How important is it to YOU to stay on property?

[ILuvWDWorld]

I don't know if I would want to go unless I were able to stay onsite. It's part of the whole Disney experience for us. We love parking our car in the lot knowing we may not have to get back into until our vacation is over. (Although, we usually do.) The extra magic hours are great for our family. And with small children, it's great to be able to go back quickly to the hotel for naps or a swim in the hot afternoon. We used to stay offsite, but I don't we will again. WE LOVE IT!

 

[oots]

we have only been there twice-both onsite at the poly-for me it makes it a true vacation-no car, no worries. Its a big all inclusive resort. we stayed 5 days both times-I would like to stay longer and really get to enjoy a full day at a resort hotel some time.

 

[faeflora]

For us, very important. Mostly for the simple fact that we do not have to worry about transportation. We get to the resort, unpack, relax, and then jump a bus and get going. We have now stayed in all the resort types and honestly I would do a value resort again just to be able to stay on property.

 

[goofie4goofy]

We would not go to WDW if we could not stay on site (I know this may sound spoiled brattish, but it is true) Actually, if we could not stay at the GF RPC everytime we go I would not want to go. It's just like flying...once you fly first class you will never go to the back of the plane again.

 

[ufgator]

Very important! I don't really want to go if we can't stay on site. We were offsite the last 2 times and it's such a pain driving there and back. We went with my mom both times and she had to take her dogs so we couldn't stay on site. The first time we were up there was after Wilma and it wasn't a planned trip - we were just happy to have electricity and going to WDW was a bonus. The second time we were up there for Thanksgiving to go to family's house for the holiday. We didn't go to the park the second time (we tried Universal) and I missed WDW.

I just think staying at a resort is part of the fun. I love the themes and that you have so many options (both hotels and restaurants) on site. It's nice not to have to travel far at the end of the day.

 

[Goofyta]

My dh and I went in 99, but stayed off site. We vowed, that when we go back we will definately by staying on site. With having 3 kids, we feel it will make things a lot easier.

 

[LoveWDW]

We like being able to return to the hotel conveniently whenever we want. So we stay at the Epcot hotels.

 

[Terk-1]

I've always stayed on property on all of the 15 trips I've made to WDW. I've been 4 times solo (5th one planned for next year) and never go anywhere else (i.e. Sea World, etc.). I like getting to my Disney resort and utilizing all that Disney has to offer.

 

[jann1033]

imo it's a totally different feel to stay off site. we did it once and even though it's cheaper, we would never do it again. i love never moving my car, never fighting traffic and never leaving the warm confines of wdw once we get there...in other words, i'm just the type of lunatic disney wants to visit and give all my $$ to them and them alone(lol) as crazy as this is, i'd rather stay in a tent at FW than a hotel off site ( actually we love fw more than any other resort just camping is difficult due to health problems and the cabins are to expensive and big...plus i'd feel like i should cook it i had a kitchen and not in this life time will that happen at wdw)

 

[Aisling]

imo it's a totally different feel to stay off site. we did it once and even though it's cheaper, we would never do it again.

On our first trip to WDW, we stayed in a value resort, All Star Sports, since our budget was on the skinny side back then. And we loved it. I think it's great that there's a variety of hotels and prices, to fit all budgets. With codes, choosing off-peak times to go, planning far ahead to be able to save money to put towards the trip, it's so doable.

For the poster a while back who said they can't wait to stay at the Contemporary, you're going to LOVE it. It's so different from the other hotels, and it exudes the spirit of Walt, since it was his baby!

 

[Kimmielee]

For the poster a while back who said they can't wait to stay at the Contemporary, you're going to LOVE it. It's so different from the other hotels, and it exudes the spirit of Walt, since it was his baby!

That was me!!! We've done All Star Sports, POFQ (our 2nd trip with this resort is planned) and I'm dying to try the Contemporary since MK is our favorite park. This time, we have the 7 day cruise at the end of our POFQ stay... next year, no cruise and hopefully the Contemporary!!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

The resort is my favorite part!!

Us too!

 

[luvfigment]

It is very important to me to stay on property and I agree that it is part of the magic. It is so convenient and don't need to worry about driving every day to and from the park.

I only remember staying off property once and it was NOT the same even though I was really young I remember the difference. Now that I am older and I will be paying for the trips I will always stay on property.

 

[dyna]

VERY VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!! Years ago mid 80's we stayed offsite because we didn't know any better. NEVER AGAIN!!!! Those visits in the 80's was not pleasant visits by any means.

Tho we do stay at the value resorts we have tried the mod resorts and not as happy there as at value. We need just enough to get us inside the world where we can park and not have to drive. Still take our cooler with our own drinks and some of our food and eat lots of Peanut butter sandwiches.

 

[nbodyhome]

Staying offsite generally means staying at home for me. But otherwise, it depends what I want to do. If I am just doing Disney, I don't mind just getting a campsite for cheap (I love Fort Wilderness). But for other things, the Universal Hotels are very nice, as are some of the hotels around Disney, like the Caribe Royal. When I was younger with less money (and no value resorts were available), we stayed at the Golden Link on 192 - and the trips were still always a lot of fun. I grew up on the Polynesian, though - every year, that is where my family stayed, and it is still my favorite.

The Disney's Magical Express has made it very convenient for guests to stay on property, and more economical.

 

[Cookie Princess]

We won't stay offsite, unless we are at a Universal Hotel and going to their theme parks with "front of the line" access.

Prior to having a child we stayed offsite. The convenience of the WDW transportation system is key for us, along with the round the clock MAGIC. We also prefer WDW restaurants instead of same of the chains outside of the world.

 

[mickeyfan2]

We love on-site.

 

[disneyloveNY]

Only onsite. It's part of the magic, running into the charcters in the lobby, the special soaps, the enchanted resorts themselves...

 

[**pixiedust**]

We used to stay offsite and then last year finally realized that we could afford onsite if we really tried. Now we will never go offsite again. It is a completely different vacation when you stay onsite. I would not go if I couldn't stay in a Disney hotel.

 

[Andrea]

we stayed off site the first time, we stayed right next to seaworld.. since that is where we were going...

but this time around we are going to stay at wl and i cant wait