Is it worth it?

[Indiana Scott]

For us it's not worth it. We stay across the street and not only is the cost far less but they also have a decent free breakfast - which is worth at least another $50 a day. It's exactly a 5 min. walk to the ticket booths.
We probably would not use the amenities either if we stayed at a DL hotel. I try to spend as much time in the park as possible. I don't leave until they pry my fingers loose from the turn styles.
WDW is a different matter. We've done it both ways there and I will always stay on site from now on.

 

[tarheelalum]

You could stay off site and spend more money on merchandise and food in the park and it will still be cheaper than staying at a Disney property. I don't think its worth it.

 

[farmfresh]

We like to stay onsite. It is more expensive, but then we 're not big souvenir buyers or shoppers....so I guess our $$ priorities run the other way on this. For us the experience is more important.

 

[Jennafoo]

Just an FYI, I'm here now and had breakfast at Goofy's. I was actually surprised how long the walk is from DLH. It was further for me to walk from bag check to the restaurant than from the HoJo where I'm staying to the esplanade.

 

[Dot2Vegas]

For us it isnt worth it. We don't spend any time in the rooms. We don't need the full Disney immersion to feel the magic. We drive from Vegas every few months for a Disney overnighter. If we were coming a long distance and staying for a while, or if it was a once in a lifetime trip I might feel differently. Also, we have never stayed on property, so I have no real basis for comparison. Just my thoughts! We plan on staying on property soon just to check it out!

 

[Kristina4109]

If its WDW, staying on site is a must. At DLR, not even close. PPH and DLH are as far if not farther than the motels across the street like Trop, Park Vue, BWPPI, etc.

Now, given that we leave in the morning before we can see straight, and when we return in the evening we can barely walk, it could hardly matter what pretty pictures are on the wall.

Granted, we go in Feb, so pools don't matter.

I just can't see spending $200-$400 per day more for an hour extra at the parks, which to me would be the only draw.

You took the words right out of my mouth. If we can't afford to stay onsite at WDW, we don't go and save up until we can. If we can't afford to stay onsite at DL, we stay at a Good Neighbor and still have a great time.

Our last stay was at the BWPPI. We used the room (which was quite nice) to sleep in and shower, and that's it. Served our purpose perfectly. In 2013 when I celebrated my birthday (my first birthday on Disney property!) we splurged and stayed at the DLH. We spent a full day enjoying the monorail pool, had lunch at Tangaroa Terrace, and dinner at Goofy's Kitchen. Then we spent 2 days in the parks, and used early entry both days. This was a very special trip and it was 100% worth it for us. But we certainly don't do that every time.