Do you think staying onsite makes a difference...

[heathriel]

My husband and I go every year for the Food and Wine Festival, and it would be absolutely ridiculous for us to stay off site.

For one thing, drinking and driving is not only one of the most stupid things a human being can do to themSELF, but it puts everyone at the parks at risk.

Also, there's the whole time issue. It would take around an hour every day from the closest resort to drive in, park and wait in line. At the resorts you can hop on Disney trans or even walk to the parks.

I always pick a lagoon or monorail hotel (GF, Poly, CR, Y&B, BW, Swan or Dolphin) so I don't have to put up with the hassle.

 

[Tigger Woods]

When we arrive, we stand in the lobby and just smell.

Now, that's hilarious!

 

[Stitch Inside]

Originally Posted by pepe of ohio
When we arrive, we stand in the lobby and just smell.

Now, that's hilarious!

Hopefully, Pepe meant he sniffs the air, otherwise, I think I've been in line at check in behind him before.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I think it makes a big difference. Everyone I know that has gone to WDW and stayed off site has always said to me "I don't know why you're so crazy about WDW, it's not the best place I've ever been" but everyone I talk to that has stayed on-site has remarked how much they love Disney. Coincidence? I think not

 

[eeyore0062]

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.

We also took advantage of the Courtyard's $20 per night deal. Had a great time, and because we drove we didn't have to deal with the Downtown Disney resort busses (they aren't hugely convenient). I miss the Courtyard.... it is now the Holiday Inn, and they are in the middle of gutting the rooms... it is quite a sight to see when you go by there. Also... We miss the Tipsy Parrot lounge with its daily happy hours and the crazy Tipsy Parrot character... those were the days!

 

[Drizzo67]

As a young child we only stayed offsite as our trips were usually planned last minute and going during President's week we took whatever rooms we could get (always traveled with another family). For my 13th birthday we booked the Contemporary - that was our first on-site stay and I have never looked back.

Riding the monorail to MK in the mornings was awesome. Back then there was only MK and EPCOT, but I was still in heaven.

My children have only known on-site visits and I hope they never, and I mean never have to stay offsite. It's all part of the magical experience.

 

[S. C.]

Another vote for onsite.

 

[Mermaid02]

Looks to me like if you go and stay onsite- you're hooked!

 

[dkrause716]

There just isn't anything like it! That Disney feeling just takes over as soon as your feet hit the pavement outside your resort.... truly magical. You won't be sorry!

 

[crazy4wdw]

If I could not stay at a WDW resort, I would not go! To me, at least 50% of the fun is staying at one the WDW resorts.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

There is a huge difference in staying on and off site. Staying onsite completely submerses you in the magic of Disney. From the resorts and room decor to that constant Disney channel giving you park updates. To the hidden mickeys and themed areas throughout the world, the disney buses, monorails and boats, the ease of going back and forth to your resort from park to park. You cant beat it! There is nothing like it!!!

 

[mmcguire]

I'm with the "on-siters" 100%. I stayed at a Quality Inn on Int'l Drive for my 1st trip in '89 -- my grandma paid for it, and it was a bus tour. It was still a great trip since we'd never been, but there's nothing like the convenience of on-site.

We stayed at POFQ for our honeymoon in '91, and have stayed at POR, Sports, and Movies. Once we stayed at the Dolphin several years ago, it's been our family's favorite. I don't understand folks who say the Dolphin feels "sterile" and non-Disney. We have enjoyed the atmosphere there more than we did at any of the WDW-owned resorts we've stayed at, and its proximity to Epcot & the Boardwalk is unbeatable (as are the Heavenly Beds). There's nothing like leaving Fantasmic to hop a boat when 90% of peple are headed the other direction to the busses. Can't wait to go back in Dec!

 

[DisneyPhD]

I was talking with a friend about WDW and we were saying that most of people that we know who don't LOVE WDW never stayed on site. It makes a world of difference.

This friends always stay in value resorts. I doesn't matter what resort, just that you are on WDW prop and never leave it! It is all magic.

 

[floridagirrl2]

DH and I bought our first set of annual passes almost a year and a half ago, and stayed offsite the 3 times we went to WDW. After reading about the Dolphin on the DISboards (and after surviving two hurricanes in a row), DH and I decided to splurge on a 3-day weekend at the Dolphin.

The Dolphin totally convinced us that onsite is best!! Since October, we've stayed at the Dolphin twice, the POP once, and All Star Movies once, plus the Days Inn across from DTD (because all the Value and Moderate resorts were booked). We are willing to stay offsite if there is not a Value available (the Dolphin will have to stay an infrequent splurge for us), but there is just no comparison to staying onsite. We love the bus transportation and the food court at the Values. And we love being able to walk to Epcot (our favorite park) from the Dolphin.

 

[gbfitzger]

I think it has less to do with onsite vs. offsite, and more to do with how well a trip was planned. Most Dis'ers have vast knowledge of the right restaurants to eat at, or the best places to visit, and most importantly how to transport themselves around the World.

The 'take it or leave it' attitude about Disney usually comes from people who waited in ride lines for over an hour because they didn't get to the park at opening. Or, those who were turned away from a restaurant because they didn't have a priority seating reservation.

 

[catbertdave99]

Staying onsite is a must! The whole visit becomes a vacation... never having to leave... the experience continues whether you're at a park, eating, at the resort, swimming, anywhere!!! Onsite takes all your worries and concerns away, and the whole visit is one long vacation!

 

[estnh]

The first two times I went to the World (back in the eighties), we stayed offsite, and I admit that I really did not care for Disney all that much.

About ten years ago, at my spouse's urging, I grudgingly agreed to another trip, and we booked it onsite, as well as doing a bit of planning, which we had neglected to do on the earlier trips. In the nine years since that fateful trip, we have returned a minimum of once a year, and as many as three times some years.

It is an entirely different experience staying offsite, and no matter how much extra space you have, or how much cheaper it may be, the spirit that envelopes you when you stay onsite is not there. For certifiable Disney nuts like our family, no matter what resort we pick each year, it is much more than just a hotel room, and, in some cases we have enjoyed the resort more than the parks. If you really think about it, how many of us would go back year after year if it was JUST the parks?

 

[ducklite]

We own a house twenty minutes from WDW, and there's definitely a different feel when we are coming for the day versus staying in a resort. If you stay onsite you have this magical sense of envelopment that makes you leave your outside cares and worries behind.

When you come for the day it's like going to a nicer version of Six Flags.

Annne

 

[SnackyStacky]

The first two times I went to the World (back in the eighties), we stayed offsite, and I admit that I really did not care for Disney all that much.

About ten years ago, at my spouse's urging, I grudgingly agreed to another trip, and we booked it onsite, as well as doing a bit of planning, which we had neglected to do on the earlier trips. In the nine years since that fateful trip, we have returned a minimum of once a year, and as many as three times some years.

It is an entirely different experience staying offsite, and no matter how much extra space you have, or how much cheaper it may be, the spirit that envelopes you when you stay onsite is not there. For certifiable Disney nuts like our family, no matter what resort we pick each year, it is much more than just a hotel room, and, in some cases we have enjoyed the resort more than the parks. If you really think about it, how many of us would go back year after year if it was JUST the parks?

I'm certifiable. Ask my wife!

Seriously, I'm probably every bit as much of a Disney-obssessor as anyone else - to the point that if not being able to afford an on-property room would prohibit me from going, I would (and have) look into off property rooms so that I can afford to go.

Not trying to fan flames, ruffle feathers, or offend. Just that not ALL Disney-nuts can be lumped together like that.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Looks to me like if you go and stay onsite- you're hooked!

Oh, I was hooked, but my problem is, I love Disney more than my checkbook does!

All of my trips as an adult have been on-site except for the last one. I used to feel that if I couldn't be on site, then I don't want to go. Then it happened. We really couldn't afford to go. That is, and be on-site, I mean. When the rubber really meets the road............I'll choose Disney every time.

Now, I don't want to be in a Ramada Inn either. But the condos we are getting are very nice and quite addictive.

We are getting AP's and have three, 2 week trips planned. That's 36 nights in a year. We could never do that on-site.

Every family has to choose what's best for them. My family wants to see the mouse A LOT!!