Finally in black and white

[sasquatch]

Staying off-site at a place with a full kitchen is definitely more economical. Our last trip we ate breakfast at the condo, and prepared sandwich lunches to bring with us to the parks. Also staying off-site makes you more inclined to try off-site dining options.

Disney certainly does a great job of creating a desire to stay on-site, but it seems to me that the money saved by staying off-site can go directly into towards the next Disney trip.

 

[linnell]

Last year we stayed in a 1-bedroom BWV with a 45% off pin code and it was still more more money than 2-bedrooms at WBC. I will miss being able to walk to two of the parks, but I hate the bus system, so I would have rented a car anyway. Plus, my son is a super picky eater and is not allowed dairy, so eating in is better for us. I hate paying $9 for pasta with nothing on it! This year, we're going to feed the kids in the room and then head over to Epcot in the evenings so the adults can munch on Food & Wine yummies. Can't wait!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I've said it before, but the offsite/onsite thing is largely a matter of personal taste. There's nothing wrong with onsite, and in jjpope's case, offsite might not be much cheaper (family of 3).

Where I find the biggest difference cost-wise is, with a family of more than 2 kids. yeah, we could (and did!) get DVC, but it's quite expensive. Also, some people don't care for commmando touring--again, this is personal taste. I could see doing a short (few days) trip with commando touring, but we go every other year, for two weeks. We also like a variety of offerings outside WDW, from restaurants to theme parks to shopping venues. And my gang prefers to eat in a house, not a restaurant. So for us, onsite is the less-attractive, more expensive option. That isn't true for everyone.

I do think a lot of people on these boards buy into the hype that you must be immersed in the Disney magic 24/7 or it's not a "real" vacation. We've found our vacation bliss with a different style. I think a lot of people could save money by being a little more open-minded, but it's their money and their vacation, so it's no skin off my nose. And kudos to Disney for being so skilled at marketing their resort.

 

[SnowWtch]

This year we're staying off-site for all our trips. We're paying around $80 a night for places that have a fridge, microwave and free breakfast each morning which is better than staying on property and not getting much for our money. The buses are great but not worth the extra money. It also gives us an opportunity to try other restaurants that are cheaper and go to other places we might not go to if we stayed on property like the Florida Mall or Universal.

 

[DisKim]

We used to stay onsite, but now that we have 4 kids, it is just not in the cards for us. I agree with those who say the food is also substandard. We used to love the Disney restaurants, but we have noticed that the quality has really gone down on our last couple of trips. We will be dividing our stay between Bonnet Creek and a 5 bedroom home in Windsor Hills for what we would pay for a value resort.

 

[avic77]

If not for my generous sister giving us DVC points we would not be onsite guests either. Our Universal trip we stayed at Parc Corniche and loved the space. The condos were nothing exciting but we could eat sleep and beth without stepping on each other. I would look off site before I would pay Disney prices for on site, especially if you have older kids or a family of more then 3 (double beds do not fit 2 adults very comfortably)

 

[Dallas_Lady]

This thread would have a completely different tone if it were over on the resorts board.

We have become off-site converts after staying in moderates. We like onsite and enjoyed those trips, but now that we have the kids having the extra space of a condo is really nice after a long day of touring. Next year we are taking a cruise and and will add a few nights onsite before the cruise to go to the parks. It's only 3 nights so I may spring for a Deluxe. But I doubt we'll do week-long onsite trip again.

The only thing I really miss is the food court. Being able to grab lunch while at the pool or get a late night treat was really nice.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

This thread would have a completely different tone if it were over on the resorts board.

I agree 100% . On the resorts board, when I see someone say that, all things considered they prefer to stay offsite, it always disintegrates to "well maybe you should save a little more if you can't "afford" a visit to WDW" or "It's not a trip to WDW if you're not onsite" or some other nonsense.

 

[Pembo]

so do yall think it is worth staying off site, and paying cash for food at disney? see the dining plan for me i like due to you dont have to worry about cash, its included, i guess i feel like its cheaper to get dining plan than to pay cash, we have 2 adults and 1 (6yr) boy? what is your opinions about that?

We liked the convenience of no cash with the dining plan...so on our next trip we loaded up a gift card to use for meals. Yes we were paying for our meals but we didn't have to carry cash or worry about a large bill on the room charge. The nice thing about the gc was that the balance was printed on our receipt. Just a thought....

As for staying offsite, we've done it twice now. I really love all the extra space, the kitchen and laundry that our condo at WH gave us. I have to admit after 10 trips onsite and 2 off I have decided that being off doesn't make the trip as Disney-ish. There is something to be said about being immersed in the Disney magic 24/7...however the $$$ saved staying off will probably always win with me from now on.

 

[avic77]

I agree 100% . On the resorts board, when I see someone say that, all things considered they prefer to stay offsite, it always disintegrates to "well maybe you should save a little more if you can't "afford" a visit to WDW" or "It's not a trip to WDW if you're not onsite" or some other nonsense.

When I first joined the Dis I had started off planning a vacation home off site. I ended up on the Dis looking for suggestions and help planning. I was quickly flamed about the idea of staying off site and that I needed a Travel Agent to make plans for me.
Our first trip was wonderful...except the room did not fit our family. We had 2 adults a teenager a 9 year old and a 6 year old in POR trundle room. We couldnt sleep for all the sniffling, coughing, tossing, turning, getting up to potty. I found out my kids are noisy sleepers! I vowed NEVER again to sleep al in one tiny hotel room.
Next trip was a budget Universal only trip. We got a great rate for a 2 bedroom condo at Parc Corniche and loved it. No house keeping, a "boring" pool, plain breakfast, furniture was kinda worn and the beds were hard. But we slept better and didnt feel like killing each other after 1 night. Once we figured out how to get from hotel to Universal we made it everyday by rope drop Something we couldnt do at Disney cause we were so tired from the restless sleep.
Our last trip was Disney again and I got a great pin code for a Cabin at Fort Wilderness. They looked big enough so I jumped on the on site bandwagon again. And while Ft Wilderness was better then POR we still felt the cheap off site condo was better.

The only reason we are onsite for our coming trip is my sister bought into DVC last year and offered us enough points for 5 week day nights at AKL Kidani 2 beedroom. I am excited to be staying there and having room to spread out, 3 bathrooms, and a Kitchen. However I was shocked to hear i had to pay for extra towels . I mean really? Someone pays that amount to buy into DVC and they are charged for a couple extra towels? I was also told we couldnt get extra blankets or pillows if we needed them. We always need more blankets. I guess I'll bring my own. But those little facts have really made me rethink how awesome I thought owning DVC would be.

Next time we will not even consider onsite unless its free again.