We've stayed both onsite and offsite, and continue to do so.
When my in-laws come with us on our annual October trips, we stay at the GCH (despite what is, I absolutely agree, a cringeworthy price tag). Back when we started this three-generational trip, DLR had offered a 30% senior citizen discount, which is how we got hooked on GCH.
Unfortunately, they discontinued this discount a couple of years ago, and the AP discounts we were getting have gotten increasingly smaller. But it's worth it to us once a year for this particular trip because:
- My in-laws like to take frequent breaks back at the hotel without having to walk far.
- My in-laws don't have APs, and because this annual trip is usually 7 days long, they like to spend time at the GCH pool on their off-days. On one of those off days, we get a cabana.
- My kids and the rest of the family love the pool, which we utilize almost every day during the hottest and most crowded part of the day.
- Members of our family take part in the scavenger hunt, the story times by the fireplace, the hotel tours, and the power walk through DCA.
- We don't feel like the rooms are small or particularly dark (although on a hot day, dark-ish perhaps just feels good to us!), and we do spend a lot of time in them. The kids love having a balcony from which to blow bubbles, and the adults like playing Scrabble on an iPad during down time.
- DH and DFIL use the exercise room equipment (not available at, for instance, Hojos, though most of the other offsite hotels do have such facilities).
- We always use EMH.
On the other hand, we really enjoy our offsite stays, too, especially at Hojos.
- The walk isn't long for us (if we're without the in-laws). The kids and I hike a lot, so even after a day at DLR, the trip back isn't a big deal.
- DS7 and DD10 love the water play area. DD doesn't care that a lot of the kids are younger--she's a playful kid and still thinks it's fun.
- I don't find the walk back to be sketchy or dangerous or anything.
- The kids love being able to see the matterhorn and monorail from our room and like to wave to both in the morning. Excellent fireworks views, too.
- Because we try to book way in advance, we've gotten good rates on park-facing rooms.