lack of codes = offsite

[Joyfulsnuff]

Just wondering if anyone else is considering staying offsite due to the lack of discounts? We have always stayed on site, but for this trip money is a bit more of an issue for us and my husband feels that we should stay off site to save money. I'm terrified at the thought of a vacation ruined because it just won't feel like our usual Disney vacation. I hope that doesnt sound too silly, but I wondered if anyone else is thinking of taking the plunge into unchartered territory?

 

[DMRick]

We are, and I'm excited. We got Sheraton Safari for $59 plus tax on travel zoo. We've only been off site once in the past few years, but this was too good to pass up. The only chance we'll think about a change, is if they come back out with the free food. And even then, it will be hard to change from a nice big room, to small Pop.

Oops..edited to say I got SS for $59 plus tax, not $79.

 

[crs7568]

I usually stay at the deluxes and feel horrified for how much I am paying even with a discount. I usually get much more luxury for my money at other resort areas. There is no way that I will pay rack rate or even the meager AAA discounted rate to stay on property.

 

[tjmouse]

I guess I am in the minority here. I would rather stay at a value and deal with the smaller room than ever stay offsite. I figured it out and besides sleeping, we spent an average of 2 hours a day actually in the room. The other times we were at the parks, swimming or in the food court, etc. even with a 4 year old. So, I guess if you have more kids the space is a huge issue, but for me, I'll just stick to values if I have to. Luckily I plan my trips in advance too since I live 16 hours away. If I lived closer and did last minute trips I guess I would think differently too.

 

[dawgsgirl]

I have stayed both off-site and at Disney. I LOVE having a condo and all the space. Where I stay just does not seem to matter as long as I am at Disney! Try staying off-site--you might be surprised!

 

[kirbsam]

nope still staying onsite. always book what we want and hope for better rates, but if we dont get them, we still love the magic and convenience of staying onsite.

 

[Ronnadi]

We always stayed onsite until last year (Poly, CBR, DL, AKL). My daughter's boyfriend came with us (18 years old and had never been to Florida) so we opted for an offsite suite. We got a 2 bedroom 2 bath with a sleeper sofa in the living area for $99.00 Entertainment Rate. We were just outside the entrance of Downtown Disney and truthfully things were very convenient. We drove and if we wanted to change parks, we would take the monorail or drive to the next park. It was almost as fast as Disney transportation. Plus, the hotel included free breakfast and the menu changed daily. I hated the thought of staying away from the magic, but it turned out much better than I expected. Plus, we spent so much time in the parks and Downtown Disney, we still had a good amount of that Mickey Magic. And it's always fun to take someone for the first time. Even the teens turn into toddlers at Disney!

 

[K P & J's Grandma]

We did have reservation at Pop Century for our October trip -- we are taking two of our granddaughters -- 3 & 4 years old -- yes, we are being brave!!
We switched to Courtyard by Marriott Vista Center. We were going to be paying $99 a night before tax at Pop & at the Courtyard we have a 'suite' which includes the 2 beds in a seperate area & the couch, fridge, microwave in a different area - for $79 a night before tax. We have never stayed at the Courtyard before --- have mixed feeling about it. We will give this a try & see how it works out. At least we will be at Disney - enjoying the granddaughters!!!!!! By the way --- we were at Disney last year - the same time frame & paid $59 a night at Pop with an email code!!!!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I have never stayed offsite, but I don't know if I could stand it. The thought makes me shudder. We actually watched an offsite group last year in the parking lot of Epcot waiting on their bus when we were dropped off and still there hours (about 3-4) when we left. I just don't think I could handle not knowing I would have the disney services at my fingertips.
I just don't feel like "disney" unless I am immersed 24/7 in disney. After spending my last vacation at the beach in a very non disney resort and I was miserable. I have now seriously considered DVC although it would be a little steep for my budget, so we could travel elsewhere with disney services.
I'll just grumble about my small BR discount, but be thankful I am getting something and check right on in to POFQ on Dec 5th!

 

[HugsForEeyore]

My upcoming October trip, I caved in and took rack rate at POR, since staying on-site for MHSSHP is very important to me. On prior trips, I stayed off-site many times, but usually only one night at the beginning of the trip, and then I would switch on-site.

But I may be able to sneak another trip maybe around December, and that will be planned at last minute (my work will be temporarily closing for renovations but does not known the exact date) so once again Best Rates would be worthless. That trip I will probably stay off-site the whole time. There are some very nice hotels with great prices off-site. I always drive down (if there is gas!) so transportation to the parks is not an issue. I am already kicking around hotels - like Hawthorn Suites LBV or the Castle DoubleTree or a Courtyard Marriott.

 

[DMRick]

I have never stayed offsite, but I don't know if I could stand it. The thought makes me shudder. We actually watched an offsite group last year in the parking lot of Epcot waiting on their bus when we were dropped off and still there hours (about 3-4) when we left.

We have a car, so we are never at the mercy of the off-site hotel buses. We've done it both ways, although recently we've been on site, but only because we have gotten a postcard or great AP rates. Off-site (with a car) can actually be as nice as on-site...and with the food choices right nearby, even better! I know the rooms can sure be nicer. We don't spend much time in them, but when we are there, I like the off-site size for the bucks.
But whatever makes a person have a nicer vacation in their mind is all that counts.

 

[Jockaroo]

Well, we went off-site for our early October trip. We booked Gaylord Palms through Priceline at a price comparable to the Value Resorts. We haven't stayed off-site in years, but feel this time we are getting more value for our money. We drive, so we have never used Disney transportation services. I'm sure being off-site will also cut into the number of times we enjoy our meals at Disney as well, since we typically ate 3-5 meals per trip at our resort food court. I'm actually very excited about our resort choice.

 

[webray]

Yes, we are definately considering staying offsite if we can't get a decent rate on a disney resort.

 

[cjb71870]

I am a fanatic since '89. I'm talking a few times a week with my boyfriend at the time. We were together 5 years. Then after that I ran into an old high school boyfriend and in HS I was his 1st love. We've been together ever since and he became a fanatic like me. Since 1998 we liked this hotel that I picked. And we have been going ever since! We are like family to them! I've stayed in soooo many of the hotels on the strip. Some are bad, but alot aren't! You just need to have knowledge of where you are staying! The difference with the Disney hotels and the others also is the others aren't as large or spacious. Most of the time you have to walk a mile to get to the main building! But, it is Disney. Hope you have fun!!!!!!

 

[katallo]

Definitely, there are some very good rates off site at deluxe hotels and condos. We always rent a car (this year rented a Taurus for $114/week!) so transportation isn't a problem. With the lack of codes, it will be offsite for us in the Spring. It's great to say, wait for codes, but many of us are ready to book for March and Aprill now and I would rather have our trip planned.

 

[Lorikr65]

Just wondering if anyone else is considering staying offsite due to the lack of discounts? We have always stayed on site, but for this trip money is a bit more of an issue for us and my husband feels that we should stay off site to save money. I'm terrified at the thought of a vacation ruined because it just won't feel like our usual Disney vacation. I hope that doesnt sound too silly, but I wondered if anyone else is thinking of taking the plunge into unchartered territory?

I think money is always an issue - who wants to spend more than they have to!! I thought about it but if we stay offsite we'd have to rent a car which would make it cost more. We tend to stay at the value resorts because we are only in the room for 2 hrs tops per day. With the magical express there is no transportation charge. We got POP with AAA discount for $476 for 7 nites for 1st week in Dec.

 

[Lou-Ann]

We have done both. For about 10 yrs we stayed offsite and bought annual passes with the money we saved. this gave us twice the magic. Then we started staying at WL. Don't get me wrong, I love the Lodge and the convenience, but will I pay $219 a night to stay there when there are no codes???? Not when I can get a lovely room, twice the size in a gorgeous hotel for $69. That is nearly 4 nights for 1........The difference will buy many lovely meals and a lot of presents for the Grandkids. There are times you have to weigh your options...By the way, Magic is not only found at Disney...... We got this rate by being kind to a person at the resort on previous visits....When I called to ask how he survived the storm he offerred me a special rate for my thoughtfulness.......What goes around comes around.....

 

[minijeanie]

with no AP codes in site for November we will be staying off-site at marriott vacation villas. In fact, it is costing us zero dollars to stay there. Using DH points for a , 4 nite stay.

i like deluxes but cannot justify rack rate for November. With villas family can eat breakfast right in our own kitchen, so Disney loses from me again here,. Probably the only meal I will eat in Disney will be lunch and that is only because I have to.

I am sure that the little bit of lost reservations from AP people will not make a difference to justify bringing out codes. Heck, if they are filling the rooms who can blame them.

I will just wait and see what plays out in next few weeks due to current gas crisis and possible recession due to the tragedy in the Gulf

 

[disneysnob]

With a family of five, the only choices we have onsite are deluxes or 2 bdr villas. Without any general codes, we have decided to stay offsite next summer. We have previously stayed at WL (youngest was under 3 at the time), GF and CR-all had a great discount. Next year we decided to do the first 3 nights at CR-Tower (with AAA discount-not that great, though) and a week at Marriott Sable Palms. We get a beautiful 2bdr. Villa, full kitchen,jacuzzi,and laundry for 1/4 price that I would pay for a 2 bdr DVC. This way we get the 'Disney Magic' at first, driving into the World, then we can 'spread out' for the rest of the trip. We always drive down from Boston, so we have our own car. And, IMHO, we can come and go as we please, and not be at the mercy of disney transportation, which, unless it was the monorail, I didn't find too convenient. We have always driven to MGM, and AK and the water parks on our own, anyway, even when we were onsite.

 

[Kmygrl73]

We are considering offsite for 5 nights this October. I was waiting for an AP rate that I don't think is coming out. We already made an AKL Best rate for our other 5 nights and unfortunately I guess we have to stick with it. I definitely regret the $177 a night rate that we are now stuck with. I am sure the heating bill is going to be crazy this year and the gas prices are not good. Everything is costing more these days and unfortunately no matter how much we said we would never stay off Disney, it is getting too expensive and not smart for us to stay on Disney. The value resorts for our dates are $89 and I think that is too much for a value. I am just so sad that it is getting so expensive to stay on Disney. It was really my favorite part about going to Orlando. We go to WDW so much, that it just isn't going to be the same. We have actually considered staying at a Disney resort but not going to the parks as much just to save money on the tickets. That is how much we love the resorts. I guess we'll just have to see how it goes.