If you used to stay onsite...

[palavra]

what made you switch to offsite?

We recently returned from a one week stay onsite. I've also gone to Disney/Universal two years ago and stayed offsite. We realize now that we prefer to stay offsite. These are a few of the reasons we like offsite:

Too much Disney! I do like Disney, but staying onsite, the immersion is a little over the top for us.

Much more space for a cheaper price. You just can't compare a small room in a value to a 1-2 bedroom condo, for less!

We want to avoid EMH parks because of crowds, so that "perk" isn't really a perk for us.

 

[loriandmatt]

actually we like the immersion feeling of staying onsite. we have come to the conclusion though that there are certainly circumstances that make offsite the way to go for us though.

if it is ever anything other than just the 4 of us, we will rent offsite again. two rooms even at a value and getting a discount are way more expensive than renting a condo or town house.

also if we could not get the value or moderate resorts that we prefer, we would choose an off site town house or condo over a delux for anything other than a short (3-4 day) splurge trip. i just can see paying for a delux for a trip longer than 3-4 days.

i do miss the immersion of not being onsite some, but then again, i do feel like we relax more when staying at a rental home.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I stay on-site and off-site. To me it's not totally one or the other, it depends on the vacation and persons going and budget.

 

[Kuffam]

what made you switch to offsite?

Unless we're doing a land/sea Disney Cruise, we're choosen to stay off-site is :
1. We rent a car anyway to get off-campus to shop and we find it quicker then Disney Buses (but we usually travel off-season).
2. We get a condo or a cabin with a full kitchen.
3. I've run the numbers, and it does cost less.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I've never stayed offsite ... but willing to try. Just not sure where's a good place to stay. Would like a full fridge and stove, but want to avoid the car rental cost ....

 

[FireDancer]

When I am planning a trip I crunch the numbers and see which is cheaper, on-site or off. It usually depends on how many of us there are and how many days we are staying. I prefer on-site but if staying off will save us money I am all for it. I always rent a car if off-site so the number of people splitting the cost makes a big difference. If I am on-site I use ME and Disney transportation so the rental car often makes the final determination in the cost.

I just use the hotel room as a place to sleep anyway so the other amenities aren't of any concern to me.

 

[3floridarays]

We do both. Our upcoming trips include:

Hilton-DTD (Next week!)
Buena Vista Palace (Feb 2010)
WL (June 2010)

The two main reasons we sometimes stay offsite are price and room quality. Maybe I can be accused of being a room snob, but I feel like the rooms are much nicer off-site. The quality of the rooms at WL is okay, but our first stay there cost us almost $300/nt. We definitely won't pay that much again - our next stay there is costing about $135/nt.

For our trip next week we are paying $130/nt (includes the resort/parking fee) for a tower room with a view of WDW with access to the conciere lounge for breakfast, snacks and drinks.

As for being immersed in the WDW magic, by the time I've spent all day and evening in the parks, the only thing I want to do is get a good nights sleep so I feel ready to hit the parks the next morning.

 

[katallo]

After staying onsite for 12 years, we tried Bonnet Creek and loved it. We really enjoyed having the space and activities available to us. We always rent a car, so considering how close we were to Disney, that was not a problem. The units were lovely and the pools were great!

 

[Flight]

I stay both on and off site, depending on the budget and availability.

I enjoy the on-site because I like to have everything Disney wash all over me.

 

[Brian Noble]

We require separate sleeping spaces for the kids, and strongly prefer having a kitchen, separate living room, and washer/dryer. We've done both onsite stays and offsite. At this point, if I can get an exchange into a 2BR DVC resort for our stay, I'll take it. Otherwise, I'd much rather stay in a Wyndham Bonnet Creek 2BR than anything else on property.

This could be because Bonnet "feels like" it's right there in many ways---you can get a room overlooking much of Epcot, see the fireworks at night, and never need to drive past that "See you real soon!" sign during your stay.

We did a 1BR at OKW a couple years ago---it was *okay*, but right on the borderline of what was comfortable for the four of us. In most cases, I think the 2BR at Bonnet Creek would be a better fit. Someday we might try a 1BR at AKV-Kidani or BLT with the sleeper chair and second bath. Those units might work out for us.

But, ultimately, timeshare ownership and vacation home rental has spoiled us. I can't imagine staying in a single hotel room---no matter how nice---with the four of us for more than one night, or maybe two.

I've never stayed offsite ... but willing to try. Just not sure where's a good place to stay. Would like a full fridge and stove, but want to avoid the car rental cost

If you typically stay in a Moderate or higher, it can often be cheaper to get an offsite condo or townhome, plus the rental car, and pay for parking, and still spend less than you would onsite. If you typically stay in a Value, though, it will be hard to beat that all-in price offsite. I would never (*never*) stay offsite without a rental car. Then again, I almost never stay onsite without one, either.

I just use the hotel room as a place to sleep anyway

I suspect part of the reason is that it's a hotel room---they aren't really good for much other than sleeping. Unless you've got a couch, or at least a couple of comfortable chairs, it just isn't a nice place to "hang out".

 

[Cdn Gal]

Until recently we always have stayed on-site. But for the past two years we have stayed off site at Bonnet Creek and will continue to do so. You get so much more value for staying off site and the rooms at Bonnet Creek are incredible- they are so much more spacious! We pay half the price of staying on site and we can see CBR from the balcony along with the fireworks. To us it just doesn't make any sense.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Until recently we always have stayed on-site. But for the past two years we have stayed off site at Bonnet Creek and will continue to do so. You get so much more value for staying off site and the rooms at Bonnet Creek are incredible- they are so much more spacious! We pay half the price of staying on site and we can see CBR from the balcony along with the fireworks. To us it just doesn't make any sense.

Sounds great. I will look into it for a future trip.

 

[tinktwice]

I prefer to stay onsite when doing just Disney. To me, nothing compares to just hopping on the monorail or boat and heading back to our resort. It makes me feel like the experience is continuing and not ending. But there is a lot to consider. When we go, we plan a long enough trip that we don't have to spend the entire day in the parks. I don't think staying on-site is worth it if you never spend time at your resort.

A few years ago we stayed at Marriott's Harbour Lake the year we did Discovery Cove, Sea World, and Busch Gardens. It was a 1 bedroom condo with a kitchen. My kids' comment at the time- "This is better than the Polynesian!". They liked the extra bedroom and loved the pirate themed pool and the other pool had a big slide. There are a lot of nice resorts/hotels close to those areas that don't require the longer drive if doing Disney then staying off-site.

For next week, I pricelined and got the Hyatt for 3 nights after our cruise on the Magic. We are not planning on doing ANY of the parks (I hear the crowds after Christmas are CRAZY!). We just wanted a nice resort to relax a bit before heading home. I toyed with the idea of staying at a Disney resort (still not planning on the parks) but the prices for that time of year are just too much.

 

[littlestar]

We do both since we own DVC points. I can't take a hotel room for very long - a couple of nights at the most. I want my space. Even if it's just me and the hubby traveling, I want at least a one bedroom. He's an early riser and I like to sleep in. With a one bedroom, he can get up and make his coffee and let me sleep a little longer.

We have favorite TV shows that we like to watch later in the evenings and the Disney resort's mind numbing TV programming is hard to watch. I like Fox news and they don't have that either.

There are so many nice properties in Orlando that it's actually quite fun to try them - it makes for a different vacation experience trying out all the resorts.

We just bought some Wyndham points resale and I plan on booking Bonnet Creek some with those points to supplement my DVC SSR points, since Bonnet Creek is within the Disney arches. Paying less than $600 for my Wyndham points resale vs. paying at least $7,000 dollars resale for 100 more SSR points was a pretty easy decision to make. We also like staying at the Marriott Vacation Club resorts in Orlando for the comfort factor of their timeshare product - outstanding bedding and wonderfully appointed interiors for a large family gathering.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Triple the space at 1/3 of the cost does it for us.

 

[ZPT1022]

We've stayed offsite in the past for shorter trips and really enjoyed it. We've had bigger rooms at better prices, nice amenities and depending on where you stay it's not too far to get on WDW property. I definitely think as our family has gotten bigger that offsite also allows for more space at a better price.

I've been diagnosed with celiac disease though, and WDW is amazing at accommodating food allergies at all it's restaurants, so the ability to have the dining plan may factor into our plans more now, and eliminate offsite. While I would love to have a full kitchen for breakfasts and late night snacks, cooking all or most meals in the room does not scream "vacation" to me, since it's what I do at home every night

 

[dyna]

We are on our 3rd visit this year off sight 2nd at Windsor Hills.....we get much more space for less money washer an dryer less packing a full kitchen so we can have a full hot breakfast every mornin.

We are 2 adults no kids get at least a 2 bedroom/2bath I put my clothes in 2nd bedroom bath in 2nd bathroom dh an I can shower an dress at same time without falling all over each other.

 

[happymommy]

I prefer onsite, as we go back and forth from the room a few times during the day (my son has asthma, we get a GAC and he rests a lot). We love the Swan/Dolphin, as we love Epcot (it's my kids' favorite park), and I love the fact that I can bring them back in the evening and they can get movies on demand while resting. I wish WDW would get a clue - NO ONE can watch the tv in the room at WDW resorts. Trust me, we've stayed at so many. Last time at AKL, it was so sad. My folks are older, and my dad and my DH stayed behind at the resort (dad had a bad back, DH had just had a major ankle sprain, he's a huge runner). They had nothing to watch on tv.

I do love the Boardwalk villas and resort. BWI last December with free dining - first time to try that. Really, the dining plan is fun.

Honestly, next visit may be in March. We would NOT stay onsite. I will be staying possibly at the Hilton in DTD with airline miles. Never stayed there before, but it's basically free so I'd do it. I would not use their bus, rather taxis. I can't justify $200 or $300 a night for me and my kids. DH will probably have to stay home and work. I think we'd have just as much fun.

 

[Mysteria]

We mostly do offsite now but recently did onsite for free dining and the F&W festival.

We usually travel with 6-10 people and 3 dogs these days. Onsite simply can't accomodate us. Also keeps our food costs down. Allows us to go more often!

 

[jeast]

I think onsite works best when you have multiple small children and you might have to split up.

This trip we are staying offsite at a 3br condo. I'm tired of being exhausted at the end of our trip. None of us enjoy being cramped, having only one room, all sleeping together. Even at deluxe studios onsite, we are cramped and sometimes cranky at not being able to escape each other for a little while.

Looking forward to ordering outback takeout and eating it leisurely in our own dining room instead of having to go sit at a restaurant EVERY night.