100 reasons to stay onsite vs us 192..

[adams66]

77?. Toon Disney channel on TV. My kids love it.

78?. Quarter and Penny pressing machines (different designs at each resort)

79?. Guest services desk available for PS ressies.

80? Can purchase park tickets at front desk.

 

[bridgettesmom]

*80 so far...Incredible I told her that in about an hour I was going to tell her how to get into the boards so that she can get her hundred reasons....We are only 20 reasons away from the hundred...if you can think of anything else...

 

[bridgettesmom]

*80 so far...Incredible I told her that in about an hour I was going to tell her how to get into the boards so that she can get her hundred reasons....We are only 20 reasons away from the hundred...if you can think of anything else...

 

[robinb]

OK! I have more ...

81) Mickey hand soap.

82) Acrcade near the food count with non-violent games.

83) Choice of soda, coffee, tea or hot chocolate in the refillable mugs.

84) Lifeguards at the pools.

85) All WDW resorts are now gated with security guards.

 

[CarolA]

Parking just went up to $7 a day!

 

[kylara]

Remember, at the all starts you are allowed to use the pools at the sister resorts..so you really get three main pools to choose from. Besides, I know my nieces loved looking at the other resorts when they stayed there.

Also the resorts have playgrounds.

 

[DeeP]

WDW resorts are very safe, hotels on 192 in Kissimmee are not.

Not having to get into a hot car at the end of the day, just hop on an air conditioned bus.

Great resort gift shops with lots of neat Disney things.

Mickey ice cream bars for dessert at the food court.

Being able to call from your room to get park hours, parade & show times, etc.

 

[eeyore0062]

Only 92 to go!!!

Lets see if I can think of anything else....

93) great food courts
94) access to E ticket night, if offered at the time she will be there.


OK, now only 6 more to go!

 

[Tara8595]

Hmmm... just a few more that haven't been mentioned...

-Ice cream - many *fine* flavors at food courts.

-CLEAN rooms and grounds

-*working* appliances/TVs/AC... (Frequently chain hotels have things that are broken)

-Rooms at All-Stars are bright and themed

-TV lounges in lobby play Disney movies all day into the night

-Pretty landscaping/grounds, meticulously cared for, even at the All-Stars!

-Wildlife - okay - don't laugh, but last time I was at an All-Star, we had bunny rabbits in the courtyard and a Whipoorwill who called every night at dusk, and every morning right before breakfast.

-A friendly STAFF of cast members to help you and give info compared to one not-so-knowlegable front-desk guy who'd be at Days Inn.

-Early check-in and bag storage

-Late check-out and bag storage

-Quiet rooms after dark in non-pool areas

-Feeling of Disney IMMERSION! You're not at the parks, but you're still there.

 

[jgates]

Well sweetie - I think you did it! I do believe that last post must have taken you over the top!

Now please don't have her think that EVERY hotel off property is awful because that isn't the case. There are great ones. I would have no hesitation at staying at HIFSuites or the new Marriott Village. But HEXX would freeze over before I would go to that DI since I have read bad things about it for years! I won't stay at one unless their own rating is a 5 sunburst.

Regardless,

In case you need another......

Bonus: Mini-golf on Disney property. With the car they can get there easily. If they went to the one by S/Dolphin they could even walk over (or repark) to the Boardwalk and walk around there. Take a walk thru the Swan & Dolphin for some entertainment. They would love to see those huge statues on top of the buildings!

A movie one evening at DTD maybe? I imagine the AS has bus transport to DTD so you wouldn't have to fight the AWFUL vehicle traffic there.

Now you run into the problem that there is WAY to much to do in a short trip! So she better start that change jar for the next one!

 

[BCV23]

10?...movies at Fort Wilderness campground with Chip and Dale!

 

[theterms]

We stayed at AKL last year - the lifeguards had pool games for the kids (and adults, too) every afternoon!

 

[TimNDansMom]

The All Stars all have central air, so no noisy window units that never work properly anyway!

 

[Kruuzin]

10?. Package delivery on purchases to your hotel from anywhere on property. Better than lugging bags around all day!

 

[Mamu]

Thanks for the 100 reasons as to why I should stay on site.

My reason is pure and simple "24 hour Disney Magic"

No matter what on-site resort you pick, they all have that wonderful Disney Theme.

You may save money by staying off-site, but when you sit down and figure it out. Just the gas, the parking fees and the traffic plus the convince of taking an afternoon break is worth staying on site.

 

[mikesmom]

We stayed at that Days Inn several years ago, also. Tell your friend that if what they have is called a "full kitchen" then I am Mickey Mouse! We had a very small fridge, a microwave, and had to get dishes, etc from the front desk if we wanted any.

 

[susy]

--If they are renting a car and it isn't costing them anything (or much), that's great! I would use it for getting to and from the airport and making a grocery stop at Publix. Get a big styrofoam cooler there and fill it with breakfast and lunch items. Get the refillable mugs (get 1 and share) and you are set. With little ones (they don't know it yet) you CANNOT spend the whole day in the park-and leave sane . Our son is almost five and depends on that lunch/pool/nap break!!!

--The pool bar is great and the food court so convenient. We just stayed at AKL (which is just as far as the AS) and it took just a few minutes to get to each park and the bus stops are right there! We saw plenty of people standing out in the middle of the parking lots!

--$55 is a great price for the AS!!!

-- Toon Disney is on late. It helps get our son into bed at night and relax.

-- Don't know if anyoen mentioned this:

101. If your room isn't ready when you check-in, they will give you your keys and a number to call. Go to the parks (or swim) and keep calling the number. when your room is ready just go to the room- you don't have to go back to the check-in desk!

 

[mrsdash]

MIC.......SEE YOU REAL SOON.....KEY......WHY BECAUSE WE LOVE YOU.......M O U S E..................

 

[jgates]

I think when I get enough ambition (I was at work TOO early this morning!) that I will edit this down and save it so the next time someone asks, we will be ready to rock!!!!)

I don't know where most people stop at a Publix (we never made it) but there is a new one on Idrive south by the outlet mall (just a mile or so above the Marriott village). That would probably be the one I would head for. I know it was very easy driving from the Swan to that area.

 

[CdnDisneyFan]

I know what you feel about that, being so far from the parks. Last time my best friend and I were there, we stayed at the Best Western Kissimmee (wanted the All Stars, but were booked solid ta says), and when we got there late at night, it wasn't within walking distance to ANYTHING!! Believe me, we tried!! Just a sleazy gas station next door. The shuttles were great, but I would've loved to go back to the room and nap. In May (97), no swimming for me thank you very much, when I tried to put sunscreen on, just to sit by the pool, the love bugs swarmed on me!! Next visit is in November if and we will be staying onsite for sure.

Jules

Originally posted by jgates
I don't know - this I guess just bears repeating even if they have already been said!

Convenience, convenience, convenience.

Now don't get me wrong-we stayed on the FAR end of 192 in 1989 at the Travelodge Kissimmee Flags. At $20 a nite back then it was ALL we could afford and it was decent and clean. Couldn't complain. No AllStars at Disney at that time.

2000 - we stayed at Courtyard Downtown Disney. Nothing wrong with it overall - bus service could have been better. (I believe it may have improved from stuff I have heard).

2002- Swan. Need I say more? No but I will.

Think of things like these, number as you see fit:

One kid gets sick (heat will do that). If you are off-site, everyone has to go. If you are at the AS, one parent & the sick child, or the kid that spilled the chocolate milk down the front, or the child that ripped his shorts, go back to the room. If you are at Days Inn, EVERYBODY goes at which time the child who is fine is MAD and crying because they don't want to leave!!! Pretty soon Mom & Dad now have a headache!

It is easier to split up - if one half wants to do swimming at the pool and the others want to stay at park.

Did anyone mention parking fees? If they are using a car and driving in from Days Inn, the parking will be cutting that difference between those room rates to nothing.

If they are taking a shuttle to either location from airport, then they are subject to the time restrictions that the transport from Days Inn provides and I don't imagine it is the greatest. The one we had at Travelodge went 2x in a.m. and 2x in p.m. if I remember right - plus you paid for it. (I only needed one day when my mom and dad went off driving & left me and DS).

Even if rooms are smaller, I still think in the long-run for that great of a rate, they would be just plain NUTS to stay off-site.