Am I a joke on the Dis b/c my family chooses to stay off-site?

[Mono~rail]

I read lots of threads and people who choose to stay off-site are made fun of by the on-site guests. I don't get it. Just because we stay at our condo doesn't mean we aren't informed about Disney. We are very aware of on-site hotel costs vs. what we paid for our time share membership. We even looked into DVC, and it just didn't make sound financial sense to buy.

We have never been to an EMH, but we have always experienced everything in each park with minimal wait times (15 min wait is too much for us ). In fact, we ride all the major attractions 3 or 4 times each. We've never had a problem arriving prior to opening and waiting for the rope drop.

I'm constantly picking up this tone of superiority on the Disboards from those who stay on-site. Like somehow anyone who doesn't stay on-site is an uninformed, clueless moron.

 

[mum4jenn]

There is ALWAYS going to be that type of folks on here that think the only way to do things is to outspend everyone else. Try not to let it bother you and have the best fun you can and just forget about all THOSE people.

 

[PaMom001]

I've been to WDW 3 times and have always stayed off site. As far as a superiority complex of some members, I say who cares. If they want to think that they are better than other people just because they stay onsite, let them. We all put on our shoes on one at a time. Where we stay is of no concern.

 

[Off2DisIGo]

I'm new on the DIS but I haven't really noticed anyone making fun of people that stay off-site. If I were you I wouldn't lose any sleep either way--to each their own!

 

[FayeW]

Well, I am guilty of the reverse snobbery; I make fun of the folks who choose to cram their families of 4 (or 5, in some moderates!) into one room, or worse, pay for TWO rooms because they are families of 5 or 6, instead of being smart like us and having luxury 2 or 3 bdrms condos. I feel particularily intellectually superior when I think of how little I pay for my condo through skyauction.

If you do a search on my username, you'll find an old thread titled "Wanna Join My Offsite Support Group?" . There are many of us who prefer offsite!

 

[Mono~rail]

Well, I am guilty of the reverse snobbery; I make fun of the folks who choose to cram their families of 4 (or 5, in some moderates!) into one room, or worse, pay for TWO rooms because they are families of 5 or 6, instead of being smart like us and having luxury 2 or 3 bdrms condos. I feel particularily intellectually superior when I think of how little I pay for my condo through skyauction.

If you do a search on my username, you'll find an old thread titled "Wanna Join My Offsite Support Group?" . There are many of us who prefer offsite!

I remember the support group thread! Has anyone posted to it in a while?

 

[BrerMama]

I find this at any Disney-related board. I was thinking the other day that it would be nice to have a message board just for people staying offsite. We were contemplating staying onsite, and have recently been leaning towards offsite, but there's such a rah-rah onsite feeling on any Disney board that I almost feel lost on the boards if I'm not staying onsite. Which is just silly, but there it is.

 

[bopper]

I'm constantly picking up this tone of superiority on the Disboards from those who stay on-site. Like somehow anyone who doesn't stay on-site is an uninformed, clueless moron.

People who are into Disney read this site. People who are into Disney tend to like to stay on-site. I think the important thing is that you are aware of the choices, the advantages of each, and then make a choice based on your family's needs.

 

[zaja]

Some people do. I definitely wouldn't let it bother you. Why give any thought to what anyone else thinks if it involves snobery? To each his own, I guess.

PS I'm with you though, you can't beat all the room for the price you pay staying off-site.

 

[MIDisFan]

We have done a little of both, onsite at values and deluxes and offsite at hotels and our timeshare. I will say that staying onsite is always a better vacation experience for us. Staying in one of the Gold Crown resorts offsite is a better financial option and much nicer rooms, but we prefer the perks of staying onsite. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, you should do what makes the best sense to you.

 

[keishashadow]

Have you heard the one about the DISer that paid rack rate @ AK ?

Even though we own @ DVC, we were impressed by the 1 BR Cascade units @ Sheraton Vistana, certainly more spacious than most DVC resort rooms (and our price was certainly right - would love to return on same deal ).

Since we're used to doing a "split stay", it filled the bill nicely for 3 days. Must admit that I missed the whole emersion factor you get staying on-site but, that's my thing. I'm sure lots of folks are glad to get a break from the madness @ the end of the day.

I was troubled by the inability to take advantage of am EMHs but, certainly don't feel that staying off-site is a joke. If anything I'd term it a personal choice. Since many of the off-site accommodations can cost more than WDW resort rates, I cannot imagine why anyone would feel superior?

 

[rie'smom]

We've been to WDW since 1981 as a married couple(1973,74 w/our families).This year we stayed offsite for the first time and it was fine. Our house was only a few minutes further away than the AK. There are pros and cons to both but I certainly would never think less of anyone because they chose to stay offsite.

 

[isla bonita]

That is whats great about this board. We have each other to sound off on so we can see how it all works.

Who would have known that you could rent actual homes. Besides beach houses I have never rented and actual home any where else.

Loved it so much we bought our own.

There are options for all.

I wouldn't read to much in what you might of read. It is just their opinion and we all have one.

 

[FayeW]

To answer the question seriously, though, you won't find any snobbery to offsite folks on this particular board (Orlando Hotels and Attractions). I can't stomach the Resort board at all. Most of the posters over there have no patience for anything other than Disney 24/7, and they really, truly believe we unfortunate souls who stay offsite are missing out on the "magic". There is no magic in putting my family into one room for a week, and I am, how shall I say it...less than magical before I've had my first cup or 2 of coffee. Nobody really wants to meet me in the food court before then!

Now if you REALLY want to be made fun off, admit to liking Universal & Islands of Adventure. (Oddly enough, they tend to leave SeaWorld alone)

 

[SAGE]

There appears to be lots of wonderful off site resorts. Anyone vacationing in Orlando is going to have tons of fun.

 

[Off2DisIGo]

Now if you REALLY want to be made fun off, admit to liking Universal & Islands of Adventure. (Oddly enough, they tend to leave SeaWorld alone)

UhOh--I love Universal! SHHHHHHH!

 

[Mono~rail]

To answer the question seriously, though, you won't find any snobbery to offsite folks on this particular board (Orlando Hotels and Attractions). I can't stomach the Resort board at all. Most of the posters over there have no patience for anything other than Disney 24/7, and they really, truly believe we unfortunate souls who stay offsite are missing out on the "magic". There is no magic in putting my family into one room for a week, and I am, how shall I say it...less than magical before I've had my first cup or 2 of coffee. Nobody really wants to meet me in the food court before then!

Now if you REALLY want to be made fun off, admit to liking Universal & Islands of Adventure. (Oddly enough, they tend to leave SeaWorld alone)

I'm with you on this one! If it wasn't for coffee, I'd have no personality AT ALL! Our condo is so affordable I can actually use the coffee pot for making coffee and not oatmeal, grits, mac-n-cheese, etc.

Admitting to liking Disneyland and DCA will get you made fun of, too.

A few weeks ago, the twins (18 month DD's) and I went with Dh to a meeting he had for work. We were in a double bed hotel room. We only stayed for 2 nights and were not in the room that much, but I was a mess by the time we came home. I MUST have a spacious 2 or 3 bedroom condo to survive! I couldn't imagine that hotel experience being my get-away vacay!

 

[wayneg]

As you can see below we have stayed off site for most of or trips to Florida. Only one stay on site and was totally dissapointed with facilities in ASM for $135/night.
I am lucky and can afford to stay at any hotel I like. I have even the money in the bank to buy a Villa if I wanted but I have just had the best stay ever at Courtyard by Marriott for $45/night incl.
I have been in one or two discussions on this subject and yes some people think their way is the best, be it Disney hotel, off site or Villa and won't listen to other options.
We are all different with different needs. For us good quality low cost hotel suits best as we are in WDW area for 50 nights this year and 8 nights in DLR area. I would not enjoy parting with $200/night (x58) for a moderate Disney hotel, I would not do Allstars again.
We are Disney mad, we do the cruise have AP's but still nice to get away at night.
We also have AP's for Universal and Seaworld, we love them all, must make us totally insane .

 

[Mono~rail]

It just gets me how it is assumed by what seems like most of the on-siters that "day guests" are staying off-site because they haven't done their research. We stay off site because we have done the research. I respect people's decision for staying on-site. It just doesn't seem like there is much respect for "day guests" who decide to stay off-site.

 

[dawgsgirl]

It will make you feel better to never visit the resorts board. I love staying off-site and our most magical visits have been when we rented a condo. I feel sorry for all those folks who stay and eat at Disney 24/7. They are missing so much!!