room, and spreading-out space is not an issue. My experience:

Onsite: You'll hit the parks more, you'll do more, you'll see more . . . you'll always be on the go. Transportation is so much easier onsite. We tend to eat in really cool, unique-to-Disney restaurants, which we enjoy. We tend to spend more money onsite. I'd suggest this option for people with small children (because of the easy transportation and the possibility of mid-day returns to the hotel). I'd also suggest this option for familes with older teens who want the teens to have some freedom (again, because of the transportation).

Offsite: You'll relax more, enjoy more family time, and will be less park-focused. You'll have the option to cook meals together. You'll have more romantic time with your spouse. More than once off-site we've said, "Oh, we were going to go back to the Magic Kingdom tonight to see fireworks, but we just don't want to do it." We go home better rested, but having seen less. This would be a good option for families with infants who need the space, and it'd be a good option for families who want to see the Disney parks but who don't want Disney to be the be-all-end-all of the trip.

As I said, I've enjoyed both types of trips, but they're not the same.

 

[G's mommy]

I've done both and have enjoyed both . . . but your choice makes for a very different trip. With two children, we "fit nicely" into a hotel room, and spreading-out space is not an issue. My experience:

Onsite: You'll hit the parks more, you'll do more, you'll see more . . . you'll always be on the go. Transportation is so much easier onsite. We tend to eat in really cool, unique-to-Disney restaurants, which we enjoy. We tend to spend more money onsite. I'd suggest this option for people with small children (because of the easy transportation and the possibility of mid-day returns to the hotel). I'd also suggest this option for familes with older teens who want the teens to have some freedom (again, because of the transportation).

Offsite: You'll relax more, enjoy more family time, and will be less park-focused. You'll have the option to cook meals together. You'll have more romantic time with your spouse. More than once off-site we've said, "Oh, we were going to go back to the Magic Kingdom tonight to see fireworks, but we just don't want to do it." We go home better rested, but having seen less. This would be a good option for families with infants who need the space, and it'd be a good option for families who want to see the Disney parks but who don't want Disney to be the be-all-end-all of the trip.

As I said, I've enjoyed both types of trips, but they're not the same.

This about sums it all up! I think you have to really consider what type of vacation you want and go from there. We've stayed off-site a couple of times due to using reward points or such and while we did have a good time, we still much prefer to stay on-site.

 

[mmilner4]

Have done both and every trip I am torn. I love staying in the "magic" but HATE almost all Disney food. If we stay onsite the rooms are small no matter what price you pay but the atmosphere is always Disney. If we stay offsite, we get a decent sized room for a lot less money and we eat at restaurants that have much better food. Sometimes if we are staying for more than 10 days, we do both!

 

[AllesonWonderland]

We stayed at Windsor Hills for our first trip to Disney. The kids were 6 and 9, and I don't feel like we missed any 'magic.' They had themed rooms, we were at the parks every day at rope drop and saw/did everything we planned. (during spring break even.) We saved a TON o'money. It doesn't bother me to have to cook meals or make beds on our vacation. This year we're going back with a larger group. We're getting a 6br house instead of the 3 bedroom townhouse and we can't wait! We'll rent 2 smaller cars so no one has to get up early if they don't want to or leave before they are ready. With the 4/3 deals going on I got scared that we would be spending more to stay offsite, but I ran the numbers and we'll still be saving money. (And have so much more room!!) Maybe someday we'll stay onsite...once the kids are older it won't be a huge deal cramming into one room. Though DD will NOT share a bed with her brother, so for hotel stays we usually end up with a boy bed and a girl bed. LOL But for now, we are extremely happy with Windsor Hills. Good luck with your decision!

 

[EvanMaddieMouse]

We stayed offsite the very first time we went, before we knew anything where to stay and all that. We were at the Holiday Inn Nikki Bird which ended up being a tiny little dirty disaster of a room (apparently, Holiday Inn revoked their name from the hotel!) So we've always ever only stayed at Pop since then.

I have a stupid question, being that I've never stayed at a condo/house: Are all cooking and dining equipment in the house? Are there plates, pots, pans, glasses, utensils, potato peeler? It might work out better for us next time we go to stay off site if the onsite prices keep rising, and I never never get a pin code.

Although I do truly love the convenience of the dining plan!