Disney Resort -VS- off Disney hotel

[JayR101]

Hello, planning on going to Disney and am trying to decide whether to stay at a Disney Resort or off Disney. Any advice from those who have done both? I think it would be cheaper and a lot less hassle staying in the park. Am I right? Thanks!
Jay

 

[markm0926]

I've done Disney both ways...............Never even liked going to Disney until we stayed on-site.
I can't even explain the difference.
If you are going to Orlando just to be at WDW, then there is no better way to do it. The resorts are awesome and the convienences and perks are so worth it.

 

[emmabelle]

Once you've stayed on property you'll never want to stay off again, and once you've stayed deluxe, you'll be begging for code rates.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

I also love staying inside the "World". Suggest you check out the hotels on allearsnet.com. Tons of information over there on WDW. Also check out mousesaver.com for possible discounts.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

There are definite perks for being on-site. Even at the value hotels you get the bus transportation. They are effecient and easy, although sometimes crowded you will always have a ride and will not have to drive your car at all. The on site hotels get you early entry to the parks and as of now also 3 night time hours at the parks. (a different park each day) This extra time can be the difference in doing the "big" rides or Fantasyland if it is a busy time like holidays or summer. Also if the parks get too full only resort guests will be allowed into them. They will close the parking lots first to off site guests. Not ususally a problem but on certain days ie 4th of July it can happen. You can charge everything to your room, and have packages sent back to your hotel. The down side is the cost even a small value room will run $77 - $99 in summer and the size of the rooms. They are much smaller than off site.

Off site you can get a bigger room or even a nice condo or house for the same or less money than on-site. Off site you leave the Disney magic in the evening. For some that is a plus! Also food is less expensive and there are more choices too.

'good luck deciding!

 

[pw2pp]

Depending on when you are going, you can sometimes get discount "codes" (you can find them on this board or at mousesavers.com ) these codes can save you alot of money.
I have seen the Value Resorts at $54 per nite and the Moderate Resorts at $84 per nite (during "value" season).
When are you going?

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

Oooh staying on site is the only way to go!

 

[JayR101]

We are planning on mid october. Would love to stay somewhere in the park, especially if I can find one of the codes you spoke of.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Codes won't be out for October for awhile. Keep watching here and they will be posted when they are out. Start watching in late summer, but no one really knows for sure. I am waiting now for June. I think they just released the Mickey's Halloween Party dates. I understand it is very fun so you might want to check it out too.

 

[AndyMcV]

Jay

You may want to look at staying at the Swan or Dolphin resorts. We stayed at the Swan in June 2003 and it was awsome. The nice thing about the Swan is that it is an on property resort (in the Epcot resort area very close to the Yacht Club and Beach club and the boardwalk) that is not actually owned by Disney.

It's a deluxe resort but not at the Disney deluxe rate. I think the only difference between it and a Disney resort is that you can't charge Disney things to your room. Big deal.. just bring a credit card or extra cash if you need to charge something.

Check out the discount rates via AllEars. AllEars Swan/Dolphin discount rates

Hope this helps.
Andy

 

[JayCT]

We stayed off-site once and NEVER again. I would almost rather not go. It is not worth the hassle. The on-site resorts are all excellent, while off-site are hit-or-miss. So far we have stayed at the All-Star, Poly (my favorite), CR and YC. We are staying at the Dolphin in April because we couldn't resist the price and I knew that Disney would not be offering any discounts during our trip. I was glad to see that Andy posted such a good report on it. I will warn you though, once you stay on-site, it is hard to stay off-site. Good luck. Jay

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

We too will only stay onsite. Staying at an offsite hotel doesn't give you the same experience of being immersed in Disney magic. When I was younger and we'd stay off site, I would always look at the lucky people who would be getting on the monorail to go to the CR or Poly and imagine all the fun they were having still living the Disney fun. Kind of like leaving summer camp at the halfway point while many of your friends get to stay for the whole summer!