Better Offsite Hotel or Value Onsite?

[SplashMtn]

Hopefully going back to Orlando next August. Could have a dilemma though; do we stay in Pop or one of the All Stars, or for the same price or less, stay at a 4 star suites hotel in Lake Buena Vista- still near the World. I know about the advantages of staying onsite such as being able to use free transportation all over the property and the opportunity to buy the Ultimate Park Hopper passes, though there is the temptation of a considerably larger room and kitchen facilities as standard offsite.

What does everybody think?- Are the advantages of staying onsite worth it over the larger rooms and facilities offsite? (Will not be driving- although a shuttle bus is available from the offsite hotel to the TTC).

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I don't know why you're not driving from England!!!

I would want to rent a car if not staying onsite. I haven't personally taken the hotel shuttles, but I've heard that they don't run very often, which can mean lots of waiting.

I like staying onsite, but it is hard to pass up a bigger room. In December my mother is going to get her timeshare and we will stay there. It's hard to pass up "free".

Try also posting on the "Orlando Hotels and Attractions" part of the boards to get some information about the shuttles, etc.

T&B

 

[dina7]

I still think staying onsite no matter which resort is better than staying offsite. That is just my opinion though.

 

[liznboys]

There is no comparison to staying onsite for us. We just want to be IN WDW 24-7! It's all about the escape and magic for us. If you don't feel like this is you, then stay offsite! I'm sure there are great deals out there, but for us no deal is as good as being onsite. Best of luck with your big decision!!

 

[SplashMtn]

Thanks for your opinions- hard decision, I vote for onsite at POP, but ive got to convince my mother now!- Thanks, and any more opinions would be appreciated!

 

[xmatt0926x]

I think most people who have to stay onsite at all times agree that the biggest reason for that is the "magic". You do have the transportation benefits and all that, but the biggest thing is never leaving the magic. its a world in itself. It all comes down to whether your one of those people that needs and wants the constant disney feel like I do or if the resort is just a place to sleep and not much more.

 

[Mymatisse]

As far as "value" is concerned I would stay offsite. That being said, if you want to stay at a Disney resort just to see what the Disney resort experience is like then stay at a Disney resort.


If you're looking strictly at the amount of money you will be paying out, for what you will be getting in return, ie room size, kitchenette etc.. non-disney usually wins out every time. I would definately agree with a previous poster and advise you to rent a car, unless you are planning to stay at one of the non-Disney owned downtown Disney hotels. They have very good transportation to the parks.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I think you made the right decision. By your signature, I see you've been twice before, both times off site. I think it is time for an on site visit. Then you can truly compare the two.

I used to be one of those who would NEVER consider off site. Well, guess what? I'm considering it.

It's either that, or we don't go. I am getting a three bedroom condo (luxury) with kitchen, washer,dryer etc. for $75 a night. Hard to pass up. And I could have one with my own outdoor hot tub for $105.

But I've stayed on site before. I'm not sure that you have. I think everyone should try on site, just to experience it.

 

[jl3614]

We always stay at Disney resorts, usually value but occasionally moderates. For me the disney magic wins out over extra amenities at offsite hotels everytime. But our circumstances are different than yours, what is right for us may not be so for you.

I'll make a few assumptions first then give you my suggestion.

Coming from England - I assume your stay is at least 10 days, maybe 2 weeks or longer.

From your email, I'll assume your party is small (2 or 3 people) - maybe an adult and older mother, or possibly an older child (teen) and parent(s).

From your signature it looks like you have been to disney twice before. Based on that I will assume this visit you will be in the parks 4, 5, or at most 6 days. PC or any value resort may disappoint you on your non-park days if you are used to more luxurous accomodations.

My suggestion is to split your trip. Stay onsite for half the trip - visit all the parks, enjoy the disney magic. Then stay offsite for the other half of your trip. Rent a car for this part of the trip - visit the rest of Orlando and Central Florida. Maybe go to SeaWorld, Universal Studios, drive over to the beach on either coast. Possible visit Busch Gardens in Tampa or drive east to the Space Center.

Enjoy your trip, have fun.

Jeff

 

[Mercy]

Ok, I vote for value.

Order the Vacation Planning Video.... I just finished watching mine, OMG, I was all teary eyed just watching the video

Get the video... after watching it, heck, you'll probably book the GF!!

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

 

[TinkTatoo]

We've never stayed on site but after finding these boards in January we have decided that we must experience the magic.

So for our 2005 trip we have a villa booked for 3 weeks and plan to book 5-6 nights at Animal Kingdom as a special treat for the kids.

We also plan to come back in 2006 - again in a villa but will probably book 1 week in Pop at the start of the holiday - gotta use those AP's

This trip is already booked and paid for but we are seriously considering a night at the Contempoary as a treat for the kids just to get our first taste of the magic

 

[susy]

Pop Century gets my vote. The transporation is awesome! It's just one stop and you don't share buses. Three great pools... wonderful theming and early entry! NO WAY would I trust my vacation to an offsite shuttle! We usually bring breakfast (a cooler)-there is plenty of ice at the resort. Bring drinks, snacks, cereal, water. If one in your party buys an AP, you can get teh AP rate and maybe get two connecting rooms. How many of you will there be?

 

[sweet maxine]

Good Morning!

I just booked the Pop Century yesterday as a first night before our regular reservation starts. I got a great AP rate, and am really excited enough that we may leave a day earlier and book one more day there if possible. I would like to have the time to enjoy the PC and not feel so rushed with check-in and airport trips on that one day. It sounds like PC is a truly wonderful place!

I already have the cabins booked for the rest of our stay, but thought that experiencing something different would be nice. I have to say that for the AP rate though, the WL looks very enticing. I just don't know which would be more exciting for a 3 y/o. I have to say that the savings I have found from using the AP i just bought will more than pay for buying it!

 

[Rippington'sFan]

We also were not sure if we wanted to stay onsite or offsite. We finally decided to stay onsite at the All Star Music. The main reason is because it's our 1st time going to Disney and we thought the kids would enjoy staying onsite and that they would enjoy the Disney experience better that way.
I agree with the other posters who mentioned that you should stay onsite because twice in the past you have stayed offsite. I agree that it's about time you stayed onsite. Just my opinion. Go for it!

 

[SplashMtn]

Again, thanks for the replies, just to clear some of your questions up..........
There will be me (16), my sister (11) and my mam going- she cant drive and obviously neither can my sister or I (that probably adds weight to the advantages of staying onsite ) my only concern was regarding the size of the room, but with the amount of time we spend in the parks that wouldnt be such of a problem for me, although as i mentioned earlier, my mam loves the extra space .
Each of the previous visits we have had 10 day hopper passes so again, the onsite option looks better and better (with being able to come back to the hotel easily in the middle of the day for a break).

Thanks to these forums and your replies the decision could br swung towards onsite

. We wont be booking for a while, but ill update you all when the "decision" is made!