Am I REALLY missing something by staying off-site?

[2nd childhood]

Last year was our first time to stay at a Disney property. For us the best thing was that after driving nearly 14 hours to get there my husband just parked the van and he never had to see it again until the end of our trip. He said last year that for a week long stay we'll never stay off site again. Shorter trips or when we take in Seaworld or Universal we'll of course stay off site.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

1. I can go back to my hotel to take a break.
This cracks me up. It's not like Anaheim where you really can just walk out of the rapids ride at Ca Adventure, walk into the Grand Californian through a turnstyle, press an elevator button and head up to your room. To get back to any Dis hotel in Orlando, you have to definitely either take the monorail, a boat, a bus or be in for a decently long walk. No advantage with this one that I can see. By the time you're done doing that, you can get in your car, head back to your hotel and then return in the evening. No advantage here.

Yes, there is an advantage. The amount of advantage depends on the exact resort, and the exact status of the transportation cycle (boat or mono just left or arrived ect…)
Not sure how anyone couldn’t see an advantage when traveling from MK to The Contemporary, or Epcot to Beach Club.

2. I want to feel like I'm really at Disney.
Another funny one. I guess these people need hotel staff telling them to "have a magical day" for them to feel like they're in Disney.

I fail to see why you deem this as funny. Many of us thoroughly enjoy the whole “Magical Day” thing. Only speaking for myself, but it gets me in the Disney spirit.
You certainly have the right to think such things are silly, and I’m sorry you don’t understand the whole “Magic” thing.
And you just don’t get that Magical theming at a non Disney resort.

3. The Disney hotels are all kid friendly.
You're in Orlando, the number one family travel destination in the US. Find me a hotel that is NOT kid friendly.

Are you serious? Do you really think your local Days Inn is as kid friendly as a Disney Resort?
Many local hotels don’t give a hoot about the paying adult, let alone the kid running around the lobby.

4. I can get to the parks earlier than everyone else.
True, but you can't do this every day for every park. The first time I heard this I thought it was a great idea. I figured I could just get up early, get to any park of my choice and go in before everyone else. Wrong! Certain parks have early entrance only on certain days, meaning that if it's Tuesday, it might be the day for Epcot and nothing else.
My solution? I decide what park I want to go to and check to make sure that its not an early entrance day. I then get there when it opens. I have never had a problem getting on my rides of choice.

Hmmm…. A small amount of homework would have revealed that only one park opens early.

5. I can have my souveniers sent back to my hotel.
What in the world are you people buying?

This is a great feature no matter which way you slice it. Even if you purchase something small, who wants to carry it around? Even if you have it sent to the entrance, you still have to lug it around part of the way.

6. The hotel concierge at Disney can make my reservations for character dining.
Hello? 90 days prior to any visit, call 407-WDISNEY and ask for disney dining. Make your own reservations.

I believe Disney guests have a 180 (plus 10) day booking window, but I could be mistaken on that.

7. Disney offers the magic express and will take me directly to my hotel from the airport for free. This way I don't have to hassel with my bags and getting a cab or renting a car.
What in the world is this all about? For the price that Disney charges for their hotels versus a hotel outside of the "world", you can hire a limo service to do all of the above for you, and you don't have to get onto a bus.

You see, it’s not about the “money”. That’s where you are making your mistake. It’s about the feeling we get being immersed in Disney 24/7.

8. Nobody does it like Disney.
What is it that Disney does when it comes to hotels? I've stayed at the GF and Poly and other Disney properties before I figured out all of the above. The room I was placed in was sooooo small compared to 4 star hotels in the Orlando area, yet the prices are so outrageous. Plus, there are absolutely no king beds at the Poly, yet during high season, prices run $400 plus per night!
All of the major chains offer extras like points, free stays, free breakfasts, manager's receptions, etc. When you compare, dollar for dollar what you get at a Disney hotel even with all of the so-called "extras" from Disney, you are literally giving your money away staying on property. And for what? Souvenier shipping? Early entrance?

I would dare to say that very, very few people stay at more hotels than I do.
With that said, The Poly has some of the largest rooms I have seen.

The saddest commentary is when I read so many stories of families literally saving up their money for a Disney vacation. Rather than stay off property, they have this compelling need to want to experience the Disney vibe. Not being able to afford the Grand Floridian or other comparable property, these families will end up at one of the bargain resorts like the All Star Pop or Music, hotels that are really glorified motels. Sadly enough, a little research would get these type of families into a solid 3 star outside of the world for the price they paid for a motel experience. This would probably also give them free breakfast or snacks or something else for their hard earned money.

Well, did you ever think these families wanted the on site experience?
Again, only speaking for myself, but I would pay to stay at Pop before I would stay off site for free.

Remember what I said in the beginning. This is simply MY opinion.

And this is only my opinion.

MG

 

[johnnyh14]

He is probably a travel agent who gets a bigger commission from outside hotels.

My family loves staying onsite and I am happy to spend more if it acually costs more for staying inside.

Who wants the hassle of driving or taking a bus from an outside property when you can enjoy disney transportation.

 

[disneysteve]

He is probably a travel agent who gets a bigger commission from outside hotels.

My family loves staying onsite and I am happy to spend more if it acually costs more for staying inside.

Who wants the hassle of driving or taking a bus from an outside property when you can enjoy disney transportation.

I have no idea if he is a travel agent, but I don't think anything he said is incorrect - for those who share his view.

We also PREFER staying offsite. Unlike Maistre Gracey, I would rather pay to stay offsite than stay at a Disney Value for free. We all look for different things when we travel. For us, the amenities offsite far outweigh the ones onsite. Neither way is right or wrong across the board. But offsite is what is right for me and my family.

 

[sweet maxine]

I agree about staying offsite.

I've been enough times to know now that unless I'm getting a super great deal on AP rates, I'm more than happy to stay somewhere else. I enjoy the Disney resorts, and I think the transportation system is nice, but I've also found that it's better for me (and quicker usually) to drive myself. I have absolutely no qualms about that at all. I enjoy having the choice to leave the park and eat offsite if I so choose, then rest in my larger size accommodations for the afternoon before I return. My family agrees, and we've even stayed offsite with teenagers (and their friends), and it's absolutely doable.

Ask me if I'd rather have a night at the Poly or a week in a 1000 sq. ft. condo (for approx. the same price), and I'll take the condo every time. Yes, the Poly is a great place, but I'm happy just having the wonderful opportunity to even *be* in Orlando. I could be sitting at home...

 

[HappyLawyer]

it is something to staying in a place that has a home like atmosphere, at orange lake and any other place that has the villa or condos, there are bedrooms for escape, more room, it's like home

 

[Mo-Yo]

It's crazy how defensive people get about where they stay on vacation, isn't it?

I agree with the avid on-siters - Disney themeing and service is one of a kind. It is so neat to stay on-site and feel that you are there the whole time.

That said, phrases like off-siters "don't get it" are more than a bit judgemental.

There is nothing to get. Some people stay onsite and love it and feel it's worth the cost...others try it and look elsewhere...others don't try it. People should be able to plan thier vacations without feeling like a choice to stay elsewhere is ill-informed or "Anti-disney."

We can't afford the Poly or the Contemporary. If we could, I don't think I could still bite the bullet and drop more than $300 a night. I like Disney Deluxe hotels a lot. We've eaten there, toured there, etc. But in spite of thier obvious charm, services and conveniences, I would rather dorp that kind of cabbage on a trip to Europe or a tropical all-inclusive.

That is totally my opinion. For some, Disney Deluxe is the pinacle of vacationing. That is OKAY.

We have stayed in the cabins and POR...both are great. IN the cabins we loved the peace and the space. AT POR, we loved the resort facilities. But really...what we gained in themeing and special treats (like the boat ride and a Mickey wake up call) we paid dearly for in space and dollars.

We've used EMH. The mornings are great, but as time goes on the parks get busy. EMH evening are madhouses IMO. We eventually decided that we got just as much done going early on a non-EMH day than on EMH, and we've NEVER waited longer than 30 mins. for a big-ticket ride.

So my opinion (and it is that, mine)..be it (God-forbid) anti-Disney or ill-informed...is that we will try a pool home for my family of 5 next year.
I understand the ride from Windsor Hills is shorter than the bus ride from many of the onsite hotels.
I think it will be nice not to have to walk to the pool, and to be able to relax with a cocktail there at the end of the day.
We have no qualms about missing EMH.
We don't buy many packages.
We plan on visiting a few onsite hotels and restaurants...and a few nice offsite ones.
We will not be woken by Mickey...but we'll see him in the parks.
We'll stretch out at night and play some board games or playstation together.
I'll get up and have a coffee by the pool before anyone else is awake.

We'll save some money...about $50-$75 a night over what we would have paid at a moderate or a cabin.

I'll let you know how it goes...but I'll be sure, if I love it, to let you know it worked for me...but that doesn't mean it will work for you.

Play nice, would ya?

 

[tripplanner2]

Last year was our first family trip and we stayed at POR with an AP discount. I was happy but my husband wants more space. Where are you guys staying offsite that is less expensive than $99 per night less the expense of a car rental? I priced out a minivan and for 2 weeks we are looking at several hundrend dollars. I have been looking for alternatives to the onsite locations but after adding in the car rental we are really coming out even.

 

[disneysteve]

Where are you guys staying offsite that is less expensive than $99 per night less the expense of a car rental?

No matter where we stay, onsite or offsite, we always have a car. We hate depending on Disney transportation. So much quicker and more efficient to drive ourselves, so a car isn't a deciding factor.

As for where we stay, we've stayed in offsite hotels/motels, rented condos, pool homes and time shares. The cheapest would be about $37/nite through SkyAuction. Also, when we've rented houses and condos, we've been splitting the cost with other family, so, for example, a 3-bedroom condo cost $90/nite but our share was $45/nite. Or $100/nite for a house and our share was $50/nite.

 

[Mo-Yo]

Also, there are condos and townhomes close by for $70 and up.

I know what you mean about the car rental...it can add up. We'll probably just rent a midsize if we fly. If we drive, it won't be an issue. We are still weighing options.

 

[sweet maxine]

Just wanted to add that with a family of 5 or more, it's so much better with the extra room at the end of the day. It's hard to imagine going back to a small hotel room, sitting on the beds, and trying not to run into each other while taking turns with the bathroom. With a full kitchen and table and chairs it's nice to be able to put on some cheese dip and chips and bring out the cards or dominoes. It's also great to be able to toss those dirty clothes in the washer (right there in the condo!), then sit down on the couch to watch a movie.

 

[C.Ann]

It's crazy how defensive people get about where they stay on vacation, isn't it?

I agree with the avid on-siters - Disney themeing and service is one of a kind. It is so neat to stay on-site and feel that you are there the whole time.

That said, phrases like off-siters "don't get it" are more than a bit judgemental.

There is nothing to get. Some people stay onsite and love it and feel it's worth the cost...others try it and look elsewhere...others don't try it. People should be able to plan thier vacations without feeling like a choice to stay elsewhere is ill-informed or "Anti-disney."

---------------------------

I've done both on-site and off-site and it really doesn't matter to me one way or the other.. Alone, I would probably stay on-site (for some reason I just feel a tad bit safer - which isn't necessarily so).. With the rest of my family, usually off-site because they don't like staying in a "room" - and they would insist on having a car no matter where we stayed.. As a family we won't do "just Disney" because they don't get down to Florida often enough.. We HAVE to do Sea World because we all love it and need a break from Disney in the middle of the trip.. We've done US and eventually will do IOA as well - but, Sea World is a must!! We're in the process of planning a trip right now for Dec. and it's really up in the air as to where we will stay.. If it's a short trip and I can get a good enough discount, we may do 2 rooms at Pop because I think my DGD would get a kick out of it - otherwise it will be offsite, with no regets..

 

[tripplanner2]

Thanks for the info on the off site locations. I just checked Skyauction and I guess it is something you have to spend a lot of time on. The prices did not seem so cheap after adding in the taxes and resort fees. I was around $80 per night and not my first hotel choice. Anyway, thanks for the info and I will keep checking.

 

[disneysteve]

I just checked Skyauction and I guess it is something you have to spend a lot of time on. The prices did not seem so cheap after adding in the taxes and resort fees. I was around $80 per night and not my first hotel choice.

The bargains on Skyauction are for the timeshare rentals, not the hotels. Do a search for "ready" and check out the Ready, Set, Go auctions. They go for about $50 plus fees of $195 for a 7-day stay.

 

[anniet]

Are you serious? Do you really think your local Days Inn is as kid friendly as a Disney Resort?
Many local hotels don’t give a hoot about the paying adult, let alone the kid running around the lobby.

Not only is Days Inn as kid friendly, I'd pay EXTRA for that awesome chlorine-ish chemical smell permeating from the carpets!!!!

 

[Brian Noble]

The bargains on Skyauction are for the timeshare rentals

...and it appears to me they are primarily in the lower travel times. I paid close attention to skyauction this past year for the week after President's Week (which is our normal time---moderately crowded) and there weren't more than one or two offers that I would have even considered. YMMV.

 

[DawnM]

We have done both, on and off-site. For us, it is a money issue. When we stayed on-site we rented DVC points and stayed at OKW for $99 per night. It was ok.

Recently we have been using SkyAuction or ebay for deals on the time share condos. I have paid $225 to $265 for 7 nights and have had a kitchen, 2 TVs, and a washer/dryer in the unit. We are going again in 2 weeks and this time I got a 2 bedroom for $299 for the week.

It just comes down to money for us. We get APs and the less we spend on hotels and food the more times we can go down for the year! We also LOVE having a bedroom to close off so the kids can go to sleep and we can stay up, or whatever. Hotels just aren't the same.

Dawn