Does it get old arguing with the "Onsite Only" crowd?

I don't really get the appeal of preferred parking. At all 4 of the parks, we often walk from our car even though we do standard parking. MK is the main one where I guess preferred could make a difference as the lot is far larger, or if you are going at a really peak time. Otherwise, it's not like it's hard to hop on the tram and get driven to the front of the park.

It's mostly (in my case) just the simplest way to get multiple generations to the gate. Least amount of cat herding, least amount of energy spent. If I'm with my relatives, age range is toddler to 80, and I swear the toddler is less trouble than the oldest members.
 
Going back to the OP...there's a lot of arguing on the DIS and not just about onsite vs. offsite. Sometimes it's this restaurant is better than that restaurant or this stroller is better than that stroller or you must get the DDP vs. out-of-pocket, and I could go on. The reality is that if you post, someone will always judge you on these boards without knowing anything about you or your experiences. For example just because I may stay on-site, off-site or own DVC does not mean I was born with money and I still have past experiences that are relevant or that I can relate to that poster. Not sure that helps but I try to filter posts on these boards to what is relevant for me and ignore those posts that are not.
 
I try to filter posts on these boards to what is relevant for me and ignore those posts that are not.
The hard part is when someone posts something that just isn't true. I'll admit I find it hard to ignore those posts if for no other reason that for the benefit of others who may be reading them. My point isn't to argue with the person but rather to provide correct info for everyone else.
 
I try not to argue the onsite-versus-offsite debate anymore. Value is so subjective, and each experience has different value to different families. Not everyone has the same criteria that I do. People travel different. One of the reasons that I love, love, LOVE Orlando is because the range of options for families, couples and even solo travelers is endless. There is something to fit every budget, every level of service, every need.

The only thing that truly burns my britches is when the onsite crowd suggests (either directly or indirectly) that the only way to have a "magical" Disney vacation is to stay onsite. I can appreciate and understand anyone's preferences, but to suggest that an offsiter's vacation is somewhat lesser than an onsiter's is simply not fair nor is it accurate.

Edited to add.....I rarely try to change anyone's minds about the magic (or lack thereof) of an offsite Disney vacation anymore, either. I have long since learned, after many years on these boards, that someone who insists on the "onsite is the only place you'll find magic" mindset will rarely have their mind changed by my post. It always seems like the people that argue the virtues of onsite most strongly are generally those that haven't given offsite a try [not always, of course........but often this is the case]. It's hard to convince someone of a viable....and in my opinion, awesome.....alternative if their minds aren't open to a different option.
 
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The hard part is when someone posts something that just isn't true. I'll admit I find it hard to ignore those posts if for no other reason that for the benefit of others who may be reading them. My point isn't to argue with the person but rather to provide correct info for everyone else.

Agreed...If not true, then I just post the facts and where I got them from. For example, I have seen many post directly from the Disney website which is useful because then everyone knows where the facts came from (and yes I know that site is not always updated) or post from the State Dept. website when someone has questions about passports. Having the resource to back your post makes a person more credible in my opinion.
 
I try not to argue the onsite-versus-offsite debate anymore. Value is so subjective, and each experience has different value to different families. Not everyone has the same criteria that I do. People travel different. One of the reasons that I love, love, LOVE Orlando is because the range of options for families, couples and even solo travelers is endless. There is something to fit every budget, every level of service, every need.

The only thing that truly burns my britches is when the onsite crowd suggests (either directly or indirectly) that the only way to have a "magical" Disney vacation is to stay onsite. I can appreciate and understand anyone's preferences, but to suggest that an offsiter's vacation is somewhat lesser than an onsiter's is simply not fair nor is it accurate.

Edited to add.....I rarely try to change anyone's minds about the magic (or lack thereof) of an offsite Disney vacation anymore, either. I have long since learned, after many years on these boards, that someone who insists on the "onsite is the only place you'll find magic" mindset will rarely have their mind changed by my post. It always seems like the people that argue the virtues of onsite most strongly are generally those that haven't given offsite a try [not always, of course........but often this is the case]. It's hard to convince someone of a viable....and in my opinion, awesome.....alternative if their minds aren't open to a different option.

Well said! It makes me laugh when people are so stubborn that their way is the only way to go and if you don't you shouldn't have gone. Big deal, I don't care.
 
Agreed...If not true, then I just post the facts and where I got them from. For example, I have seen many post directly from the Disney website which is useful because then everyone knows where the facts came from (and yes I know that site is not always updated) or post from the State Dept. website when someone has questions about passports. Having the resource to back your post makes a person more credible in my opinion.
I was thinking more about things that aren't as easy to document but more experience-based. As I said earlier, an example would be when someone posts, "You have to stay onsite if you want to be able to take mid-day breaks." That isn't true at all. I'm happy to chime in with correct info when nonsense like that gets posted.
 
/
I certainly don't care where people stay. I only stayed offsite previously (two family kid visits, one with friends in college, and one because I was there for a conference). The family trip we took two years ago was the first time we stayed on site. For me personally, it really just took it to the next level. I LOVED it. And I hate renting a car, so having all the transportation covered was huge. We looked offsite for this trip, but ultimately, by the time we added a car, parking, etc; it wasn't *that* much cheaper and we just really enjoy the onsite experience now. But if someone else doesn't care, they're still going to have a good time. :)
 
So, I'm guessing I'll never find out why!

I do both, all the time and do feel like my experience is relevant. It may be very easy to decide if a certain room size is adequate or not but things like commuting times, ADRs and FastPass bookings are better considered if you have experienced both on and off.

Take getting to the parks. From Silver Lake I know from experience (I've timed it.) that I can commute to every park except for Magic Kingdom (and MK is debatable depending on the Disney Resort and time of day) much quicker than I can via the WDW buses. I've done both many, many times. That's the sort of thing where experience with both on and off is helpful.


High five to another Silver Lake fan! And especially to one who is as obsessive as me and actually timed the trips. We've gone from room to turnstile from there quicker than our bus could get out of the SSR parking lot. Love Silver Lake.

Interesting thread. Puts me in mind of the Trip Advisor Orlando board; I cringe when I see yet another budget minded traveler pop in their with questions and get steam rollered by the on site zealots. But on the other hand a lot of the people asking the questions seem like they are just looking to validate or excuse what they really want to do anyways, cost be darned.
 
that only helps for 2 out of 4 parks and even then only if the monorail is running.
...and even Epcot is debatable (unless you are walking to the TTC from the Poly), because you have to also transfer at the TTC between Resort and Epcot lines.

It was like the person that posted on the WBC thread stating I completely lie about the cost of WBC. Then I post a bunch of current prices coming up. He deletes his post and says nothing else once proven completely wrong.
This is why quote-replying is helpful.
 
...and even Epcot is debatable (unless you are walking to the TTC from the Poly), because you have to also transfer at the TTC between Resort and Epcot lines.
Yeah, I've never understood the stroller allure of the monorail resorts.
 
I see a PPs just touched on this, as I am reading this thread I kind of resent the idea that "onsite people" (like mole people:laughing:) are perceived as "rich". Handing over their money to the mouse like some kind of sucker when they could just spend pennies right outside the gate. Nobody knows anyone else's bank account and to assume is well, we all know how that goes.
I like staying onsite because it's the experience I grew up with, for the most part. Taking WDW transportation is a part of the trip to me and has been since I was 3 1/2 years old.
When we didn't have enough $ my family would stay at the Grovesnor, when I was road tripping w/friends we would stay at a Holiday Shminn, with the Marching Band at a La Quinta, and when Dad got laid off we couldn't go at all. All other times I was lucky enough to stay onsite because that's the experience we prefer, it feels great to us but has absolutely no financial weight on us any different than how we would grocery shop...just do it within your means and to your liking.
 
A PP said that factoring parking & rental car negates the cost of staying offsite. I couldn't disagree more! Our last trip, we got a condo for 7 nights for $199, rental car was around $150, add parking for 5 days $100, so right around $450 total for a week, not too shabby.
 
A PP said that factoring parking & rental car negates the cost of staying offsite. I couldn't disagree more! Our last trip, we got a condo for 7 nights for $199, rental car was around $150, add parking for 5 days $100, so right around $450 total for a week, not too shabby.
That is great, but finding a condo for 199 for an entire week is probably pretty unusual. I know we were looking at 120-130 a night for say, a Doubletree. Add that extra 50 bucks a day for the car stuff and it's only 20 bucks cheaper than a Disney moderate without the perks.
 
That is great, but finding a condo for 199 for an entire week is probably pretty unusual. I know we were looking at 120-130 a night for say, a Doubletree. Add that extra 50 bucks a day for the car stuff and it's only 20 bucks cheaper than a Disney moderate without the perks.
Actually it's not so unusual, keep an eye on last minute deals on skyauction.
 
That is great, but finding a condo for 199 for an entire week is probably pretty unusual. I know we were looking at 120-130 a night for say, a Doubletree. Add that extra 50 bucks a day for the car stuff and it's only 20 bucks cheaper than a Disney moderate without the perks.

Yup. That's been exactly my experience too. But to be fair I always book fully refundable hotel rooms- I don't like third party auction or discount sites like halfpintpeggy.
 
Actually it's not so unusual, keep an eye on last minute deals on skyauction.

Wow.
lots of capslock anger at skyauction out there on the www. But mostly, as usual, people who don't really get the nature of 3rd party sites. Not tempted. Glad it's worked out for you, though.

Editing to say that I'm amused by the fact that they're selling routes I'm familiar with as super cheap...when in fact those are the regular fares you'd get if you went through the airline to begin with:rotfl2:
 
We've rented through skyauction numerous times. We've paid as little as $37/night for a nice 2-bedroom, 2-bath unit 5 minutes from Disney property. It's tough to beat some of their deals.
 
Yup. That's been exactly my experience too. But to be fair I always book fully refundable hotel rooms- I don't like third party auction or discount sites like halfpintpeggy.
No, I don't either. I really don't even like airbnb. I'm lame, but I prefer to stick with a national name that's reliable when it comes to somewhere I'm sleeping. I've done B and B's in the UK, but only when I had first hand recommendations.
 





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