Advantages of Value Resorts over Offsite Properties?

[KimWDW]

For us, staying on-site saves us tons of cash because we don't need to rent a car. We use Magical Express from the airport and Disney transportation all week long for free. It's great! Of course, you'll be driving so it's different for you. But our top reason to stay on-site is that we don't need to rent a car and it saves us money.

 

[mericletwins]

If you don't have a second room, what do you do wih the kid(s) while they are sleeping before your bedtime? I dread the thought of having to lie quietly in a dark room at 8pm (or even 10pm for that matter) so she can sleep.

If it is 10pm, chances are we are all tired from the day and everyone is ready to go to bed. When our kids went to bed much earlier and we wanted that adult beverage, we would sit on the balcony or outside the door (depending on which resort we were in. Our kids were alos good sleepers once they went to sleep, so we could watch TV at a low level and move about the room once they fell asleep. If not, I would have no problem sitting outside the room.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Yep that's me. Even if there is a big price difference I can't justify the time wasted driving to the parks, the money spent parking, not being able to run back to the room if we want a break or forget something, having to carry around anything we buy, and carry cash? Add in EMH, and the feel of being on Disney property w/ all that magic all the time, there is NO WAY I could go anywhere else!

I almost had to stay, dare I say off-site in June, but I kept calling until I got a room on property. We were only staying for 2 nights, but I was determined to stay on-site, didn't want to miss out on EMH. We drive (too chicken to fly) and after a 6 hour drive DH is ready to lock up the car and ride a nice cool bus.

I really would rather stay at WDW for 3 days then off-site for 5, because I really fee like I am on vacation when I am at WDW and I can slow down and enjoy my surroundings. I have a very stressful life and I look forward to that long car trip because I know that I am going to my second home. WDW is the only destination that I am willing to ride in a car that long for. I won't even take a road trip to see my in-laws in Arizona and California, DH has to settle for talking to them on the phone

 

[Disney Brat]

this is the bind that we are in....We can stay off site or on site at a Value resort, unless we get a code (fingers crossed). Now the off site hotel does have free scheduled transportation that is actually on a fairly frequent schedule to the parks, and other Orlando attractions. The room would have a fridge and microwave, we would also get a comp breakfast too...

so I am really stuck on wheter or not to bother with staying on site. On site would primarily be so we can be totally immersed in Disney. I am really caught in the plusses and minuses of each situation.

Any suggestions would be super appreciated!!

Tiff

 

[fakereadhed]

Values+discount code=same or cheaper than offsite
(Not including family suites as they are more expensive)
$79.88 incl tax for my next trip

Plus there's no surprises as far as cleanliness, customer service, etc. There is nothing worse than to arrive at a discount hotel and find that they've changed ownership, need updating, air conditioner has been off, use your imagination. There are far worse places to stay for the same amount of money.

 

[SondraD11]

I've stayed both on-site and off-site. For my family (all adults), the best choice is staying on-site at a value. The reason is that we can use the Disney transportation. If we stayed off-site, it would be difficult to split up and if someone needed to go back to the room, the rental car driver would have to stop what they are doing to do the shuttle back and forth.

I realize that some off-site hotels provide shuttles but it seems to me that they aren't as frequent or run as late as the Disney transportation. Just my two cents.

Sondra

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

this is the bind that we are in....We can stay off site or on site at a Value resort, unless we get a code (fingers crossed). Now the off site hotel does have free scheduled transportation that is actually on a fairly frequent schedule to the parks, and other Orlando attractions. The room would have a fridge and microwave, we would also get a comp breakfast too...

so I am really stuck on wheter or not to bother with staying on site. On site would primarily be so we can be totally immersed in Disney. I am really caught in the plusses and minuses of each situation.

Any suggestions would be super appreciated!!

Tiff

We have never stayed off-site, but I would never consider it again. There are some nice looking hotels close by, but nothing compares to being on-site. You really are emersed in the magic, it is like a whole other world all to itself. We do go over to the outlets that are close by usually on our arrival day, but then we don't leave property until we head home. It is really nice to walk back into your resort and see a CM that you have met and for them to call you by name and ask you about your day, you really do feel like you are home. Even at the Value resorts you feel like your home away from home. I don't like to be away from home for a long period of time, but I don't feel that anxiety when I am at WDW on-site, I do feel like I am at my second home. I don't really know how else to explain it. I would definitely stay on property if I had a child. Even as a family of 3 adults, we love bieng right in the middle of all that magic. It is so worth the price you pay. There isn't much that I am willing to give up (I'm a shopaholic), but I am willing to give up alot to stay on-site.

Suzanne

 

[Got Quattro?]

I would do offsite before i'd do a value resort. They are not the disney experience, and they are frankly....ugly to look at.

Your millage may vary.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I would do offsite before i'd do a value resort. They are not the disney experience, and they are frankly....ugly to look at.

Your millage may vary.

Why are you going around being so anti-Disney. I have seen several negative posts recently.

The Value resorts are more Disney than any of the others, with the Disney Icons around every corner how can you say they aren't.

 

[itchin2go]

We are exactly like the OP. We want a suite so we don't have to go to sleep when we put the little one down. On any vacation to anywhere else, we would book an inexpensive suite (Residence Inn or Hampton Inn & Suites, for instance). For people like me, WDW is a challenge. We thought about going with the ASM Suites. We ultimately decided to pony up a bit more cash and stay in a villa. It was pricey - yes, but it was PERFECT.

Number one advantage of staying onsite is surrendering to Disney transportation. Just make your way to the bus stop, or monorail stop or boat landing and off you go. Never a moment's thought about "Crap, what street was that" or "Should we have turned there?". EMH? We liked them. Sending packages to the room? We liked that too. But the number one advantage is not having to drive (unless you want to) for your entire stay. I will also point out that the theming in any of the WDW resorts is going to be light year's ahead of your typical suites hotel (although those Hampton beds are COMFY!).

FYI - We were happy we went with the villas (although per night they cost more than any other hotel room we've ever paid for) for the following reasons: (1) LOVED the kitchen, (2) Could not believe how much we loved having the washer and dryer - used it every day - fantastic, (3) Loved the amenities of the Deluxe resort (WL last year, BW this year) - having NICE dining choices on premises, including a NICE bar, gorgeous common areas and theming.

I STILL toy with staying offsite because I KNOW I can find accomodations every bit as nice for half the price (some of the Marriott villas look gorgeous). I google things and run the numbers and mull it over, and then I end up right back where I started - staying onsite at a villa. To let you know how much value I think there is in staying onsite (and everyone is different - this is just my humble opinion), but we can stay in a Homewood Suites or Embassy Suites nearby for free, and we still choose the pricey onsite accomodations. To me, it's the difference between a Disney World vacation, and just visiting the Disney World parks for a few days.

Hope this helps with your dilemma. You will have fun no matter what you choose.

 

[Got Quattro?]

Why are you going around being so anti-Disney.
.

I am not. But I do call em like i see em. If the op is asking for peoples thoughts, what good doed it do them if everyone just goes disney disney disney all the time.

As you can see from my sig, i have been to the world many times, and experienced almost all there is to offer. Cruising this january.

We have taken the time to visit, the values, and they are as many have said, over priced motel 6's. And in my opionion...ugly.

If my budget was >$100 a night, i would spend it off site.

 

[momtoccc]

To the original poster - there is a current trip report now from a family that stayed off-site becuase they had a small one. They stayed in Value last year and she compares/contrasts the differences... might be worth reading.

My personal preference is to always have a car - I HATE waiting for the busses - I'd much rather drive myself where I want to go and go directly from point A to point B (no DTD transfer...).. that said, I've stayed on-site the last 2 times and will be staying at WL in 2 weeks. While there are definite benefits to staying on-site there are some benefits for staying offsite - it is cheaper and a rental car for a week is not that expensive (cheaper than 1 night at WL!) Plus the sleeping arrangment is nicer and you will have more room. I think if I had a baby I would definitely look for a suite for all the reasons you mentioned. (One vacation trip DH and sat in the bathroom eating dinner while waiting for our 1yo to fall asleep!)

Either way you will have a great time at Disney - do what is best for you

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

what good doed it do them if everyone just goes disney disney disney all the time.

What's the point then. The whole reason I go is for that experience. Orlando has nothing else to offer me, but Disney

Suzanne

 

[Got Quattro?]

What's the point then. The whole reason I go is for that experience. Orlando has nothing else to offer me, but Disney

Suzanne

Well...there i agree with you. In all the times we have been to orlando, i still have not been to universal. Sea World like 3 times, only because i get in free (dad works for AB)

But, there are a few exceptions to wjere an offsite is the better choice.