Is it the same feeling?

[disneygal2007]

I am thinking about taking the kids to DW. Just thinking. I am A TA and I am finding it hard to find rooms for my clients. SO I know I might not be able to find any for me. I was wondering is it the same feeling staying in the resort then out. If we go it may only be for 3 or 4 days. My husband will be home from Kuwait soon and I want to have a few fun couple of days before the real world smacks in the face again.

 

[la79al]

Staying on property makes it more stress free but you are definitely surrounded by Disney. We have done one trip off property and one on property and now DH will not do off property again. The kids like being able to just hop on buses to get to the parks and they LOVE going to the Extra Magic Hours. If you stay on property, you can add on the dining plan and make it more of an all-inclusive type vacation. Good luck!

 

[disneygal2007]

We normally stay on property, bit with the un certainty of my husband's return it kinda makes it hard to plan. With the rooms selling like hot cakes I know we won't get a good price.

I talked to my husband last night and we decided to take the kids to Universal Studios for a week. It is less then 900.00. But I don't know how I will take not going to to Disney.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

You could also go to Sea World if you are renting a car.

 

[PrincessAtta]

I assume as a TA you know about and have looked into Shades of Green? What time of year are you planning to go that you're having trouble finding rooms? Is it only certain levels that you're having trouble with?

My brother's family got a great deal at one of the Downtown Disney hotels; not Disney owned but Disney affiliated, and they were very happy with the transportation and service. They had already booked when I found a discount online. They called back and were given the discount with a $20-$50 penalty (I forget, but around there) and saved hundreds of dollars. It might have been mousesavers.

Good luck!

 

[koolaidmoms]

We stayed on property before in a non-Disney hotel, which was nicer than the Value resorts we usually stay in. But, for us it was just not the same. We really missed the feeling of the WDW hotels. The EMH, the towel animals, there was just "something" missing. Even though we drove to and from the parks as we did every other time we just weren't as happy. We couldn't wait to go 3 weeks later and stay at the Value resorts again!

 

[maciec]

We have stayed 3 times off site and 6 times off site and for us they are totally different feelings. On site IMHO is best if you are doing Disney parks for the majority of your stay.

 

[rt2dz]

I have stayed several dozen times off site and a about 6 times onsite. I would do onsite over offsite in a heartbeat. There is a bigger, better Disney feel to it. UNLESS, it is at a value resort. Then I'll spend the same (usually much less) offsite on a nicer room. Really, the perks of staying onsite aren't worth it to us a whole lot (we always have a car), so it's all about the room and the feel.

 

[mooneyda]

I will throw my 2 cents in here not that it is important but I just love staying on property and probably would not stay off site unless it is necessary.I just love being so close to all the magic and truthfully you can not get any closer.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

We have stayed onsite (AllStars, once Shades of Green) all but one trip. The one trip off property was fun, but nothing the same. It was our second trip and have not stayed off property since. Having said that, if I had to pick offsite and go to Disney or not go at all, I'd stay offsite. But no, it isn't the same...

BTW, SoG is a beautiful resort, but you don't get that "Disney Feeling" either.

Thank you to you, your DH and your family for your service to America!!!

 

[flynnmnstr]

For us its not so much the Disney feel or staying at a Disney resort..... as the convenience and time saving factor of staying on site.

We stay at the Swan or Dolphin because we love the amenities (loads of dining options, great pool, kids club) of the resort and the closeness to DHS and Epcot plus (except for dining plan -- I wish they would do something about that, they get and do everything a Disney "owned" hotel does).

They offer some great discounts-- I think they offer military discounts too-- that typically makes it the same price as a moderate disney hotel with deluxe ammenities. Plus for us the location is the best.. walking distance to BC/YC/ Epcot/ DHS and Boardwalk.

I would definitely choose on-site even if you had to stay for half the time because it would make the experience more magical and save you so much commute time that you would be able to do and see almost as much. Also you could tweek your flights to get more Disney time. Arrive early in the day and leave on a late flight out on departure day.

 

[LadyShea]

We always stay offsite, as we have points we can use for free stays about a mile away in a suite with a kitchen. We drive to the parks.

I personally don't find it less convenient at all, as we have used the Disney transportation system for going from park to resort dining and it seems to take longer than driving.

I might not feel the same if we had to pay for our accommodations, but so far we have magical trips even offsite.

 

[RyJMom]

I'm no expert but we have been 2 times - once onsite and once offsite. We enjoyed offsite so much more. In fact I would not stay onsite again. 2nd time we rented a home in Windsor Hills and it just worked so much better for our family. Sharing 1 room with 2 double beds for a week is not my idea of fun. Driving to the parks was not a big deal to us - in fact to me it was easier than taking the bus. We didn't feel like we missed any of the magic. Good luck making the right choice for your family.

 

[disneygal2007]

You could also go to Sea World if you are renting a car.

We are driving down. It's a 13 hour drive. I got a TV installed in the SUV just for this purpose.