Do you think staying onsite makes a difference...

[HeatherPage]

I definitely get it and I love staying onsite. Heck I even owed DVC for a couple of years until I made a stupid decision regarding a home equity loan and then needed to get out of it. I've only stayed off site twice in my life. The first when I was about 4 years old at one of the DTD resorts and the second time at Vistana Resorts for our honeymoon (it was a free week in a 2 bedroom condo and we needed all the help we could get being newlyweds). As a present to myself (if I reach my goal weight) I'd love to stay at the Poly again. However, my dad offered to let us use his timeshare every other year if we would just pay half the dues every year. (Or the full amount every other year-which only works out to be about $480 for a 2 br condo offsite) so...we are trying Cypress Pointe Resort this October. So I figured we can stay offsite in a condo every other year and onsite at any one of the Disney resorts value through to deluxe (I'd like to try them all out eventually) every "other" year. Besides Cypress Pointe is only about a mile from Downtown Disney so I keep telling myself it's not like we're staying 10 miles away. But we will definitely hit all our favorite restaurants on property that is a must do!

 

[klmall]

We done both (on-site and off) and had great experiences at each. I think whatever you can afford is the way to go. My DH is NOT a Disney fan yet he will enjoy his visit so much more if we don't have to drive to the parks etc. so we stay on-site now.

Someone I used to work with stayed at Fort Wilderness and hated it; spoiling her desire to ever go back to WDW despite my pleas etc. Nothing could convinve her to ever return to WDW even with her daughter's repeated requests to go back! Kinda sad!

 

[the kabuki]

We done both (on-site and off) and had great experiences at each. I think whatever you can afford is the way to go. My DH is NOT a Disney fan yet he will enjoy his visit so much more if we don't have to drive to the parks etc. so we stay on-site now.

Someone I used to work with stayed at Fort Wilderness and hated it; spoiling her desire to ever go back to WDW despite my pleas etc. Nothing could convinve her to ever return to WDW even with her daughter's repeated requests to go back! Kinda sad!

We had friends of ours stay at Fort Wilderness and it spoiled their whole outlook on Disney. These were people who surely would not be candidates for staying there, GF would have been their more logical choice as they have lots of $$$ and are used to more upscale accomodations. Tried to talk them our of it beforehand, but what can you do some people just don't listen.

 

[ljones]

Loved on-site, rented a car, quicker than the bus except for MK days;

love the atmosphere, the escape as a previous poster said, the availability of whatever you need at your fingertips- gift shop with everything, refillable mug-worth its weight in gold, food at almost anytime you want it, large pool, laundry facilities, and Disney magic even from the CM making your 3 scoop hot fudge sundae!!!

 

[PamNC]

a huge difference. I want to be immersed in Disney when I go...and the resorts are a big part of our trips. A friend of mine just went for a long weekend for her husband's birthday and I, of course, advised her to stay at a Disney resort. She wouldn't here of it - got a "deal" at the Country Inn & Suites which is right outside the Lake Buena Vista entrance. "It's only a few minutes away" she said. But, when she returned she told me she regretted not taking my advice. They did some resort hopping and monorail line drinking (I told her about the Lapu Laup) and wished they didn't have to drive. Drinking isn't the only reason they regretted not staying on-site, she said "I can see where the people staying on-site had it made." We stayed off-site once. Never again.

Live and learn people....

PamNC

 

[tinkerbell9664]

another vote for on-site

 

[YCFAN]

In 1980, my first trip to WDW, I stayed off site. The next 11 trips have been on site. I will never stay offsite again while visiting Disney. I do however stay at HRH when visiting Universal.

 

[candleonwater]

We did offsite for our 1st ever trip... it was okay... just a hotel. Nothing special. Could walk to a Cracker Barrel!

Since then all but one night has been spent on site.... when people ask me why stay onsite, I can't really explain it. You just need to experience it for yourself! We go every year and if I were in a situation where I couldn't afford a deluxe, I would stay in a mod/value before staying offsite.

 

[3for Me]

I have to agree with what another poster said - I look at my on-site stay as part of the experience.

The minute I wake up, I feel like I am already "part of" what is going on outside my door, because there are little things all around an on-site room that make me feel that way.

And the minute I let my door close behind me to leave in the morning, I feel like I am already experiencing "something". I don't feel like I have to "get there", because I already am there in a way.

Hope this makes sense.

 

[Rootskate]

Absolutely for staying on-site. Our first trip we stayed off site because we didnt know any better. The second trip we stayed on-site and are still kicking ourselves for missing out on one of the Disney Resorts the first time around!

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Stayed off-site the first few times because we didn't know we could afford to stay on-site...wondered, "How do all those people afford it?" Then we found the Diz. We haven't stayed off-site in nearly six years and we go three to four times a year and have stayed in a deluxe every time except once and we just wanted to try a moderate then.

We have stayed at our favorite, the AKL, five times now and plan to stay there again in June...just haven't set the dates yet; we are waiting for those good-as-gold AP rates! We will definately be staying there in December when we go for our annual Christmas trip.

If we can't get the AP rates, we have stayed at the Swan or Dolphin using the Gov't/Teacher rate. However, since they are starting charge for parking and no longer waive the resort fee, looks like that won't be a deal any longer.

 

[Mermaid02]

3for me.... you hit it right on the head... you are already there when you wake up in the morning!! Value or Deluxe.... you're already at WDW.

 

[sandiegosusie]

I think onsite is the only way to go. My sister-in-law goes with the "Take it or leave it" attitude mentioned earlier. She would have to book 2 rooms to accomodate her fam. So she opts for Nick. Hotel or another suite type room. I like to be immersed in the Disney experience, because that's why we travel across the country in the first place. We live only an hour and 10 minutes from Disneyland and when we stay over night we stay onsite as well. If you can swing it financially, do it!

 

[SnackyStacky]

I stayed at the Beach Club and the Polynesian for my honeymoon, and had a fantastic time.

However, I have also cancelled a Disney resort reservation to take a $25/night rate at the former Courtyard at Downtown Disney.

I really like sending packages back to the room, and charging to the room - but sometimes budget is a factor, and staying off site doesn't detract at ALL from my experience. And I "get" the magic of Disney.

 

[Mermaid02]

Just want to add that they can indeed afford to stay onsite, but they seem to get a thrill by the money they save staying off site. I don't get it, but that makes more room for MY FAMILY!!

 

[TLinden16]

I totally think that staying onsite adds to the experience. I have been to Disney about 20 times, all but two of those trips have been onsite. The last time we stayed offsite, we had a bad experience and said, "Never again." The resorts are just so beautiful, the landscaping is lush, and I love not having to worry about driving anywhere.

Karen

 

[newholidayx2]

most definately!

 

[wdwfanva]

First time we stayed on site, we were hooked

 

[fourmsmom]

On site!!! The first trip we stayed on International Drive. It took forever to get to the park making pick ups at other resorts. Never again!

 

[scootch]

You are paying for time. And all the time you spend away from WDW is time lost. I would never stay offsite(unless I was one of those lucky people who live in florida and who get to go a half dozen times a year or more)