Is off site worth a $400 savings?

[Luv2Roam]

It depends on if you have your own vehicle, where the condo is, how well you know your way around, if you plan on going anywhere besides WDW, how busy the parks are and if losing EMH make a difference to you...

 

[4greatboys]

If it was the only way I could go I would stay offsite but Im hoping that never happens and it shouldnt since we are DVC members. Yes its more expensive to stay onsite but we prefer the onsite resorts, we dont always want to rent a car and onsite we dont need one, my teens like to split up and head off to another park or DtD--not possible off site.

 

[Coach Rick]

We used to stay off site at Orange Lake all the time. That is until 96, when I won a trip and stayed at All Star Music. From then on we were totally hooked with staying in on propterty resorts, which is why we bought DVC. Now I can't understand why anyone would want to go to Disney, and stay anywhere else but in a Disney resort.

 

[tubachick]

having stayed at both, we would never stay off site again, unless that was the only way we could get there. I have even converted my mother and brother to staying on site.

 

[sunnygirl]

Hmmm...

I finally stayed on-site for the first time in Dec last year at POR. It was very nice and we appreciated the extra magic hour and the feeling that we were in DisneyWorld right from the start. But let's face it: Disney is expensive and there are some wonderful properties off-site that cost a lot less money. Some off-site properties are even closer to certain parks than on-site properties like POR. Plus, if you are anything like we are, you will spend most of your time in the parks anyway!

It's a tough decision that you need to make based on what you need and want on your trip, with pluses and minuses for either choice. While I would stay on-site again (especially at WL or AKL!!!), if I had a great deal at a nice property off-site, I would feel quite pleased.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[ILoveDisney-Angie]

IMOH, I would rather scrimp somewhere else (less expensive dinners, not as many souveneirs) than the hotel room if I needed the $400 savings. Just think, by using the WDW Transporation you could save money by not renting a car. I have stayed both on and off site. The atmosphere of the WDW hotels is what makes us go back every year (well, the parks too). You will never get the type of service and feeling that WDW resorts offer at a hotel off-site.

Hope this helps.

 

[Micca]

I think on-site is usually the way to go. I think it depends on how important the variables are (i.e., the benefits of staying on-site vs. off). If EMH and other such perks are not pertinent, and transportation is not an issue, you might find that you can find a nicer place off-site for less money. I hope to being living in Florida soon so many of my visits will be off-site(i.e. I'll go home at night).

 

[photobob]

I don't think I'd enjoy WDW nearly as much if I stayed offsite. I like being immersed in Disney the entire time. We are going the first week of June for the 6th time and we have yet to leave the property during any off our stays. I never move my car once I get to my resort. Not having to drive at all is part of the reality escape for me.

 

[tlynk]

We booked a decent hotel at an excellent rate using Hotwire last March and stayed off Disney property. However, the free shuttle picked up passengers at the hotel early to mid-morning, and picked up passengers from the park in the evening (no in between). Since we like to go to the parks in the morning, swim at the hotel or rest in the afternoon, and then go back to the parks till closing- it was a hassle!! We ended up losing money (since there are no refunds with Hotwire), and switching to a Disney Resort the last 2 nights of our 5 night trip. What a difference it made!! Those last few days were fabulous! If the condo offers a free shuttle all day long and you can't afford the extra $400 I would go for the condo, plus you get a kitchen and more space. Staying on Disney property is my first choice though.

 

[ElizabethB]

IMO, if you are staying at a monorail resort or an Epcot resort, I think on-site makes a real difference in convenience. As for the other resorts, if you have a car, I think it's fine either way. As others have mentioned, some off-site places are closer than some on-site places. Example -- HIFS is really closer to MK than POP. If you're driving, I don't see that it makes much difference which you choose in terms of convenience. But, I for one, would much rather have a roomy condo than a tiny room at POP. When we stayed at Ft. Wilderness, we thought it was incredibly inconvenient. We found that, with a car, both HIFS and Orange Lake were more convenient.

 

[joliesmom]

Having to carry my sleeping 3 yo in Dec through the parking lot was enough to make me always stay on site.

 

[klb5]

How many days,,, after 10 in Dec 05 on site, would never stay off site, just change resorts for price CSR-98,99, PPOR 02,POR AKL 04, you can't beat the bus service and convience. OR the assistance w/ sleeping kids and a carriage,,,, but if these aren't your concerns then ???? OH ,I forgot to mention the other 2000 reasons.

 

[CherCrazy]

We stayed off site many times before we actually converted to on-site fanatics.

Off -site is OK if you want to save money. A car rental is a must though. You can really be stuck waiting for shuttle buses to take you to/from the parks.

We always liked the Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista the best. It's really close, the rooms were big enough for all 6 of us, and they have a great breakfast included in the price.

Hey...we always did Disney on the cheap...that way we could afford to go back!!

 

[Rattat]

Definitely on site! We've stayed on site, on international drive, downtown disney and then on site again. We are staying at the AKL in June. There
is no other way I would do it. The whole Disney Magical thing
is all right there and your surrounded by it 24 hours a day. We saved some money by staying off site but that Disney feeling just wasn't there.

 

[DanaHesson]

first on site stay will be this year at the POP, so I can't really make a comparasion. But I will say that I would stay off site again if it meant the difference between going and not going. We got a fantastic rate of $32.00 a night at the Wyndham on I drive last year, needless to say, it was a two trip year for us. This year, we are only going once unless I hit the lottery. We were very happy with the Wyndham, and the drive was not too bad, but this year we decided to "splurge" and do a package.

Do what is best for you financially. And if you are in our situation, (two adults, no children) I HIGHLY recommend priceline for rooms for off site stays.

 

[LadyBears]

I personally would rather stay on site. I'm with the others - once you stay on site, you can't bring yourself to stay off site unless that was the last option.

Expect the worse & hope for the best rates. Disney Value resort rates: $77/$89 or $119/$131 (depending on the dates) per night.

Staying on site - priceless.........

Also, as a mom, when I go I vacation, I want to feel like I am on vacation too!! To me, renting a condo where I would have to cook, clean, do laundry & food shopping is NOT a vacation. That alone is well worth NOT staying at the condo!

HOWEVER - I have never done Disney with 4 kids 6 & under!! How much of a help is your oldest going to be (at least with pushing at least one of the strollers?)? You are a busy Mom, Sarah - it's your turn to be catered to!!!!
Splurge & stay on site!

 

[momof2inPA]

I preferred staying offsite until they added the extra magic hours. I have a night-owl family and would hate to miss the night time hours that are only available to onsite guests.

 

[MELSMICE]

Some off-site properties are even closer to certain parks than on-site properties like POR.

POR is right around the corner from Fort Wilderness, which is actually a Magic Kingdom resort. It is very close to the MK & the TTC.

As far as on-site or off, I'm an on-site snob!!!

I guess I would ask:

--Do you need a car or are you driving? If you need to rent a car you'll obviously need a van. We've gotten them through Dollar for between $199/wk or $249/wk - with taxes, figure about $300.

--Parking is now $8/day - noticed it when we were there last week.

--If you are flying, the Magical Express will be operational by that time & there is no charge for it, therefore, you wouldn't need a car or to pay for transfers. A car & parking for 7 days in the parks would be about $350.

--IMO the EMH is worth every penny of staying on-site. Whether your kids wake early or stay up late this is a great perk to utilize. Saving time not waiting in long lines is worth it to me. The less time you wait in lines, the more things you can do - even outside the parks.

--As far as food, yes, you can save on food in your room, however, if you're off-site you will probably only eat breakfast in your room. It would be too much of a hassle to return for lunch. Would you cook dinner? If you're at a value you can rent a fridge, mods & deluxes have them or you can get a styrofoam cooler to store cold items in. You can have milk, juices, lunchmeat, cheeses, etc., for breakfast & lunch - probably most of the same things you would get if you're staying in the condo.

This is JMO, but when you stay off-site, once you go out through those Welcome Gates, you might as well be in Anywhere, USA.

I guess it was said best by the person that said they would sleep under the porch at GF instead of off-site!!