Is staying on site really worth it?

[mommaU4]

I just read a post about someone who spent $370 for one night at a Disney resort! I've only stayed onsite once at ASMu and to be honest wasn't that impressed. Granted it's only a value resort and not the Grand Floridian but with so many other hotels in the area at a better price is it really worth it?

We are staying at the Sheraton Vistana on our next trip and were able to get a 2 bedroom place (which we needed because there are 6 of us) for a little over $300 for the week compared to the same price for one night.

I am not trying to get anyone mad because I know there are some die-hard DISers who would not consider going if they couldn't stay onsite, and that's fine. Since I haven't had the luxury of staying at one of the nicer Disney resorts I honestly want to know from those who have, if they felt it was worth what they had to pay.

 

[ctrabada]

Just one word: YES!!!!

 

[FloridaMom]

I would say yes also. The same goes for Universal and IOA; staying onsite is the way to go!

 

[disneyjunkie]

I think it's worth it.

So far we've only stayed in value resorts, will be moving up to a moderate next April.

Since I won't pull my son out of school for a trip to WDW, we have to travel when school is out (Peak season)

By staying on site we are able to take advantage of EMH. This allows us to get a slight jump on the crowds as well as extra time in the parks.

There's no need to rent a car. ME is free (for now). Once our trip is over, I can check in for our flight home from our resort. When we get to the airport we can head straight to the security lines.

I won't have to deal with our luggage while at MCO.

Package delivery to your resort is a nice perk.

The 90+10 perk will allow me to make all of our PS at one time instead of calling each morning.

 

[Vickie46]

Yes!!!!!!!!!

 

[lark]

The question whether staying on site is *better* is easy. Yes.

The question whether it's *worth it* is much harder. It's all relative. It depends, of course, on your budget and what else you would do with money saved. If you would use the money saved to buy necessities, then probably not. If you would use the money for some other luxury item or to do more shopping while at WDW, well, then it's a different calculation. If you would use it to take that pottery class you've always wanted to take, then it's a matter of balancing the pottery class v. staying onsite. In other words, everyone's different.

Your situation is somewhat unusual. You have 6 people in your party. That's tough at WDW. Your best option would be renting points for a DVC resort.

 

[WantToGoNow]

Our budget only allows us to stay at value or moderate resorts and I would still have to say YES it's worth it. Last December we went down and stayed at a 3-bedroom villa just a few miles away (Beachtree Villas). The villa was beautiful and we had plenty of room. But it was just not the same - I honestly missed staying on property and felt like something was missing from our vacation. And I didn't like battling the traffic back and forth -- it made going back and allowing my small to nap each day almost impossible (my children were 3.5 and turning 1) and I can't even count the number of times that I made wrong turns and got lost. By the time our 2 week vacation was over, I told my dh that I would never stay off property again -- and he agreed. It just added too much hastle to what would otherwise have been a perfect vacation.

 

[Loves Disney]

OMG YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is so much more magical staying on site rather than off. I don't even want to think about staying off site!!! lol

 

[madgomez]

Well, yes AND no. I've been five times - three on site and two off site. Yes, staying on-site is wonderful and has certain perks - including keeping that "Disney" feeling 24/7. My stay at the Poly was priceless. And I prefer on-site.

However, staying off-site was nothing to sneeze at, either. Last off-site stay was a new hotel with free breakfast buffet right next to WDW. We had one toddler with us and needed downtime from "Disney 24/7". Plus, we wouldn't have afforded to go that time if we had to stay on-site - I think we paid $39.00 a night!

Disney off-site is better than no Disney at all. And with six people, a rental home with a private pool might be worth staying off-site for. It all depends on your preferences and budget.

 

[Focusdude]

Onsite is the only way to go! You get the "Disney Magic" for your entire stay! I have stayed offsite, and never will again - it just is not the same! There is just something about staying at the hotels that completes the experience!

On our last visit - the only time we left Disney property was when we got lost coming back to our resort from Epcot!

 

[mmcguire]

I used to be on-site all the way, but I'll be able to give you some pros and cons of off-site after our Dec trip.

After staying at a roomy condo at Myrtle Beach twice this summer, it was tough to stomach the cost of two tiny rooms at the Dolphin for our group, vs. a 2000+ sf, 3 br vacation home for less $$. I think it might also be a refreshing change to jump in the car and go, rather than waiting 20 min for a bus, then stopping at 2-3 other resorts/water parks en route. Being assured a seat under our behinds after a long day at the parks will also be nice.

I've read the traffic & parking concerns of some die-hard on-site advocates, but we've driven to and parked at Universal Studios and Sea World on previous trips, and while Orlando traffic was heavy, it certainly didn't compare to Atlanta or the NJ turnpike.

We'll see how it all turns out in Dec!

 

[cinderella_belle]

I have to say staying on property does complete the "magic" of disney. I stayed off property in May and it just wasn't the same. I've stayed on property many times from Value to Deluxe and no matter where you stay it just adds a bit of magic to the vacation.

 

[Pixiedust34]

Yes. I'd rather stay at one of the All Stars or Pop than a "deluxe" room off property, even if the deluxe room were cheaper than staying on site. The perks of staying on site are worth it, IMHO.

 

[melomouse]

We are just back a week from 9 nights in a pool villa in Indian Creek.. When I called WL for availablity six weeks before the trip - I was quoted $3100 for the 9 nites for the 340 sq. ft. woodsview room -
Our pool home was dazzling, 3 BR's, WD, jacuzzi, etc.10 minutes away with all Disney decor. It was $750 all taxes included, for the 9 nites.
I have an Asperger's son (13) whose size and voice seem to triple in volume in a confined space. DD(9) - so much wanted to go back to her "home" at the WL, where we have stayed 3 times. Our other visits were at POFQ and POR. Loved them all.
We missed some of the magic, yes. This was a short-planned "budget" trip - our air was insanely inexpensive - but I would seriously doubt if I would stay onsite again soon unless rates are more reasonable or if it were to be a short trip, just to maximize park time. A hotel room for over $150/nite with my kids is NOT my idea of fun. This is just where my life is right now. I'm also a widow - that impacts,us, too.
Everyone needs to answer this question for themselves and weigh it out, depending on who you are, where you live, your family size and age, and budget.The older I get, the more important different things are to me. I suspect lots of us have had that experience.
Whatever you do - it's the best for YOU!!! get to WDW and ENJOY!!!
melomouse

 

[Kitcat]

especially if you have young children. I did stay offsite before I had my children and it was fine. Now that I have stayed on site I'm spoiled. If you could stay on site do it.

 

[JustInLouisville]

Disney off-site is better than no Disney at all.

This sums it up for me. I prefer the magic of onsite.

 

[Disneyorbust05]

Yes and No in my opinion. I have stayed both on and offsite and because I was at Disney, I always felt the "magic". However, our bill from the Poly this past May was very pricey just for that "magical" feeling. It was nice, but I would HIGHLY recommend trying to find a discount if you are planning to stay onsite.

We chose to stay onsite this past May because we have two little ones and wanted monorail service so that we could come back and take naps, etc. Well....I found the transportation situation to be very slow and inconvenient in terms of getting back to the hotel in a timely manner. Also, walking to the TTC was not quick - not slow- but not quick. Could I have made it to the parks faster if I had stayed offsite? I think so - depending on location. Would I stay st the Poly again? Of course....if there was a discount.

We are coming back in a couple of days and this time we are staying in a 2 bedroom (1800 sq. ft.) condo located 5 or so minutes away from the park. For the price we are paying for a week vs. what we paid at the Poly is no comparison. I don't think I will really have to walk that much more than I did when onsite. I don't mind the driving and parking either (for as much money as we are saving, anyway).

I am in no way discouraging staying onsite....in fact, we loved it and will do it again. I am just saying that if you can get a great discount onsite- great, take it. If not...I would check offsite in a heartbeat.

 

[simba2]

YES! We used to stay off property, but once we stayed on property (ASMo) we swore we'd even go back to off property (and we haven't). As others have said, EMH is great (especially in the late evening), packages being sent to your room, and my favorite -- no driving. You don't have to park the car, memorize the name of your lot and the row #, i.e. Donald 14, take the tram to ticket and transportation and then take the monorail or ferry to the MK. Phwef... That takes way too long. I'd rather go to my hotel bus stop, jump on a bus, be dropped off at the front door of the park, and walk right through the gates of the MK. Taking a break during the day, espec. in the heat and humidity (which we just witnessed Columbus Day weekend at WDW), and going back to your hotel for a swim is priceless. It's doable if you stay off property, but the probability that you are going to go through the trouble of doing it is unlikely. It doesn't cost too much more to stay at a value than staying off property, add in that you don't need to rent a car with Magical Express. I think the pros outweigh the cons. Try it once, you'll be hooked.

 

[TnTsParty]

I agree it has to be a matter of personal decision. I personally will only stay on site. Except I say I am a bit of a snob and will only stay at moderates (and only POFQ or CSR) or deluxes (well the only 2 that I could ever afford is the WL and the AKL - hopefully one day I will be able to stay at one of the Monorail resorts (well I did as a kid but I don't remember) But like I said only you can decide if staying on site is "worth" it.

 

[DisneyConvert]

(lots of very thoughtful perspectives).

We have always stayed on-site for all the reasons listed above. Upcoming trip is to the Poly (2nd visit there) and goodness, oh my, that place IS DEFINITELY A TREAT. We have 3 adults and 1 child in our room so that's the trade-off.

On the other hand, last year we stayed at Pop Century when it was "the buzz" (it was packed). Though the lower end of the WDW resorts, it's not really so inexpensive. It's not terribly convenient to the theme parks (although the bus service is excellent). The food court was frantic, crowded and pretty expensive (for what one received).

My brother and his family are "a little more careful with their dollars than we are." They never stay on-site. In my opinion, they miss out on a lot of the "magic" and while we are able to enjoy 4 or 5 "E level" attractions by 10:00 in the AM, they are often just walking through the gates.

There is a significant time vs. money component to one's WDW vacation. Staying off-site requires signficantly more time to get back and forth and even if the off-site hotel has the buses that go directly to the MK or Downtown Disney, the times and connections are limiting.

It's your vacation, we can spend a little more and have a lot more fun in 1 or 2 fewer days, or "save money" and spend 1~2 hours per day in the parking lots . . .

All that being said, last year we were tired of the PopCentury . . . especially the dismal choices, long lines and lousy values at the Food Court. So we took a drive one or two Exits north on I-4. We stopped at a Denny's and my wife had a very respectable hamburger platter while I had a delicious bowl of Chicken noodle soup. Service was good. Very relaxing. The check was less than $10, including tip!

My brother's hotel was right next door (and we didn't even realize it)!

So in many cases, for many folks, staying off-site is a perfect choice.

Enjoy YOUR vacation