disney-onsite or offsite

[mikemouse]

Still trying to decide whether I stay onsite at disney for 3 nights so I can get to the parks early and not have to get a rental car and then pay for parking each day and then stay 3 nights elsewhere for IOA, SW, Disney etc

I was thinking of one of the all star hotels

If i stay on i drive i will stay at the quality inn or best western and then get a rental car

anyone got any ideas on which i should take

i have no children and am going in 3 weeks so it shound be quiet

i suppose at least even if i am not at a disney resort i can still drive to downtown disney and spend the evenings there- am i really missing anything by not staying at the hotel?

 

[KayleeUK]

I being on-site But I have never stayed off-site

I will tell you some of the things I love about being on-site and then I am sure someone will will tell you about off-site to enable you to make a good choice

We have stayed on-site three times. I love the early entry perk - Making the most of those first 2 -3 hours is so worth it. I love the Disney theming at all resorts. I like being able to hop on a bus/boat/monorail or even being able to walk to the parks. I love being able to come out of MGM after Fantasmic when it is packed and being able to walk back to my room in 10- 15 mins at the Boardwalk. We have never had a rental car and alway's used Disney transport which we have found very efficient. Next year for the first time we are hiring a car to use only if we go off property.

 

[tartangirl]

We have always stayed off-site in Florida but we stayed on-site in Paris.

The main reason we stay off site in Florida is that we like the space a villa has to offer over a long period and a private pool is great for the kids.

As you have no kids that probably isn't a consideration so I would go for on-site. If you stay 3 nights and are looking for early entry to the parks then make sure you pick the 3 days that have early entry to the parks you want.

Staying at IOA always has the advantage of front of the line access which means you can do the parks quickly.

Are you there for 1 week? If so you will probably find it easier to do all the parks staying on-site.

 

[gilld]

Definitely on site!!! We stayed off site our first visit but on site every time since and wouldn't do anything else.

You will really feel part of the magic. You can go to DTD and PI, have a drink and not worry about driving. EE is a great perk, we always leave for another park when the day guests come in, E ticket, when it's available is another perk we like.

Yes, the food costs a bit more as do the hotels but for 3 days it will be worth it.

 

[Frances999]

Originally posted by gilld
You will really feel part of the magic.

That sums it up for me The magic doesn't stop when you stay at a Disney resort. You leave the park but go staright back to another Disney experience. The resorts theming is out of this world and the service is exemplorary. I would never stay off-site. The resort 'makes' the holiday as much as the parks do for me

Go for it!

 

[Hilary]

We prefer on-site for all the reasons already mentioned

For us, it's the best way of experiencing everything that the whole WDW resort has to offer. When we're in Orlando we concentrate on the parks so it makes sense for us. Maybe if we had more time out of the parks we'd find use for a car (we leave the 'relaxing' days for when we visit other parts of Florida), but we like being immersed in Disney!

We stayed on site at Universal for the first time last trip, and loved that too!

the food costs a bit more as do the hotels

Don't forget the car hire / insurance you'll be saving if you go car-less We reckon that even allowing for a transfer from the airport and a couple of taxi journeys (maybe to SeaWorld, etc.) we still save money staying on-site and not having a car.

For what it's worth, my vote would be to stay on-site at WDW and Universal, making the most of all the perks at both resorts!

 

[MsPennieLane]

We've stayed on and offsite and much prefer staying onsite. As has been mentioned, staying onsite is part of the magic. You feel like you're part of Disney as such. We stayed at Pop Century which is a value resort and it was brilliant. We're staying again in 3 weeks time and at Christmas. The early magic hour is a bonus, as is the transportation. The only time we used our car was when we went shopping etc. I'd definitely recommend staying onsite and wouldn't do it any other way now. Hope this helps.

Anz

 

[Tony Bush]

Hiya,

We've done both and feel they both have their advantages. On site is fun esspecially for the kids with all the Disney theming and the Disney buses are efficient. Stayed off site on our last visit and again this time mainly because we love the freedom of having your own car to come and go as you please and staying on I-Drive is so central to all the parks, plus of course the many wonderful resturants up and down I-Drive itself. We stayed at the Quality Inn International last time and although quite basic it was clean, comfortable and in a fantastic location.

We will be spending 2 nights in the 'Hard Rock Hotel' just for the experience.

Its really 'Horses for Courses' and for some money comes into the equation. With I-Drive usually being the cheeper option.

Our Therory is to spend less on accomodation and more on Fun!

Tony

 

[mikemouse]

Thanks for the advice- looks like onsite then

anyone know where to get the best deals on the all star resorts- also are these withing reasonable distance of disney and not too far off?

i see that mousesavers.com has some special discount codes but are they for US residents only- otherwise anyone know anywhere online or national agents where i can book through-also which is the best all star resort?

how much are taxis from airport to disney?

 

[Tiggery]

I use tiffany town cars for airport transfers. They are waiting for you at the second bagage claim and will offer a free 30 supermarket stop if you request it. I think it costs $80 for the return journey (not inc tip) to go to WDW.

 

[KayleeUK]

Have a check with Dreams Unlimited they can provide you with a quote for All-Stars and they check discounts for you.

For transport you could try FL Tours we have used them before for airport transfers

 

[MsPennieLane]

If there isn't many of you and if you're flying into Sanford not Orlando International, why not try a coach transfer instead of a taxi? I used Coach USA during my solo trip - it was $40 round trip Sanford Airport to Disney and they dropped me off right outside my hotel. They cover all the Disney hotels and all the I-Drive, Kissimmee and Lake Buena Vista hotels too. Coachusa.com is their main website.

Anz