Do you PREFER to stay offsite?

[Dallas_Lady]

Would love to hear the other side of the coin... everyone says that onsite is the best and only way to go. Do any of you have opinions/experiences that differ?

 

[BonnieA]

I prefer to stay offsite. Driving is no problem for me cause I always go off season so I don't have to deal with large crowds. I enjoy more room for less money. We love to rent houses and suites so everyone gets some space. Disney prices would prohibit that. I also don't limit myself to only disney. There are so many wonderful experiences (Sea World, Universal, Cypress Gardens, Busch Gardens) I want to see them all.
Am I missing some of the magic of staying onsite? Maybe but I don't think so. All these other experiences make my magic and bring back wonderful memories from long ago trips with family members who are no longer around.

 

[RAMWDWFAN]

When I go to WDW solo, I prefer to stay onsite because of security reasons. But when I'm with family, I like to stay offsite so we can be closer to a variety of restaurants. Also, because of the cost factor, staying offsite makes more sense when you need larger accommodations.

 

[Robinrs]

When I visit Orlando, I visit the city, not just WDW. I intend to move there in the future so I like exploring the whole city.

I've stayed onsite WDW three times and offsite more times than I can count. I prefer OFF because I like so many other things than just WDW. I know that if you are going to visit Disney only, onsite is way more convenient, but I like SPACE, and not just space but LOTS of space! These are offered onsite but at prohibitive rates, which I would not pay even IF I had the money!

On the other hand, staying ONsite at Universal is a MUST. The perks they offer make it well worth any price. Right not the new Royal Pacific has AP and entertainment rates at $99 for selected dates and I've stayed at the Hard Rock for about $129 twice. To be able to "skip" the lines is worth ANY amount of money. Disney's perks, IMHO, do not match what they charge.

Another aspect I've found that onsiters prefer is the "magic". I don't need magic to go to sleep. What I do like is privacy and silence, so we rent vacation homes for that wonderful perk.

I think it's definitely preference and choice. Of course if you choose a 2 star offsite hotel and compare it to onsite Disney you'll prefer anything they have to offer. I happen to know that Orlando offers incredible accommodations for those who choose the other side of Orlando and want more for less.

 

[deena]

We prefer to actually stay offsite as well because when vacationing our family loves seeing all of the other wonderful attractions that Orlando offers and not just WDW. When staying in town, I like being near different restaurants that have a better wide-range of choices as well as shopping areas that contain larger selection of items; also close to grocery stores is a huge plus too in stocking up on things!

Also, I adore loads of space as well and most of the standard onsite rooms just don't have that at a premium (except for price that is) for those who love spreading out in their accomodations after a long day. In-room amenities such as fridges/microwaves/etc. already inclusive within hotel price not only adds to the overall comfort as well as ease of being away from home but allows us to save money at the same time. I have to say also that even though I do have the funds to stay onsite at WDW, I just can't justify or have the desire to spend more for less.....decreased room as well as bathroom size, nominal amenities, and limited food selections when there are so many outstanding properties right next door that offer so much at substantially reduced prices in comaprison.

Also, IMHO there is nothing so relaxing than returning to a spacious and quiet offsite place after beating the pavement inside the highly-charged, crowded, hot, and busy atmosphere of WDW. So, in our case there is more of an advantage to staying offsite because we have no overwhelming drive to be occupied within Disney for 24 hours a day during an entire vacation (due to enjoying other attractions), space is of primary importance, always have a rental car so rely on ourselves for transportation to WDW parks (as well as other places) and like experiencing some real down time from hustle-bustle activity.

So, I've been still experiencing magic over a decade now with all kinds of off property perks (with a 5 or so minute commute to the parks), more funds for souvenirs/miscellaneous expenses, and the list goes on! In addition, I have always thought personally over the years about loving offsite; if visitors were only meant to stay onsite when visiting WDW then why are there so many great properties that exist outside of the parks with new places being constructed especially?

 

[patman]

I think 99% of the people would prefer to stay at the Grand Floridian or Beach club. if money was no object. I like to stay offsite because I go down for 12 days, drive down, hate busses ad do not wish to share a room and one bathroom with my wife and my two sons,

 

[popy]

Off site has worked for me, I see no reason
to spend the extra dollars to stay on site.
We leave early in the morning and return
late at night. We just need a clean
place to spend the night. I never could
understand paying a lot for lodging when
your never there.
I guess if you want to go to Orlando
and lay in bed all day, then maybe the
high price joints would be the deal.

Myself, I like seeing the see's and doing the
do's. Has far as eats, well you can go
all over and eat anything and anywhere
at any price you would like.

As far as safe, well, I always felt safe.

 

[Disney Talker]

We have never stayed on Disney Property and never will, as it really would be a waste for us to spend all that money to sleep and shower somewhere.

Being parkaholics we want to spend all our time in the parks, and do not want to go back and spend afternoons sitting around a resort pool. Too us that is a waste of good time in Orlando, time we could be seeing the sites.

If you stay on site you also are stuck pretty much paying Disney prices for three meals a day, and wow..that can be expensive. We prefer a nice clean lower price hotel, next to some good restaurants and fast food places where we can have a quick breakfast or a fast dinner if we come back early enough.

I do not need deluxe service with conceirge or whatever the word is they use, we do not live in the lap of luxury at home and I do not need to spend hundreds to say I slept in some certain hotel room.

Always stay in hotels right outside the maingate, maybe five minute commute in with our car, or rental car. Where we stay is actually closer to the MK than the All STar Resorts are, so no time savings by staying on site. We would have a car on site or off site, so that is not an added expense for us.

We also spend a lot of time at Universal and it would be foolish to pay disney prices to visit Universal. Both of us would prefer to spend less on hotel and more on the fun things and nice meals.

Entire hotel stay for us in November cost, internet rate is $280 for 8 night stay, that would buy maybe two nights in a moderate resort.

We prefer to go every year for a week, then save for a few years for a week or less stay on site..just my two cents, but works well for us. Our vacations are great, we fell we miss nothing at all, except a high credit card bill, and we come home not in the poor house or with maxed out credit cards.

 

[Tom'sdad]

On-site is the best, no doubt! However financial constraints for us mean we have to stay off more often than not. If you do your homework there are some fantastic deals to be had at real good rates.
Ben

 

[travelitis]

I've stayed onsite at the Contemporary (tower), Dolphin, and All Star Music. My husband has also stayed at CBR. We like the ambiance, but we prefer space and plenty of it. We stay at an offsite timeshare - 2 bedrooms, 3 baths, home theater, and master suite with enormous jacuzzi tub. Disney's rooms don't come close to comparing and are simply not a good value. The ambiance is nice, but it's not worth it to us. We also don't like to eat out every single meal and would be driving offsite to find a decent grocery store. Onsite would be good for a quick trip, but for a week or more we like our space.

 

[Kenbar]

Hi Lora-Disneytalker.

I agree with you. every word. when we're in Orlando the last place we want to be is in our room or around our pool. Disney is great in lots of ways but could never be described as economical
EVERYBODY has a budget. some peoples are a little larger thats all

Ken

 

[ChiTownZee]

We've always stayed offsite, and enjoyed it (though I'm looking for onsite next trip) We've done it primarily for space reasons. We can get a 1 or two bedroom suite with a kitchen(ette) offsite for the price of a value or moderate resort on property. And when going with our young daughter, it's been a big perk. I have enjoyed being able to shut the door to the bedroom. after DD goes to sleep and DH and I can relax in private without disturbing her. I have also enjoyed having a fridge and microwave (even if I hardly used the microwave).

 

[nluvwithdisney]

We prefer to stay onsite. It is a matter of convenience for us just the two of us. We typically each lunch in the parks, but dinner is cheaper offsite. We did not run into any travel issues with our stay in November. We had a rental car for 10 days and stayed onsite. We even did quite a few shopping trips, and visited Universal, IOA, and BG. All you need is a plan and a budget.

In the end you need to do what's best for you and your family.

 

[debbie655]

We prefer offsite. A few years ago we stayed at the CBR at a special $89 rate. I had always wanted to stay at a Disney Resort so was really excited to finally be able to. The resort was beautiful, and don't get me wrong we really did enjoy our stay there but probably wouldn't stay onsite again. We are a large family and for us it is just makes sense to stay at a larger (and sometimes less expensive) offsite resort. The past three years we've stayed at HIFS and loved it. We also stayed at the Vistana Villages last summer and really, there is just no comparison to the CBR. I used to feel like I was missing something not staying onsite (that was before I stayed onsite) but I do not feel that way anymore at all. We always have a car since we drive down from NY so transportation is never a problem. This year we are splitting our stay between HIFS and the Royal Pacific (2 rooms). The reason for this being that Universal is my kids favorite park so I thought the FOTL would be great for them plus it's a brand new hotel and I wanted to check it out.

 

[BarryCF]

I like staying off-site but not too far off-site. I really like the LBV area. It's the best of both worlds. I can't see paying $200-$400 per night for a room I'm just gonna sleep in. I can rest when I get home. I like to go off-season and do the parks from open to close and then spend my evenings at DD-PI or the BW. Like someone said before, when I visit Orlando, I like to visit the whole city, not just WDW. I got the Comfort Inn LBV for $33.90 a night. At that rate, I can stay 8 or 10 days for what 1 or 2 nights would cost me at a Deluxe resort, or what 3 or 4 nights would cost me at a moderate. I'll take the extra days anytime. That gives me more time to do US/IOA and SW.

Laying around a resort pool is a waste of valuble vacation time to me. I can go swimming at home. I can't go to WDW etc. at home, although I wish I could. Maybe someday....

The Comfort Inn LBV is close enough to DD that I could walk if I wanted too. It's not a short walk, but it's not THAT long. I've done it not completely sober once or twice , and it still was'nt that far.

Cheers

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by travelitis
I've stayed onsite at the Contemporary (tower), Dolphin, and All Star Music. My husband has also stayed at CBR. We like the ambiance, but we prefer space and plenty of it. We stay at an offsite timeshare - 2 bedrooms, 3 baths, home theater, and master suite with enormous jacuzzi tub. Disney's rooms don't come close to comparing and are simply not a good value. The ambiance is nice, but it's not worth it to us. We also don't like to eat out every single meal and would be driving offsite to find a decent grocery store. Onsite would be good for a quick trip, but for a week or more we like our space.

While I agree with you about the size of Disney hotel rooms not being large, we must compare apples to apples. It would only be fair (from a size standpoint), to compare your off-site 2 BR timeshare to a DVC 2 BR villa. (DVC also has 3 BR grand villas which are huge.)

Granted, off-site timeshares may be less expensive, and from what I understand some are very nice.

DVC villas can also be rented from CRO if you wanted more space than a regular room. As well as extra space, the villas are truely beautiful, and rated very high by other timeshare owners.

Have Fun!

 

[tink2dw]

I got caught up in all the talk about "Only finding the MAGIC onsite". That is NOT true MAGIC happens where ever you stay.

For me HIFS is where the MAGIC happened in the first part of our trip.

ONsite at All Stars we had the nightmare room. Everything went wrong! Starting with a freshly shapooed wet to the bone carpet!! We couldn't get soap for 3 days,not for the sink or the broken thing in the shower. It was a good thing I had packed a bar of soap!!and that was only the begining what went wrong!

I'll stay off site! The hotels off site try harder to please and make things right.

Onsite at the hotel we got the You should just be glad you are here at all,where's you money??

When I go back I stay At HIFS!

 

[BarryCF]

While I agree with you about the size of Disney hotel rooms not being large, we must compare apples to apples. It would only be fair (from a size standpoint), to compare your off-site 2 BR timeshare to a DVC 2 BR villa. (DVC also has 3 BR grand villas which are huge.)

I'm curious Maistre Gracey, what is the going rate for a DVC 2 BR villa? I know I can rent points for about $10 per point, so how many points would it cost me per night in EARLY December?

Cheers

 

[dtauer]

Early last year, I was reading these boards being proud of myself for saving my family so much money by staying offsite during our previous 4 trips to WDW.

Based on a postcard rate of $49 for the All Stars, we gave onsite a try last August. After that experience we will always try to stay onsite.

There are sometimes bad experiences on site, with the thousands of people that stay at Disney resorts every year that's bound to happen. Also, some people never feel the "magic" onsite that others do, for those people it's not worth staying on site.

For those that state you will never stay onsite, that's your choice, but I suggest you try it once. I never thought I would like onsite better, but after one stay, now it would be difficult to stay offsite.

We always rent a car and still visit some of the other attractions such as SeaWorld and Wonderworks, but when we pass back through the WDW gates on the way to the resort in the evening, the kids still get excited that we're back at our Disney hotel.

My wife summed it up well for me last year. We had chosen a night to go to a special restaurant with some friends who happened to be vacationing at the same time. We had what I considered a great meal and had a good time. When we left I asked my wife what she thought and her reply was "it was good, but it's not Disney, we have nice restaurants in Minnesota we can go to".

It's all a matter of choice, and there is no doubt that it costs more to stay on site. However, I'm willing to spend the extra money for the Disney touch, just as I'm willing to spend extra money at a store with great customer service, or a restaurant with excellent food.

 

[lisaost]

It would only be fair (from a size standpoint), to compare your off-site 2 BR timeshare to a DVC 2 BR villa. (DVC also has 3 BR grand villas which are huge.)

Well I'm staying in a 2br villa at Marriott Cypress Harbour at AAA rate of $134/nite without joining a club or viewing a timeshare presentation, so I'm pretty happy with that. At Disney, I couldn't find a room that would be comfortable for the 5 of us at that price - and believe me I did try, although I was not aware there were discount codes then. We were not completely comfortable with the idea of renting a timeshare from someone else although next time I might look into that as a possibility.

As for the magic, last visit (pre children) we stayed at ASSports and it was fairly new at the time. Honestly I thought the room was small and the facilities were not what I had hoped. The food court was overpriced, crowded and noisy. So the hotel was just more of the parks for me, not a place to retreat to a relaxing place. For the record my DH disagrees. He thinks the room IS small but he did not have a problem with the facilities.

We did visit Beach and Yacht Club on that visit and Wilderness Lodge and they were beautiful. I am curious they would let you take a look at the rooms there. We are visiting Poly this time and I would love to see a room.

Even if I stayed onsite, I would probably use my own car a good amount of the time to go to the parks, depending on where I was staying. Alot of people argue that they don't want to fight the traffic, but I'm used to traffic so it's not that big a deal. And when my kids get in the car we crank up some soft music, turn on the AC, and they relax and fall asleep right away. I can positively say that I prefer that scenario to lugging the three of them and a 40 pound carriage on a crowded bus. But for some it would probably work just fine, it just would not for us.