Are all Disney resort perks fair?

[cakebaker]

If the point is to give some indication of what it costs to stay at a Deluxe on site resort- then picking the most expensive time of year at the most expensive resort with a discount that is not cost effective is not a good choice. It just isn't.

It's an excellent example of how much you CAN spend. It's not a good example of what you need to spend.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

nevermind

 

[kathy884]

I decided pretty early on that an offsite resort would work better for my family and that meant giving up some perks that I didn't feel were necessarily fair. The two that I'm referring to most are the advantage of booking early ADRs and FPs. It's just my opinion that anything having to do with attractions or dining inside the parks should be a level playing field for all ticket holders, regardless of your choice of lodging.

I know my concerns won't change the way things are done and that's fine. I just want to hear opinions from other offsite people as well as onsite guests. And again, I don't want my post to ruffle any feathers. No matter where we stay, I'm planning for wonderful time.

Off topic: Personally I don't think that there is much in life that is really fair. -- not that economics and standard of living are the be all and end all, but all of us from the US sort of won the lottery living here on that front.

Back to the subject, though, I prefer staying offsite. Just my opinion, of course, but for the high prices of the Disney hotel rooms I think some perks make sense and that Disney should offer more perks than they do. They need to offer something to justify the premium they charge for their hotel rooms. And to get me to stay onsite and pay those prices, they'd have to offer a heck of a lot more than they do now. I've stayed onsite six times and offsite 32 times, and just have never bought into the onsite "Disney Magic" concept that helps them fill up their 30,000 plus rooms. I think they do some amazing marketing.

 

[Sammie]

I consider it very fair.

 

[beck00]

Interesting take...but I have to agree with perks for onsite guests. We pay more to immerse ourselves and to have that extra jumpstart to book ADR's and FP+'s

 

[kiford]

Right, but I am pretty sure those in value resorts get the same perks as those in deluxes

They get the same park perks, but they are also paying for different amenities, location, and room size in a deluxe compared to a value. Even if there were no additional perks for the parks, those two rooms would not be priced the same.

Finally, yes Universal gives free Express to those who stay in their deluxe resorts but at least I can buy them there and thus level the playing field. I can't do that at WDW.

You can "buy" earlier FP+ selections at WDW by paying for a room and staying on-site. The only difference between Universal and WDW is that Universal lets you buy that perk a la carte while Disney makes you bundle it with the room. But, in the end, you're still paying more to the company to get a specific perk.

 

[BrerRabbit1114]

I would think you could fathom it. While I don't see any value (in monies or amenities) for our family to stay onsite, I can appreciate that others do find things to like about it.
Where did you stay off-site that was awful? Was it just another hotel/motel? For many here, off-site means rental home. The six-bedroom, four and two-½ bathroom home we rented last May was exceptional; we've rebooked for next year. It was $108/night. If you are comparing WDW motel/hotel with off-site motel/hotel, I may agree with you it makes more sense just to stay on-site.

We stayed at some time share place called Like Tiki Village, and it was horrible there. I was roughly 13 or so. I felt like I was a prisoner to the resort, because I couldn't go anywhere or do anything there. No arcade, no gift shop, no places to eat. Basically a really nice hotel room with nothing much else to offer. The pool area was really nice, basically a child's water park. But other than that, nothing special. The only time we visited WDW was when we went to the parks (2 days) and qhen we visited DD (twice). Only a portion of my trip spent at WDW. That's why I can't "FATHOM" staying offsite ever again. I know staying onsite isn't a choice for everyone, which is fine. But you have to expect to not have the same benefits of those paying to stay onsite, that's all.

 

[BrerRabbit1114]

Different strokes, I guess. When I stayed onsite, I hated being at the mercy of Disney transportation. It's not "anywhere, any time" ... not even close. Waiting for buses to take me back to the resort after a day at a theme park drove me up a wall. And no seating at the darn bus stops ... when you're exhausted and just want to go home. And also, traveling from resort to resort was a convoluted pain. We took cabs to simplify things.

There are things I miss about staying onsite - proximity to parks most of all, but theming a close second. Being at the mercy of Disney transportation isn't one of them.

I get that going from resort to tesort can be a pain. And maybe Disney should consider setting up a shuttle service to help guests with this problem. But how can you sit here and say waiting for a Disney bus drove you up a wall when you're exhausted, when it has to be just as exhausting waiting in lines, and dealing with people just to make it back to your car? And even once you get to your car, you have to drive back yourself to either your resort or offsite hotel. I'd rather have a short walk to the bus stops, wait a little, and have someone drive me back to my resort, rather than going though all the trouble of finding your way back to your car, and driving home yourself. But that's just my opinion.

 

[BrerRabbit1114]

Try having a family of 5 and a budget (because maybe you'd like to send your 3 kids to college or retire one day). Your only option is two value rooms or cram into a mod room. With a discount, you might be able to stay in one of those options for $200/night. Now let's say for half that price, you can rent a condo or townhouse with lots of room, in a complex that has a pool, exercise room, game room, etc. Over a week, that saves you $700 in room costs alone...not to mention the food costs you could potentially save. For most families, $700+ savings makes things fathomable. Not to mention the space and privacy issues. The only caveat is that you have to get to your car and then drive 20 minutes instead of waiting 15 minutes for a 20 minutes bus ride. That's worth $700 to a lot of people.

You don't have to tell me about saving money. I'm one of 5 children, raised by a single mother. We stayed at the All Star Sports Resort for how ever many straight years. When it's comes to Disney, you know what you're signing up for. And you know that you're going to have to shell out some cash to make the most of your vacation. All i'm saying is, I think it's worth the price, considering all th perks you get back in return. That's just my opinion. I feel like to have the most magical Disney vacation, is should be spent 100% on Disney property. Being a part of the magic 24/7.

 

[BrerRabbit1114]

And see for us it is just the opposite. For us staying onsite means giving up the things we like in a resort and most notably is the service. At Disney we felt like a number in the assembly line compared to other luxury properties in the area(or anywhere else for that matter). When we travel for pleasure I want to be pampered in a resort, and I don't want screaming kids by the pool (sorry to all those who have kids but all kids are not well behaved). I want 6 star dining on property (and by that I mean a restaurants that I would go to even if I wasn't at Disney), I want to return to my cocoon of calmness when I leave the parks
Most people who stay "deluxe" recognize that they will not get a luxury hotel experience at Disney and for them the trade-off is worth it. For us it isn't a trade-off because I'm not, as I said in my previous post looking to be immersed in the Disney bubble so I have a hard time "fathoming" why anyone would want to stay onsite.( I really don't but ...). I guess what I "just can't fathom" is how adults cant recognize that not everyone is the same as them. We all have choices to make, we all have separate likes and dislikes and fortunately there are a variety of properties out there. I "just cant fathom" how an adult couldn't understand that there are others who really do think differently from them.

Well it's Disney World we're talking about here, where millions of families visit a year. When staying on Disney property, you know what you're signing up for. If you want a nice, peaceful, relaxing vacation, go visit the caribbean or something. Don't come to Disney World and complain about screaming kids, are you kidding me? And 6 star restaurants, not so sure they exist anywhere. You act like i'm telling people what to do, that's just my opinion, and I spoke it. If you're a true Disney fan, you wouldn't mind dealing with the hustle and bustle of a few screaming kids. Cause that's what it's all about. I was gonna use a "fathom" reference, but it seems like you pretty much played out the phrase. So yeah, that's that.

 

[BrerRabbit1114]

Honestly, I'm not being nasty. The idea of sitting on a bus with over-stimulated, sweaty, balloon-laden tourists gives me the shivers. Even if I were staying on property I'd have a car. That could NEVER be an incentive to me.

I don't see the big deal with Disney transportation. I find it rather relaxing, especially boat and monorail rides. The buses are only that over packed when the parks are closing. And i'd rather deal with those conditions, rather than dealing with having to make it all the way back to my car in a massive parking lot, and driving home myself. As always, just my opinion.

 

[edolee]

Fair? Fair to whom exactly?

I would argue that it is unfair to those people who stay on Disney property, particularly those in the Value and Moderate resorts. Disney lures people to rent those cramped, noisy, bathroom challenged rooms with a few meager enticements that can easily be overcome by educating yourself through these boards and other great sites on the internet that teach you how to tour the parks efficiently.

* EMH? Most touring experts advise you to avoid those parks even if you ARE staying on property
* FP+ 60 vs 30 days? Get there before rope drop, know which rides fill fast, ride headliners early and late, and use your FP+ wisely. Also, consider renting a "throw away" campsite at Fort Wilderness for 1 night and you get the 60 days anyway and STILL come out way ahead on value ( I realize some think this is a questionable strategy)
* Free dining? Ha... nothing is free. More like a bribe to get you in those crappy rooms when they can't fill them any other way.
* Disney transportation/buses? Yech...

I am GLAD Disney keeps those resorts full... it lessens competition for the MANY WONDERFUL offsite resorts. I wish Disney would do more to drive offsite costs even lower!

For a mere $125-$175 per night (depending on the time of year) I get:
- 5 bedroom 4.5 bath Villa in Windsor Hills (or other cool resort) - Enough bedrooms and bathrooms so that each family member has their own (which is a GREAT help for getting to rope drop)
- PRIVATE! screened heated pool with bbq and a view of a lake with cool birds etc.
- Several large flat screen tv's and game consoles, free wifi, free phone calls
- Kitchen with marble counter tops and stainless steel appliances
- Private washer and dryer to reduce how much I need to pack
- No one above or below me or in my hallways running around and making noise keeping me awake (I am CERTAIN I would like your little one, but hearing them crying at night or bouncing off the walls in the morning is not for me.)
- Private air conditioned game room with pool table and other games

Fair? Again I ask, Fair to whom?

Ed

PS

If I had infinite money, and could afford to stay in the Deluxe resorts, I think I would be seriously annoyed that the perks were not MORE substantial. Given the money I was spending, I think I would be wanting "front of line" privileges similar to Universal so I don't have to plan so far ahead to avoid lines. Those poor suckers are getting seriously jobbed when it comes to perks in my opinion...

I know this post sounded smug... but I am just trying to point out the many benefits of staying offsite. I realize it is not for everyone, but it has truly been a great blessing for me and my family. Give it a try! You'll NEVER go back.

 

[Planogirl]

Of course people who stay on-site should get more. It's Disney World, and the hotels are part of that world. Spend more get more.

If one of my customers spends more with me they get more than the company that spends far less.

It's a simple tenet of business.

Why would a person who spends less at a given company expect the same as someone spending more?

That's not how it works. That's not how any of this works

Because when you buy a pass into a themepark, you generally expect to be able to enjoy that themepark much like anyone else that bought a pass. I don't think people have ever thought of WDW as an exclusive kind of place even if it actually is somewhat.

I think that both sides have valid points.

 

[Planogirl]

We stayed at some time share place called Like Tiki Village, and it was horrible there. I was roughly 13 or so. I felt like I was a prisoner to the resort, because I couldn't go anywhere or do anything there. No arcade, no gift shop, no places to eat. Basically a really nice hotel room with nothing much else to offer. The pool area was really nice, basically a child's water park. But other than that, nothing special. The only time we visited WDW was when we went to the parks (2 days) and qhen we visited DD (twice). Only a portion of my trip spent at WDW. That's why I can't "FATHOM" staying offsite ever again. I know staying onsite isn't a choice for everyone, which is fine. But you have to expect to not have the same benefits of those paying to stay onsite, that's all.

There are offsite resorts that have slews of restaurants and other amenities. I respect your choice to stay onsite but don't think that everywhere is like the place you mentioned.

 

[mummabear]

I just can't fathom the fact that someone would choose to stay offsite as opposed to staying onsite. I stayed offsite once, and i'll never do it again. One of my favorite things about Disney is being able to take the provided transportation anywhere, any time I want. With that being said, I think it is fair that onsite guests get an advantage over offsite guests. You get what you pay for they always say, and in this case, staying onsite has its worthwhile perks.

Our first 2 trips we did, it was fine, our 3rd trip we stayed at AOA and this upcoming trip ASM. For the small price difference to stay off site we definitely would not do it...However we are now a family of 5, we can still stay in the value while #3 is an infant but once she is over 3 I believe the Caribbean Beach is the cheapest so we will have to reconsider as the difference between onsite and offsite costs will be larger
I can't justify the cost of a deluxe, frankly from NZ I can fly to an actual Polynesian Island and get a hotel for 4 nights for the same sort of price as one night at the Poly....

 

[itchin2go]

I get that going from resort to tesort can be a pain. And maybe Disney should consider setting up a shuttle service to help guests with this problem. But how can you sit here and say waiting for a Disney bus drove you up a wall when you're exhausted, when it has to be just as exhausting waiting in lines, and dealing with people just to make it back to your car? And even once you get to your car, you have to drive back yourself to either your resort or offsite hotel. I'd rather have a short walk to the bus stops, wait a little, and have someone drive me back to my resort, rather than going though all the trouble of finding your way back to your car, and driving home yourself. But that's just my opinion.

All I know is I've done both, and I prefer having a car.

Disney does an exemplary job with their transportation. Really, they do. I prefer having a car, though. Plenty of others do too. I have read numerous posts on these boards advising even onsite people to drive to the parks (except MK) rather than rely on Disney transportation.

I GET that some don't feel the same. You, in particular, don't feel the same.

However, to reiterate. I've done both, and I prefer having a car. The implication in your post is that I'm making this up. It's how I feel. Why would I make it up?

Regarding "waiting in lines, and dealing with people just to make it back to [my] car", I don't have to wait in lines or deal with people to make it back to my car. As far as lines or people in the parks, often we push ourselves to the limits in the parks. We do wait and we do walk and we wear ourselves out. At the point when we cry "uncle" and want to take a break, standing for 30 minutes at the bus stop waiting for a bus to go back to the resort seems interminable. That's just me. You don't have to feel the same. But please don't assume I'm lying or crazy. It's how I feel.

As far as "hav[ing] someone drive me back to my resort" vs. "driving myself home", I personally don't find the short drive back to my offiste resort exhausting or taxing in any way. I understand some find a 5-10 minute drive to be less than pleasant. I can't really fathom why that would be the case, but I don't doubt that people are being truthful. FWIW, I am a control freak, and being at the mercy of others drives me crazy. I CAN'T control the lines in the parks or the people with the stroller in front of me, but I CAN control being able to come and go from the parks when I see fit.

I have done both, and I strongly prefer having a car. If I were to stay onsite tomorrow, and truly, I consider it all the time, we would drive to all parks except MK and we would certainly drive to resorts for ADRs. Scout's honor.

 

[itchin2go]

Fair? Fair to whom exactly?

I would argue that it is unfair to those people who stay on Disney property, particularly those in the Value and Moderate resorts. Disney lures people to rent those cramped, noisy, bathroom challenged rooms with a few meager enticements that can easily be overcome by educating yourself through these boards and other great sites on the internet that teach you how to tour the parks efficiently.

* EMH? Most touring experts advise you to avoid those parks even if you ARE staying on property
* FP+ 60 vs 30 days? Get there before rope drop, know which rides fill fast, ride headliners early and late, and use your FP+ wisely. Also, consider renting a "throw away" campsite at Fort Wilderness for 1 night and you get the 60 days anyway and STILL come out way ahead on value ( I realize some think this is a questionable strategy)
* Free dining? Ha... nothing is free. More like a bribe to get you in those crappy rooms when they can't fill them any other way.
* Disney transportation/buses? Yech...

I am GLAD Disney keeps those resorts full... it lessens competition for the MANY WONDERFUL offsite resorts. I wish Disney would do more to drive offsite costs even lower!

For a mere $125-$175 per night (depending on the time of year) I get:
- 5 bedroom 4.5 bath Villa in Windsor Hills (or other cool resort) - Enough bedrooms and bathrooms so that each family member has their own (which is a GREAT help for getting to rope drop)
- PRIVATE! screened heated pool with bbq and a view of a lake with cool birds etc.
- Several large flat screen tv's and game consoles, free wifi, free phone calls
- Kitchen with marble counter tops and stainless steel appliances
- Private washer and dryer to reduce how much I need to pack
- No one above or below me or in my hallways running around and making noise keeping me awake (I am CERTAIN I would like your little one, but hearing them crying at night or bouncing off the walls in the morning is not for me.)
- Private air conditioned game room with pool table and other games

Fair? Again I ask, Fair to whom?

Ed

PS

If I had infinite money, and could afford to stay in the Deluxe resorts, I think I would be seriously annoyed that the perks were not MORE substantial. Given the money I was spending, I think I would be wanting "front of line" privileges similar to Universal so I don't have to plan so far ahead to avoid lines. Those poor suckers are getting seriously jobbed when it comes to perks in my opinion...

I know this post sounded smug... but I am just trying to point out the many benefits of staying offsite. I realize it is not for everyone, but it has truly been a great blessing for me and my family. Give it a try! You'll NEVER go back.

Thank you for this!

 

[patty57]

Looks like this has morphed into an "I like onsite" vs "I like offsite" thread. FWIW...let's agree to disagree here. Some like on, and some like off. There's no need to criticize anyone's choice, or even try to convince anyone that your choice is the right one. Different strokes and all that.

 

[itchin2go]

We stayed at some time share place called Like Tiki Village, and it was horrible there. I was roughly 13 or so. I felt like I was a prisoner to the resort, because I couldn't go anywhere or do anything there. No arcade, no gift shop, no places to eat. Basically a really nice hotel room with nothing much else to offer. The pool area was really nice, basically a child's water park. But other than that, nothing special. The only time we visited WDW was when we went to the parks (2 days) and qhen we visited DD (twice). Only a portion of my trip spent at WDW. That's why I can't "FATHOM" staying offsite ever again. I know staying onsite isn't a choice for everyone, which is fine. But you have to expect to not have the same benefits of those paying to stay onsite, that's all.

With all due respect, this is NOTHING like our offsite experiences. If it were, I might feel as adamantly as you. We are not "prisoner to the resort" because we have a car. We do go to the parks every day. We have a gorgeous 2BR, 2BA villa, and we walk out our screened porch to a stunning pool.

This idea that this "Tiki Village" is all there is out there ..... Surely you know there are nice resorts outside of Disney World, notwithstanding your experiences ....

I don't begrudge you your choice and your experience. Please don't begrudge mine.

And back to the topic at hand, I think Disney should give MORE privileges to onsite guests, not less. I have friends who stay at GF, MK view every trip ... 5 people ... in ONE hotel room ... with one room and one bathroom. The GF is a lovely resort, but honestly, that sounds like hell to me. And they spend 3 times or more a night than I spend. For that kind of money, in THAT kind of room, I can't see doing it without MORE incentives.

 

[momof2n2]

We stayed at some time share place called Like Tiki Village, and it was horrible there. I was roughly 13 or so. I felt like I was a prisoner to the resort, because I couldn't go anywhere or do anything there. No arcade, no gift shop, no places to eat. Basically a really nice hotel room with nothing much else to offer. The pool area was really nice, basically a child's water park. But other than that, nothing special. The only time we visited WDW was when we went to the parks (2 days) and qhen we visited DD (twice). Only a portion of my trip spent at WDW. That's why I can't "FATHOM" staying offsite ever again. I know staying onsite isn't a choice for everyone, which is fine. But you have to expect to not have the same benefits of those paying to stay onsite, that's all.

Only responding, because can you believe I've actually stayed at Liki Tiki Village? In 2005. We had a week at a gorgeous vacation rental, and then stayed three nights at LTV. We had a blast. We had an older unit, but it had a nice layout. Friends of ours (with a bigger family) stayed in a newer unit that was heavenly. The water park was exceptional and ahead of the curve as far as those go. They also had bikes to rent, places to fish. I believe you that your experience was not as rewarding. But it's funny you name the one NON-rental house I have stayed at in 13 years.

Fair? Fair to whom exactly?

I would argue that it is unfair to those people who stay on Disney property, particularly those in the Value and Moderate resorts. Disney lures people to rent those cramped, noisy, bathroom challenged rooms with a few meager enticements that can easily be overcome by educating yourself through these boards and other great sites on the internet that teach you how to tour the parks efficiently.

* EMH? Most touring experts advise you to avoid those parks even if you ARE staying on property
* FP+ 60 vs 30 days? Get there before rope drop, know which rides fill fast, ride headliners early and late, and use your FP+ wisely. Also, consider renting a "throw away" campsite at Fort Wilderness for 1 night and you get the 60 days anyway and STILL come out way ahead on value ( I realize some think this is a questionable strategy)
* Free dining? Ha... nothing is free. More like a bribe to get you in those crappy rooms when they can't fill them any other way.
* Disney transportation/buses? Yech...

I am GLAD Disney keeps those resorts full... it lessens competition for the MANY WONDERFUL offsite resorts. I wish Disney would do more to drive offsite costs even lower!

For a mere $125-$175 per night (depending on the time of year) I get:
- 5 bedroom 4.5 bath Villa in Windsor Hills (or other cool resort) - Enough bedrooms and bathrooms so that each family member has their own (which is a GREAT help for getting to rope drop)
- PRIVATE! screened heated pool with bbq and a view of a lake with cool birds etc.
- Several large flat screen tv's and game consoles, free wifi, free phone calls
- Kitchen with marble counter tops and stainless steel appliances
- Private washer and dryer to reduce how much I need to pack
- No one above or below me or in my hallways running around and making noise keeping me awake (I am CERTAIN I would like your little one, but hearing them crying at night or bouncing off the walls in the morning is not for me.)
- Private air conditioned game room with pool table and other games

Fair? Again I ask, Fair to whom?

Ed

PS

If I had infinite money, and could afford to stay in the Deluxe resorts, I think I would be seriously annoyed that the perks were not MORE substantial. Given the money I was spending, I think I would be wanting "front of line" privileges similar to Universal so I don't have to plan so far ahead to avoid lines. Those poor suckers are getting seriously jobbed when it comes to perks in my opinion...

I know this post sounded smug... but I am just trying to point out the many benefits of staying offsite. I realize it is not for everyone, but it has truly been a great blessing for me and my family. Give it a try! You'll NEVER go back.

This is beautiful. Except I typically don't stay in Windsor Hills. It's an amazing development. Stayed once. I prefer staying on 27.