Is going to Disney worth the Money?

[sm4987]

I have been on these boards for a while. I was looking at a topic in the resort forum on disney discounts. So many people want to go to disney and stay on property, but may not be able to afford to. Is disney worth going to if you can't stay on property? Is this the only way to enjoy Disney? I have been able to stay my last two times on property, this coming up trip at the SWAN. I have already read so many negatives about it not being Disney, but hey I want to stay there. I was really just wondering if you thought disney was worth the money, without discounts.

 

[JenniferW]

I guess it depends... If it is going to be your only trip of the year and you have more money than time I say go for it, stay on site even without discounts if it is priority to you. It also may make sense if you are going back to the hotel midday for breaks/naps. If you are more budget oriented or if you can stretch your money out in other ways then I would consider off site or only with discounts for on site.

I happen to be in the category that I would rather have more days out of town and don't like to spend that much on a hotel. I don't find the perks of staying on site for my personal situation to outweigh the full price cost of hotels, but if we had a family of 4, I think I would. We also go in the off season so there are limited hours and we don't come back to the hotel, but since we just had a baby next trip might be different. We do stay on site if the price is right, but if not, we are flexible.

It's defeintely everyone's own opinion and depends on the situation.

 

[beansmom]

I think it's worth it to stay onsite if it's affordable. BUT I will stay offsite as well. It's less important to me where I sleep (cause when I sleep I'm always 'somewhere else' anyway) than being able to afford a good meal, a great souvenir or an extra day of fun.

 

[buzz2400]

My feeling is that it is only worth the price if you are going to use the early entry. If you are not, then stay off-site. Last year they did not have EE but I stayed on site and all I could think of was how much money I wasted staying on site. That to me is the only perk. I booked by next trip onsite but will cancel and stay offsite they they take away EE again. WDW tries to sell you on the fact that you are closer to the parks and you get to use their transportation when you stay onsite but how much time are you really talking about. If I were you I would price both onsite and offsite and decide that way. If you save over $50 staying offsite and you have your own transportation, stay offsite.

 

[frannn]

With the exception of one trip in Feb (during President's week), we have always gotten a discount on the room at the AS. We have seen decent discounts at DD hotels, but never stayed there. We usually spend 55-99/night at AS. Can you get acheaper hotel that's close and doesn't take a lot of time out of your vacation?

 

[kilee]

In my opinion, if it were the choice of staying off-site or not going at all, I'd stay off site. It depends on how much time you spend at your hotel I suppose. We spend all day at the parks and really may take a small swim and then we drop into bed.

 

[jd_mouse]

Millions of people NEVER stay on Disney property, but still come back year after year. Its different, but sometimes that can be a good thing!

 

[TreeOfLife]

Is going to Disney worth the money?...

Depends on your expectations. I have stayed onsite and offsite and in all honesty, the magic was in teh fact taht we were out on vacation. I stay onsite for the convenience of transportation and ee mornings. I do not like to drive in strange cities. Having driven in Orlando before, I know I do not like the drivers I deal with out there.

There are other theme parks in the area giving you whammo ticket deals. Being fun and different places to visit and their vacations may be well worth considering too, as an addition or alternative, especially on a very tight budget

So, you make the magic, it is your vacation and going out is better than staying at home. Choose what is most convenient and just have fun!

 

[Debbie]

Disney offsite is better than no Disney at all! And I have no trip planned.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

I would go to Disney if I had to sleep in a tent!! and this comes from a women whose idea of "roughing it" is going without a blow dryer

 

[ceecee]

Originally posted by Debbie
Disney offsite is better than no Disney at all! And I have no trip planned.

I agree ANY DISNEY is better than none!!!!!!!

 

[the Legend]

Originally posted by Debbie
Disney offsite is better than no Disney at all!

I wholely agree.

Having experienced it both ways more than once. I would not stay offsite again unless my budget dictated so.

The advantages, resort transportation, room charging with tickets and room key on the one card, early magic hour are just too good too pass up.

However my offsite experiences were never good. No car and reliant on shuttles and buses. You go to their timetable and have limited options. Onsite, I can get on a bus go to parks, DD for a movie or clubbing or a water park etc. I return when I want to.

I suppose you have to ask yourself, what do I want for my vacation and how much am I willing to pay for the pleasure?

 

[sm4987]

Great opinions. It's nice to see those that will go whether or not they get to stay on property. I love staying on property. I too will get a room at the All stars if need be, or if I can't swing that stay offsite just to go. It's great to see all the different opinions.

 

[Jackie824]

Im going to DIsney in 2 weeks, and we always stay offsite, and its my 11th trip there. We are one income family and we stay where we can afford. I rather stay offsite then not go at all. I still feel the "magic" as soon as I cross the Florida state line.

 

[punkin]

I don't know anyone who considers the Swan to be off property, it's spitting distance to Epcot and very close to MGM as well. You can't get more central than that.

 

[rajak73]

We pull a camper when we go so here's our view of this: Never have stayed onsite before but we are going to in 2004. One trip stayed at KOA not too far away, had double decker bus to parks, took it one day, NEVER AGAIN! Drove and paid to park the rest of the time. Last trip in 98, stayed south on I-4 at FT Summit campground, nice place. Seems like you're more rushed to get out of parks and back to swim etc, IMO. This time we are going to get res. at Ft Wilderness and let them do the driving. Of course, I also drive 1500 miles to get there, so that may have something to do with letting them drive this time.

 

[crisi]

I'd rather go every three years, stay on site in a deluxe for a week, than go every year for ten days and stay off site (or in the All Stars)

But I think it depends on your family situation and budget as well as what priority you place on your accomodations. Part of a Disney vacation for me is staying at a nice resort.

 

[TRAPPED-PARENT]

We also camp and always stay at Ft. Wilderness. I'm one for staying on-site even though it may cost a little more.

I think if this is your first visit to WDW and you are going to spend ALL of your time in the parks, go ahead and stay off-site if you can save mucho $$$.

If you are like me and go to WDW for the resort amenities as well as the parks -- spend the extra $$$ to stay on-site. I think it is worth it to us even if we didn't go into the parks. I always get stressed when we have to drive off property to go to the store or whatever ... you can tell the difference the minute you're off WDW property!!!

Example, on our last trip we were at Ft. Wilderness for 9 nights. We went into the parks 2 day, water parks 2 days, off-site excursion 1 day and the rest was spent just hanging out at the resort pool, checking out other resorts, etc.

Soooooooo very, very relaxing!!! YES, for us it is definitely worth the extra $$$ to stay on-site!!!!!

 

[dennise]

I was tryng to e-mail a very nice person that gave me your web site, i have fund it very helpful and i have been in contact by e-mail, but lo longer can reach her. are you the same debwatson that e-mailed me. Great site, thanks.

 

[mad4themouse]

We stayed off-site for the first time in 15 years this past July. My own opinion (and that of my family) is "Never Again!".

We missed the *Magic* and superior customer service of the WDW resorts. I couldn't even get the front desk at this property to answer the phone so that I could place a wake up call! The resort (located on I-Drive) also seemed noisier and more congested than the Disney properties we were used to.

Given the choice, I would find a way to cut something from my everyday budget just to be able to afford a Disney resort over a less-expensive offsite property. To me, it ain't Disney if it ain't onsite.