Disney Resort vs Off Site

[karenmason52]

My husband and I visit annually in early December and stay on Disney property. This year we are trying CBR for the first time. Another couple is joining us this year and can't quite understand why we won't stay off site at a condo. I have tried to explain that staying on site is nonnegotiable and just part of the whole Disney experience. Can any of you give me some better words to convince this couple? Thanks.

 

[disneydance]

Try telling her that its like loosing the disney magic when you leave the parks and then your not around them 24/7 then also say something about EMH's and the extra time in the parks Also say something about free transportation from the airport to the hotel (ME) and back and free transportation in the parks

 

[disnut8]

I take it they've never stayed onsite before. When I get questions like that (or things like "I don't understand why you need to take a bus between parks - why don't you just walk?), I just say "You'll understand when you get there. Trust me." And leave it go.

 

[Jrabbit910]

Alot of people always ask me the same thing and I usually say because "I am on vacation"- Its all part of the Disney Experience... Like the pp said, they wont know unless they have tried it for themselves.

 

[shakebear]

I take it they've never stayed onsite before. When I get questions like that (or things like "I don't understand why you need to take a bus between parks - why don't you just walk?), I just say "You'll understand when you get there. Trust me." And leave it go.

Agreed.

A trip we took that involved staying offsite isn't even considered a Disney trip for us, because we didn't feel nearly as much Disney magic as when we stayed onsite, in fact, not even close to as much.

 

[JesseDisney]

It is so much more magical and relaxing staying on site, Disney is everywhere you look, It is so compfy and relaxing and safe feeling "Inside the gates"

On Site =
On Site =

 

[frdeb1999]

I agree if you have never done it that way you won't understand until you do. It's just wonderful having everything right there at your fingertips! Not to mention all the perks, and disney feel!

 

[wezee]

DH and I visited WDW several times when our son was younger (he's 20 now) and were not impressed with the whole Disney experience because we stayed off site and visited a park here and there. In 2000 my MIL's celebrated their 50th Anniv. and ttok the whole clan to WDW, Onsite, for a week. My DH didn't want to go and thought he would be miserable the whole time........Boy was he wrong! He loved the whole onsite experience and has told many of our friends " If you are not going to stay at a WDW resort...don't bother"

Several years ago when DH and I planned for our 25th Anniv. trip. he said we could go anywhere I wanted (Except Hawaii or Europe) and after a few days I said "I want to go back to WDW". I never say him so happy. We had a fantastic 25th and have been back two more times in the last year. Plus we have booked the bounceback for next year.

To make a long story short (oops, too late for that) STAY ONSITE !!!!!

 

[estherhead]

I have to disagree a tiny bit. We've rented houses with private pools multiple times and LOVED it. We loved the freedom and that when we we go back to our own house we are completely escaped from all the people. Lots of them have Disney themed bedrooms for the kids & it is very nice to go back to your own house & get in your own pool and your own hot tub and have there be no other people there at all.

Plus, we found it delightful (and cheaper) to carry around phone numbers of restaurants on our way home and to give one a call with our food order, pick it up, and eat it in the privacy of our own home. It made it nice (we have little ones) for them to eat quickly & run around gleefully and not having to sit quietly in a place to eat. And they had their own room in the houses.

Then this year because of free dining we stayed on site. This was also lovely and delightful. We loved the total immersion. Dh loved never driving. And we really enjoyed all the places we ate. I loved having access to the early morning & late evenings in the parks.

As for time and distance, I think it's pretty equal. The houses we've stayed at have been less than 15 minutes away and with waiting for a bus and walking back to the room, it took about the same amount of time to go back for a nap.

So when we go back this year I am VERY torn about what to do. Free dining on site? Or house rental and peace & quiet? Very, very tricky. It's about the same money. If we had to pay for all our food on-site, then on-site would be more expensive. Decisions, decisions.

 

[ccigliano]

Staying on site is part of the entire vacation experience. If they are concerned about a condo type room to spread out in - Disney has those too - DVC. I would explain how the Magical Express works so they realize the savings of the rental car ($200/wk) and the time and energy saved by taking Disney transportation and not having to park and take a tram. You can go back to your room in the middle of the day for a swim or a nap - try that staying off-site. Staying off-site at Disney is like going on a beach vacation to Hawaii but staying at a cheaper condo 5 blocks from the beach with a view of a parking lot and a nice long walk back to room if you should forget the sunblock. Or how bout this -if you vacation at the Grand Canyon for a few days, you stay at the Grand Canyon - not 20 miles away so that you have shlep in and out of the park every morning and evening. For me staying at the WL is a vacation experience in itself and I have stayed for a week and never even ventured into the park. I did all the things you never have the time to do when you are touring. Well I hope I helped and good luck convincing them.

 

[Shmily1]

Simply put....The atmosphere at the WDW resorts makes any price difference totally worth it!

 

[CoolPool]

A trip to WDW is a trip to The Resort Bubble. I apologize in advance to anyone from Orlando reading this, but I have no need to go to Orlando. Staying offsite is staying in Orlando, a second-tier Florida town that doesn't even have a beach. What the heck point is that? Onsite: free transportation, a comfort level in knowing the norms, mores, and language (LoL), and not having to say "I'm bored and can't think what to do."

 

[Jchance]

I agree, Staying onsite is part of the experience. We loved staying onsite and I loved not having to worry about things like gas, parking, driving, making the beds,etc. This is my vacation as well and it's nice to have those kinds of things taken care of for you.

 

[bab31]

We were at my FIL yesterday and somehow the subject got steered to WDW. My FIL is saying be sure to bring your wallet..yadaa yadaa yadaa. Saying how they just wanted to get out of there when they went to "visit" I didnt even try to expain it to them. Much less get into staying on grounds conversation.They go to vegas alot. Tried to talk about the expense of gambleing etc. He is very anti vacation-except vegas, but they actually go for a few months in winter, so it is really not vacation. My husband use to be that way about vacations, until I said I was going with or with out him and he knows I mean it. guess I sort of got off topic but I think if FIL ever just went and stayed on grounds and enjoyed! he might think differntly

 

[Doc Goofy]

I really hated staying off site the one time I did it (for a conference) - and will not be doing it again. I didn't save much money, had to DRIVE to and from the parks as their "bus service" was crappy, AND the people who worked there were surly (definitely not CMs...). Like other posters above, when I go to WDW, that's where I'm going and do not care about the rest of Orlando. I'll go to Sea World and Universal elsewhere! I like to be enveloped by the entire Disney experience. Having to GO to and from the experience each day kind of takes the magic away for me...