Any advantage to staying on site anymore?

[surferdave]

Well, free is cheaper, but I don't think it's a better deal. Like many people have said, if you've got to drive to a theme park, the magic is largely gone.

Nothing says magic like crowded buses and diesel fumes.

 

[JimmyV]

Like many people have said, if you've got to drive to a theme park, the magic is largely gone.

How is there "more magic" waiting for and riding a bus to the theme park from the All Star cattle pens than there is from driving from the Grand Hyatt? Granted, waking up in a MK view room at the Contemporary is pretty special. But on a percentage basis, few rooms at WDW afford that "magic".

 

[JimmyV]

Bonnet Creek - I love the resort and the rooms are amazing for the prices you can sometimes get. However - their bus system is TERRIBLE!

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[OtherScott]

Nothing says magic like crowded buses and diesel fumes.

Diesel fumes are magical - compared to the aromatic stew created by the diverse pool of guests.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Diesel fumes are magical - compared to the aromatic stew created by the diverse pool of guests.

Especially immediately after lunch time on a hot summer day.

 

[OtherScott]

How is there "more magic" waiting for and riding a bus to the theme park from the All Star cattle pens than there is from driving from the Grand Hyatt?

260 square feet of pure magic

 

[surferdave]

Diesel fumes are magical - compared to the aromatic stew created by the diverse pool of guests.

I was grouping a lot of stuff under "crowded buses".

 

[hakepb]

The one thing I almost miss about staying offsite is the grand entrance sequence Walt designed for the MK

After the trip down, you finally arrive in WDW... But you are not at a park, just a Disney highway. Then you finally arrive at the TTC parking gate, park then take a tram...to the TTC. Then you take a boat or monorail (going through the Contemporary) and arrive at the MK, make it through the turnstiles, under the railroad station, and finally see Main St and the castle!

Its a wonderful sequence. A grand waste of time, but well done!

 

[surferdave]

How is there "more magic" waiting for and riding a bus to the theme park from the All Star cattle pens than there is from driving from the Grand Hyatt? Granted, waking up in a MK view room at the Contemporary is pretty special. But on a percentage basis, few rooms at WDW afford that "magic".

Not only that, just check the reactions here when someone who does mortgage their house to stay at the Contemporary laments that they just found out the monorail will be out during their stay. Disney has no obligation to provide that monorail with your costly resort stay; you should have zero expectation that it will be available and be ready and willing to get on the Magic Bus just like everybody else.

 

[MuddyTires]

Do we have to give a reason, i prefer to stay on site, don't ask me to justify why, i just do.

Nope - it's all entirely subjective. There's not reason to "justify" your own, individual personal preferences! It's pretty bizarre that there are so many people on this board who want to debate things that are inherently subjective and a matter of individual, personal tastes.

 

[clsteve]

Nope - it's all entirely subjective. There's not reason to "justify" your own, individual personal preferences! It's pretty bizarre that there are so many people on this board who want to debate things that are inherently subjective and a matter of individual, personal tastes.

Welcome to the Interweb....

 

[ArwenMarie]

I just slept on a pull out at AK in January. It was amazing.

A pullout was amazing? Wow.

 

[chrismb22]

I don't want a kitchen in front of me while on vacation. We prefer to be immersed in disney by staying onsite.

Thats me. I dont want to even think about cooking -- even if its toasting a pop tart.

I stay in hotels down the shore too although it would be chaper to rent a house. I like my bed made when I come home and the place organized. We are far from messy but I don't want to even THINK about it.

 

[Melissa8905]

I guess the question is "What are the financial benefits of staying off-site...especially when driving down in your own car?"

And that's the real question. We're regular "on-site" WDW visitors, but we're staying "off-site" this September because of a great deal offered to us from a large hotel chain (offer to loyal preferred-guests).

For a 4-night stay, we get a one-bedroom villa, with kitchen, dining room and living room, for $299 (for the entire stay: financial benefit) It's a gorgeous property and I'm willing to give it a try so my family has some space. It's nice to have a kitchen for breakfast or lunch (financial benefit). We also drive from Georgia, so we'll just use our car (financial benefit).

I really believe it's what each person/family is comfortable with, and preferences might even change from year to year. If you get a good deal, go for it and if you feel it's your time to scrap the budget and stay at a Deluxe Villa or Club Level, go for it, too!

 

[OtherScott]

Nope - it's all entirely subjective. There's not reason to "justify" your own, individual personal preferences! It's pretty bizarre that there are so many people on this board who want to debate things that are inherently subjective and a matter of individual, personal tastes.

Not really bizarre, given that OP specifically asked for personal opinions about perceived advantages...

btw, unless we're talking about hours, rates, dimensions and capacity, this entire enterprise is dedicated to discussing the subjective.

 

[jdrais]

Nope - it's all entirely subjective. There's not reason to "justify" your own, individual personal preferences! It's pretty bizarre that there are so many people on this board who want to debate things that are inherently subjective and a matter of individual, personal tastes.

Welcome to the Interweb....

Exactly

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Not really. Renting DVC points is certainly cheaper in most cases than off site. And a LOT nicer!

Um, I wish! I looked into renting points and it wasn't even remotely comparable to an offsite price. Big savings over Disney rack rate, but still WAY more than we pay offsite.