My take on Disney resorts versus off-site

[Masonmj84]

Most people we know think we're nuts for staying on-site (we even stay on-site when we go to Disneyland). They just think we're throwing money away.

Anyway, here's my take on the pros and cons of on-site (versus off-site):

Pros:
-Location (particularly at the deluxe level)
-Immersive theming and feel (we prefer moderate or deluxe over value but this is a matter of personal taste)
-Awesome pool areas (we prefer moderate or deluxe over value b/c we enjoy slides & hot tubs)
-Magical Express service (including luggage service)
-180+10 for ADRs
-60 day window for making FP+ reservations
-Table service offerings at the deluxe resorts (particulary the resort signature restaurants)

Notably, there are other on-site perks such as Extra Magic Hours and dining plans but we don't usually use these (for example, at WDW, we typically avoid the EMH park).

Cons:
-Cost (especially for larger families or groups)
-Room quality (at the value level, they're Motel 6ish and at the deluxe level, they're somewhat underwheming for what you pay)
-Service (even at the deluxe level, including at club level, the service is usually nothing to write home about)
-No massive places for really large groups to rent (e.g., like a house with its own private pool, etc.)

For our family of four, the pros outweigh the cons but we might feel differently about this if we were operating on a tight budget and/or had a larger family (it's really tough to do on-site with a larger family without spending a small fortune unless you stay at the value level, stay at Ft. Wilderness, or use/rent DVC points).

 

[mommyrosa2]

Most people we know think we're nuts for staying on-site (we even stay on-site when we go to Disneyland). They just think we're throwing money away.

Anyway, here's my take on the pros and cons of on-site (versus off-site):

Pros:
-Location (particularly at the deluxe level)
-Immersive theming and feel (we prefer moderate or deluxe over value but this is a matter of personal taste)
-Awesome pool areas (we prefer moderate or deluxe over value b/c we enjoy slides & hot tubs)
-Magical Express service (including luggage service)
-180+10 for ADRs
-60 day window for making FP+ reservations
-Table service offerings at the deluxe resorts (particulary the resort signature restaurants)

Notably, there are other on-site perks such as Extra Magic Hours and dining plans but we don't usually use these (for example, at WDW, we typically avoid the EMH park).

Cons:
-Cost (especially for larger families or groups)
-Room quality (at the value level, they're Motel 6ish and at the deluxe level, they're somewhat underwheming for what you pay)
-Service (even at the deluxe level, including at club level, the service is usually nothing to write home about)
-No massive places for really large groups to rent (e.g., like a house with its own private pool, etc.)

For our family of four, the pros outweigh the cons but we might feel differently about this if we were operating on a tight budget and/or had a larger family (it's really tough to do on-site with a larger family without spending a small fortune unless you stay at the value level, stay at Ft. Wilderness, or use/rent DVC points).

I completely understand what you're saying and do agree.

We've done an offsite Disney vacation and many onsite trips and for us, we're not interested in staying offsite when traveling to Disney. While we don't have an unlimited budget (wish we did), I'm the planner in the family and have always planned all of our vacations, both Disney and non, as far in advance as possible so that I can budget the trip. I search every deal possible, and have been very fortunate over the years to score the best possible discount so we can go. If that means, the best deal is to travel in August when it's brutally hot, then August it is. I've always said as long as i can get a good deal, we'll continue going, when the deals end, however, so won't the Disney trips as I would NEVER pay rack rate! I get a lot of flack from family and friends who feel they need to voice their opinions about our continuous Disney vacations and staying onsite... do I care? Ummm, no not really and I'm not shy at voicing my opinions right back!

As far as extended family goes... I'll be honest. Both DH and I have huge families and while we love them dearly, neither one of us have any desire to do any sort of large family gathering in Disney. Too much to plan, too many opinions, not enough patience! Disney trips have become "our family time" and we prefer to keep it that way.

 

[gmboy95]

We just went to Disneyland for the first time in February and stayed at a budget motel off site...it was clean and met our needs, however as DVC members we have a keen understanding of the benefit of on-site stays and would always prefer that to staying off site....unfortunately it is insanely difficult to get a room on points out there after the 7 month window

 

[Masonmj84]

As far as extended family goes... I'll be honest. Both DH and I have huge families and while we love them dearly, neither one of us have any desire to do any sort of large family gathering in Disney. Too much to plan, too many opinions, not enough patience! Disney trips have become "our family time" and we prefer to keep it that way.

I, too, have a very large family on my in-laws side and would also not want to do any sort of large family gathering at WDW for the reasons you mentioned (a Disney cruise or Aulani, I think, would work much better with that type of dynamic).

 

[Stinky_Pete]

The OP doesn't compare staying on site at a Disney resort to staying off site, as the thread title says. The title should be "Pros and cons of staying at a Disney resort."

There are pros to staying off site too:

• Getting away from the on site crowds
• Better accommodations for much less money
• Food is far less expensive

The biggest con to staying off site to me is transportation. When I went for Food & Wine a couple weeks ago I chose to stay at ASMu even though I could have had a much nicer room, in a much nicer hotel, for the same price. But I knew I'd want to go out in the evening and have some cocktails, and certainly wouldn't want to drive afterwards. I could have done Uber or whatever, but I chose WDW transportation.

Now, next time I go it won't be during Food & Wine, so I'm planning on staying off site.

 

[BaymaxForever]

I have stayed off-site 3x (Summer Bay-New Years 2000/2001 and Indian Springs rental home 2x 2013,2016) and just returned from our first on-site (AKL-2 bedroom villa/rental)...and let me say...we're hooked! So much so we've decided to bump up our 2019 visit to 2018 at AKL! All our trips have been with either family or friends so far, so we've managed with larger, mixed groups (2 couples, 10 family and 2 families of 4) in both types.
Agree with your pros and cons.

I will say a rental home split among families is a great money saver. Plus the ability to use a private pool and just have family time was great (as well as easy laundry access). We do drive down to Orlando, though.

I did love the whole magic band thing...paying for everything with it was great. I typically lose cash and forget where I put my card after the last purchase immediately and the added 'stress' of being on a trip doesn't help. The magic band eliminated all that. We just payed our balance at the resort front desk every day or two with our gift cards and I don't feel that it caused us to 'overspend.'

I think I ruined the off-site stay for us now. Dreaming of AKL again in 2018 and possibly WL in 2020, lol!

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

I heartily agree with the OP's opinion. We looked into staying off site for our upcoming trip and some of the hotels had inconvenient shuttle bus scheduling. They were crossed off my list right away. And like heck am I driving a rental and parking and taking a tram. Not on my vacation and not with my animal children. It may cost less, but time is money too.

 

[Sue M]

I agree, I much prefer on site. As long as I can get a good deal. The only off site hotels I'd consider are the ones in the DTD area. They are on Disney property but not Disney owned. You can walk to DTD and they have a decent shuttle running every 30 min. I stayed a night at the DTD Doubletree when I decided to arrive a day early and was impressed.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think that family dynamic play a huge role in on vs off site when it comes to a DIsney vacation. We choose to stay onsite, but some of that decision is based solely on transportaion. My DH drives for a living. One of the perks of our WDW trip is that from the second we arrive at our airport, to the second we return home, he is not in the drivers seat. Nor am I. Or my DD. I do nto look at teh cost of rental cars, parking or gas. Just convenience and our personal comfort.

We are fine sharing space. Not every family is. For those people, offsite woudl definately be a plus.

We don't mind Disney food costs. It is less expensive to eat off site, so that is a plus.

We only visit WDW properties on a WDW vacation, but if this was an Orlando attractions trip, we would rent a house, enjoy a private pool and hot tub. No sharing and that woudl be a real bonus.

SO off site? Space, more dining and shopping options, and often times less expensive.

Onsite? No driving, no coordinating family members, convenient to parks, and total immersion in Disney.

 

[MrsJamesPSullivan]

When I go to Disney I want to be in the bubble. I don't want the hassle and stress of driving in unfamiliar places, I want to be dropped off at the door to my resort when I arrive and be picked up there on the horrible day when I leave. In between I have no reason to leave and even though I am a total news junkie at home sometimes when I am there I almost forget the rest of the world exists and I love that. I'm willing to pay for that and if anyone else has an opinion on that so far they've managed to keep it to themselves which is probably a good thing.