Do you PREFER to stay offsite?

[plugnickle]

On our previous two trips we spent four nights at the ASMovies, and I believe seven at the Swan. I had always thought that off-site would be just as good. My Mother travels with us and prefers the Disney transportation to return to the room when she is ready, and this is why we started out on-site. This last trip she couldn't attend, so we stayed off property. I was so disapointed. We had a great time, but just something extra missing. I really can't put my finger on it, either. I have decided that if I can't afford on-site accomodations, I will postpone the trip until I can. My advice is to definitely stay on-site if you can, but if it just isn't feasible, any trip is better than no trip

Steve

 

[Lisa P.]

Originally posted by Robinrs
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!

Indeed! A 2BR villa means we return home as a rested, closer family. All of us in a hotel room for a week...? We end up irritable, tired and ready for home to recover from our "vacation."

My DH, and some of our friends & relatives who've stayed onsite, all definitely get "disney'd out." They think Disney's resorts have great themes and fun pools, but too many forced smiles, stressed tourists and high prices for everything from snacks to souvenirs. To me, visiting them is a lot like going to a museum. It's fun to see how people have used creativity in design. But I don't need to stay there.

In addition, to us, money is never "no object." With so much need in the world, from our own backyard to Africa & China, it would irk us to spend $5K on a week's vacation (not hard at $500+/nt in a suite) when there are similar, lovely alternatives available for 1/5th that price nearby. Naturally, this is very individual.

If BCV or BWV or VWL had 2BR villas available for $100 per night... we'll talk about comparing those! Until then, we stay at luxury OFFSITE timeshare villas and just visit onsite for a meal or boat rental (feeling great about our decision to stay offsite to unwind) or perhaps end our trip with a single night or two in a deluxe room (for 5 of us) - when there's an incredible discount available. We haven't even doen THAT for a long time... since the difference in price buys us a day at a water park... better than a pool with a slide!

 

[meeshi]

Originally posted by plugnickle
This last trip she couldn't attend, so we stayed off property. I was so disapointed. We had a great time, but just something extra missing. I really can't put my finger on it, either.
Steve

Do you mind if I ask where you stayed offsite? I'm just wondering for those who prefer to stay onsite because of bad or disappointing offsite experiences, where they stayed offsite.

 

[Lisa P.]

...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?

2BR - OKW:
22 points/night for Sun/Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu nights = $220
54 points/night for Fri/Sat nights = $540

2BR - other WDW DVC's:
30 points/night for Sun/Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu nights = $300
60 points/night for Fri/Sat nights = $600

This is the lowest season of the entire year on the DVC points charts (January, September and early December). Naturally, in the interest of saving points and enjoying the early holiday decorations, DVC members book it solid, pretty quickly... at this time, most nights in December are probably no longer available. Weeknights sometimes fill up before weekends.

Remember that when you rent from an owner, you take certain risks. Be certain that the person has references and a good reputation here at DIS. There may be cancellation penalties, since you may create problems for the DVC member when cancelling. And, you will not recieve daily housekeeping service (which does not bother us at all but does for some). These are all different from reservations made via Disney directly.

Offsite timeshare rentals may entail similar risks. However, the price is lower (usually $600-$1,000 for 7 nights, total, including weekend nights), so your risk is ultimately lower.

 

[lisaost]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry but before I spent $600 a nite to go to Disney I'd take my family to Hawaii or London or Paris. Now you made me feel alot better about not pursuing the rental from a timeshare owner.....We probably STILL would not have spent that kind of money.

Where do people get this kind of money? Geez, I mean we're doing ok here and we are not hesitant to spend good money on a vacation but that would bankrupt me!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Hi Barry, I am not home now, so I don't have point charts handy. It looks like Lisa has it right (thanx Lisa). I would give more detail, but I'm typing on one of those web tv things, and it's tough to do! I'll be happy to answer any Q's next week!

Originally posted by BarryCF


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

 

[plugnickle]

Originally posted by meeshi


Do you mind if I ask where you stayed offsite? I'm just wondering for those who prefer to stay onsite because of bad or disappointing offsite experiences, where they stayed offsite.

We stayed at the Amerihost Diplomat and the Sheraton Studio City. I have a strong dislike for the Amerihost. The Sheraton was great for off-site (Priceline $37). I also don't want to mislead anyone, I am not refering to the luxury on-site rooms. I just think that for a hundred or so a night, the ammenities and convenience are a good value.

Steve

 

[BarryCF]

From Lisa P.

2BR - OKW:
22 points/night for Sun/Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu nights = $220
54 points/night for Fri/Sat nights = $540

2BR - other WDW DVC's:
30 points/night for Sun/Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu nights = $300
60 points/night for Fri/Sat nights = $600

Thanks for the info Lisa P. Now I feel even better about staying offsite...WOW!!!! I'm going for 2 weeks. For what 2 wks would cost me at $300-$600 per night I could put a down payment on a nice small house.

Cheers

PS...Maistre Gracey, I've used web-tv before. I would'nt wish it on anybody.

 

[travelitis]

I have compared apples to apples (OKW to my timeshare) and found that OKW 2 bedroom is smaller overall and has a significantly smaller jacuzzi tub, regular size TV instead of large home theater, 2 instead of 3 baths and costs much more. If I stayed at OKW for 2 wks and paid high season rates I'd pay more than the total purchase price of my timeshare I can use every year. Yikes! The trade-off for Disney onsite magic is much more money and less luxury. I like staying onsite, and we might do it for one night before we go to our timeshare. However, we don't feel it's a good value for this type of accomodation. If you're looking for something inexpensive, then All Stars or the moderate resorts we feel are decent for the money, because the price for Disney ambiance isn't hundreds of $$.

There's another reason we like off-site and that's because when we leave the parks we leave the shameless promotion behind, and that is a big perk for my husband who is not a huge Disney fan like I am. He needs the total break from the parks.

 

[Lisa P.]

Another offsite perk that I've noticed, regarding concierge or guest services...

Disney's resort Guest Services will make Disney dining reservations for you but they encourage you to do it yourself from your room phone as well. I've never seen any kinds of local non-Disney attractions discounts, info or menus offered automatically by their guest services people or with check-in materials. The fliers provided are just for Disney places. It's all aimed at making it as easy as possible to keep all of your money going to Disney.

When we stay offsite at a resort that offers Guest Services, we see a very different picture. The lobby often contains a rack of brochures from all over the region. They often sell discounted tickets to every local attraction that offers any kind of group purchase discount (to the resorts), so it's easy to buy Sea World passes or dinner show tickets right there. They will help you with dinner and show reservations for Disney restaurants and any other restaurant in the region. They'll help in reserving airboat rides, ballooning, skydiving, horseback riding, golf tee times, virtually any interest you may have... whether offered by Disney or any other outfit. Since they don't have any vested interest in whether you choose one company over another, you get the full complement of options from Guest Services. Just another thought.

 

[tink2dw]

we must compare apples to apples

I Was comparing Magic to Magic,Onsite Magic to Offsite Magic.

Magic doesn't have any apples,lol!!

 

[plugnickle]

Originally posted by travelitis
There's another reason we like off-site and that's because when we leave the parks we leave the shameless promotion behind, and that is a big perk for my husband who is not a huge Disney fan like I am. He needs the total break from the parks.

I don't blame Disney for the promotion of their services. A person can make a whole three week vacation at just their park. They need to promote the options available. It would not be very intelligent of them not to. It is impossible to please everyone. No one is without reproach, ask the significant other it you are

Steve

 

[robinb]

I can understand both points of view. I stay both on-site and off-site on almost every single trip. We're DVC owners and we have stayed at OKW (studio, 1 BR, 2BR), BWV (1 BR) and VWL (studio). However, we can't stand using our points for the weekend, so we usually end up somewhere else for at least 2 nights (and usually 4). Sometimes we stay at the All Stars. Many times we use Priceline because it's cheaper and we want to save a little money.

I have to say that staying on-site wins hands down for me. I have stayed in a 3 BR timeshare off-site and I have stayed at many of the more luxurious hotels in the area via Priceline. For the same price, or even a little bit more, I prefer to stay at the All Stars. The Disney resorts are just more fun for me. I like the 24/7 "Magic". I like the bustling food courts. I like the reliable and frequent bus service. I like the re-fillable mugs. I like the Disney pools. I like the Disney atmosphere, the little touches and the big splashes of color.

Yes, some off-site resorts are bigger than the All Stars. Yes, some pools are better. Yes, some hotels are cheaper. Yes, some have refrigerators and microwaves. Still, if I were to spend $50-$80 per night on a hotel, I'd pick the All Stars every time. I just like the way being at a Disney resort makes me feel.

 

[tonilea]

IF money were no object, we would stay on-site. BUT if by staying off site (via Priceline) for $35 per night we can double our stay, I will stay off-site and stay longer! Plus I am not sure I could enjoy staying on-site and hearing all that $$$ trickle down the drain.

 

[tonilea]

I am such an idiot! I was trying to reply to the post about the joys of staying off site!

 

[travelitis]

Plugnickle, providing information for the enjoyment of your visitors is fine, but that's not what my husband tires of. It's like walking through an endless infomercial with corporate sponsors hocking their goods (FW is especially bad). The soundstage tour at MGM which has changed names went from being educational to being a promo for Disney's movies. I remember when the park had barely opened, and the animation tour and this were so much better than they are now. Even the Official Guide is more diluted with much less of the Disney trivia and extra info about the details that made it such a good read. It's enough for Disney to advertise Disney, and it grinds on some people to be so bombarded. That's ONE reason my husband loves offsite. Maybe the commercialism doesn't bother you, but it wears us down and is exhausting. When we go offsite and leave that behind it's relaxing and rejuvenating.

I used to be closed-minded when it came to where to stay. Onsite was the only and true way to vacation at Disney, and offsite was just missing out on the real fun. I was one of the ones who get so adamant that onsite is the best way. Now our tastes have changed, and we specifically look for jacuzzi tubs when we vacation. There are pros and cons to both on and off WDW, and now the pros of offsite outweigh the cons for us.

 

[plugnickle]

travelitis,
Isn't America such a God blessed place where we can each have our own ideals? I have to be reminded occationally that we all vacation for different reasons. This summer alone, I have been to Texas, Okalahoma, Nasa (plus a day on the Altlantic ocean), Orlando, and just returned from Branson, MO. I guess that I travel for specific reasons and I like to be immersed in the trip at hand. One of these days I will probably tire of the parks enough that I will enjoy a trip to Orlando to just be there, but for now I go for the parks and their ambience. I hope that this makes sense, and I wish you many safe travels.

Steve

 

[baileybrad]

For your $35 bid what property did you receive?

 

[tonilea]

First two times - Wyndham Orlando on I- Drive
Last time - Hyatt Orlando WDW area

 

[donnamerry]

too much 'downtime' staying offsite and getting to the parks. Not that I have stayed offsite, only have stayed "Onsite" since I first discovered WDW in '98 and have gone every year since and have stayed onsite.
Unless you really have othere sites to see around Orlando why would you not want to stay onsite? There's always a code discount to use on either Value, Moderate or Deluxe resort. There is also Triple A and the DisneyClub for discounts. I personally do not want to mess with a car and again all the downtime back and forth. And if you are offsite without car then you have to go by a schedule the hotel offers to and from WDW. If you are just doing "Disney" then by all means stay ONSITE!!!