FL Residents - Do you ever stay on property?

[FirstNo]

DH and I are considering a relocation opportunity to the Orlando area. It would be great to be a drive away from Disney but I think I would miss the build up to a long trip and staying on property. Though, the more I think about it being able to visit as often as I wanted is a huge plus. So, if you're local do you ever stay on property just for the experience?
Also, in our consideration I've been house hunting online. There are so many areas I that I don't know. Any suggestions? We have a 3yo daughter also!
Thanks!

Rarely. I live about 15 min off the property. In the almost 6yrs I've lived in the area, I've only stayed on the property twice (when I've paid for it); during two of the last 3 hurricanes we had. I have stayed on the property for a night here and there when my Dad has come to visit and he's staying on site for special events (like MNSSHP) and has kindly offered me the use of the room.

While I enjoy Disney, for me, their prices are usually too high for me to be able to justify to myself to stay, or eat, on site when I can be home in 15 min. I did enjoy my stays at the CR and decided I need to treat myself to a deluxe one or two times a year and I usually do the same for the restaurants, again, during special events.

 

[FloridaGirl]

We live 4 hours away and would never think of staying off-site-- part of the Disney experience is staying on site-- I can stay at a Best Western, Ramada or Holiday Inn ANYWHERE-- but Disney resorts are ONLY at Disneyworld!!

 

[Tron72]

Well, as a South Florida Resident and Disney fan. I would say Heck yeah. There is nothing greater then staying on the Disney Property even as a Florida resident. For one, you will have a higher rate of returning to the Land Of Magic then before, and now you can even think of purchasing Florida Residents Annual Passes or Seasonal Passes.

Welcome to Florida, and I hope the Job relocation is a success.

Tron72

 

[Miss Jasmine]

We live an hour away and we stay on site at least three times a year, each time for two or three nights. Generally we just stay at the resort and don't visit the parks when we do that.

 

[ccotis]

We live in Cape Coral which is about 3hrs. away. We tried to stay in the Downtown Disney area but as we were on the busses leaving the various parks, we kept passing Disney Hotels. We were mysteriously drawn back to the on site location the next day.
I would stay on site even if I lived in Orlando.