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

[sticker231]

I have never felt any adverse feelings for staying offsite. It is about what is best for you and your family. We researched DVC and felt buying our timeshare was a better decisin for us. It is all about sharing the magic with your family and friends. Whatever you have to do to enjoy the magic is fine with me. Eveyone has their own situations. Everyone here has be friendly to me and there are alot of of very informed/helpful people on the DIS.

 

[Local_Girl]

Actually, their revenues are up considerably as is attendance.

Really? Thanks, damo...that's good to hear!

 

[wayneg]

Actually, their revenues are up considerably as is attendance.

Hi Damo
Where you get your info please?
I know a reliable source that has told me they are still having problems at Universal also see news article below.

"Unlike Disney World, Universal has struggled in recent times with attendance. On Wednesday, Disney reported a 7 percent growth in attendance at Disney World during the third quarter of 2006, which ended July 2. Universal's second-quarter attendance figures are due out next week, but previous reports showed declining attendance."

That article from Sun Sentinel.

After this was published the 2nd 1/4 results were anounced up 6% but that did not help much
"But Universal's first quarter was so bad -- a 15 percent plunge in attendance and a $25.7 million operating loss overall -- that the good news from the spring only brings the company a slim profit, $1.7 million, for the year so far. And its 2006 total revenue and attendance still trail the six-month numbers for 2005"

See full report here
http://forums.*************/showthread.php?t=83680

Local_Girl. Yes I did email them. I am a business man myself and hate seeing hate seeing good companies make bad decisions. Their response was to offer me 4 front of line passes for each AP, I declined their offer and told them I will use my Disney AP's and get fast passes. Thanked them for 4 good years of AP's but doubt I will renew again.

Wayne
Edit sorry link above does not work, Presume as its from another forum but its not good reading for Universal.

 

[VolleyballQt07]

jme829 - cool, glad you had a great trip w/little hassle...might want to take into account the crowd projections for early Sept (even w/free DP onsite) vs June/July (probably double the folks).

I've always heard Sept & mid-Jan to 1st week of Feb is nearly walkon, very little need to FP, wish we could travel during those times.

Thanks keishashadow, ...we have gone in early June and yes there was a huge difference in the crowds..We still stayed offsite though and utilized fast pass then...it did take us longer to negotiate the parks still so I know what you are saying.

I realize lots of people can't go in Sept. We were lucky to be able to try it this year. We have stayed onsite and FOR US, there really is no big difference that makes one more magical than t he other...However, I did fail to mention, that the reason that the parks were slow (at least for the weekend) was that everyone was at Nick hotel..OMG that place was packed Saturday..we had to park about a 10 min walk away from our room. Sunday was alot better but still crazy, but for us having 2 bedrooms, plus a mini kitchen and a free room (we use HI points) it evened out.

Surprisingly as far as I noticed, the park restaurants were not really busy. For the 3 oclock parade at MK, we stood right in from of LTT and it was empty. Maybe it got busy a little later, but it seemed most of them weren't too bad. I was kind of surprised considering free dining but maybe everyone was eating their meals at the off park locations.

ANyways back to the original topic.....I have noticed threads were people come right out and say I feel sorry that you have to stay offsite. I don't have to, I choose to...I feel its magical to me to even be able to go to WDW, I honestly can't see spending that kind of $$ for somewhere to sleep. Both the offsite hotels we stayed at had free shuttles to the parks (although we didn't use them), they had nice pools (especially the NIck hotel,,,), clean rooms, free refriderator and microwaves in the rooms, Nick had "deluxe" type toiletries. plus at the Holiday Inn Express we stayed at we received a free welcome bucket with popcorn, water, candy and granola bars since my DH is a platinum member. Plus at the Nick the 2 separate bedrooms and separate living area was great to have with 3 kids..lots of room to spread out..


Oh and by the way we loved Universal (gasp) and Sea World too.!!

(oops, sorry, on dd's name )lol.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

wayneg................that would explain the great park ticket specials right now at Univ. Thanks for the info.

 

[GoofyGolferGirl]

We love the WL, we love the theme, pool, and everything else. With that said Orlando has a LOT of Great hotels, condos etc. and lots of them have great themes, food, pools etc., I don't think you can go wrong either way. We are going to the Nick Hotel in October and I have seen some other resorts advertised off site that look great and have great prices. We may try them on our next trip. I wish we had hotels like that in KY!!

 

[maleficent1959]

We really enjoy staying on-site but for this next trip we're going back off-site like we used to. Our kids are now 6 and almost-3, and I just don't feel the magic when we're all crammed in one room together with tired kids and a dad taking his sweet time getting the lights turned off and quieting down. Even with a FL resident rate, we are getting a condo off-site that is cheaper and roomier. We don't use park transportation anyway, and like others we avoid the park with the EMH because it gets crazy-crowded.

We know Disney as well as the next guy (I even worked for them for 5 years), we do our research and make the best decision for us. Let someone else feel the magic of a group of Brazilian teens running through the All-Stars or walking what seems like 14 miles to their room at the Carribbean Beach (at least it did to us at the end of a long day). I'll be sitting by the pool with my tea while my kids are sleeping in their own room.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I think alot of this is just planning...We got back yesterday and only needed one fast pass for the Kilimamanjaro Safari in AK.. At MK our first day we were on everything from Splash (2 times in a row)Mtn all the way around to Stitch done by lunchtime (about 1)...After lunch we hit Adventureland and then went back to Liberty Square to ride SPlash, HM, and BTMRR again (with no waits), at Epcot, we didn't wait for anything (got on the first Soarin ride without a FP), at Universal, the only wait was for Jaws (15 min)

Jme829....
You need to take into account the time of year you went. After Labor Day things usually die down considerably. I know because when the kids were little we used to be love to go during Sept. But now my kids are older. Not all of us can vacation during certain times when kids are in school. Our 12 night vacation this year was early August and WDW was a madhouse. Witnessed 90+ waits for many/most attractions after 10 am. If not for staying onsite part of the time and being able to take part in EMH and FP's, wdw would have been undoable for us. We're not onsite snobs at all......but there are benefits (EMH, wdw transportation/no rental car needed, package delivery to room).
We enjoy both our onsite and offsite timeshare stays. But we have a different approach to our vacation tactics depending on where we're staying sometimes.
I have seen fanatics on both sides of the fence and it's just nice that there is something for everyone. I personally do enjoy having a washer/dryer, kitchen, jacuzzi in the room. And I can totally see the benefits to staying offsite as well. But I have friends who find no benefit in it whatsoever because they simply refuse to drive, cook or wash while they are on their vacation and want to be pampered all the way. So, there's two sides to the coin.

 

[jme829]

Jme829....
You need to take into account the time of year you went. After Labor Day things usually die down considerably. I know because when the kids were little we used to be love to go during Sept. But now my kids are older. Not all of us can vacation during certain times when kids are in school. Our 12 night vacation this year was early August and WDW was a madhouse. Witnessed 90+ waits for many/most attractions after 10 am. If not for staying onsite part of the time and being able to take part in EMH and FP's, wdw would have been undoable for us. We're not onsite snobs at all......but there are benefits (EMH, wdw transportation/no rental car needed, package delivery to room).
We enjoy both our onsite and offsite timeshare stays. But we have a different approach to our vacation tactics depending on where we're staying sometimes.
I have seen fanatics on both sides of the fence and it's just nice that there is something for everyone. I personally do enjoy having a washer/dryer, kitchen, jacuzzi in the room. And I can totally see the benefits to staying offsite as well. But I have friends who find no benefit in it whatsoever because they simply refuse to drive, cook or wash while they are on their vacation and want to be pampered all the way. So, there's two sides to the coin.

HI...go back and read the post by volleyballqt on the last page. (that was me I didn't realize I was signed in under my daughters screen name when I replied )...We have gone in June and have had long waits but we utilizied fast pass and didn't do EMH and stayed offsite and still managed..True it was a longer day but we still got on everything at least once. I think offsite or onsite, busy season or slow season, you just have to plan your day. Decide what is important, what you can miss, what you will or won't wait for and gofrom there. BTW, I'm no fanatic of offsite, I know others prefer onsite and thats fine for them..I think everyone should try both to see what works better.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I'm no fanatic of offsite, I know others prefer onsite and thats fine for them..I think everyone should try both to see what works better.

I didn't mean to imply you were a fanatic of offsite (just a comment that I have observed some who are. Some who swear there is nothing to be experienced by being onsite. Or that we are being foolish with our money....or enjoy being ripped off. I've read many comments like this over the years on the DIS and other forums). Sorry if you thought I referenced you---I was not meaning to.

Both the offsite hotels we stayed at had free shuttles to the parks (although we didn't use them),

I find most offsite shuttles to be nowhere near as convenient as wdw onsite transportation. You are very easily at the mercy of much more infrequent shuttle times. Most wdw busses run every 10-20 min. I know my offsite timeshare, Vistana, has a huge gap in the middle of the afternoon. So if you go to the parks at 9 am using Vistana's shuttle, you are literally stuck there (or take a cab home) until they start picking up again around 4:30--5 pm. You don't have that option to skip the heat of the middle of the afternoon and go back for a swim/nap or whatever. it's a rental car or bust for us if we stay offsite. I, personally, would not rely on offsite hotel shuttle busses during busy times especially.
I totally agree that it's beneficial to experience both onsite and offsite---we do all the time and enjoy the fruits of both experiences. As I said before, it is nice there are choices for everyone.

 

[gjw007]

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.

As others have mentioned, there are benefits to both and it is an individual choice. I do both but mostly stay offsite as I like the larger rooms and the amentities of the resort. I do own DVC and like to use it in December when I go to Disney for the holiday season and spend most of my time at the theme parks. I also tend to go to Orlando in May and late August/early September so for the most part, it is not as busy as other periods. And I go to other attractions rather than just the theme parks.

You should read the DVC boards sometime to get a flavor of the feelings that some DVC owners have for their resort and for the other DVC resorts. It can be amusing.

 

[rdjm]

Hi all, first time poster looong time lurcker. First time I have ever wanted to reply to a post. I agree to each their own, on site/off site. But as far as the pampering part I have to disagree. We have done both and I must say I feel alot more pampered when we stay off site and have a vehicle (what we save in cost easily pays for a rental and then some) and alot less harried.(I'm a sales rep and drive for a living)
The threads complaining about Disney Transportation are enough to give me nightmares. While it may take me 1/2 hr. to 45 mins. to get back to my condo in air conditioned silence, these people are squeezed like sardines into these buses. While I'm in my Jacuzzi tub having a glass of wine reliving my day at The Wonderful World,the onsite people are either still on a bus or walking to their cramped rooms. And the next morning while I'm still in my PJ's having a 2nd cup of premium coffee on my screened in patio,they are shlepping down to a food court, standing in line or whatever waiting for a mediocre muffin and coffee.
I don't cook meals or do laundry. I stay off site to be pampered, and pay a fraction of which on site people pay for a glorified cattle call. JMO




1996 SOG
2000 Wilderness Campground
2002 Poly
2003 off site
2007 off site

 

[tpayne]

We stay in a beautiful 6 bedroom home with our own heated pool. We can get into the parks in far less time than the folks who stay onsite and take the busses. At $107 per night we can aford to stay for two weeks and invite family and friends to stay with us for free. We have 7 TVs, leather furniture, two master suites, wireless internet, a gas grill, etc., etc., etc.

People who stay onsite and feel they have a better vacation are entitled to their opinion, but you can be sure they are not going to convince me that I am missing anything!

I stayed in one of those houses last time we went to WDW. I got totally spoiled.Would I like to stay on-site? Of course. But only if I could afford to stay at the GF or better. For the money, you can't find anything on Disney property to come close to a 6 br house. A private pool works better for me. I can only think of what all the kiddies do in a public pool.

 

[LeahA]

I have stayed onsite and off. I've stayed at Disney and at Universal. I've stayed at 4 star and 2 star hotels. I always had an awesome trip! You can have a great vacation no matter where you stay. If my room is clean and we have a pool, how could you go wrong?

I actually felt the transportation at Pop Century was better than the Wilderness Lodge.

The years we stayed offsite I liked going to my own air conditioned car at the end of the day and having my kids take a nap on the way back to our hotel.

We usually always bring breakfast items with us so we can eat these items in our room.

Universal hotels are nice because you can stay at any of the 3 hotels an walk to the theme parks. Also, when you stay onsite you get the FOTL access to all the rides! Now those are some awesome onsite benefits!

There are benefits to staying onsite and offsite! Do what you want and what your family wants, and what makes you happy!

 

[FayeW]

Hi all, first time poster looong time lurcker. First time I have ever wanted to reply to a post. I agree to each their own, on site/off site. But as far as the pampering part I have to disagree. We have done both and I must say I feel alot more pampered when we stay off site and have a vehicle (what we save in cost easily pays for a rental and then some) and alot less harried.(I'm a sales rep and drive for a living)
The threads complaining about Disney Transportation are enough to give me nightmares. While it may take me 1/2 hr. to 45 mins. to get back to my condo in air conditioned silence, these people are squeezed like sardines into these buses. While I'm in my Jacuzzi tub having a glass of wine reliving my day at The Wonderful World,the onsite people are either still on a bus or walking to their cramped rooms. And the next morning while I'm still in my PJ's having a 2nd cup of premium coffee on my screened in patio,they are shlepping down to a food court, standing in line or whatever waiting for a mediocre muffin and coffee.
I don't cook meals or do laundry. I stay off site to be pampered, and pay a fraction of which on site people pay for a glorified cattle call. JMO




1996 SOG
2000 Wilderness Campground
2002 Poly
2003 off site
2007 off site

Great first post! Welcome to the Dis!

 

[MiaSRN62]

rdjm says : I don't cook meals or do laundry. I stay off site to be pampered, and pay a fraction of which on site people pay for a glorified cattle call. JMO

Hi there rdjm !
Welcome to the DIS
All opinions should be respected and while I may not agree 100% with you, I can most certainly understand how many might feel the same as you. A part of me does as well, but I can see both sides because we do stay both on and offsite. Hope to see more of you on the boards

 

[FlaNative]

Just because we stay at our condo doesn't mean we aren't informed about Disney.

You admit to staying off site? Here on the Disboard? Oh the shame. You must return your lime paint chips to Home Depot IMMEDIATELY and cancel your Disboards account. Then there may be hope for your redemption after all.

Seriously, I keep trying to justify staying on site, but even with a Florida resident discount in a value WDW, I look at the off sites a mile away for $30 less and realize that is my daily food and expense budget and I just cannot bring myself to book on site. Depending on where else I plan to go, and time of day of arrival and departure, I can find an offsite in a direction so I go in the opposite direction of the morning/evening traffic jams , or be closer to my favorite park Sea World. I understand many enjoy a special magic stying on site, but to me it is just another motel room. The room is just a place to shower and sleep, other than that you never see it.

Of course, since I live within driving distance, I always seem to have a car with me and do not have to rely on the bus system. It would be different if I flew in and had to debate renting a car.

 

[mommiepoppins]

Ive stayed on site 2 x and off 4. I am going back and I prefer off. The walk from the hotel room to the lobby is out of controll if you stay on. Also on site there pools are way more crowded. I am trying a condo next trip!!!! fyi if you really want to get in early and you can not because of emh well plan a ch breakfast that day. You will be in early

 

[tinaluis]

We prefer offsite, but we had our first onsite trip last month at POR because of free dining and liked that too. Collectively we've decided that we might consider onsite again if free dining is offered, but without free dining, it isn't a good value. Our next trip will be for two weeks near the end of October and we're staying in a 2bedroom condo thru Skyauction for $260 a week. Can't beat that!

 

[Mono~rail]

Ive stayed on site 2 x and off 4. I am going back and I prefer off. The walk from the hotel room to the lobby is out of controll if you stay on. Also on site there pools are way more crowded. I am trying a condo next trip!!!! fyi if you really want to get in early and you can not because of emh well plan a ch breakfast that day. You will be in early

Would that be because of all the off-siters coming onto property and pool hopping?

I read a thread over on the resorts board that suggested this!