Anyone else prefer staying off-site?

[Brian Noble]

If the price for the same room types were comparable, we'd probably stay onsite more often. But, for our preferred lodging style (at least a 2BR condo) the difference is several thousand dollars over a week's stay---even if we owned DVC. It's just not a good value at that price point for us given the many outstanding off-property choices.

When I can get an exchange in with one of my other timeshares, I'm happy to take it, and don't much mind the extra fees to do so. It's worth it to me at that point.

 

[Leah's Mom]

We stayed off-site for the first time last October and I really think it's the way to go. We got so much more room for the money. I was afraid I would miss the "magic" of staying onsite. Just didn't happen. Unless we got a smokin hot deal, I think we will stay offsite from now on.

I forgot to add that now that my DD is 18 they charge an additional $10 for her to stay with us so really we are only paying $4 more to park.

 

[FLAgirl73]

I agree that off-site seems the way to go. I just can't get around the fact that we spent only $85/night for a really nice room with the separate bunk area for the boys AND the mini-kitchen with fridge and microwave. I would have paid at least that much for just a regular room at one of the value resorts, and I'm not sure what extra "magic" there really is to be found at the value resorts. At this point, my boys are just so excited to stay in a hotel room it really doesn't need to have alot of extras to be special for them.

I did look at a few condos, but those seem to rent out Sat-Sat only and we won't be visiting for a full week, so hotel seems the best route for us.

 

[lisajl]

We have stayed onsite and off. With five of us, offsite is definately better.
This past October we rented a house, with a pool and 4 bedrooms for $800 for the week. It was only about 5 minutes from WDW.
Great place, great pool and lots of space!
Lisa

 

[hjd0411]

Because of the distances to travel, my visits to WDW are usually not very often, and for longer periods (I'll be there for 3 weeks in May). Off-site works so much better for us - we are 2 adults (not related!) and one hotel room for 3 weeks (no matter how good friends you are ) can get too much.
I am so looking forward to our 3 bedroom townhome at WH - with our own pool as well!!!
Maybe one day I will stay on-site, but I can't see it happening any time soon.

 

[SouthernExplorer]

The reasons why we will stay off-site:

1. My DH and I are members of a hotel rewards program.
2. We can stay at an off-site hotel (with micro-fridge) for around $370 (plus around $84 for Disney parking or only $32 for a seven day bus pass for two adults*) for an entire week, which means we can take the parks at our own pace.
*http://golynx.com/?id=3
3. Having a mini-fridge means we can go to a local Costco and buy our own beer/beverages/snacks (or bring some from home with us).
4. Free hotel breakfast. IHOP and Denny's are close by if we don't want the hotel breakfast.
5. The off-site hotel doesn't have gawdy architectureal features. If I want gawdy then I'll go back to Vegas
6. Off of Disney property! I get too much adrenaline running through my system and I have major crashes. 24/7 Disney is probably not good for my health.
7. Lesson learned the easy way, I don't have to stay in a hotel to enjoy it. DH and I can hop on the monorail and have lunch at the Poly to take a break from the MK.
8. Although the moderate and deluxe resorts look very nice and appealing, they are, at best, re-creations. If I'm going to be spending big bucks on a hotel room then I'd rather go the authentic route like the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, Old Faithful Inn, or a quaint hotel on Martha's Vineyard for instance.

My husband and I just see more value in staying off-site. We also want to visit other attractions in the area such as the Kennedy Space Center, and spend as little money on the Mouse as possible.

Lastly, I recently wrote a complaint letter to Disney (including to CEO Bob Iger) about their prices not matching the level of service they offer. WDW did actually take the time to respond to me so I don't think my staying on Disney property will bolster my complaint letter

Southern

 

[myAAbatteries&aTD]

We stay offsite, too and have a magical time evey trip! We like the space in the 2-bedroom condo and with 5 of us, it's just too crowded in a hotel room. We always stay for a few nights at a hotel on the beach on the way to DW, and it's way more stressful and crowded with everyone in such tight quarters.....

We always say that one day we'd like to spend a night or 2 at the Contemporary b/c it's so close to MK, but it hasn't been in the budget yet. Maybe next trip......

 

[Planogirl]

I like both onsite and offsite but will continue to stay offsite until our finances are stronger. We have found great places to stay and eat and I always have a car so being offsite is no big deal. I only want to go back onsite to stay at a few favorite resorts again but no hurry.

 

[shalom]

I like to visit the resorts and check out the shops and maybe pick up a bite to eat in one of the restaurants, but I doubt we'll ever actually stay in one. We like our space, and not only are the DVC condos considerably more expensive than the ones we stay in - they're considerably smaller. Even the Grand Villas are smaller than the comparable Presidential suites most places we've been, although officially the Grand Villas do sleep more than some Presidential. But we could get two good-sized villas that each sleep eight for less than a Disney GV, meaning we could sleep 16 and have more square footage to boot.

And last I checked, Disney doesn't screen their porches/balconies. I'm a mosquito magnet, and am not much for the random multilegged critters screens tend to keep out either, so that doesn't fly.

The one Disney resort that does tempt me is the Grand Floridian. I might like to stay there a night or two if it was just hubby and I, because for some reason it reminds me of the place where we honeymooned. But then I consider the view of Lake Eve from where we stayed last time, and I think I'd rather just go to the Grand Floridian for dinner - and them come "home" to one of the older Oasis Lakes buildings at the Fountains.

I did look at a few condos, but those seem to rent out Sat-Sat only and we won't be visiting for a full week, so hotel seems the best route for us.

The Fountains, and I believe Floridays and some others in that area, do rent nightly, but you pay more than $80 a night I think. I rent distressed points so I'm not sure what the "hotel" rates are, but I'm pretty sure they average closer to $100/night. Which is not bad for a 2BR that sleeps 8 if you want some space. OTOH, if you can get something like the $199/week in a Wyndham Condo deal discussed in the Endless Vacations thread on this board, that's a cheaper condo even if you don't stay the week. You do have to make special arrangements for picking up your keys if you don't fit the normal timeshare week, but TSs can be a deal even if you aren't staying an entire week.

People in points systems will also rent you shorter-than-a-week stays, although that's trickier because you're renting from an individual.

 

[disneysteve]

Wondering who else prefers staying off-site and what your preferred hotel is!

We definitely prefer off-site but we'd never consider a hotel. There are so many wonderful rental properties available in the Disney area that offer much nicer accommodations at bargain prices. We rent a condo, townhouse or pool house through VRBO.com. We've also rented timeshares through Skyauction.com.

Why would we want to be stuck in a small hotel room when we can have a beautiful 3 bedroom house with a full kitchen, 2 bathrooms, washer/dryer, private pool, big screen TV and other amenities for the same price or less? No noisy neighbors. No kids running up and down the hall. Nobody splashing us in the pool. No hike from the parking lot to our room - we pull up right outside our front door. I would say it is all the comforts of home but honestly our home isn't nearly as comfortable as the places we rent in Florida.

 

[MattM]

@ $85/night, you can often find a value resort on property for less than that with the Florida resident discount. And you're price per night automatically goes up $14/day to $99 with parking in the parks. Often times Florida residents can get moderates for below, at or right around that rate. I think once you compare the actual bottom lines, staying onsite is really not much, if any, more expensive than staying off site.

 

[richmo]

I absolutely agree that good experiences can be had offsite, and have done so many times.

I've stayed at the Courtyard Vista Centre on Palm Parkway, Regal Sun, Hilton and others. You can save a lot of $$$ and many offer free breakfast and free internet, which is not offered by Disney.

However, when pricing things out, remember that, unless you have an AP, you'll have to pay $14 to park each day...

If you're there a longer time, another great option is to rent a condo...

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I stay on-site or off-site depending on time of year/ persons going/ budget/ transportation needs/ dining needs and activities planned. Sometimes on-site is better, sometimes off-site is better. Sometimes Deluxe is better, sometimes Value is better.

 

[Planogirl]

We get a free hotel room with points earned by DH who travels frequently. We pay for themepark parking and a hotel fee and we're done.

Besides I love having more space and seeing other parts of central Florida. For some reason it's harder to explore elsewhere when you stay onsite. Must be something in the air.

 

[Oglet]

@ $85/night, you can often find a value resort on property for less than that with the Florida resident discount. And you're price per night automatically goes up $14/day to $99 with parking in the parks. Often times Florida residents can get moderates for below, at or right around that rate. I think once you compare the actual bottom lines, staying onsite is really not much, if any, more expensive than staying off site.

$14 parking isn't really a issue, we all know there are legitimate ways around that such as driving to DTD and then going to a resort close to Whatever park it is your going to and catching the monorail or even walking to the park.

Granted it might take some time to goto DTD and then to a resort and then to MK however does it really take much more time than waiting on a tram at MK, riding it to TTC and catching the ferry or monorail over to MK? if a Disney bus brings you in it, you arrive right near the main entrance to the park.

I have stayed at both on site and off site and notice quite a large saving when staying off site. If your on a budget not having to pay $10 per day for internet and having the ability to grab a few things to snack on at a continental breakfast helps everyone make it through to lunch time eliminating the cost of a Disney meal or snacks. For a larger family that alone could save 20 or 30 dollars if not more.

Staying off site IMHO is probably cheaper even with a resort free thrown in. At the end of the day no matter what its all about what kind of deals places are offering.

 

[disneysteve]

@ $85/night

And you're price per night automatically goes up $14/day to $99 with parking in the parks.

I think once you compare the actual bottom lines, staying onsite is really not much, if any, more expensive than staying off site.

I disagree for a couple of reasons. First off, you are comparing apples to kumquats. An onsite value resort (and yes, I have stayed in them) is one tiny room with one small bathroom. Parking can be some distance from your room. The pool is a big community one that may be some distance from your room.

With an offsite, for $99/night, I can rent a beautiful 3-bedroom, 2-bath house with a living room, dining area, full kitchen, washer/dryer, big screen TV, DVD player, possibly a video game system, free WiFi and a private, screened-in swimming pool right outside my back door. I also park my car right outside my front door. Oh, I also only pay the $14 parking fee on days when we actually go to a park. Last year, we stayed for 2 weeks and went into a park 7 days so the other 7 days, we didn't have to spend the $14.

 

[SouthernExplorer]

However, when pricing things out, remember that, unless you have an AP, you'll have to pay $14 to park each day...

There is always public transportation:
http://golynx.com/?id=3

 

[harleygirl]

This is a great thread- thanks ya'll ... heres' my deal

I am taking my brother and SIL and my 2 yo nephew for the first time for a quick 2 day trip. we are driving so will have wheels. my bro and SIL are not Disney fanatics like my family and I think they will prolly suffer Disney overload. plus the finances are on the skimpy side as we are trying to work a few days at the beach in as well...

I'm hearing about 3/2 condo's for $99 can someone shoot me a PM with the name so I can look it up please thankies!

 

[Planogirl]

This is a great thread- thanks ya'll ... heres' my deal

I am taking my brother and SIL and my 2 yo nephew for the first time for a quick 2 day trip. we are driving so will have wheels. my bro and SIL are not Disney fanatics like my family and I think they will prolly suffer Disney overload. plus the finances are on the skimpy side as we are trying to work a few days at the beach in as well...

I'm hearing about 3/2 condo's for $99 can someone shoot me a PM with the name so I can look it up please thankies!

You might want to post this as its own thread so it doesn't get overlooked. I'm curious about this too.

 

[Leah's Mom]

@ $85/night, you can often find a value resort on property for less than that with the Florida resident discount. And you're price per night automatically goes up $14/day to $99 with parking in the parks. Often times Florida residents can get moderates for below, at or right around that rate. I think once you compare the actual bottom lines, staying on-site is really not much, if any, more expensive than staying off site.

For us we have an adult disabled child (18) who Disney charges an additional $10 per night to stay in our room. So parking is only an additional $4.00 - We were able to stay @ the comfort Inn for $29/night. It was larger then a value @ Disney and included refrigerator/microwave. We rent a car regardless of where we stay.

It may not be for everyone, but I think it's worth it for our family. This is coming from someone who prior to our October trip ALWAYS stayed on-site.