We just got back from HGV at Sea World and loved everything about it. We had a rental car, which I feel is a must. It was wonderful to have the choice of both on-site and off-site restaurants to eat, not to mention the SPACE at a BARGAIN PRICE.
And you know what, between the
AAA parking (close to the front of the parks), and learning the tricks/shortcuts to get back and forth, I swear we were home in less time than if we were still queueing up for a crowded bus that then had to s l o w l y (those big buses don't go too fast) take you to your resort all the way across the vast Disney property.
Yes, staying in a deluxe on the monorail would be faster, but you pay dearly for the convenience. And unless you pay a fortune for a suite, you're stuck in one really expensive room.
I too was SOOO worried after reading everything about how much better it is to stay on-site (and we DID, for one night), but I would never even worry about it ever again - it will be the same Hilton for us when we go back.