Do you stay offsite or onsite & why?

[ama223]

Title says it all.. would love experienced family opinions

 

[nmmom95]

We stayed offsite once. It was just DH & me (no kids yet) and we went to WDW & US, so we stayed offsite. We had a good time, but I prefer onsite. We have stayed at a WDW hotel ever since. We enjoy the Disney theme, the convenience, EMH and ME. It's nice not to have to rent a car nad to have purchases sent to our resort. We will be going to US/IOA for Harry Potter this trip, and are still staying onsite.

 

[DisneyWhiz]

Onsite
-convenient transportation (ME and buses to theme parks)
-extra magic hours, which we always make use of
and staying onsite is just part of the Disney experience!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I stayed offsite once when I went for the first time as a teenager. The second time was onsite. Ever since then, I've wanted to stay onsite.

I don't want to have to deal with Orlando traffic or any tourist traps or anything non-Disney (except Universal occasionally). I'm happiest when I can park my car in the resort parking lot and not see it again until it's time to go home.

 

[mom2val]

Onsite all the way! Would not be Disney to me without the ME and Disney transportation. I love being totally submerged in Disney during my trip! We love the resorts right down to the mickey soap.

 

[DawnM]

We are a family of 5 and we find it way too cramped in a hotel room, even if it is Disney.

We stayed onsite a couple of times when we were a family of 4.

Now we prefer to stay off site in a condo. There is no way we can afford the Disney 2 bedroom condos.

Dawn

 

[disney1990]

We used to only stay onsite, but lately we have gotten some pretty good deals at hotels with suites and have been sometimes on and sometimes off.

 

[VAfamily1998]

We stay off. We drive, so we have no need for the magical express and we prefer driving to the parks over taking the Disney bus.

We have 4 children (our first trip with all four, they were 7 years old, 6 years old, 3 years old, and 18 months...our 2nd trip they were 9, 7, 5, and 3). Because of our family size, it would be difficult/impossible to stay in regular Disney rooms. Plus, we travel a lot and have always had enough Marriott rewards points to stay for free at an off-site Marriott!

 

[j-me]

We have stayed offsite more then on...
We LOVE onsite and are doing our Sept trip at POR. Taking advantage of free and hassle free transport to your hotel is a savings.. Not only on $$ but on the stress of getting there. Once you check your luggage at the airport you don't touch them until they are delivered to your ROOM..
Then we are going during FREE DINING!! HELLO!! $500 savings in food! Go during a Free Dining time. All the awesome resturants you get to eat at and not look at the price...that's a vacation!
The resorts are a vacation in themselves...and adds that EXTRA pixie dust.

But if you choose to stay off site..it will still be a magical vacation....

 

[amylevan]

We've done both.

If your doing commando park touring, it really doesn't matter whether you are on or off. You can definitely save money staying off, and if your only going to sleep at your hotel, it doesn't matter where that might be.

However, it's easier to take afternoon breaks at your hotel if your onsite. (Not that it is impossible off, just harder.) And I love the disney theming.

And I hate to drive on vacation. We prefer to park the car and only use it if we are going to Universal.

 

[formill]

Offsite -lots of bedrooms- lots of bathrooms- kitchen, dining room,laundry room, our own pool and hot tub-we spend many days just hanging out at the villa-swimming/going for walks/playing tennis/basketball/going to playgrounds/shopping.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Onsite-when I used to fly down from NY


Offsite-most times when I drove down from NY (usually had one of the dogs for company with me so wanted an offsite so he could stay w/me not at a kennel)


Loved the convenience and the magic of it all ONsite but loved the privacy & quiet when I'ved rented a vacation home in Kissimmee or stayed at an extended stay deluxe hotel, also saved alot of money OFFsite when it came to meals

 

[SweetPeasMom2]

We came down in January and stayed 2 nights at ASMovies. We went to 1 day at MK. We used the buses and did come back that evening to warm up (it was freakin' cold) and eat dinner. We had EMH but it was just too cold and we were just too tired to stay that late (but we did stay a little late).

This time, we stayed at Buena Vista Palace, right across from DTD. We have been her 4 days (leaving tomorrow). We just did HS today only. We walked across to Market Place and caught the bus from there. Based on this trip, I would totally stay off property at this location again. The hotel is very nice and has just really been a great experience. The only draw back is we couldn't do EMH but honestly, not sure that we would.

The only advantage I can see to on site vs off is being able to do the EMH and the dining plan, if either are something you'd do.

 

[heatherwillmom]

We stayed off site once before kids. I would never do it again. It is so convient to stay on-site. When we go to Universal, we switch to one of their on-site hotels too

 

[MichelleVW]

On my next trip I'm doing both, but I honestly prefer staying off site now. I went down in Jan. with my mom and my aunt, rented a 3 bedroom townhouse for way less than a value resort on site. We each had our own room, had 3 bathrooms, laundry, kitchen, free internet, it was awesome. We weren't far from the parks and driving there is easy.

 

[Mama Steph]

We have always stayed offsite in the past. Last year we had a 5 bedroom house with a nice pool and game room, it was wonderful!! This year we are flying, since we aren't going at Easter when it's ultra expensive to fly, and staying onsite. Dh and I have 5 kids , 6-15, and my sis will be joining us. We have decided to stay at ASMu in a suite and extra room and take advantage of FD. Our other onsite option was a villa with a PIN code and making most of our own food but I really want the full Disney experience.

 

[DanG07]

Since we drive to WDW and are AP holders, the ME, free parking, and the WDW transportation have no effect on us, yet, my family LOVES to stay on-site just for the DDP, EMH and that overall Disney-feel. That being said, we have four kids and staying off-site gives our family more space to spread out, at about the same price as a regular room at the value resorts. We just upgraded to a 2 bedroom condo at the Sheraton for our upcoming 11-day July vacation, which would have been double, if not triple the price if stayed on-site at a WDW 2 bedroom condo. My advice, stay on-site if the ME, WDW transportation, the DDP or the EMH are very important to you. However, keep in mind that most off-site locations offer a much better financial bargain. Either way, you will be at Disney and having fun with the family. Good luck planning!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

The short answer is "Yes". We typically spend a week offsite, and then a week onsite (DVC).

Advantages of onsite:

EMH, Disney transportation

It's a good choice if you have 4 or less people and like to commando tour. Also, if Disney dining is important to your family.

Advantages of offsite:

Much more space, cheaper, more (cheaper) dining options, more flexibility to visit other parks and venues.

It's a good choice if you have more than 4 people and like a more relaxed vacation. It's also cheaper.

I must say, I was a Disney onsite die-hard until we rented a house a couple years back. Just the other day in the car, DD14 said, "I miss that house in Florida!" None of my kids has ever, EVER said that about DVC.

 

[MichelleVW]

I must say, I was a Disney onsite die-hard until we rented a house a couple years back. Just the other day in the car, DD14 said, "I miss that house in Florida!" None of my kids has ever, EVER said that about DVC.

I was the same way, only staying off site when I couldn't get a decent rate on site. But after staying in the townhouse in Jan, I'm sold!! I can't imagine cramming our family in a hotel room again!

 

[Hoopfamily]

We've done both, with and without our daughter. Both have their advantages. The last few trips were offsite, due to the fact that my parents gave us their timeshares for free. That makes the choice very easy.
We find though that when we stay offsite, we can usually do it for less allowing us to go more frequently. That said there are some great deals if you have the availability to go at off peak times.

Ultimately if we have unlimited finances we would stay on site every time most likely at the Wilderness Lodge. Offsite you can drive your own vehicle and as I've said on other threads I love taking the parking lot trams. We also do a few meals off property, almost always breakfast and almost always Golden Corral. Their price is great and I know that as recently as 2 years ago they were ranked the #1 off site breakfast buffet in the area.
The good news is whether you are onsite or off, as long as it's Disney who cares.