Disney vs Non-Disney Hotels - Price Difference

[mrf777]

I work for an airline so I get some pretty good discounts, I agree having a car would be nice to get food at better prices..But to me its not Disney if you dont stay at Disney!

 

[shalom]

I guess what I was trying to figure out was for what is a fairly same difference in price why would you not stay on property.

If you're traveling with more than five "Disney adults," staying offsite is just about always cheaper. Staying offsite also gets you more room for less money. If we end up going this next January, we'll be getting a 2 BR condo (actually two connected one BRs, both with full kitchens), 1500 sq ft, for about $60/night. Two rooms at an All Stars, assuming a discount somewhere between 20-30%, would be $120/night, and that would get me 520 sq feet, and no kitchen. So staying offsite gets me three times the space for half the price.

We like to have breakfast at "home" anyhow, so right off the bat staying offsite means one less restaurant meal per day. It's less than a ten minute drive from our condo to the parks, and most of us like to take a break in the middle of the day, so not a big deal to eat lunch and dinner at the condo or offsite either, and both options are cheaper than eating onsite. If you have chowhounds like my crew (four teenagers, including a ballet dancer and a guy who regularly bikes 50 miles per week), eating offsite is a real money saver!

I'm sure we save the cost of a rental eating offsite, but actually renting a car is not an issue because we drive.

Lastly, does anyone know for what you pay for a Deluxe resort in Disney how would it compare to an offsite resort of the same cost?

I know location doesn't compare but what about all the other amenities and room quality.

I know some people who like luxury who think Disney Deluxe is an oxymoron -- they say they can get better quality offsite for less. The only specific recs I remember for sure are the Ritz-Carlton and the Waldorf Astoria. And the Waldorf, at least, is as close to the parks as many Disney hotels. For that matter, I've seen people here say that the Swan or Dolphin offer more than Disney Deluxe for less money. I like condos, myself, and there luxury people seem to like the Hilton Grand Vacation units the best.

 

[fairy8i8]

I've found the Waldorf Astoria for $167/night in July. Yes it was a standard room, but the price is much less for that time of year than a Disney deluxe with even a good discount (30%) off the cheapest room in the least expensive hotel. It all depends on preferences. If you are used to staying at 5 star hotels in other places around the world, Disney deluxe service falls below expectation. The Waldorf has more of a traditional 5 star feel. I actually think that is why Disney agreed to having the 4 Seasons built in Golden Oak. They were losing customers who previously stayed at the Grand Floridian to the Waldorf. And for MUCH less (around $500) you can get a 1 bedroom suite with a view. For Disney lovers who don't love pampering resorts, the Waldorf may not hold much appeal, but it is a relief for many people in that market.

I will admit that a lot of resorts and hotels/motels off property are not good deals, but depending on your vacationing style, some can hold huge benefits, particularly the condos and houses. We went to Disneyland for a family reunion with my husband's family. With 6 siblings, spouses, and kids, sharing condos and taking turns making meals made it possible for my husband's parents to treat all of us (20 people). It's the same with Disney World. Yes, my husband and I could share a room with another couple in a value and have the men's feet hanging off the end of the double bed. We go when the kids are out of school, and waiting for a dining code, which usually doesn't happen until only a few months out is not feasible because when you are planning for 7 families and some dads with work schedules where they have to know exact vacation days far in advance, the hassles are just not worth it.

Even for my own family of 3, I have factored various discounts on and off property for off season. Try as I might, off property has always been cheaper because I can get very discounted tickets, so even free dining doesn't compare. Plus I can get a very nice 3 bedroom town home just a couple miles from Disney for as cheap as $300/week. It takes some looking, but the deals off property can be phenomenal. However, most people don't look as much as I do for deals, so for the average person I recommend on property if you have a small family or can get a good discount.

I personally prefer on property because 5 star amenities aren't crucial for me, but we will see if off property savings of $300+ for my family wins out. Also note that we aren't big eaters at the parks. However, someday I want to do the premium plan value season in a value resort so I can eat at all the signature restaurants, the castle, and table service for every meal. With water sports every day, now that is a savings! However, it is still an expensive vacation over all.

 

[Masonmj84]

The way I look at it, if you're driving in, have a larger party (such that you can't fit everyone into one standard Disney room), and come during a peak season (e.g., Christmas, Easter/spring break, summer, etc.), the more the economics of staying off-site pay off.

If, however, your'e flying in, have a smaller party (such that you can fit everyone into one standard Disney room), and come during a non-peak season, staying off-site is relatively much less attractive.

For example, last Feb. our family of four flew in, stayed at CSR, and had free dining. The room (including tax) was about $190 per night. Food cost for the entire trip was about $120 in tips. We took Magical Express and didn't rent a car so, while in Orlando, our transportation was "free".

If we had stayed off-site, we'd have probably picked something like a Hampton Inn (IMO, comparable room quality to CSR). Assume we could get this for $120 a night (including tax) and that it included a free continental breakfast. So far, for a 7 day/6night stay, being off-site saves $420.

Let's then assume a rental car (with car seats) and gas costs $30 a day. Parking is $14 a day so this adds up to $280, dropping the off-site savings to $140.

Next, let's assume we buy one snack per person per day in the parks and eat dinners at chain restaurants out of the parks, averaging $15 a day for the snacks and $60 a day for dinners (including tax and tip). This adds up to $450, which is $330 more than staying on-site with free dining, making off-site $190 more expensive overall.

So by staying off-site in the above scenario, I'm paying $190 more for the privilege of:
being able to drive into the parks instead of relying on Disney buses;
having a "free" continental breakfast in our hotel; and
having access to a greater variety of off-site restaurants.

But I'm losing the privileges of:
not having to wait at baggage claim;
not having to wait at the rental car counter;
not having to mess with car seats;
not having to drive, look at maps, or worry about getting lost or getting into an accident;
not having to park, travel a long distance from my parked car into a park, and trying to remember where I parked at the end of the day;
not staying at a themed resort with beautifully landscaped grounds, a great pool, hot tub, and water slide;
not having access to EMH;
not having the convenience of eating meals in the parks;
not being able to check my bags (for my return flight) at the resort;
not having to return a rental car.

So, in the above, scenario it seems like a no-brainer to stay on site. But if we were going during peak season (with higher rack rates and no free dining), the calculus changes considerably. And if we were a larger party (such that we couldn't all fit in one standard Disney room), the calculus changes even more.

 

[amberpi]

I really like the Waldorf too for the reasons you mention and have stayed for short trips when the EMH evening hours weren't for Epcot, but you do have to figure it the I think $20 per day for parking if you're just looking at it from cost.

That said, the Waldorf is still nicer than the GF. The Omni at Champions Gate is very upmarket and again, nicer than the GF, but a bit further away. The service is amazing there and if you are going to have a car you might want to check it out. It can be staggeringly cheap or expensive depending on conference bookings - the last one this Feb., during my conference was like $450 a night for the room, the weekend was maybe $120 or $150. Crazy.

Because sorry offsite wins.

Here is my price breakdown for Aug 23-27

Now we always rent a car regardless. I don't like disney transportation so that's a wash.

WE got a midsize car off of price line for 30 dollars a day so with tax it came to $178.00

14X5 to park 70 bucks. but that's if we decide to drive every day.

Now the big savings come in the room. We are staying at the waldorf Astoria right next to disney property.

price with aaa discount 237.00/night including tax.

Disney's animal kingdom prices.
340.00 thursday
360.00 Friday
360.00 Saturday
340.00 Sunday
$1575.00 with tax.

Grand totals.

Disney. 1575.00 room. +178.00 car=1753.00
Waldorf Astoria=1066.50 +178.00 car=1244.50

Sorry that's 500 bucks cheaper and the hotel is waaaaay better than any thing on disney property.

I love staying onsite for the atmosphere but sorry if we are talking money only, I get better accomodations for cheaper prices offsite. opps forgot the 70 bucks parking. LOL. It's only a 430 bucks cheaper.

I kept the resorts apples to apples, although if I wanted to compare some thing to the waldorf I would have to go the Poly or the Grand floridian and the savings would be even more. The price we got for the Grand floridian with our AAA discount was some thing ridiculous like 400 bucks a night.

Of course we may have been able to get a code but at the time I did not have one.

 

[Plum85]

This year for the first time I'll be spending a few nights at the YC. I have went to Orlando about 15 times and I've always stayed off site. My holiday isn't all about Disney so staying on property makes no sense to me. I like the malls, going down the coast, and the choice of dining.

To break it down price wise it has cost me MORE to spend TWO NIGHTS at the YC than it cost for DBF and I to stay in Vista Cay for 16 nights, two bedroom condo with pool view, full kitchen and in room washer, drier and dishwasher. I'd spend a few nights on site but never my whole holiday. I wouldn't get the benefit out of it.

 

[DJFan88]

Grocery store runs become more feasible offsite. It's not worth the drive for $50 of groceries from onsite, IMO. But offsite, Publix might be right next door. Then again...there's an amazing Whole Foods on Sand Lake just off I-4. Most certainly not your typical grocery store. It's a dining destination unto itself; brick oven pizza, fresh sqeezed juice bar, HUGE buffets, barista, giant bakery, fresh seafood - lots of health(y) foods.

That may be, and I suppose this is a little OT, but just in case the info. may benefit someone - this is really no big deal, since you have a car in this scenario. We always either stop on our way in, or just hop over to that Crossings center if we're already in, for a beer/fruit/water/whathaveyou run. Granted it's a little pricier than Publix, which is also no big deal, really.

 

[Magic3forme]

We have done both, yes it can be cheaper to stay off property, but my time is valuable too.

We own DVC now and we get a suite with 2 bedrooms, washer/dryer and its still cheaper than staying off site, 3 bathrooms. (even renting through an owner is much cheaper than the Disney rate.)

we always rented a car when we flew too.

 

[Spunky946]

If a family wants more space then your average hotel room, it is much cheaper staying offsite. We can stay at the Hilton grand vacations club at sea world the first week of December for $130 per night. It's a 868 square foot suite with a kitchen, living room, dining room, huge bathroom, washer/dryer plus a balcony. Its a 1 bedroom king bed with a pull out sofa.

Where on property can I get that for that price? Nowhere!!

Yes we could stay on property and smush into a regular room, but we don't want to.

 

[Butterflygirl35]

I really think it depends on the deal that you find..

Last year I rented points DVC - OKW for 4 nights $350 - You can not beat that offsite unless you go into something a lot less desireable.... (and that is putting in nicely)

This year we got an amzing rate for $159 a night Grand Floridian - add in convenience and all the extras - NO deluxe off property can match that.

Another time we got an amazing deal off-site for a house - I hated every minute of it. I did not feel like I as on vacation (guess who has to cook & clean - shocking, right?)

Disney might cost more in some cases but you are paying for the magic of being on-site! Nothing can come close to the magic of Disney!

 

[Christymarie222]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE all things Disney So this a not a slam at Disney at all, I am just sharing why we chose to stay off site this time!

#1: We wanted to go to Sea World in addition to Disney this time...so we needed/wanted a car. I know we can take public transportation to Sea World but with a 2 and 4 year old in a booster/carseat...it wasn't something I was comfortable with

#2: We are a family of 5 (technically still 4 because my youngest will be almost three at the time of our visit...so still 2 at Disney standards and therefore we could stay in a regular room)...but I REALLY REALLY wanted more space than a hotel room with 2 beds. Last visit we did the cabins...which I loved, but I just didn't want to spend that much money this time (even with the discount)

#3: I am not all that into Disney free dining. I am probably not in the norm, but I don't like eating out ALL the time. I feel like I eat too much and too much of the wrong stuff...lol! I like having a kitchen where I can prepare some lighter, healthier meals for my family

#4: We decided to take the autotrain (with 2 roomettes) this visit, since we wanted a car. It worked out to about 1600 for the auto train. Cheap? No not at all, we could drive there for much less...but comparable to flying out of NY and renting a car. It actually was cheaper for the autotrain if I wanted a flight that got into Orlando in the afternoon. The auto train I am sure is not for everyone we just wanted to try it out...and I am actually pretty excited to try it!

So we are staying at a Windsor Hills townhouse 3br 3ba with a splash pool for 9 nights in August. It is costing us less than $1000 dollars (taxes and fees included), so a little over 100 a night. So while staying offsite might not be for everyone, it is for us this time. But don't get me wrong...I will be staying onsite again in the future, you just can't resist the magic

 

[Darkside]

For those of you that love staying offsite, "Thanks!" I do mean this sincerely. I could not imagine how crowded the Disney resorts would be if we did not have the many hotel chains, resorts and such. We have stayed on and off site and frankly no matter how nice( and the many not so nice) offsite places we have stayed, there is no comparison in our minds. I have asked my children a few times about staying offsite. Their response has been "Your kidding, right Dad?" I am sure you can save this, save that, get this extra or I can only drive myself, etc. but one thing is for sure, WDW resorts is what everything offsite is compared to. This should speak for itself.

 

[tbaptista]

For those of you that love staying offsite, "Thanks!" I do mean this sincerely. I could not imagine how crowded the Disney resorts would be if we did not have the many hotel chains, resorts and such. We have stayed on and off site and frankly no matter how nice( and the many not so nice) offsite places we have stayed, there is no comparison in our minds. I have asked my children a few times about staying offsite. Their response has been "Your kidding, right Dad?" I am sure you can save this, save that, get this extra or I can only drive myself, etc. but one thing is for sure, WDW resorts is what everything offsite is compared to. This should speak for itself.

Have to disagree. It all depends on the family and the family size.

I don't think a family of 5 or 6 works well at a Disney resort without feeling cramped.

Unless you have a big vacation budget.

 

[Plum85]

For those of you that love staying offsite, "Thanks!" I do mean this sincerely. I could not imagine how crowded the Disney resorts would be if we did not have the many hotel chains, resorts and such. We have stayed on and off site and frankly no matter how nice( and the many not so nice) offsite places we have stayed, there is no comparison in our minds. I have asked my children a few times about staying offsite. Their response has been "Your kidding, right Dad?" I am sure you can save this, save that, get this extra or I can only drive myself, etc. but one thing is for sure, WDW resorts is what everything offsite is compared to. This should speak for itself.

Haha I'm sure you don't mean your gratitude to sound patronising but it does. Also, don't get me wrong I LOVE DISNEY but I sometimes wonder if people think Disney world is the only resort where people go the extra mile, the grounds are well looked after etc. the reality is Disney food and resorts are over priced in real world terms.

So yeah, um, with regards to your 'thanks' it's my pleasure!

 

[Darkside]

I did say "sincerely", sorry you took it as patronizing. I really am glad there are many choices available. The first time we went to WDW we could only afford a $35 room a night and we had a great time, but we have been blessed and are able to stay at nicer resorts and we have, just for our dollar, onsite is the only way to go, for us.

 

[shalom]

I could not imagine how crowded the Disney resorts would be if we did not have the many hotel chains, resorts and such.

Orlando is overbuilt; outside of Disney proper, Orlando occupancy rates are lower than the national average (Disney tends to be either at the national average or higher). Depending when you go, the Disney resorts you're staying in may already be near capacity. Outside the Dis, I suspect most people who can afford to stat at Disney. Disney's good at selling itself; everyone wants to stay onsite... until and unless they figure out why they don't. So the fact that some posting here prefer offsite likely doesn't have much impact on Disney's occupancy rates, is my guess.

I have asked my children a few times about staying offsite. Their response has been "Your kidding, right Dad?"

With my kids, I'll suggest staying ONsite, and they'll start up a chorus of, "You better be kidding, mom." We toured a bunch of Disney resorts last year, and they decided that Disney resorts are too loud, the pools are too crowded, and the units are too small. Hubby doesn't get the appeal of onsite, either -- he can't even see the difference between onsite and where we stay.

The kids can "feel the magic," they just don't find it magical enough to counteract the things they don't like. So I remain the only one who wants to stay onsite. My younger two did finally decide they were willing to stay in AKV or BLT once we're shed of some of their older siblings so they won't be so crowded.

I do think a big part of the "magic" is just the general noise and stimulation, while we tend to prefer staying in places that are quiet and un-resort-like. While I do want to stay onsite, if it isn't in a quieter villa I wouldn't want to stay more than a night or two. When it comes to energy level, Disney resorts feel like regular resorts, plus ten.

 

[DJFan88]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE all things Disney #4: We decided to take the autotrain (with 2 roomettes) this visit, since we wanted a car. It worked out to about 1600 for the auto train. Cheap? No not at all, we could drive there for much less...but comparable to flying out of NY and renting a car. It actually was cheaper for the autotrain if I wanted a flight that got into Orlando in the afternoon. The auto train I am sure is not for everyone we just wanted to try it out...and I am actually pretty excited to try it!

OT, but we're trying it too for the 1st time 5 days before you and are looking forward to it. We didn't buy the roomettes, just coach, so only 876.00 (still alot, I know - but every time we drive down and also wanted to try something different). My boys are older, so we can rough it in coach for the savings. We're staying onsite once we get there. We're all excited about it too. Have a great trip!