Feel like a traitor if I stay off property?

[LuckyBelle81]

Maybe I feel an unreasonable amount of loyalty to Disney but the thought of going to WDW and NOT staying on property makes my heart hurt a little. I'm not sure when our next trip will be (2017 at the earliest) but recently DH has really started pushing the idea of not staying at a Disney resort for our next trip. I think he's a little bent out of shape at the recent litany of price increases and that's coloring his perception a bit, but there is also the reality that the next time we go we will have a 10yo that we will be paying adult prices for and 3yo that we have not had to pay for to this point (and just so I don't leave him out, our DS that we will still be able to pay kids rates for) so we're looking at double the price of our last trip just bc of changes in our fam. I've looked and OF COURSE we can go and stay off-site and pay less but I just hate the idea of not staying on the resort property. Anyone else been in this predicament and have insight?

 

[Pesky]

Blasphemy! Kidding, kidding. No seriously, I did consider staying off property because I heard there were some great resorts right out of the gate. But for us, it was the additional cost of keeping a car and then the parking and then the time. And also we planned to enjoy some wine with our fancy dinner out and I don't want either of us to worry about driving after drinking. Long story short, between the time it would take to get to a hotel/off property from the park and factoring in those hidden costs like a car and parking (because waiting for an off-property shuttle was a no go for us), it didn't seem worth it. I did rent points through DVC and went with a studio (some of which do sleep 5) and with the little kitchenette we save some money by eating breakfast in room and bringing a lot of snacks. DS is also a kid who needs some serious unplugging time after being in some crowds so being closer to our hotel was important. Maybe consider the Swolphin or look at the hotels that are right there in DS/DTD which may keep you a bit more in that bubble. If you decide to go off property, there are a lot of great places though!

 

[AshleeH]

I wanted to stay off property on our first trip (I had grown up doing that). DH talked me out of it and I am officially converted and will never stay off property again. Especially these days. We love ADRs and getting to sit and relax in a fun/nice restaurant at least once a day - I would never give up the benefit of 180+10 and the exact restaurants I want for the 180-everyday and just settling for whatever is leftover. But it's all about what is important to you and figuring out the best fit.

 

[LuckyBelle81]

I wanted to stay off property on our first trip (I had grown up doing that). DH talked me out of it and I am officially converted and will never stay off property again. Especially these days. We love ADRs and getting to sit and relax in a fun/nice restaurant at least once a day - I would never give up the benefit of 180+10 and the exact restaurants I want for the 180-everyday and just settling for whatever is leftover. But it's all about what is important to you and figuring out the best fit.

This is totally where I am. As a kid we always stayed off property and we've gone a couple of times as a family and stayed off prop but I've always sworn I would never stay off prop again. DH shared my view until just recently. We had a few hiccups on our last trip w ADRs and dining and transportation (we stayed in the cabins at FW and we really liked the cabins but getting to and from the parks was a bit of a pain - more so than anywhere else we've stayed) so I'm hoping he's just a little burnt and will get over it. I know there are some great places off property but I just don't think it will be the same. We have always driven so we will have our car with us anyway but I like parking it when we get there and not having to get back in it until we leave unless there is something specific we want to do off prop.

Like I said, it will be a while before we go again so hopefully by then I can change his mind or finagle some deal that we can't pass up.

 

[TwoMisfits]

This is totally where I am. As a kid we always stayed off property and we've gone a couple of times as a family and stayed off prop but I've always sworn I would never stay off prop again. DH shared my view until just recently. We had a few hiccups on our last trip w ADRs and dining and transportation (we stayed in the cabins at FW and we really liked the cabins but getting to and from the parks was a bit of a pain - more so than anywhere else we've stayed) so I'm hoping he's just a little burnt and will get over it. I know there are some great places off property but I just don't think it will be the same. We have always driven so we will have our car with us anyway but I like parking it when we get there and not having to get back in it until we leave unless there is something specific we want to do off prop.

Like I said, it will be a while before we go again so hopefully by then I can change his mind or finagle some deal that we can't pass up.

If you're a family of 5 who wants space and you already have a car, I gotta go with your husband - offsite is a no brainer. Use the $1000-$1500 minimum in savings to plan some extra family fun or an entire extra vacation...you should be able to get a beautiful 2 bedroom condo for the week with water features (like slides, lazy rivers, spray features), mini golf, hot tubs, and other amenities (like laundry) for $1K or less total per week if you're willing to look.

 

[AshleeH]

Ask him if he's willing to save money at the expense of taking time away from your vacation. When you're staying on property - among other things - you're paying for the convenience. Closer proximity, more time in the parks, better service, reliable transportation, easier relaxation time for breaks/pool. If he still wants to, then you may need to consider compromising for this trip. You could benefit if it ends up being a nice vacation - or he could be miserable and realize he never wants to stay off property again.

 

[SugarRush]

Ask him if he's willing to save money at the expense of taking time away from your vacation. When you're staying on property - among other things - you're paying for the convenience. Closer proximity, more time in the parks, better service, reliable transportation, easier relaxation time for breaks/pool. If he still wants to, then you may need to consider compromising for this trip. You could benefit if it ends up being a nice vacation - or he could be miserable and realize he never wants to stay off property again.

I really don't agree with this. We have stayed on site and at LBV (where we always stay, various places) and it doesn't add much time at all. In fact it's quicker than using Disney transport. I like the escape though and the cost savings! We are staying on site for 7 nights this year and the price still makes my heart hurt. Not to mention we stayed at BLT in 2013 and the room was awful. We had to get moved, what we had off site at that point at a 3rd of the price was much much nicer.
But of course it's about you as a family, what suits you. Personally I always fly the offsite flag as long as you can drive and have a car

 

[Thumper1066]

Staying on property when DD was small was important. We could take breaks and come back later. We used the on site babysitting clubs and it was very convenient. Now we are empy nesters we just go when we want and when we get tired we leave. Frankly, all that magic all the time is a bit too much the way the crowds have grown. We have a Marriott timeshare and we are close to Disney, but we also enjoy Sea World and dining in Orlando. (Dining outside of Disney is less expensive and in many ways better Don't feel guilty, feel like it is your vacation.

 

[pa. dad]

We have stayed on site and off site and moreso off site.
For us, the size of the room has a lot to do with it. For a lot less money, we can get a suite where the kids sleep on the other side of the room plus a kitchen with an oven and a microwave and we have 3 tvs in the room. The pool is open an hour later at night.

I don't see how this "takes time away from the vacation". We don't wait for overcrowded busses. We get in the car and go. If anything, it saves time. And I know it saves a lot of time having breakfast in the room every day as well as any snacks later in the night. Being able to mix in some off site meals is also a big money saver and there are many fine off site choices.

The biggest reason I think though over and above the financial reasons is at some point the kids don;t want to be sleeping in the same room as their parents and the parents don;t either.

 

[powellrj]

Bonnet creek is as close as many of the Disney hotels, is much cheaper and has bigger rooms.

 

[maxiesmom]

I've stayed off site a few times, and there is nothing wrong with it. However, you do have to weigh the perks you lose, and decide how important they are to you.

Do you mind booking FP+ only 30 days out, instead of the 60 days on site guests get? Are you a family that likes the dining plan? Will it bother you to have to book your ADRs one day at a time?

Also, will you have to rent a car? There is no way I would recommend staying off site without one. Some have shuttles that run only a few times a day, shuttles that don't go to every park, or shuttles you have to book ahead of time, or such as Bonnet Creek have shuttles you have to pay to use. Does you husband know they now charge $20 a day to park if you are not an on site guest? Does he also realize it means that if one child feels tired and needs a break the whole family has to go back, or the ones who stay behind will have to pay for a taxi?

 

[Mousemommy1]

This would be me if my DH suggested staying offsite.



Thankfully, he's got more sense than that and likes staying on site as much as I do.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I prefer off site. I love having a spacious 2 bedroom condo or 3 bedroom townhouse to stretch out in. We can put the kid to bed in her own room so mom and dad can have alone time. I love the private pool in the townhouse or rental house. There is a big fridge to keep healthy snacks and wine in. I save about $500 over staying onsite in a tiny motel 6 with poor theming. The theming in the condos/townhouse we rent at Windsor hills is amazing. Love, love, love the homes that have princess themed rooms with carriage beds to sleep in, animation cell artwork on the walls, disney themed toys for the kiddo to play with. It's a great value. I can pull out of the gated community and be at the TTC in 10-15 mins.

Disney is going to have to step up their game if they want me onsite. I'm not paying that much for those subpar rooms.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

You also shouldn't feel like a traitor. Disney is not your BFF, they have no loyalty to anything but your money, and you should not feel guilty about protecting your dollars. Disney does not care one bit if you stay offsite. When you go into the parks you will ride the same rides, stand in the same lines, eat the same food. But you'll have more cash in your pocket for souvenirs or whatever you want to spend it on.

 

[andiraye]

After pretty much a lifetime of staying onsite, we stayed off property last year and, honestly, it was fantastic. We stayed at Wyndham Bonnet Creek so technically we were within the Disney gates the whole time.

I was afraid that it would feel like we were leaving the magic when we left the parks but it never did. The hotel had its own theming and the grounds were pretty enough to feel not like "reality". I bought Disney themed toiletries and paper goods at the dollar store before we left and it was enough to make the Disney feeling continue. Plus, the price savings enabled us to add a couple of days to the trip, which made the whole experience that much better.

We also loved having a condo, with washer and dryer, separate living room and a kitchen. With two kids, it made all sorts of logistics -- breakfast, bedtime, snack time, etc., exponentially easier. And easier = more relaxed = better vacation all around.

 

[maxiesmom]

You also shouldn't feel like a traitor. Disney is not your BFF, they have no loyalty to anything but your money, and you should not feel guilty about protecting your dollars. Disney does not care one bit if you stay offsite. When you go into the parks you will ride the same rides, stand in the same lines, eat the same food. But you'll have more cash in your pocket for souvenirs or whatever you want to spend it on.

Actually Disney does care if you stay on site or off. On site is more money in their pockets. Why do you think they invented Magical Express? To lessen the number of people renting cars, thus keeping them captive on Disney property. Why do you think they have gone to a shorter Fast Pass window for off site guests? To encourage people to stay on site.

Disney wants you on site, no question.

 

[pa. dad]

You also shouldn't feel like a traitor. Disney is not your BFF, they have no loyalty to anything but your money, and you should not feel guilty about protecting your dollars. Disney does not care one bit if you stay offsite. When you go into the parks you will ride the same rides, stand in the same lines, eat the same food. But you'll have more cash in your pocket for souvenirs or whatever you want to spend it on.

I couldn't agree more. If you compare a Disney room with a cheap priced budget hotel then Disney has its advantages. But if you compare it to a suite or larger sized room that is frankly a BETTER ROOM AT LESSER PRICE, it becomes easy.

 

[maxiesmom]

I couldn't agree more. If you compare a Disney room with a cheap priced budget hotel then Disney has its advantages. But if you compare it to a suite or larger sized room that is frankly a BETTER ROOM AT LESSER PRICE, it becomes easy.

It is only easy if you are comparing rooms size. And off site hotels do have it all over Disney on that one. Once you start adding in all the other extras, it becomes no so clear cut.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Actually Disney does care if you stay on site or off. On site is more money in their pockets. Why do you think they invented Magical Express? To lessen the number of people renting cars, thus keeping them captive on Disney property. Why do you think they have gone to a shorter Fast Pass window for off site guests? To encourage people to stay on site.

Disney wants you on site, no question.

My point was that nobody should feel link they are betraying disney. There is no loyalty. If OP stays offsite, disney isn't going to lose any sleep over it. And the minute disney ups their prices to a point where OP can't afford it, disney won't feel link they've betrayed OP. They are looking out for their own bottom line, the consumer would be wise to do so as well.

 

[dreiwhit]

My father-in-law has a timeshare, so he can get us an offsite room in a condo using his points for free. We can't pass up a free place to stay no matter how much we would like to stay onsite.