Am I REALLY missing something by staying off-site?

[Aimeemee]

Every trip I have taken to Disney I lurk on the boards for info & tips from all of the great "Disney veterans" out there. This board has helped me find some great places to stay!
Well after staying off-site for every trip I have taken, I can say we have had a magical time every trip. I have no complaints. However, last trip we were almost 100% convinced (with the rave reviews from my sisters family) that we wanted to stay at the Poly. But changed our minds because at the time DD (18 mos) was not sleeping well through the night, and we didn't want to risk the possibility of sleeples nights by being in a one room hotel. While we were there we visited the Poly to see wether we would like to stay there next time. I like that they allow you to visit the hotels, walk the grounds, etc. Its great to be able to see for yourself which hotels may appeal to you.
Anyway we're planning a trip for next spring and I am torn on wether or not to stay on site. The Poly was great, that would be our first choice, plus its even more appealing because of all of the room renovations. Love the convienience of being on the monorail. And the atmosphere is beautiful. However, I just dont see how we could manage being in one room. We're used to either a suite, or a condo, and like our space & privacy. Like that when kids are in bed having a living room or separate bedroom to relax in. And in the morning we like to ease in to the day, we never just wake up get ready and go. Also I'm having a really hard time justifying paying 300+ a night. Our next trip would be much shorter if we stay on site.
That said, would on-site be too cramped for our lifestyle? I was thinking maybe staying at a condo the first 6 days and maybe staying at the Poly for the last 3 just so we can have a taste of staying on-site. Any advice?

 

[isla bonita]

Sounds like a plan to me.

 

[TotoToo]

Great plan. If you are like us you'll find you're missing nothing but, having done it once, you'll know for sure.

 

[kilee]

We've done both onsite and offsite. I too would love to stay at the POLY--but it won't happen. I am one of those people no matter which way I slice it I cannot pay $300+ per night. That is usually 1/2 of my budget for 1 weeks lodging- much less 1 night.

That being said we have stayed at the Dolphin- and found being onsite to have some benefits. BUT- I can say our trip was no more or less magical than any other. We didn't use EMH. But I did like the ease of getting back to the resort via boat from MGM and EPCOT for a mid-day swim. It was actually the first and only time we've ever done the mid-day breaks.

I think that since you'd really like to try onsite- then your plan sounds like a good one. Then you'll know if you were missing something.

 

[emer95]

I'm going through the exact same thing. I'm seriously considering doing a split stay next time, with 3 days on-site and the remaining 7 days at a condo. I know I'm going to absolutely hate staying in one small room, but I would like to experience on-site at least once so I can decide for myself if it's worth being cramped and paying too much (that sounds ridiculous, doesn't it?). To be honest, the real appeal for me is the dining plan. I'd like to give it a shot.

Your plan sounds good too!

 

[HappyLawyer]

offsite is awesome provided you find a good place to stay, nice hotels etc, magic is what you make of it, that being said when we go in 08 i am gonna split cuz i have been wanting to stay at the poly for ever

 

[HaleyB]

Well we split a stay awhile back... we had always stayed on-site and wanted to see if maybe we just didn't know what we were missing with the extra room and all. We are onsite people. Spoiled by the ease of Disney transportation, part of the vacation for us (for DH really) is not having to deal with maps, traffic, parking, and driving. But for the right price I could be tempted... which is why I still check in on this board

So maybe the grass always looks greener. A split stay is a great way to test the waters.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I can't justify staying onsite since the $49.00 value deals went away. I don't think any of the WDW resorts we've ever stayed in has been worth the cost. it was fun at first seeing the resorts but we're park people, not resort people. some nights it's more relaxing to book a room and stay late instead of driving the hour home. we stayed at the Best Western in DD for a couple of nights this weekend for a $60.00 rate. it was clean, nice restaurant/bar/pool area, and on WDW property. it served our needs. WDW has some nice resorts, but I'd rather do other things with the money.

 

[mickeyman]

You might want to try renting points from a Disney vacation club member. Then you could get a one bedroom suite for less than the poly.

 

[kilee]

I think it really boils down to the old saying "different strokes for different folks". We all have different benefits for staying on and offsite. I don't think there is any 1 "right way". I do think it's great for everyone to be able to at least try both- so they can decide for themselves.

 

[thelionqueen]

I agree, different strokes. I personally have stayed off site and would never do it again. All the perks and magic of staying onsite is truly about 60% of the magic we experience while @ WDW.

 

[MiaSRN62]

We're used to either a suite, or a condo, and like our space & privacy. Like that when kids are in bed having a living room or separate bedroom to relax in. And in the morning we like to ease in to the day, we never just wake up get ready and go. Also I'm having a really hard time justifying paying 300+ a night. Our next trip would be much shorter if we stay on site.

I agree, it can be tough to stay in a small room with small kids. We always enjoyed stretching out in our Vistana villa when the kids were small. But we're also big onsite vacationers as well, so I can appreciate your longing for the Poly. We're thinking of staying there as well, only using our DVC points. I can't justify $300-$400/night either. The days of WDW offering great discounts with codes seems to be gone. We once stayed in a Contemp Tower room for $155/night with an AP discount. This was in '98 and we never saw such a good deal like that since. It was great waking up every morning and seeing the Castle outside your balcony on the 14th floor !
But I think for now, with young children, offsite may work better unless your child is a deep sleeper. Ours were----we could put them to bed and still hang out on the balcony or watch TV (volume lowered) without them waking. A full day in the parks always made them sleep like hibernating bear cubs !

 

[spiceycat]

you should look into DVC points - but you can't do the Poly on points - well not and save money.

You can however easily do the VWL on points. It has boat and bus transportation to MK. It is the closest (so far) DVC resort to MK.

or you can do my choice - get 2 rooms at a value - definitely cheaper than the Polyn. you have 2 rooms so you put your child to bed in the other room.

you can look into the family suities at all Star Music. but right now WDW is pricing them MORE than 2 rooms. So for many families this is not an option.

now none of these choices include the monrail. If you want the monrail then the Polyn, Cont or GF are your only choices. I would also go with the Polyn stayed there many times it is a wonderful hotel. However I think the Cont is a better value money wise. It doesn't have the atmosphere of the Polyn, nor the pool. but it might work best for your family. If you are doing mainly the MK.

now if you want to do Epcot or the other parks - then go back to the Polyn.

I also split our stays... but I am worst than you. I plan the entire trip for offsite - then doing that stay I will go to either OKW or Pop for a day (generally EMH at the MK).

but mother is 84 and asking her to do without a room from 10:00am (the time most offsite timeshares require you to check out) until 3 or 4pm (when WDW will allow you to check in) - well she can't do it... I am allergic to the sun - so this is not an option for me either.

 

[StephMK]

We have gone twice, first time off, second onsite at POR. I would pick offsite again in an instant. POR was lovely & the meal plan was the big draw. However, one room vs. the suite of rooms we had offsite couldn't compare. We can stay longer if we're offsite & we enjoyed being able to go other places. When we stayed onsite, we didn't have a car & went all Disney.

After a long day at the parks, it was so worth having 3 rooms of beds to stretch out & everyone could relax without being on top of each other. I didn't think transportation w/3 kids was that bad either & we had a heavy double stroller. When we go back, we will definitely stay offsite. I can see the appeal of a monorail resort though - that would be fun!

 

[5boyz]

If you want to stay on the disney property but don't want to be cramped...there is a DoubeTree Suites on the property but not owned by Disney....you can get it on the website right now for $143.10/night!! They have their own transportation that runs pretty much like Disney and they are at Downtown Disney!!! I am working on a few things right now, my family and I hubby 4 kids are going in July. We stayed at the Cabins last year but we are going for longer this year and waaay toooo expensive. We were never there!!!

 

[Aimeemee]

I agree with you Steph.....Last trip we stayed at Cypress pointe & found absolutely no difficulty with getting back and fourth to the parks. It took us 10 minutes tops to get to the parks even with traffic. I dont understand why that seems to be such an issue with those that only stay onsite. I bet we get there quicker than the disney bust transportation does. And we have the convienience of just hopping in the car....not having to wait for a bus and worrying about wether we will have a seat or not. Seems like MORE of a hassle if you have kids & a stroller, not less. The bus thing does not appeal to me in any way. Thats why if I was to stay onsite & wanted to take advantage of the transportation system I'd go for the monorail. I would probably still have a rental too.

Thanks for all of the helpful replies!

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Splitting it up sounds like a good plan to me, too.

I love it all, staying on site and off! We stayed for a week at a timeshare condo right between USO and WDW, and we thoroughly enjoyed both areas.

I also love having a Publix half a mile away, a Walgreens, a Wal-Mart by staying off site. I feel a bit secluded staying on site at both USO and WDW. Plus, having a full kitchen with everything you need for a wonderful breakfast is worth a lot for us. It also affords us an opportunity to enjoy other parts of Orlando, jazz clubs downtown and restaurants/shopping outside of the parks. Sure, we can do this staying on site, but the "normal world" seems so far away when staying on site.

Just my $0.02!

Hope you have a great time...I'm sure you will no matter what you decide

 

[Gillian]

I dont understand why that seems to be such an issue with those that only stay onsite. I bet we get there quicker than the disney bust transportation does. And we have the convienience of just hopping in the car....not having to wait for a bus and worrying about wether we will have a seat or not. Seems like MORE of a hassle if you have kids & a stroller, not less. The bus thing does not appeal to me in any way. Thats why if I was to stay onsite & wanted to take advantage of the transportation system I'd go for the monorail. I would probably still have a rental too.

I don't understand it either!! It certainly can be faster to have your own car, and it's much more comfortable for the kids. I never have to stand while holding a sleepy 2 year old in my own car.

I have to believe that a lot (not all, of course) of anti-offsite people have only stayed in 1 room in a cheap motel somewhere off east 192 where they had to deal with traffic every day. It's just not a fair comparison to onsite, or to a pool home or suite hotel in a convenient location.

We have stayed at Cypress point, and Windsor Palms, plus some offsite motels, and they are all worthwhile experiences. We have also stayed onsite at AKL, the Polynesian, Fort Wilderness Cabins and Beach Club Villas, plus toured WL, CR and the GF. We like having a balcony so have not considered any moderates or values yet.

Anyway, a split stay seems like a good idea, just for you to see how you like onsite. One nice thing is easily being able to split up and meet back at the room. This can be very helpful!

 

[spiceycat]

staying onsite means more than the transportation system.

first of all it is different. try it once you may see what I am talking about - or you may not. Some people get it immediately others don't.

it is the little things. the Cm are probably the best around. they definitely try to make your trip as pleasant as possible.

but at a WDW resort (yes, even the values) look around. there is something slightly different each place you look. each resort is different. plus I really love EMH and I definitely use it!!!!

the Doubletree suities is not a WDW resort so no EMH and certainly not on the monrail.

and yes you can the fireworks from other places - but nothing like you can from the Polyn, BW, BC, YC, Cont, Pop, CBR, GF

this may sound silly - but it just feels different.... I wish I could explain it better.

I also love offsite. I have so appreciated CWR for allowing Spicey to stay in this villa with me....

 

[5boyz]

I have stayed on and off (only once each) and don't really know what the difference is!!! Now mind you I stayed at the Fort Wilderness Cabins....don't get me wrong they are nice but too much travel time!!! We had to take at least 2 of everything each way.....plus too quite there for me.....I like to feel like I am on vacation in Florida not up North (from Canada) at a cottage!!! But we are going again in July!!! By the way what is EMH? Spicy mentioned DoubleTree isn't a Disney Resort (which I stated) and can't use EMH!!! Don't know what that is??? LOL!!!! I tend to agree with Steph & Plutoluvr about the other conviences about not staying on Disney!!! I have 6 kids so not to easy to stay in a Resort on disney for me!!! LOL!!!