Is just off-site better than DVC?

[invalid_char]

We are seriously considering becoming DVC members. My sister-in-law, however, thinks it is a complete waste of money. She and her 3 children (we have 3 as well) stay at the Sheraton Vistana, which is 1/2 mile outside of WDW. They have gorgeous 2 and 3 BR villas , a beautiful, uncrowded pool with waterfalls and everything, and they will even stock your refrigerator in your villa with your favorite foods before arrival. She said the food is wonderful and much cheaper off park and it actually takes her less time, in most cases, to get to the parks by car from just outside the park than by using Disney transportation from an on-park resort. And for all this she pays less than $150 per night. And of course she's not locked into anything... if they don't want to go for a couple of years, they don't have to worry about renting points or anything like that. So, in her opinion, there are absolutely no advantages to staying on park, only disadvantages. Even if it were cheaper to stay on park, she would rather stay just outside the park because it is much less crowded.

What do you think? Is she right?

 

[Richyams]

I spend 12 night per year in a three bedroom villa at OKW for about $125 a night. I figure I broke even on my first or second trip seven or eight years ago. I am staying for dues now.

I stayed at the Marriot Grand Vista, I can tell you for sure, OKW is far better than staying there.

Then you think of the options, all the options. I have spent points at The Plaza in New York, and stayed at BWV. The ability to get whatever size unt you want....almost for free, I have my dues taken out monthly and really don't even notice them.

 

[RobDoc]

If you have a vehicle at an onsite resort, you can also eat offsite if you choose (no advantage to Vistana there),.I will accept the challenge of a race from Vistana to MGM while I will use the lowly WDW bus from OKW (bet I'll win every time). I can also take a break easily during the day and be back in my room long before they are back at Vistana. I guess I don't understand the comment about not going for a couple of years and not losing anything, because I want to go all the time.

Staying offsite is always an option, but the vast majority here feel that onsite provides a greater enjoyment of all that WDW has to offer. It's nice to have choices.

Good Luck with your decision!

 

[ronw]

I'd say for her she's right! It depends on what's important to you as to what is best for you and your family.
We decided long ago that we liked staying on-site ( quite a while before we joined DVC). This is really the great
on-site / off-site debate taken to the next level - do you want an off-site time share or an on-site? Getting past the whole "timeshare" image was the hard part for us - you know the lock 'em in a room gotta decide today thing.
Even with the low (no) pressure Disney approach and the flexibility of the point system it still took us 3 years to decide (that sound in the background is me kicking myself...) Disney is the big draw, that's why there are so many places "just-outside". The three most important considerations in real estate are location, location and location. Disney has the monopoly on that so they can command a greater price just as the on-site vs. off-site hotels. Is it worth it? To me - yes, but everyone must decide for themselves. I agree with what is often said on these boards - you are a candidate for DVC if you like staying on-site at moderates or above and visit every year or every other year. In any event good luck with your decision and whatever YOU decide will be right for YOU.

 

[jimh13432]

Let's see....take a car from the Marriott or the Sheraton to Epcot or walk over from the Boardwalk...........mmmmm, what would I rather do.

Lets not forget the parking fee for the lots ($6 day now?) and the silly rides on the trams......

 

[ILuvDVC]

I've stayed off site before....and saved money, but I never went home feeling as relaxed as I do when I stay on-site. When we stayed off site, everyone had to leave when everyone was leaving. Unless the place you are staying has a shuttle back and forth, then the group kind of has to stay together....on site, you can break up, and to me, that makes the vacation so much more relaxing and fun! Plus....it's wonderful going back to the resort at night, and not leaving Disney Property .

 

[PamOKW]

I'm assuming they do not own at Vistana since you say they aren't locked into anything. So, we are really just comparing onsite to offsite resorts and cheaper ways of doing WDW. Yes, there are lots of nice resorts in the Orlando area and sometimes you can get very cheap deals. But, you are not "in" WDW. I think of my resort as being the entire package.....parks, hotel, restaurants, etc. I agree that Vistana is "almost" on-site where it is located. But "almost" is the key.

If you have a car at a DVC resort, you have the same access to offsite grocery shopping and restaurants. You also have the option of using WDW transportation or your own feet to get from DVC resorts to parks.

I always think of DVC as your choice of car purchase. Lots of cars get you around. You have to decide which style and price are right for you. The cheapest offsite would be a Yugo. Vistana would be something like a Passat. DVC is a Rolls Royce.

 

[Lisa F]

Obviously we don't think she's right, because almost everyone who reads and responds on these boards HAS bought into DVC.

Most of us don't see it as "being locked into going to WDW every year" but rather see it as the opportunity to go every year. People who buy into DVC buy into it because they WANT to go to WDW every year and they know they do. If you think you may often want to skip a few years then dvc is not for you.

As far as it being faster to get between "offsite" hotels and the parks and DVC resorts and the parks, I've done both (though usually in a car) and I have to say, the feeling of breaking off from the HUGE streams of traffic leaving the parks at 10 MPH after the fireworks to go to a disney resort is extremely gratifiying and I often exclaim to myself that I am glad I'm not sitting in that parking lot that used to be a highway trying to fight my way home at the end of a long day.

As far as the food being wonderful and much cheaper off disney property, I'm not sure I agree with that either. The few times I have eaten off property I have been reminded of just why I love disney so much. You get spoiled by Disney and CM's who go above and beyond to treat you like royalty. The prices may be cheaper but I wouldn't even begin to compare regular fast food restaurants to the food available at counter service locations in Epcot or the local Red Lobster to Flying Fish.

Then there's the feeling that you're a part of the whole resort and not just visiting for the day. You don't go "home" at night, but home is right there on property. You want to buy something at the parks? Just have it sent back to the room. You want to avoid the crowds? Do early entry or e-ride night. It's not just the $6 parking fee that you are saving when the security CM waves you into a park parking lot... it feels like you really and truly belong there. (I should probably stop before I make myself gag, I hear the DVC jingle going through my head!)

I guess my point is, it really depends on what kind of a vacation you want. Whether something is "better" often really means that it is better for you. For us (and I suspect most DVC members) staying onsite has absolutely no comparison to staying offsite. It's about putting your vacation in the hands of Disney and just having the confidence of knowing that it will be a great one. Everytime we venture offsite we remember why we love Disney so much because the difference in service is just so great... and that's not only OUR observation, but friends of ours who recently went to WDW at the same time we did just bought into DVC because they stayed offsite in a 2br villa and then moved onsite to a regular hotel room and even then could perceive the huge difference. I can't wait to hear about their first DVC trip!


Lisa

 

[Lisa F]

Originally posted by PamOKW
I always think of DVC as your choice of car purchase. Lots of cars get you around. You have to decide which style and price are right for you. The cheapest offsite would be a Yugo. Vistana would be something like a Passat. DVC is a Rolls Royce.

This is a fabulous quote! But I would just have to add to it... DVC is the ability to drive a Rolls Royce at Passat prices! That's the BEST part!

Lisa

 

[musical2]

We have stayed off-site at various timeshares that we traded into from our Aruba Timeshare and definitely prefer to stay on-site within Disney World. There are just so many options available on-site that aren't available off-site. If we want to eat off-site (which we do) we just drive there. If we don't feel like driving to a park on any one day, we can take the bus. Parking is free to those of us who stay on-site. Staying off-site is fine, but it cannot compare with staying on Disney property where the magic is happening 24 hours a day.

Oh, BTW, hi Lisa from College Park, MD. We are neighbors here in Laurel, MD.

Bart

 

[TheWho]

I'm not going to get into the commitment/timeshare debate because that is a personal choice based on lifestyle and your financial situation. However, the advantages of staying on-site are many and the advantage of staying off site is possibly one, it may be cheaper. I stayed at the Marriott Grande Vista and I felt like I was commuting to work everyday as I packed the family into the car every morining to hit the parks. (and then we would come back at noon and go back at night). I was making the COMMUTE into WDW twice a day. I also stayed at OKW which had a bus near my door and dropped us right in font of the park (no trams). Staying on site is the way to go. Test it yourself like I did.

good luck

 

[ripleysmom]

All I can say is ditto!! The last time we went to WDW we stayed off-site. Never again!! I really missed being able to jump on the bus and go back to my room for an hour to rest.

And there is nothing that says that you have to go to WDW every year. You can go to HH or VB, use points for the cruise, or even use your points to stay at some of the finest hotels in the world.

And like Lisa said, you can do it at Passat prices!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

The debate about on versus off site is a no brainer for those of us who love to go to WDW. DVC is a no brainer for those of us who know what a different experience it is to stay on site. We stayed off site for years before we took the plunge and started spending the money to stay on site. We COULD NOT go back to off site! We were spending thousands on each WDW trip and could only afford to go every other year. We bought into DVC, and now we have DELUXE accommodations every trip, and we go multiple times a year. For the price of 3 everyother year trips, we bought a life time of WDW vacations or exchanges if we choose to do those. We coudn't afford NOT to join DVC!

 

[mikesmom]

We did WDW for years and I was sure offsite was the way to go. I just did not believe that onsite could possible justify the price difference - until last year we stayed onsite!

The commuting thing is a good analogy. By the time you fight the traffic, close is not very close - that drive can be exhausting. There is no way to figure that the one factor of being able to take that break in the middle of the day can make such a big difference in the quaitiy of the vacation. And best of all, because we're onsite, if DH and I want to head back for a break and the teenagers are still going strong, everyone can do what they want and it's just fine. Onsite for us took the commando trip out and put the vacation back in.

Onsite made SUCH a big impression we joined DVC last year, and we're very happy.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

A slightly different view.

I actually used to stay at 2 BR's in Vistana for several years. They are great - everything in your post is true (except the offsite food being better - but that's personal preference)

I would even disagree with many posters, saying that I really didn't find it much more time consuming driving to Vistana than OKW (walking to BW from Epcot is different). And you can rent for about $169/night.

So, what's the issue?


When I stay at BW or OKW, I'm PART of the magic. You live and breathe Disney from check-in through check out. You don't need to be at the parks to experience the magic - you wake up in it. At Vistana, you drive to Disney to experience it - you're on the outside looking in.

I do think the financial considerations of owning DVC also outweigh than $169/night - you don't know how much that will cost in 20 years. And I don't feel locked in to Disney - I can exchange out.

And, having considered buying at Vistana, did not feel comfortable with having an ownership interest there - look at their older buildings inside and you'll know exactly what I mean - they don't keep it up. The new sections are beautiful - for now. Disney gets these buildings back in 2042 - they have a vested interest in maintaining them.

So, if you're staying occasionally - Vistana is an excellent choice. but if you go even every few years, you can't beat the magic and luxury of a DVC resort.

 

[Bennet]

For me the on off issue is more in magic or not. OK I didn't stay at the nicest place off property.

As for time to parks, Boardwalk to MGM 8 minute walk, BWV to Epcot 5 minute walk. I see the Resorts as part of the Disney experiance so I agree with LIDisneyFan. I am always in Disney unless I go out to the food store and I try not to do that more than once a trip.
http://www.disboards.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1969

LIDisneyFan- You win my good attitude of the year award. Read his post above and consider that this is said even with an unfortunate pool experiance. I think the post speaks volumes about the quality of the total DVC exeriance (and I also think it says something good about our Long Island friend that he chooses to focuses on positive things)

 

[KMarie]

I've been to WDW with young children, and with folks who have hip and back problems, and the only way they -- and I -- survived the dashing off to the parks and making sure we did what wanted to see and do was by taking breaks back at our room. I think going back to your resort to rest and then returning to parks is much easier and more fun if you are on site.

Going from the park to the back of the parking lot, driving offsite, resting, then driving back to the park again and going to the park was a big hassle, especially with tired kids. And, as others have said, being at a DVC resort gives you WDW magic and activities even when you're not at a park.

We hate having to carry a lot of stuff around in the parks, so we really use the room delivery service when we buy things in the park stores. That's a minor convenience, but to us it's a big help.

I'm one of those who never would consider buying a timeshare until I discovered that with DVC I could have accommodations for the rest of my life for what I've spent to stay at WDW with my family in only a few trips. That, plus the flexibility of the point system allowing us to go pretty much whenever we want instead of being stuck with one week during a year, and the ability to go to other fine resorts is what sold me.

 

[disneygals]

I own at Vistana and enjoy our Disney vacations very much. I don't feel I'm leaving the magic, as 95% of the magic FOR ME is the theme parks. I have stayed onsite twice and of course, love that, too.

HOWEVER, I really want to buy into the DVC too and here's why...

Number one: cruise with points,
also Disneyland with points, getaways with points, e-nights and

Now my kids are young and my dh has no problem driving, but when they're older, how cool to stay at the Boardwalk and walk somewhere or just have some action right where you're staying.

It is more expensive upfront, but if you divide by years it's not so bad. Now if only my dh would agree...

Good Luck with your decision and also check out www.tug2.net...........timeshare user group for tons of info.

disneygals

 

[jbthi]

I agree completely with LIDISNEY FAN. We have traded into Vistana 5 or 6 times. The last time we stayed there was the year we bought DVC. We were in one of the older units and it was terrible. It smelled stale and greasy, the washer was broke, etc. There is just no comparison between it and DVC. It's great being able to hop on the bus and go back to your unit. We had our children and 3 grandchildren with us in a 2 BR at OKW and the youngest was only two. She would get tired and she and I would go back for naps or a swim.

Owning other time shares is great, I'm not putting it down but when it comes to Disney the only place to be IMHO is on site.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

Bennet -

Thanks for the nice thoughts.

It's true - I wouldn't trade my DVC for anything, and and still considering (very seriously) an add-on. I'm just deciding whether to wait for BCV or go with VWL (WLV?) when I go back in July