If you've stayed off site...

[joellyn23]

We stayed on site for our first trip (2001) and have never gone back. The next time we got a room much cheaper at the SpringHill Suites. Since then, we've stayed in rental homes.

We had a horrible experience with Disney busses but my sister who stays on site every trip says it was unusually bad. We got tired of Disney food although I realize we could rent a car and stay on site. For us we find the rental home ideal because it gives us so much room to spread out and relax. My kids are pretty high strung so its nice to have a bigger outlet for them to release some of their energy. I love having a full kitchen even though I don't really cook much - it's nice for leftovers And i love multiple baths & TVs.

With the exception of MK, we get to/from the parks much faster in our own car - but again, if we stayed on site again, I would just rent a car to avoid the busses.

I can't imagine staying on site again, but I know better than to say never.....

 

[Misty89]

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[Jill2150]

We stayed in Windsor Hills this past April. It was wonderful. 3 bedroom roomy condo for about $100 with cleaning. It took us about 10 minutes to get to MK, tops. Probably quicker then onsite and very easy. We choose offsite becuase we had a 22 month DD that still takes naps so we wanted an extra room. We would do it again, but did discuss when kids get older, would be fun to stay onsite, just once.

 

[Lizzybear]

I've done both onsite and off and TBH i'm torn as to whether we'd stay onsite next time. We mainly did it for free dining but also to see what it was like. We ended up driving everywhere anyway (couldn't be bothered with the buses when it was so easy to hop in the car and go, but it was the off-season so the parking lots weren't overly full and the traffic was never that bad) It was nice to have the Disney magic all the time and POFQ was a pretty resort but whether those things were worth the extra cash i'm not sure.
I think if we stay offsite next time we'll probably try a condo/apartment: Cypress Pointe looks nice and seems to get good reviews If we stay onsite it'll more than likely be in a value resort.

 

[Natalie_89]

ive stayed off site 2 out of 3 times iv been and to be honest i found it better bein on site *** its closer and u can stay for the late openin hours on MK and Fireworks if u dont drive the buses on ly run til 12 and if u miss it ur stuck really its alot of travellin to get to and from disney if ur stayin on international drive like we did...upside is alot of v cheap eatin options its such cheap eatin liek ponderosa breakfast is $4 buffet and theres so much on offer its depends..if u drive stayin offsite is easier ..

 

[jocotter]

I have stayed off site 3 times and on 3 times. I actually have pleasanter memories of being off site than being on. The positives for me were getting some quiet time away from the crowds and food courts, saving quite a bit of money and having a suite with a free breakfast. The pool was not themed, but it wasn't crowded at all. I liked on-site, too, but waiting for a bus and always being around crowds got tiring sometimes, not to mention less space in the room.

 

[DebMcDonald]

We stayed off site two years ago, for us it was a no brainer as we used my husband's marriott points so our hotel was FREE. The hotel also had a free breakfast daily, so we saved money there also. We'd definitely do it again, we're a family of five so we could never do one of the discount hotels at disney. To be honest, we didn't miss being able to get in early to stay late. We were there the last two weeks of August, so it was HOT, but my kids never complained and we saw everything we wanted too. We were also at the parks prior to opening. I think in order to stay off site it depends on what you want to do, and the ages of your kids. Mine at the time were 2, 4 & 10. If I had kids that needed naps and couldn't nap in a stroller I'd seriously consider staying on site, but if you don't need to go back to a room until the end of the night, then staying off site gives you many options besides the price, etc. dining outside of disney, seeing other things (if you wanted too).

Also regarding our trip, we had to rent a car anyway, because we also visited family in the area the week before we went to disney so that expense was going to be there for us no matter what.

 

[kellia]

I haven't read all the replies, but we stayed in Windsor Hills in Feb 2007 and will be there again next Jan. We loved it! First off, it was SO much cheaper, especially since there are 5 of us so we'd need 2 rooms. After the condo, I don't ever want to stay in a hotel again!!! How great to have everyone in their own bedrooms, to only bring 2 sets of clothes (throw them in the washer in the unit every night), make your own breakfasts and have a fridge so you can bring your lunches, plus having a car so you can go off site to the store and to eat.

We loved it! Our week last year for a 3 bed condo was only $450, this year we got a townhouse with private hot tub for $800 for 10 nights!! Off season and off site are the best way to do Disney with a family!

 

[ckoncurat]

We just stayed in Windsor hills and LOVED it. Our house had disney themed rooms, a pool and a great playroom in the garage. My kids also loved the main windsor hills pool, the movie theater and the playground. Driving time is really only 5 minutes or so more than on-site, and you have a LOT more food options. You can compensate for the EMH by being at another park 30 minutes before opening. We ate every breakfast at home. I also loved being able to put the kids in bed and go swimming with just my husband (in the private pool). I'd go back in a hearbeat.

 

[maxiesmom]

I have stayed off-site 3 times, and all 3 times were at what is now called the Staybridge Suites, LBV. It is a very pretty little resort, right at the entereance to DownTown Disney. They have both one and two bedroom suites. We stayed in the two bedroom, which also had two bathrooms, and a full kitchen. We paid around $150 a night for that, and that includes a continental breakfast.

I do prefer to stay on-site, and you hit 2 of the biggest reasons. I like not having to drive, plus I like going to the Extra Magic Hours. I also just like knowing that I am on Disney property. I can shut the real world out for a few days, and just forget all my worries. Having said that, if the only way I could go to Disney was to stay off-site, I would jump at the chance!