Off property or AS Value Resorts

[darnheather]

When I was younger, had only one child, and little money I would have done onsite value. Now there is no way. If I couldn't afford moderate I'd go off site. I'm too picky with my mattress and double bed would be too small for the four of us.

 

[AntFarm]

While we prefer onsite, not at the value resorts because we like the amenities and theming of the moderate or deluxes better. I also like offsite options like Bonnet Creek and Sheraton Vistana which are timeshares close to Disney property. I am not one though to think that staying offsite is not a "true" Disney vacation because there are a lot of people that stay offsite and spend more time in the Disney parks and restaurants than some people who stay onsite, so in essence I don't find it fair to say that staying offsite makes your trip a "Orlando/Florida" vacation rather than a "Disney" vacation.

 

[wishing4PA]

Onsite, unless we simply had too many people to stay in one value room. If so, I'd first look at staying in a Ft. Wilderness cabin again. I really wouldn't consider it much of a vacation if I had to drive to and from the parks. That would remind me more of our day trips when I was a kid. Dealing with potential traffic arriving and departing, uh uh.
I really loved how on our family trip (All Star Movies), my DH could go back to the room after half a day at a park and not leave DD & me stranded. And if he chose to get a beer or two at EPCOT, I didn't have to decide if I should grab the car keys.
Of course, people stay on site and drive , but if I couldn't stay onsite I would certainly be looking at one of the nearby hotels that has a shuttle.

As for which value resort, I think they are all pretty much the same. I wouldn't stay at AS Sports if POP, another AS, or AoA were available, only because sports bore me. The other themes are much more interesting, to me. But I was pleasantly surprised at our ASMo trip, because I had feared it would be "just like Motel 6" (not to knock Motel 6, there are some nice ones.) And it wasn't. We were treated well with excellent Disney service from the moment we arrived. The only fault I could find was a dearth of luggage carts compared to other brand hotels we have stayed at.

I agree with a PP, too, on charging back to our room. Once I started doing that, I loved it! I don't spend more, I just have less to carry along with me daily, and I can go get an itemized printout of all of our charges to have them all on a few sheets of paper rather than keeping a purse full of receipts. I don't often send things back to the room, since that can't be done late in the stay, and we normally don't buy any souvenirs the first few days. But it's nice to have the option.

 

[Zim]

We are in the "Disney Bubble" group.

We've been going for years. When I was young it was always off-site. But we traveled as a big extended family so you sort of needed lots of inexpensive accommodations with kitchenettes. Now it's just the two of us (my DD15 and I) and she is a Disney-nut. Part of the magic for her is being surrounded by Disney 24/7.

We've done AKL and WL, but now our favorite is AoA. It's an adventure just to walk the grounds and get pictures with the Cars, Lion King and Little Mermaid statues. I would visit this hotel just to do THAT! (In fact we have a Shutterfly Album called "Our Trip to Radiator Springs" just dedicated to those photos.)

If your priority is having a spacious hotel room with nicer amenities for the same price, you probably should consider off-site. You are definitely not paying for that, and my beau thinks I'm nuts that complimentary breakfasts don't trump onsite! You're paying a similar cost simply for Disney immersion. And we'll take it every time... we spend hardly any time in the room. We're park diehards and are out the door first thing in the morning and hardly able to walk let alone appreciate our hotel room when we limp / crawl into bed at night.

 

[mandyloowho]

I've done both. I looooove staying onsite, no matter the resort. I hated the hassle of parking, etc.

 

[FayeW]

I've only ever stayed offsite, and I'm with Gina, I want my vacation accommodations to be at least as nice as my home. I'll stick my family in one hotel room for 2 or 3 days maximum if I am going somewhere for just a few days. Beyond that I want a bedroom for everyone and a couple of bathrooms and TVs. Last time we went to Orlando we stayed at Windsor Hills in a 3 bdrm condo for $80 per night.

I would like to stay onsite once, just to see what all the fuss is about. Only way that is happening is if it's just DH and I, or we rent DVC points if our teenagers come with us. Even then it would only be for 3-4 days as there is other stuff we like to do in Orlando and we would probably split our stay to stay somewhere over near Universal.

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

Seems like most "offsiters" explain what a great room it is.Seems like when they go back to hotel their in for the day .Sounds like too much time in the room if you ask me! Most onsiters like the convenience of being able to get back to hotel and get some rest for going out again, whether to the pools or parks at night or DTD.
I stayed off site long time ago......until that one time and then never again. 2 people , 4 people, 6 people , it doesn't matter .On site the only way to go Go Big or Go Home

 

[ICF]

Seems like most "offsiters" explain what a great room it is.Seems like when they go back to hotel their in for the day .

Nope, we went back to the townhouse every day we were at the parks. It would usually be from 3-5 or so, just enough time to hop in our private pool, change clothes and get something to eat before heading back for evening fun.

We could leave 3 of the 4 parks and be out their front gate and to our door in 15 mins or less. Disney buses can't do that in most cases -- heck when we stayed on site we'd often wait that long just to catch the bus.

 

[TravelMommy]

We prefer onsite, you get the total Disney experience.

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

Nope, we went back to the townhouse every day we were at the parks. It would usually be from 3-5 or so, just enough time to hop in our private pool, change clothes and get something to eat before heading back for evening fun.

We could leave 3 of the 4 parks and be out their front gate and to our door in 15 mins or less. Disney buses can't do that in most cases -- heck when we stayed on site we'd often wait that long just to catch the bus.

In most cases they definately can ! And MOST offsite is even farther from the parks than that.

We prefer onsite, you get the total Disney experience.

THIS Only way to get Pixie Dust is staying WITH the Mouse !

 

[dixonismydog]

I said this same thing(Florida vs Disney vacation) on a thread last week and got skewered. However you are CORRECT !!!!

Hahaha! Yup...I'm with you! Don't like it outside of the "bubble"!

 

[AntFarm]

Seems like most "offsiters" explain what a great room it is.Seems like when they go back to hotel their in for the day .Sounds like too much time in the room if you ask me! Most onsiters like the convenience of being able to get back to hotel and get some rest for going out again, whether to the pools or parks at night or DTD.
I stayed off site long time ago......until that one time and then never again. 2 people , 4 people, 6 people , it doesn't matter .On site the only way to go Go Big or Go Home

We get that you are very passionate about staying onsite and that is nice; but some of what you are saying can be the case for either onsite or offsite. Staying onsite isn't always more convenient and staying offsite doesn't mean you are spending more time back at your room or can't easily go back out to the parks after a break. It doesn't have to be one way or the other for it to be a great Disney trip. Many people do both for different reasons and like both (onsite and offsite) for different reasons.

 

[Shea&Van]

Hi there,

People can be very passionate about the onsite vs offsite question...

We have done both and - at this point in my life - I'd say:
offsite for a trip longer than 4 days
onsite for a shorter trip

We are a family of five and although our little one is young enough that we could get a regular room, it would be too much. We stayed at AS Sports in 2011 and it was a basic motel room. The ME was nice and I found the bus transportation only okay. I did like the boat transportation from the WL though

For less than $100 night, I have found great offsite properties that are Disney-decorated and that offer 2+ bedrooms, a full kitchen, washer/dryer, multiple TVs and private pools. Like a PP said, I don't think it has ever taken more than 15-20 minutes to get to the parks. Our preference is to have our own car just so that we can come and go as we please and have the space of our own personal minivan.

It's a totally personal choice and I get both sides. We had a wonderful onsite trip in 2010 at the WL and had a super time. It was a short trip and at the time we just had two little ones. We got a 1-bedroom and that was perfect for 4 days. We felt the total Disney experience, but we paid through the nose!!!

The value rooms are (as another PP pointed out) basic motel rooms with two beds, bathroom and standard furnishings. The decor is exciting for kids and my kids really enjoyed AS Sports, but I found the food courts very expensive and not as varied as the options near the off site places we have stayed.

In a perfect world filled with golden coins, I probably would stay on-site at a 2-bedroom villa at WL or BLT so that I would have access to either the monorail or the boat. But, I'd have my own car so that I could venture off site when I wanted to for food/treats, etc.

Best of luck with your choice...you really can't make a bad one. Both onsite and offsite accomodations are viable options and have thier own set of pros and cons. Only you can decide what is best for your particular situation.

Space and cost are the deciding factor for us at this time, so off-site would be my vote. If the disney environment, EMH, and not having to rent a car are more important, than on-site is probably a better choice for you.

Remember you are at the happiest place on earth...so it's ALL good

 

[2DisPrincesses]

On site!!!



Our first visit we stayed at a beautiful home in Windsor Hills. Three bedrooms, laundry, full kitchen, pool, etc. it was great!

We decided to go back to WDW six months later as we received a pin for free dining- we ended up at Caribbean Beach. We decided we would never stay off site again!

Totally different experience staying anywhere on site vs off site. Our favorite stays have been at the Polynesian, but we stay wherever we get a "good deal" or our vacation budge allows.

 

[djmeredith]

On site!!!

Our first visit we stayed at a beautiful home in Windsor Hills. Three bedrooms, laundry, full kitchen, pool, etc. it was great!

We decided to go back to WDW six months later as we received a pin for free dining- we ended up at Caribbean Beach. We decided we would never stay off site again!

Totally different experience staying anywhere on site vs off site. Our favorite stays have been at the Polynesian, but we stay wherever we get a "good deal" or our vacation budge allows.

Keep in mind that Caribbean Beach and Poly are not value. They are a higher level and there is a big difference. I recently stayed at Pop (had no choice because we were with a sports team) and I thought the overall quality of the value level had declined since my last trip in 2008. I've stayed on site value all of my trips but one in the last decade but will never stay value again. It's a personal choice. To me it was an overpriced Motel 6. Theming in rooms is minimal and a few removable wall stickers at an offsite hotel would be equivalent or better. I also don't think the busses are very convenient, I prefer to drive even when onsite because the walks to bus stops and then your room from bus drop can be very long.

 

[2DisPrincesses]

Keep in mind that Caribbean Beach and Poly are not value. They are a higher level and there is a big difference. I recently stayed at Pop (had no choice because we were with a sports team) and I thought the overall quality of the value level had declined since my last trip in 2008. I've stayed on site value all of my trips but one in the last decade but will never stay value again. It's a personal choice. To me it was an overpriced Motel 6. Theming in rooms is minimal and a few removable wall stickers at an offsite hotel would be equivalent or better. I also don't think the busses are very convenient, I prefer to drive even when onsite because the walks to bus stops and then your room from bus drop can be very long.

Didn't say they were! I guess I should have added that we have stayed in values at least 5 times and are doing a split stay with one of them being a value in October...we go to WDW to be in the Parks, so we would much rated be close and in the "Disney bubble" than have to drive off site for a higher class room

 

[ICF]

In most cases they definately can ! And MOST offsite is even farther from the parks than that.

Most?? Really...have you driven from most? Have you even driven from any?

I'd say most that are on 192 or near LBV probably are 15-20 mins at most.

I've stayed on 3 on either side of 192 and the case was the same at all 3. Heck , from Silver Lake I could be at AK in about 2 mins as it's practically right next door.

 

[wysteria]

We usually go to disney with my family and my parents so onsite is a must have.

Being able to go back to the room to rest for my parents is a must, and when they go to rest we are usually still staying to do more things in the park. So driving to the park everyday would not be possible.

Also none of us want to drive after walking around the parks all day, we prefer the convenience of just getting on the bus and going back to the resort.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We get that you are very passionate about staying onsite and that is nice; but some of what you are saying can be the case for either onsite or offsite. Staying onsite isn't always more convenient and staying offsite doesn't mean you are spending more time back at your room or can't easily go back out to the parks after a break. It doesn't have to be one way or the other for it to be a great Disney trip. Many people do both for different reasons and like both (onsite and offsite) for different reasons.

Most?? Really...have you driven from most? Have you even driven from any?

I'd say most that are on 192 or near LBV probably are 15-20 mins at most.

I've stayed on 3 on either side of 192 and the case was the same at all 3. Heck , from Silver Lake I could be at AK in about 2 mins as it's practically right next door.

I always find the offsite vs. onsite debate kind of amusing. Particularly when most of the onsite cheerleaders haven't actually tried an offsite trip. I think its important, when evaluating the various replies, to try and determine who has been there, done that on both sides of the coin and can really offer a well-balanced opinion.

I know we are in the minority for being offsite and LOVING it. Which is why it doesn't bother me in the least when some well-meaning folks on other threads almost seem to have pity for me that they're onsite and my family is not. Yet, on our trip last summer, as we opened the door to our villa at Westgate Lakes, my then 16-year-old looked at me (after he picked his jaw up off the floor) and said "man, I feel sorry for those poor people who don't know they can have this kind of a place for half the price of a Disney room". The "magic", for us, is doing more, seeing more, and having more for our money. We can go more often. We experience more very cool attractions. We sleep like babies. We feel pampered and relaxed. For some families, its not about being immersed in the Disney frenzy 24/7. Hard to imagine for some people, but for us.....that's not something we even want.

I do see the appeal, in one case in particular, of being onsite. If I were going alone (without DH), I would consider staying onsite just so I didn't have to drive as its not something I enjoy (not even at home). But then again, I can't see ever going alone.

 

[beck02]

For us, off-site for sure. We usually drive & like having our car. Last (and only) time we went we stayed at all stars. It was the equivalent of a motel 6, very small, no refriderator, no microwave, broken furniture, roaches...WORST hotel we'd stayed at in a long time & we're not super picky people. We'd been staying at another hotel (as part of a conference) & that was a nice hotel with a great rate, so it showed just how much more we were paying to get less. We never saw the pool at disney--too busy being at the parks, but it seemed to be a walk from where we were staying as we never saw it. We didn't use all the perks of staying on-site--we didn't fly, which is where a lot of them seem to come in, and didn't know about the bags until the last couple of days. The statues/decour were interesting, and my 3 year old squealed with delight, but she squealed with delight on plenty of other of stuff too. The parking being included was nice, as well as being able to use a meal plan. However--with the meal plan you get a different (limited) menu & didn't save huge amounts. So, for me, would rather pay a bit more (maybe $30/night) get a MUCH better place (bigger beds, 2 rooms, full kitchen) and ENJOY the vacation. There's 3 of us, we go for a week, with 5 days at disney, and 1 or 2 at the resort and/or around town.