anyone here like staying off site?

[amandam]

Hello - We are planning a trip to Disney World either the week before Thanksgiving or the 1st week of December (any suggestions about which week is best - crowd wise?). We are planning to stay at the Embassy Suites closest to MK on International Drive. Has anyone stayed there? Does anyone here prefer offsite to on-site. We stayed at POP in May for Star Wars Weekends, which was so fun, but we'll be a family of five this time, and the room seems a little small for two boys and a toddler. You just can't beat the large Embassy Suites suites and the cooked to order breakfast.

This board is AWESOME - so helpful and full of information - thanks for everything!

Amanda

 

[mickeysaver]

We have stayed offsite. It was fine, until we were spoiled by the onsite experience. There is a lot to be said for not having to drive outside of the pixie dust bubble at the end of the day. It's really nice to be able to send one parent back to the room with a sleepy kid and let the other parent hang out for a bit longer at the park with the other kids. Also, it makes taking family afternoon nap breaks a lot simpler if you are onsite.....because then you won't have to drive offsite to go to the room only to have to turn around to come back out to the park......think time, energy, and gas. You have to pay to park at the parks when you are offsite too....and some resorts make you pay to park in their own lots too, which makes no sense to me. Sometimes, it looks like a deal to stay offsite, when it really isn't. It's not always about the money, it can also be about convenience too. Oh, and don't forget....all those souveniers will have to be lugged around through the park until the end of the day, because you won't be able to send the stuff to the gift shop at your resort to pick up later....which is my favorite onsite perk. Also, you are giving up EMH.

I don't mean to be a downer on the offsite experience, but there are so many positives to staying onsite. Consider two rooms at a Value....or one of the new "family suites". Just food for thought. Maggie

 

[AJKMOM]

Your best bet is to check out the threads that pertain to the offsite attractions and motels/resorts. It is further down the list of topics.

 

[powellrj]

We have done both, and while I like to stay on-site and have a reservation for free dining in August, we also love to stay off-site too. If you have a car, the difference in room size for the price is wonderful. We stayed at cypress point last year and it was a quick drive from there to the parks.

 

[nh-try]

We stay off site as i get free nights from choice hotels. We go down the end of Nov first of Dec no crowds

 

[Evil Queen]

Last two trips we stayed onsite and was just so much better, due to different ages of my group. Werange from 10 to 40,with two young adult men 22 and 23, they like the freedom of coming and going.

But my previous off site stays were quite enjoyable too.

This next trip we will stay on site again, but not sure how many more times I will after. Even Values are proving to hit me hard on my single income (the young adult men pay their own way).

 

[grinningghost]

Sure - offsite is better than no Disney at all!

The main reason we stay onsite right now (I mean, we love it, don't get me wrong), is we go with teenagers, and it's great for them to go off on their own and be able to use the WDW transportation.

But in the future, if it's just DH and myself, we could be persuaded to stay offsite if the right deal came along. Although DH has said it will be nice to not drive a car on our upcoming trip. We always rent one, and this year we're doing it all with WDW transportation. We'll see how that goes.

 

[DOOM1001]

I would agree that Disney's value resorts the rooms are definitely not big, haven't stayed at POP but probably same size as the All-Stars which were small.Obviously I rather stay at a Disney resort but there's nothing wrong with staying off-site, I do all the time, and you can't go wrong with Embassy suites.If I'm correct there's 2 Embassy suites on I-Drive, I stayed at the one close to Sand Lake Road which is nice. It's on busy I-Drive but tucked away at the back of Jamaican Ct.The other one is closer to the convention center.

 

[newnana]

I love staying off site in a condo or house. More room, less money and we can usually find a pet friendly place. We have and will stay on-site this september because of the free dining plan. But I prefer off site. When I go back to our condo/house, its nice to get away from all things park related. We all love Disney, but we also enjoy US, Sea World and other area attractions. I think when you stay on-site, you get so much "Disney" it gets alittle overwhelming. This of course is only my families preference and I'm definitely not knocking anyone who loves staying on site. As long as we're in the Orlando area, we're happy.

 

[Mamu]

I've done both and it depends on the kind of trip were taking and how many days were staying.

While I do agree off-site does have it's advantages, more room for the money, and sometimes free breakfast. When you have little one more room is always better.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

It varies for us. If we go down for only two or three days, I prefer to stay onsite at either WDW or USO. If we go down for five days or more, I much prefer to stay somewhere centrally located (like a condo or our timeshare) so we can enjoy the many attractions of Orlando a little easier.

As for the park crowd level question, I've never been around Thanksgiving, but last year, we went the weekend of 12/16. MK was packed, but USO/IOA was very light.

We stayed at an Embassy on International Drive, the one closest to Sea World, and it was a lovely experience. There were easy shuttles to all the parks, and the breakfast was awesome. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.

 

[Shooby doo]

We have always stayed off-site,as we normally stay for 21 nights,we feel that the extra space for the same amount of money on-site is an added bonus.We have always stayed in the LBV area so we are never more than a stone's throw away from WDW,I'm sure living on-site is great but until there will be just 2 of us then space wins everytime!!
We've never stayed anywhere terrible but wouldn't rush back to the Holiday Inn sunspree -just didn't live up to our expectations.
SD

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We always stayed onsite until Jan '05 I got a great deal. Found the Sheraton Vistiana , 1 br villa for $50.00 a night.

It was DH, my mom, DS (7) and DD(15 months) and myself. Even with the extra room , for us and the kids being so little, especially DD, it was so not worth it. Many people on this board feel it isn't a hassle. But we sure did.

My DH who never has anything to say about our trips to WDW. He trusts me to find the best deal and just wants to know total costs and when everything is due to be paid. Said never again. If you can't find a deal onsite, we're not going.

 

[shellybaxter]

We stay off site as i get free nights from choice hotels. We go down the end of Nov first of Dec no crowds

I think the first week in December is a good idea as you can choose to go to the Christmas stuff if you want. I wouldn't expect no crowds, but the crowds are lower than at peak times for sure. Some people on this board thought that the first part of last December was crowded, but I didn't find it so. The lines in the afternoons would climb to a half an hour for the big rides. In the morning things were pretty much a walk on.

As for staying offsite, we did it once for the one night before transfering to an onsite hotle (late flight). I hated it. It just didn't feel like we were at Disney. To each his own though.

Shelly

 

[lorrainesy]

I will never stay off site again. Everything in much easier and more "mgical" staying a Disney. We have a time share is Orlando and don't even use it.

 

[Mrs Incredible]

Last year we stayed in the Sheraton Vistana 2 bed villa for 14 nights . It was great - we found it a really peaceful place to return to at the end of a long day. Also its within easy reach of other attractions and different places to eat. This year we are treating ourselves to 1 week onsite at the BC then a week at the Vistana again so that we get some extra space. The second week we will probably visit US, IA and the water parks more than WDW. The only hassle we felt there was staying off site last time was going to the MK - it takes ages as you have to park then go on the boat or monrail. But the ohjter parks were no hassle at all. Can really recommend the Vistana as a great base.

 

[Ghost]

I will always try to stay onsite. The extra magical hours for onsite guests is to important for me… As it would not change the amount of days I stay anyway I would loose on Disney time if I would be offsite…
Then again I do understand you can find some good deals if your offsite…

 

[Skylarr29]

You can also try the all star suites for a family of five.

Here's a link with the info. http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_asuites.htm

 

[TikiHut33309]

Definitely the Downtown Disney Hotels, and here is why:

1. Much LESS $$$$$$

2. Many More Dining Options in your hotel

3. No outrageous walking distances, and you are inside A/C when going from your room to the lobby.

4. Downtown Disney is a 5 minute walk, there is always something fun to do after a day at the parks!!! Also, plenty of restaurants and shopping.

5. Busses to all Disney parks, just like at a Disney resort, although they park a few feet further away than a Disney resort bus.

6. No dealing with chaotic food courts for breakfast wondering if you will even be able to sit down because of the crowds.

7. And, although they are not owned/operated by Disney, they are still on Disney property and therefore they are official Disney resorts.