Hate not being in the "bubble"

[Texans_loyal]

we have a 5 night stay at the animal kingdom lodge coming up in January and i am PUMPED! (rented DVC points)

I accidentally purchased an 8 day ticket and decided to spend an extra couple of days. Value resorts are $140/night vs $60/night at Extended stay. Is it that big of a deal to stay off property? we have never staid off property before and i am afraid we will lose the "magic". Anyone have any experience not staying on property?

 

[Sweettears]

we have a 5 night stay at the animal kingdom lodge coming up in January and i am PUMPED! (rented DVC points)

I accidentally purchased an 8 day ticket and decided to spend an extra couple of days. Value resorts are $140/night vs $60/night at Extended stay. Is it that big of a deal to stay off property? we have never staid off property before and i am afraid we will lose the "magic". Anyone have any experience not staying on property?

Many times. It is definitely different and you will notice that you're not in Kansas anymore. However it's all about expectations. It's never ruined my trip. I even notice the difference between WDW properties and the Swan/ Dolphin but sometimes $$ rule.

 

[dogdangling]

We have stayed offsite twice, in villas. Didn't feel different and enjoyed it just the same.

 

[Nhebron]

We have stayed offsite at the beginning or ending of a Disney trip. I actually prefer the offsite accommodations more....more space for the money.

 

[megs1313]

we did a split stay last time (because my MIL gifted us her vacation condo at SVR) and though it was nice enough, it absolutely did make me feel out of the bubble and it was nowhere near as magical.

ETA: we've also stayed just one night off site and then headed to our resort. in that case it was at the start of the trip and that didn't bother me at all. This last time we did a few nights at POR and then a whole week off site at SVR and I would NEVER do it in that order again because you've had the magic and then lost it! so much worse!

 

[ericaseiler]

I am always afraid of not being "in the bubble" but we JUST came back from an extended weekend off-site and I didn't feel any loss of magic at all. It was a great trip and I would stay off-site again if it made the most sense for us to do so. In your case, with it being over double the money to stay on site, I'd probably opt to stay off.

 

[WEDWDW]

I think it is the same thing as some Guests don't mind seeing Backstage areas at WDW and other Guests won't take the Tours,etc. because they don't want to see Backstage areas.

Some Guests can stay offsite and love it and other Guests love being in that Bubble.

 

[alliecat523]

We've stayed offsite a few times and have never had an issue with it.

 

[loves to dive]

There are many people who prefer to stay off site, you tend to get more room wise for you money. I've only done it once and that was years ago (like almost 30) so I'm sure things have changed. I would say it might be better if the off site stay is at the beginning of the trip, it would be hard for me to go from AKV to anywhere, even on site, it's such a beautiful resort.

 

[iheartglaciers]

Normally I'd pay the extra money to stay onsite (love the bubble!), but since you're already at AKL for 5 days, I think it's okay to stay offsite and save money to spend when you're onsite The bigger questions is whether you want to drive to/from the parks or have the Disney buses that you'd get staying onsite.

 

[Lynne M]

The Disney resorts are definitely my favorite hotels when I'm doing WDW, but I've had some very nice stays in other parts of the area. Think of it as exploring. You'll get to see parts of Central Florida that you usually don't, maybe try some new restaurants, find some new stores to check out. There is a LOT to see outside of the Disney bubble.

 

[Pintail]

There are a lot of reasonable hotel choices nearby to save money. Last visit, we stayed close to Disney, did not rent a car, and just used rideshares to get to the Parks. It worked out great, and made it so easy. Have a great trip, AKV is awesome.

 

[HopperFan]

Do both and sometimes both in one trip ... at first I hated out of the bubble, but now we find lots to do outside particularly eating at a much lower price.

Questions:

- What do you mean by "Extended stay"? Is that your hotel or just a reference to offsite ... sometimes you get what you pay for so where exactly are you staying?

- Will you have a car?

 

[FamilyGuy]

I far prefer to stay on property. . . but at the same time, it's all what you make of it. Don't expect it to be identical to staying on property, and make the most of it. There are even some positives to being off property, as mentioned above. IE, More dining and shopping choices, etc.

I'd love to be able to extend my stay several days just on a whim, even it was offsite!

 

[BigAlsGal]

I grew up an offsite person. Disney resorts were always too expensive so they were off the table. Once I experienced the bubble there was no going back.

 

[Beemitchcowski]

We have only done offsite....it's what works for us...but we stay at Bonnet Creek....it's very nice....resort feeling......multiple pools....we don't walk far to go to our car...we aren't crammed in a small room on a full sized bed...

It allows us to be able to afford the Christmas Party....BBB plus character meals...all that is extremely magical.

Now maybe I would feel different if we were spending 9 nights at the Holiday Inn Express that's next to Walmart.

It's not like an onsite stay is a guaranteed perfection situation...

It's what you make of it....

 

[spiceycat]

staying offsite for a few days before your trip is no big deal.

 

[kmb584]

We have stayed offsite quite a bit and I've never found it to be a hassle or less magical. Our favorite offsite resort is the Vistana, where I'm able to get a 2-bed 2-bath unit for almost $1,000 less per night than I pay for the same at BLT (with the exception of BLT having a 3rd bathroom). Our last 6 trips have been at BLT but part of me does miss the Vistana. It's incredibly quiet, the rooms are large, and it's only an 8-10 minute to WDW property.

 

[bumbershoot]

Since we drive there's no bubble. The instant I'm on a 50mph highway any "magic" that I may or may not have been able to feel is gone. And since DH commutes in a bus he has zero interest in public transport from resort and park.

Offsite, onsite, it's all the same. It's hotels and roads and entrances to parks and whatever gets you more of what you want is all that matters.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

When we stay offsite, we usually stay in DS area, and walk over to DS and use the transportation from there. I think with a split stay you won't feel you missed anything on the trip and will save some money as a bonus - enjoy your vacation!

Tom