Are all Disney resort perks fair?

[SmithSmith]

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've always taken the buses and can honestly say that I have not experienced what you've described. Here's what I've noticed:

Beginning of the day: no one is over-stimulated, sweaty, or holding balloons. Everyone is usually quiet, slightly tired, and freshly showered.

Middle of the day: buses are pretty empty and you may have one all to yourself.

End of day: people are worn out, but happy.

Either way, in any of those scenarios you have the chance to strike up some great conversations with fellow guests. Some of my most memorable trip moments are from using Disney buses.

Oh and you can't beat WDW AC. They keep those buses ice cold!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I take the buses because then I don't have to drive after visiting La Cava. I wouldn't care if they were loaded with fully grown mountain trolls so long as I didn't have to drive.

 

[itchin2go]

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.

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.

 

[smiths02]

Maybe the bus thing is exaggerated, but I have had to stand on the bus while balancing a stroller...that is not fun. None of you ever had to stand on a bus?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

when you commute using public transportation, you have to stand most of the time. that's how it works. But if you are not used to public transporation, it might be inconvenient or uncomfortable.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I do like the WDW transportation system. Sometimes the buses are a pain (having to stand when bone-tired in the evening; occassional delays), but all in all it has been pretty convenient through the years. It certainly is a worthy perk of staying on property

 

[ArwenMarie]

It's interesting that the Four Seasons didn't negotiate for any onsite perks (building the hotel required a joint venture). I guess they assume that people staying with them are there mainly to enjoy the resort, more so than all things Disney.

It is interesting. Even the Swan & Dolphin, which is at a much lower price point than the Four Seasons, has the 60 day prebooking for FPs. I could see them negotiating for that with Disney once they get enough annoyed customers who couldn't get a FP for something. The other thing they don't have is bus service to the front bus stop at MK (I think Swan and Dolphin has that?). You get dropped at the TTC.

 

[rwdavis2]

Honestly I think Disney should be offering more to onsite guests and imho even more to those who pay more and stay at their more expensive properties. They want to get offsiters to become onsiters or to keep onsiters they need to offer something.

I cant imagine what would entice us to stay onsite for more than a very brief stay other than perhaps if the 4 Seasons became a Disney property ( with 4 seasons still running the show) but if im going to have to give up offsite it would have to be really good and it would have to be something that a throwaway wont get me. For example if they offered extra fp's or something similar to Universals express but that one cant purchase for deluxe on a per day basis then I'd consider it. Otherwise I just cant justify getting less and paying more. The bubble doesn't work for me. I want peace and quiet and the opposite of Disney immersion when im not in the parks . Yep...the only thing I can think of would have to be related to fp's.

Although we like staying onsite I don't consider Deluxe hotels a deluxe experience. Just try staying over at the Hard Rock at Universal. IMHO, betters Disney in service and accommodations. Besides the free Express Pass the staff there seem to like their jobs given the ones I've talked to. No college program short-timers.

I agree, WDW should start charging for some FPs. Many people already think they cost money anyway.

 

[Luckybee]

Wow- We've never felt like that when staying at a Deluxe. The service has always been exceptional.



I've never stayed at an all adult resort, but I've stayed at some really nice, posh hotels that had some of the worst behaved children I don't think the quality of the hotel affects the behavior of the children. We find the quiet pools at the deluxes to be relatively child free.



No, I don't recognize that at all.

I could never stay off site, but I don't try and put little digs in about the quality of off site resorts either. Just because I choose on site doesn't mean off site is lesser quality- but that works both ways.

It wasn't meant as a dig at all and if you took it in that manner then im sorry . I make no secret of the fact that we don't think Disney Deluxes are true luxury properties. I've read repeatedly on here by many posters that they love Disney deluxes, but that they also don't expect the same at a DD that they would get at a luxury property elsewhere. I honestly thought it was a common perception.

 

[Luckybee]

Although we like staying onsite I don't consider Deluxe hotels a deluxe experience. Just try staying over at the Hard Rock at Universal. IMHO, betters Disney in service and accommodations. Besides the free Express Pass the staff there seem to like their jobs given the ones I've talked to. No college program short-timers.

I agree, WDW should start charging for some FPs. Many people already think they cost money anyway.

And then try Portofino...which was for us equal to some of the best we've stayed at anywhere as well

 

[cakebaker]

We stayed at the Royal Pacific at Universal. I don't know what quality it's supposed to be, but we were completely unimpressed. The pool was small and packed and my grandson couldn't enjoy it for all the kids in the splash area shooting him and everyone else in the face constantly. We only tried the pool once- that was enough. The bathroom door in our room had a hole in it. It was just the right height for my grandson to have no end of fun yelling through it to whoever was in the bathroom at the time- so that was fun.

The breakfast buffet there at at 20 something per person was the worst breakfast I ever tried to eat. The server was extremely nice though and even had them make my grandson his favorite strawberry milk.

Perhaps their other resorts are nicer.

 

[itchin2go]

It wasn't meant as a dig at all and if you took it in that manner then im sorry . I make no secret of the fact that we don't think Disney Deluxes are true luxury properties. I've read repeatedly on here by many posters that they love Disney deluxes, but that they also don't expect the same at a DD that they would get at a luxury property elsewhere. I honestly thought it was a common perception.

I did too.

That said, we did enjoy the Disney properties we stayed at, regardless of whether they felt "deluxe". We just stay for a fraction of a price in a much larger villa offsite. Once we experienced all that extra space and the MUCH lower price tag, it was hard to go back. And I *thought * driving to the parks was going to be a drag, but it was actually far easier and more convenient that I had thought.

 

[momof2n2]

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.

In all my trips I don't think there was ever a balloon on any of the buses. Wet seats from people leaving the pool and taking the internal bus at FW but that was the parents' responsibility, not Disney's.

I've always taken the buses and can honestly say that I have not experienced what you've described. Here's what I've noticed:

Beginning of the day: no one is over-stimulated, sweaty, or holding balloons. Everyone is usually quiet, slightly tired, and freshly showered.

Middle of the day: buses are pretty empty and you may have one all to yourself.

End of day: people are worn out, but happy.

Either way, in any of those scenarios you have the chance to strike up some great conversations with fellow guests. Some of my most memorable trip moments are from using Disney buses.

Oh and you can't beat WDW AC. They keep those buses ice cold!

Okay - I apologize for my hyperbole. But man, a BUS could NEVER woo me.

As does the idea of loading on to that barge with a bunch of hot, sweaty balloon laden tourists or having to ride in hot open air tram to my car- which is only 400 degrees inside.

Not sure why people have to slam other people's choices. We ride the busses quite a bit, and the description you gave is rarely the experience.

The barge part - do you mean leaving MK? Yes - MK is a pain in the butt to leave, period. The other three parks are smoother and we just walk to our car.

I take the buses because then I don't have to drive after visiting La Cava. I wouldn't care if they were loaded with fully grown mountain trolls so long as I didn't have to drive.

Hmmmmmm - should I instead have said, "drunk people?"

JUST KIDDING PEOPLE!

 

[angierae]

I love WDW transportation. Part of vacation is not having to drive. In 2013 we did Friday-Sunday offsite at another event and I was SO HAPPY Sunday afternoon to drop off my rental at the Swolphin and get on a Disney bus. Driving in Orlando was absolutely no fun for me and I woluld rather wait a half hour for a bus than have to drive on vacation.

 

[momof2n2]

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.

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.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I love WDW transportation. Part of vacation is not having to drive. In 2013 we did Friday-Sunday offsite at another event and I was SO HAPPY Sunday afternoon to drop off my rental at the Swolphin and get on a Disney bus. Driving in Orlando was absolutely no fun for me and I woluld rather wait a half hour for a bus than have to drive on vacation.

Yeah that's what gets me. The transportation.

I work full time and drive my kids to all of their extra activities. Sometimes I feel like I live in my car. Not driving is a huge plus. My SO would do all of the driving but that's not fair since he has a longer commute to work too.

Even our vacations to the shore consist of no driving. Condo, beach, boardwalk.

All inclusive- no driving.

No driving is a vacation to me.

For some they don't mind it and that's awesome! Luckily there are hundreds of places to stay in Orlando that can please most anyone!

 

[itchin2go]

As does the idea of loading on to that barge with a bunch of hot, sweaty balloon laden tourists or having to ride in hot open air tram to my car- which is only 400 degrees inside.

(1) Do you mean the ferry from MK to TTC? I have never found it all that crowded and it's pleasant enough for what it is. That said, the ONE time when I feel Disney transportation beats your own car is parking to go to the MK. It is just inconvenient to do the multi-step process ... parking lot at TTC > TTC > ferry or monorail > MK. For the other parks, or for visiting a Disney resort for dining, I find driving to be far superior. That's just me ... other's experiences may differ.

(2) We have stayed offsite a bunch and drive to the parks exclusively, and we have never used a tram. We get to the parks early and we park relatively close. So for us, trams = not an issue.

(3) We also travel in temperate weather so we have never experienced a 400 degree car. That would surely be unpleasant if it were to happen, but it has never happened to us.

Just us, but we drive the short distance to the parks, we park relatively close, we walk a short distance from the lot to the entrance and off we go. Reverse the process when we leave. Honestly, I thought driving would be SUCH a pain, but it's just not. Everyone is different. I'm a control freak and waiting for a bus really drove me crazy ... not so much TO the parks, but FROM? Drove me nuts. Others experiences and personalities may differ.

I will say, the thing I MOST adored about staying at the Beach Club was proximity to Epcot and DHS. Strolling into Epcot every night for dinner was amazing. THAT beats buses and cars and ferries for sure.

 

[rwdavis2]

.....Perhaps their other resorts are nicer.

They are. I would consider it a little above WDW moderate level.

 

[Luckybee]

Wow- We've never felt like that when staying at a Deluxe. The service has always been exceptional.



I've never stayed at an all adult resort, but I've stayed at some really nice, posh hotels that had some of the worst behaved children I don't think the quality of the hotel affects the behavior of the children. We find the quiet pools at the deluxes to be relatively child free.



No, I don't recognize that at all.

I could never stay off site, but I don't try and put little digs in about the quality of off site resorts either. Just because I choose on site doesn't mean off site is lesser quality- but that works both ways.

After my earlier answer you have me thinking. If you are saying it isn't a common perception that D Deluxes are not at the same level as yop luxury properties elsewhere I guess that means it is your opinion that a Disney Deluxe is a 6* luxury property ? And are you also saying that a DD offers the same level of service as an offsite luxury property ?

 

[cakebaker]

After my earlier answer you have me thinking. If you are saying it isn't a common perception

I didn't comment on whether it was a common perception or not. I said it wasn't our perception.

Disney Deluxe is a 6* luxury property

I don't give much credence to how many stars a resort has- it's a nice way to brag if one likes that sort of thing, but it's the service I receive that matters to me. We have found Deluxes and DVC to offer exceptional service. It's actually quite amazing considering the number of guests and issues they deal with on a daily basis.

And are you also saying that a DD offers the same level of service as an offsite luxury property ?

I would have no way to know. We have never and never will stay off site.