I can't shake the allure of staying on site

[Gumbo4x4]

We love going back to the room to rest. And staying onsite makes that really easy.

Outside of MK, we could walk out the front gate of any of the parks & be back IN our offsite cabin in less than 20 minutes. In a couple cases, less than 10.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Who knew off-site vs on-site would create such a debate? I think for some people the benefits of on-site are not worth any amount of money more than what they pay on-site. For my family 'saving' $500 staying off-site would not be worth it (especially considering that we would then have to rent a vehicle and pay parking/gas which over the course of a week would be at least $200 bringing our 'savings' down to less than $300) Maybe someday we will decide it is better to stay off-site (especially if we ever decide to do more than just Disney during the trip, which I would say is quite a few years away for our family). We are very frugal at home, but vacation is vacation and where we place our vacation priorities may be different than where another family places their vacation priorities. We work hard for our money so when we go on vacation we enjoy being able to spend on the things we feel make our vacation better. Not the same as throwing money away at all.

Yes, it is amazing the turn some of these threads take on these boards. I've been visiting another Disney fan forum a lot more lately and the tone there with this particular topic is much more laid back and less argumentative

One thing I wanted to point out is that I see quite a few people mention that staying offsite only saves them a few hundred bucks. I think one really has to compare 'apples to apples' to see that if you are looking at the same kind of accommodations, the savings far exceed a few hundred bucks. I even have to remind myself that it's not an 'apples to apples' comparison when I consider a value or even moderate hotel room against a 1,200-1,400 sq ft condo/villa. The cost for our family to rent points for a week in a 2 bedroom DVC villa onsite(which are accommodations comparable to a condo/villa offsite) during value season would be at minimum around $2,500 more (and that's a generous estimate) than what we paid for a week in a 3 bedroom condo at Windsor Hills.

I can't speak for all families that stay offsite but I know for us it's not about not being able to "afford" to stay onsite or trying to save a little money; but getting the kind of accommodations we want for a price that offers that bang for my buck . Being able to shell out the cash for two rooms at Pop Century or a family suite at AS Music certainly isn't the issue for DH and I; but it's that internal debate of "are we all really going to be comfortable and happy in two small value resort rooms with only full size beds or a small suite with only one real bed and a couple pull out beds and be able to justify the cost for those options when we had such a great experience in a 3 bedroom condo offsite that was still close to Disney property???"
Being able to split up if needed, the 60 day FP+ advantage, and taking a shorter trip this time around are the primary reasons we booked an onsite stay again; but we are constantly second guessing that choice because we know what we would be giving up since we have actually experienced it for ourselves

It looks like the OP has already made up their mind; but like I said in my first post in this thread, I think you really have to try it for yourself. I think some people talk themselves out of trying out one or the other, but if you are really curious and can't "shake the allure" you won't know what it's really like until you try it for yourself.

 

[nugov2]

Outside of MK, we could walk out the front gate of any of the parks & be back IN our offsite cabin in less than 20 minutes. In a couple cases, less than 10.

If you valet your car at CR when you visit MK you will find you are back at your offsite place so fast!! It was the best advice we got on here. Our last trip was our first Offsite experience, but I knew going into it we needed lots of space from our other travels. I was concerned about the ease of getting to the parks, and honestly I was so surprised how great it was!!

 

[KateMW]

Staying onsite is the only way I would do Disney...it just makes it so much more magical!

 

[MystikaFaith]

I wouldn't stay offsite even if you paid me! The Disney resort experience IS part of the experience and what a wonderful experience it is So far I`ve only been to the All Star Movies value resort, but let me tell you that those rooms were nicer than a lot of expensive high end hotel rooms I`ve been in over the years. The rooms are very clean, room service is superb, the theming is spectacular and above all else, it`s magical. The Disney resorts are truly magical. Beyond magical! An essential part of the Disney experience. And that`s coming from someone who has only stayed at a value. I can`t even imagine what the moderates and deluxes are like.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I just don't believe that the values are "nicer than high end resort" rooms. They look like a Motel 6.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

HOW you do your vacation matters in the decision too. At Disney, for us we eat & sleep at the cabin. That's pretty much it. The theming looks the same when your eyes are closed. The pool was 40 feet from our front door. Arrival day was the only time we used it.

 

[DaniMoon]

We've had awesome trips both off-site and onsite. We did our first seven trips off-site, everywhere we have stayed had busing, so parking was never an issue. We knew the bus pickup times and never had to wait for busing, plus the buses never filled up and we had to wait for the next one. The one time we missed the bus, we got a taxi -- it was $25 back to our resort, split between 3 families, so worth it.

Now, our last trip, we got some unexpected money and decided to splurge. A splurge for us was a value -- POP. We loved it. It was the best trip we ever took, for quite a few reasons, including POP. My hubby, who will always look at the bottom line, has declared staying on-site is the only way to go.

Bottom line is that you will have an awesome trip. Until you stay on-site, you will never know if it's worth it, to you.

 

[MystikaFaith]

I just don't believe that the values are "nicer than high end resort" rooms. They look like a Motel 6.

Unless those motels you speak of are oozing pixie dust the two are not even close to being in the same league. It's like comparing apples to dinosaurs.

It is however possible that you are one of those grown ups who have grown up which will indeed cloud your ability to appreciate the magic. Satisfication is often fueled by anticipation and expectation. YOU may just be the type to be happier offsite.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Off-site may not be "oozing pixie dust" but with the money saved, I can buy a whole lot of grown up pixie dust (wine!)

 

[nugov2]

I wouldn't stay offsite even if you paid me! The Disney resort experience IS part of the experience and what a wonderful experience it is So far I`ve only been to the All Star Movies value resort, but let me tell you that those rooms were nicer than a lot of expensive high end hotel rooms I`ve been in over the years. The rooms are very clean, room service is superb, the theming is spectacular and above all else, it`s magical. The Disney resorts are truly magical. Beyond magical! An essential part of the Disney experience. And that`s coming from someone who has only stayed at a value. I can`t even imagine what the moderates and deluxes are like.

On site has some things to offer, but there isn't any way that a value is nicer than expensive high end hotel. I am not knocking them, but they are motels no matter how much bright paint they slap on the walls and giant plastic cut outs they put all over the grounds to add "pixie dust". They have cheaper harder beds, very small in size and almost nothing you'd find in a high end hotel ie....restaurants, deluxe mattress, high end bathrooms and fixtures all around and other high end amenities. The values are a motel 6 style (not dirty or bad, but that is the fact). Being clean is something I'm sure many motels can claim, values do not offer room service(I've never stayed in a value, but almost positive they do not) and theming like magic is in the eye of the beholder. I find it laughable to even compare a value to a high end hotel such as the four seasons or ritz carlton. Even if Mickey himself tucks you in and there are smiling, singing CM's everywhere you aren't going to get even the smallest bit of luxury you would get at a high end hotel.

Lets do a comparison: Standard room at the four seasons....500 sq feet standard at ASM 260 sq feet

Room four seasons

Room ASM


bathroom four seasons



Bathroom ASM



Lobby four season




Lobby ASM




There is no way a value is even close to as nice as a high end hotel. I can tell just by looking at the pictures how flimsy and scratchy the comforter would be at the All Star and how fluffy and soft the bed is at the Four Seasons. And the bathroom...c'mon, the four seasons looks like a high end spa!

 

[MystikaFaith]

Off-site may not be "oozing pixie dust" but with the money saved, I can buy a whole lot of grown up pixie dust (wine!)

Again, I think you are one of those "grown up grown ups"... Not a bad thing, just an indication that you belong offsite.

Lets do a comparison: Standard room at the four seasons....500 sq feet standard at ASM 260 sq feet

Room four seasonsView attachment 79190

Room ASM
View attachment 79191


There is no way a value is even close to as nice as a high end hotel. I can tell just by looking at the pictures how flimsy and scratchy the comforter would be at the All Star and how fluffy and soft the bed is at the Four Seasons. And the bathroom...c'mon, the four seasons looks like a high end spa!

I'm sorry... I don't see the appeal. Your luxury resort looks like my bedroom and bath and oozes boredom. I go to Disney for the Disney experience and the resorts, even the values, are a key ingredient to the Disney experience. No matter how drunk I could be offsite, nothing beats a Mickey high

But to each his own. Obviously people go to Disney World for different reasons and what matters to some matters little to another. In the end some people are just better off off-site. Simple as that.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

But to each his own. Obviously people go to Disney World for different reasons and what matters to some matters little to another. In the end some people are just better off off-site. Simple as that.

Your point here pretty much sums it up. The immersive theming and perks/benefits are the draw for on site and the plethora of attainable options for more space and comfort are the draw for offsite. For my family of seven, we really need and value the comfort and amenities of spacious accommodations for trips that are more than a couple days in length; even for a Disney trip where we spend a lot of time being on the go in the parks. The theming and fun vibe of the Disney resorts really can't be beat and is what makes them special so we try to make dining reservations at different Disney resorts on each trip so we get the chance to visit them and check out the theming. Maybe one day a DVC stay will be in the cards for my family and then we will have the best of both worlds

 

[g8torphan]

Staying off site is a better deal for your dollar, at least for us. And its not close.

Staying at POR with a River View, its almost 10minutes from the bus stop to your room.
Breakfast at the resort is madness, way too many people trying to get Mickey Waffles. Food is overpriced and average at best.
EMH is pointless, we avoid those parks anyway.
Rooms are tiny and once your kid goes to sleep you're just sitting in the dark.
60 day FP only helps with A&E, and parades and fireworks. I have no need to meet 2 people who dont look like the cartoon, and I wouldnt want to limit myself to 3FP's by booking late night events like MSEP or Wishes.

Off site at Buena Vista Suites you get a 2 room suite with a free true hot breakfast (eggs to order, meat, oatmeal, cereal, fruit, yogurt, juice, milk, coffee, pastries) everyday, for $89/night. You dont drive on I-4, and are back quicker than taking a bus to a resort. Its less than 10 minutes to Epcot/HS door to door.

Step up to Marriott Harbour Lake and you have pools nicer than Disney, on site mini golf, resort games, free sports equipment, larger roooms with kitchen and washer/dryer, screened in balcony, beautiful grounds with lakes. Park by your room and easy access to grocery stores and more affordable off site restaurants with better food.

 

[nugov2]

Again, I think you are one of those "grown up grown ups"... Not a bad thing, just an indication that you belong offsite.




I'm sorry... I don't see the appeal. Your luxury resort looks like my bedroom and bath and oozes boredom. I go to Disney for the Disney experience and the resorts, even the values, are a key ingredient to the Disney experience. No matter how drunk I could be offsite, nothing beats a Mickey high

But to each his own. Obviously people go to Disney World for different reasons and what matters to some matters little to another. In the end some people are just better off off-site. Simple as that.

I see the appeal of a luxury resort and love them, but do admit when staying at WDW it is fun to have lots of theming and that is why we rent a house with amazing theming. The theming that the houses have is above and beyond what WDW themselves offer as far as rooms go(now I will say that Uni offers some great themed rooms and we are planning a night in the minion suite when we head over to universal on our trip). Like I posted earlier my kids had amazing rooms and were excited to sleep in them every night! I also agree that everyone has different needs/wants, but just think it is funny when people make certain claims and while I think you can absolutely know what class of hotel you would or wouldn't stay in I think it is hard to say you will miss out on the Disney magic offsite unless you have done both. I say that as I had concerns moving offsite and it truly was filled with magic and as I've said we ate on site and enjoyed every resort activity we would have wanted to even onsite.

 

[kaetra]

Split your stay - stay onsite a couple nights to try it out. Port Orleans prices seem to me to be getting higher and higher though. (I think it's because they are so darn popular).

 

[DisneyParkLover]

We have done both before and with two trips planned in 2015, we will be doing one onsite and one offsite this year. As annual passholders who usually drive, there was no cost savings for rental car/parking for us. For our May trip, we have a three bedroom condo ONE mile from Disney property for less than one value room. The cost savings to stay offsite in our situation is huge! (Especially since we could not squeeze 4 adults and a toddler in one value room comfortably - we would get two rooms).

However, we really love to stay onsite and feel it is part of the "experience". So we are doing one cheap trip this year and saving money so we can do a more expensive trip later in the year. It really depends what your budget is and what is important to you. We have done super cheap trips where we ate all packed lunches, stayed offsite, etc. We have also done splurge trips with staying onsite, signature dining, added extras, etc. They were all awesome trips - just different.

We try to set a trip budget and then pick the options that are important to us while staying within the budget. So we may choose between staying onsite or more expensive dining. Or we may choose between one expensive vacation or two cheaper ones. When we do stay onsite, we rent DVC or go during free dining to offset the extra cost some, so that is something to consider.

Good luck deciding!

 

[collcass]

I am sure you will get a gazillion different opinions. We've done both and I think they are both great in their own right. Yes, on site is on site, but all of those resorts are separated by public roads. I don't think it took any longer to get from point a to point b being at windsor hills than being at an on site resort. the values are simply motels with a lot of theming. That is a fact . If certain amenities were not offered which allowed TWDC to utilize the "resort" category, they would be classified as a motel. this isn't badn but it is true. Whomever it was who said you can't compare a value to a 5* is accurate, but, if possible, the values at WDW wouldn't come close. they do a great job with theming and immersing you into the magic, but that doesn't change the facts.

That being said, on site is great. We've had loads of fun on site, but it is expensive. I really enjoyed doing the split stays in the summer, but I can tell you that on those summer trips we always stayed Deluxe/WH/Moderate. My kids were far happier at Windsor Hills & the mod compared to Deluxe because the main pools at Poly,AK, & WL were not nearly as large as the mod pool ad obviously they werent sharing a pool when we were in the house.

Whatever you decide just enjoy yourself.

 

[DSNY4ever]

We always stay onsite. I always try to look into trying to save money offsite but since we'd have to rent a car and pay for parking it never calculates out to a savings. So with no savings we are very happy in our wdw resorts, they are pretty awesome. We honeymooned at port Orleans riverside and it is as beautiful as it looks online

 

[Monykalyn]

Been following this with interest as we are staying onsite for first time-then moving offsite to explore more of Orlando. We got great deals booking through Orbitz (disney spring deal plus another 15% off-which gave me enough "orbitz bucks" to splurge on an overnight club level at Universal the second wee: win-win). I do have to laugh though at the comments on "renting a car wipes out savings" - just where are these highly expensive rentals coming from? We have a car for 2 weeks for ~$600. Staying onsite is costing twice that. Our 2 bed condo at Sabal palms is our timeshare trade-even if we would have rented another week it wouldn't have been $1200! Planning 6 days at the WDW parks (if parking paid for offsite ~$102).

All this to say that I really wanted to explore staying onsite-and with our kids older now we found last year we wanted to split up more and do different things for a bit-much easier if we are onsite and some wanted to head back and swim and others wanted to stay at parks. I am a wee bit worried about the 5 of us in a small room for 6 days (one of the reasons doing a split stay-figured the novelty of 2 different resorts will help).