Happy to Find this Forum!

[dixielander]

Hi everyone,
I recently started reading discussion forums on the DIS boards, after being a dedicated reader of another "unofficial" disney site.

At least here, people who stay off-site are not looked down upon. We have five in our family, and while we could have fit in a hotel room onsite, it would be pretty tight! And to be perfectly honest, I have no desire to shell out $500 a night to get a bigger place. It's my own opinion, but I'd rather spend money on other things, for example, dining in the unique restaurants that are all over the parks!

It's too bad that there are people out there who make others feel that their Disney experience will not be "complete" unless they stay in a Disney Resort. (By the way, I have stayed on-site, and it was very nice, and we did have a great experience). It's just not practical at this time with a family of 5.

Thanks again for all your ideas and help!!

We'll be staying at Vistana, the week of May 22-29, 2004.

 

[Big V]

Welcome to the Dis dixielander! There are some of us who stay offsite! I like all the room you get in a condo and we like to travel around the Orlando area to see different things.

 

[3kidsdisney]

hi there, we are also a family of 5 and would love to stay on site but the difference in a price for rooms for 5 people onsite and off-site, for us, it is better to stay off-site. last year we stayed at the country inn and suites and hopefully, next year we will stay at the courtyard by marriot. There are alot of people who stay off-site on this board with lots of good information--have a good trip.

 

[spiceycat]

I like both - now I love to stay on site when WDW is the only thing I am going for - but when I just need to relax or we are going to US/IOA or SW - then yes - off-site is great

I have already stayed at
Marriott Grande Vista Resort in Orlando
Hilton Grand Vacation Club in Orlando
AmericanSuites Vacation CLub at Calypso Cay
friends have stayed at Parkway International Resort
Universal's Royal Pacific in Orlando
Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld in orlando
Day Inn in Kissimmee
Motel 6 in Kissimee
Holiday Inn West in Kissimmee
Sheraton Lake Side (now it has been sold and is called something different) in Kissimee
Westgate Vacation Villa Resort in Kissimmee
Westgate Lakes Resort in Orlando
Best Western in Lake Buena Vista
Hotel Royal Plaza at DD in Lake Buena Vista
my brother has stayed at Marriott Courtyard in DD

I know there are few more I will remember them later.

WDW is expensive!!!


my brother will be at Sheraton's Vistana Resort next Thanksgiving and then I will be at Orange Lake Villa for July for 2005.

I will probably do some getaways to Orlando also....
I love my DVC resorts - but there are so many other great places to stay in Orlando. Besides I like different - love Old Key West - but I also like different!!!!

 

[dixielander]

Thanks for the replies, I guess I was letting off a little steam, and now I feel much better!!

I'd like to try the Marriott resorts, (Cypress Harbor, Grande Vista), and also HGVC someday. I just can't bear to book anything but Vistana, because we have stayed there several times and we know it's nice and it's convenient, and the kids love it!

My sister owns at Orange Lake, but I've heard some not so great things about that place, nothing real bad, but it's very big, and I understand that some villas are not within walking distance to a pool. I would miss that alot!

But thanks again everyone. Someday, when it's only hubby and me, we'll stay on-site, but for the near future, it's off-site for us!

Also, can anyone tell me how to get a vacation countdown on my messages?? I love that!!

 

[spiceycat]

go to the technical support board - find "get your countdowns here" by Mr. J Cricket

 

[PhotobearSam]

I know what you mean...I used to go to another site ******** (I won't mention any names... but they made me feel unworthy of a Disney vacation unless I stayed on-site.

At the time the Canadian dollar was at $1.60 US so that was really hard to come down and afford it.

We had to stay at a budget motel that ended up being great at $33 a night and we loved it...but after I said on that board where we were going to stay...NOone would answer any of my questions...

I was soooooo happy to find the DIS!!! Here there is room for everyone and all opinions.

I know that some people on here still think it's not a DISNEY vacation unless you stay in the Mouse House but they understand that not everyone feels like that.

We are staying at Orange Lake for the 2nd time this year and love it but we have been near the pool and don't have kids...

Glad you found us...

 

[hercamore]

Hi, welcome to the Dis!

You are so right about sometimes it is not practical to stay onsite!

I have done both off and on and I have loved both.

I only have two children, but they are young adults now and we need ROOM to let everyone have their own space at night after a long day at the parks. Not to mention two bathrooms and more than one TV is really great and a real frig is worth a lot to me.

If Disney would reduce their rates on their suites, I'd stay onsite ever time , but that ain't gonna happen anytime soon.

Have a great time at Vistana. Would love to try that resort sometime. It has an awesome location, too.

herc.

 

[dixielander]

In my previous post, I mentioned that I heard "bad things" about Orange Lake, it was a poor choice of words, because what I meant, was that I heard some units are getting a little "worn", and that the pools were pretty spread out, (it's a big place).

My sister is an owner there, and her and my parents go there every year and LOVE it!

Another family I know suggested that it was better for "golfers" than alot of the other resorts, but we're not golfers!

I meant no disrespect to Orange Lake!! Sorry If I offended anyone.

 

[PhotobearSam]

You didn't...Relax...

We got Orange Lake on an auction for a very good price. It is better for golfers and the pools are spread out but we lucked out and were next door to one. It is a very big place if you have kids to think of...

We are just glad we are in a better place than our first trip at $33 a night...Oh the joys of a better job...LOL

 

[cleo]

Welcome to the DIS, dixielander! We're so glad you found us.

I was a dedicated on-site guest until recently. There are SO many fabulous resorts off site that it's truly a shame to miss them. I do love staying in the Disney resorts, but off site resorts provide an amazing experience as well. What a great country, where we have such variety of choice!

 

[wdisneelvr]

Hi dixielander-

There are many of us that stay onsite as well as offsite. I have done both several times. Sometimes it's just the two of us, and other times have been with large groups. Please feel welcome here at the DISboards, no matter where you like to stay with your family.

Happy trails!!!

 

[Robinrs]

Welcome, dixielander!

I used to visit the Disney Resorts board on this site and felt the same way you did on the other site, everyone made me feel like I was a MANIAC for not staying onsite.

Sooo, I spent way too much money and went out of my way to stay onsite TWICE. Both nice experiences but hardly the slam duck I was expected.

I like space also, and there are only TWO of us. My son and I need separate spaces and TWO televisions. It's a MUST! That is way I stay offsite in a condo or a villa mostly and in suites in hotels.

I've also realized I'm way too old to let others dictate my preferences!!

Again, welcome!