Off property or AS Value Resorts

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

If someone looks at the resort as a whole (including hotels) as their vacation destination, I don't understand why that's so hard to understand?

Its not hard to understand. I have stayed onsite before, and I know the "advantages" vs. offsite properties. The OP, however, posted on the budget board, and was looking for input of whether or not the amenities offered at an All Star resort were going to be comparable to an offsite resort room at the same price. Being on the budget board, the idea of "value for the money" is going to be prevalent. If someone places value on Disney's bus transportation and EMH, that's perfectly understandable (and I totally get it....by the sound of most replies, all the offsiters will agree that for many families, onsite will have its advantages, albeit coming at a premium price). But it makes no sense for the onsite advocates to plead their case with statements like "if I have a kitchen, I am compelled to cook meals!" or "offsiters spend way more time in their rooms because getting back and forth to the parks takes so incredibly long". The offsiters can acknowledge the benefits of staying onsite, but it generally appears that the onsiters won't admit to the offsite advantages. There are pros and cons to both.

If that's what you like go for it ! Not a real Disney vacation however.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree on that one. A "real Disney vacation", by my definition, is one spent enjoying Disney with my family. That could be in a tent, in a tiny hotel room, in a timeshare resort, or at the Waldorf Astoria. Its sharing those moments with the people I care about that makes a holiday "real". Maybe I'm just lucky to be blessed with two cool guys who make any adventure a good time , regardless of our accommodations!

 

[AntFarm]

Its not hard to understand. I have stayed onsite before, and I know the "advantages" vs. offsite properties. The OP, however, posted on the budget board, and was looking for input of whether or not the amenities offered at an All Star resort were going to be comparable to an offsite resort room at the same price. Being on the budget board, the idea of "value for the money" is going to be prevalent. If someone places value on Disney's bus transportation and EMH, that's perfectly understandable (and I totally get it....by the sound of most replies, all the offsiters will agree that for many families, onsite will have its advantages, albeit coming at a premium price). But it makes no sense for the onsite advocates to plead their case with statements like "if I have a kitchen, I am compelled to cook meals!" or "offsiters spend way more time in their rooms because getting back and forth to the parks takes so incredibly long". The offsiters can acknowledge the benefits of staying onsite, but it generally appears that the onsiters won't admit to the offsite advantages. There are pros and cons to both.



I guess we will have to agree to disagree on that one. A "real Disney vacation", by my definition, is one spent enjoying Disney with my family. That could be in a tent, in a tiny hotel room, in a timeshare resort, or at the Waldorf Astoria. Its sharing those moments with the people I care about that makes a holiday "real". Maybe I'm just lucky to be blessed with two cool guys who make any adventure a good time , regardless of our accommodations!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

See to me that sounds like just a vacation visiting family or something. Not my cup of tea.

I like staying in a hotel, not a condo, it's part of the vacation! And I would stay in a hotel over a condo anywhere, not just Disney. I'll also pick a hotel versus staying with family.

For Disney, the whole resort area is the destination for my trip - parks, hotels, restaurants. I'm not going to Florida, I'm going to WDW, so I will stay in a WDW resort. If I couldn't stay onsite, then we would go somewhere else, because then to me it's just a Florida vacation, not a WDW vacation. We also don't go very often, once every few years, if that.

You do know that many of the offsite options include hotels, right? It's just that they are much nicer than the comparably priced Disney hotels.

See, I understand what you're saying about the destination, but for me, a "Disney" trip is about the parks/water parks. The room is where we eat breakfast and where we sleep. And that's it. We had a really nice pool where we stayed. Other than our arrival day, we never used it.

Now, if I could swing something like the savannah view at AKL, THAT would get my attention. And I'd probably have to stay a couple extra days just to take it all in. One of the values? Meh. That's like the Super 8 with bus service (and we have our own car).

 

[amg35]

You do know that many of the offsite options include hotels, right? It's just that they are much nicer than the comparably priced Disney hotels.

See, I understand what you're saying about the destination, but for me, a "Disney" trip is about the parks/water parks. The room is where we eat breakfast and where we sleep. And that's it. We had a really nice pool where we stayed. Other than our arrival day, we never used it.

Now, if I could swing something like the savannah view at AKL, THAT would get my attention. And I'd probably have to stay a couple extra days just to take it all in. One of the values? Meh. That's like the Super 8 with bus service (and we have our own car).

Oh yes I know, I was just responding to a particular post about a condo or townhome and then went off on a how much I love hotels tangent.

I realize we all visit WDW differently, that's why I was sure to say the way we do it is the way we like it.

We don't go a lot, at all. So when we do decide to save up and go, we like to do the whole shebang, stay in their hotels, use their transportation, eat their food, etc. We are only going to WDW, nowhere else while we are there.
If we went to Disneyland, then we would stay in some other hotel in LA, not a Disney hotel, because we would be visiting California, not just Disneyland.
Am I making any sense? Again, I was just stating the way we like it, wasn't saying everyone should do it that way.

And I realize this is the budget board, but I was just responding to other posts, sorry. Of course you should stay where you can afford and where you like best.

 

[ICF]

If that's what you like go for it ! Not a real Disney vacation however.

It is a real Disney vacation....despite what you think.

 

[lauradis]

What we have to answer OP questions? Never!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Oh yes I know, I was just responding to a particular post about a condo or townhome and then went off on a how much I love hotels tangent.

I realize we all visit WDW differently, that's why I was sure to say the way we do it is the way we like it.

We don't go a lot, at all. So when we do decide to save up and go, we like to do the whole shebang, stay in their hotels, use their transportation, eat their food, etc. We are only going to WDW, nowhere else while we are there.
If we went to Disneyland, then we would stay in some other hotel in LA, not a Disney hotel, because we would be visiting California, not just Disneyland.
Am I making any sense? Again, I was just stating the way we like it, wasn't saying everyone should do it that way.

And I realize this is the budget board, but I was just responding to other posts, sorry. Of course you should stay where you can afford and where you like best.

No worries, just teasin' ya a little

We too went nowhere but Disney on our trip, but riding the buses doesn't appeal to me at all. And we go rope drop to close, so onsite (for the sake of onsite) just doesn't hold the same appeal for us - other than EMH

 

[amg35]

The op stated "assuming both were the same price" in her first post and said which would you stay at, and quite honestly, I was answering a different post anyways, just conversing I guess, on a message board. I do understand what a budget board means, but thank you. I'm bad at budgeting though, so I probably should get off this board!

And frankly I just don't feel like explaining my position again about how we vacation, so read my post before this one if you care to!

enjoy your trips everyone, no matter where you stay!

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Sounds like a lot of these folks would go to Hawaii and stay inland somewhere.....too expensive to stay by the ocean !

Funny you should mention Hawaii. I usually choose to save money and stay offsite for my Disney vacations so that I CAN go to Hawaii every other year, from the East Coast, and stay ocean front, usually at a 5 star resort.

I recently posted on the "what is your trip costing you" thread that I was getting 3 trips (WDW 7 days, DL 4 days & Kauai/Oahu 11 days) out of the same budget ($6000 to $7000) some folks were spending on just a Disney World trip.

It really is whether you prefer apples vs oranges. Like several PPs have said, it's all fruit. I like WDW, DL and Hawaii best!

 

[djmeredith]

The offsiters can acknowledge the benefits of staying onsite, but it generally appears that the onsiters won't admit to the offsite advantages. There are pros and cons to both.

I agree about their being pros and cons to both, and I too have noticed the entrenched position that most onsiters take on these boards. Or maybe in all fairness, it's only those entrenched in that position that actually post their thoughts.

Now, if I could swing something like the savannah view at AKL, THAT would get my attention. And I'd probably have to stay a couple extra days just to take it all in. One of the values? Meh. That's like the Super 8 with bus service (and we have our own car).

Exactly!! Those who have never stayed value level still try to convince people that staying value just to be in the "Disney Bubble" is more important than quality. Those are the same people who probably wouldn't be caught dead in Motel 6 or Super 8 when they travel elsewhere (like me, lol). If I could afford deluxe, I too might buy into the bubble theory.

 

[djmeredith]

Funny you should mention Hawaii. I usually choose to save money and stay offsite for my Disney vacations so that I CAN go to Hawaii every other year, from the East Coast, and stay ocean front, usually at a 5 star resort.

I recently posted on the "what is your trip costing you" thread that I was getting 3 trips (WDW 7 days, DL 4 days & Kauai/Oahu 11 days) out of the same budget ($6000 to $7000) some folks were spending on just a Disney World trip.

It really is whether you prefer apples vs oranges. Like several PPs have said, it's all fruit. I like WDW, DL and Hawaii best!

This is what the Budget Board is supposed to be all about...saving money (for Disney trips or however else you choose to spend your money)!

Someone else pointed out that the OP stated the value and offsite choices were "about the same price." However, it's hard to know if we're comparing apples/oranges in OP's scenario because it doesn't say what star category the offsite choice would be. Values should be compared to a 2 star off site category in order to make a equitable comparison. (As a former flight attendant who stayed in countless hotels around the world I believe I am qualified to say values are 2 stars). Disney newbies seeking info about value level need to be aware of this.

 

[maxiesmom]

Someone else pointed out that the OP stated the value and offsite choices were "about the same price." However, it's hard to know if we're comparing apples/oranges in OP's scenario because it doesn't say what star category the offsite choice would be. Values should be compared to a 2 star off site category in order to make a equitable comparison. (As a former flight attendant who stayed in countless hotels around the world I believe I am qualified to say values are 2 stars). Disney newbies seeking info about value level need to be aware of this.

It is impossible to compare Disney resorts based on any kind of star system, with resorts not on Disney property. Being on Disney property is a huge plus for many of us, and not one that lends itself to comparison. Maybe the building itself of a Disney resort can be a 2 star, but then you have to factor in thing such as the location and the bus service to the parks. No off site resort can compete on those 2 things.

There really is no way to do an apples to apples comparison between a Disney resort and an off site resort.

 

[ICF]

Maybe the building itself of a Disney resort can be a 2 star, but then you have to factor in thing such as the location and the bus service to the parks. No off site resort can compete on those 2 things.

But as we've tried to point out....resorts like Silver Lake are closer to at least some parks than most all Disney Resorts, and we can also leave our rooms at the same time as you and get to the parks quicker in many cases.

The only aspect of the buses that may be nice is you're not doing the driving...but they aren't necessarily quicker or better than driving yourself.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

But as we've tried to point out....resorts like Silver Lake are closer to at least some parks than most all Disney Resorts, and we can also leave our rooms at the same time as you and get to the parks quicker in many cases.

The only aspect of the buses that may be nice is you're not doing the driving...but they aren't necessarily quicker or better than driving yourself.

Correct on both counts. And actually, I'd be willing to bet the folks on the buses actually spend way more time traveling from the resort to the park than do many people who stay offsite and drive.

 

[maxiesmom]

Correct on both counts. And actually, I'd be willing to bet the folks on the buses actually spend way more time traveling from the resort to the park than do many people who stay offsite and drive.

But those resorts are still not on Disney property. And for many of us that holds a special something that you cannot get at other resorts. I don't know why, but it just feels more magical to know you are on Disney property.

I've stayed off site (right by DTD) and driven to the parks. For me, it was not fun, and not at all magical. And at the end of the night, the ride sure seemed longer than any I have had while staying on-site. Maybe it is because when I am not driving I am free to focus on my family, and chat and enjoy my time with them. I'm not focused on driving, and on all of the crazy drivers that are out there.

Honestly, there is no correct for where someone should stay. No way to compare off site resorts to on site resorts. What you may think as important and I perk I may find useless and a waste of money. It is hard to quantify intangibles.

 

[nugov2]

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

Mileage wise you are just as close at WH or similar offsite locations as the values....I always find it humorous that people don't get this. You may have to drive, but they also offer transportation off site. We went in June and were back at our house faster than anyone taking a bus...wait just to get on the bus was longer than our drive.

Like pp have said on site and off site have lots of pros and cons and some people do and like both some will only do one. Comparing a deluxe and off site is two totally different ballgames. Values are motels and because they are part of a resort offer a few perks b/c of this factor. That is it. The beds are motel grade...building is a motel, pool is motel(go to vegas you can get a fun shaped pool at motel too). Doesn't make them bad(ie...dirty, bug infested wastelands), but that is what they are. You are far out just like off site at a value so you are not in a Disney bubble(IMO). People who are die hard value fans will say they are just like people who are die hard off site fans will tell you they still are on a WDW vacation, not just FL even off site. We all see what we want to see when it comes to discussions like this and you will never change they way someone views something. At the end of the OP you have to decide what option meet the majority of your needs.

We stayed off site and loved it, but could see the perk of being at the Poly or CR(or similar close to the park hotels). Unless you are so close to a park you are viewing it from your hotel..you are just at a Disney themed hotel/motel/resort and not in the bubble. Just to add I have stayed on site before and did not feel any different than I did off site...but I do think I would feel differently after a trip at a deluxe which I have yet to do. I will also add I have never stayed at a value, but I have been to many(even AofA) so I am familiar with their layout. They just do not appeal to me. Even while I do not spend a ton of time in a room I need space, comfort and amenities that they do not offer especially at the price they charge. Good luck making a decision...no matter where you choose you will have fun on a WDW vacation

 

[Lewisc]

Values should be compared to a 2 star off site category in order to make a equitable comparison. (As a former flight attendant who stayed in countless hotels around the world I believe I am qualified to say values are 2 stars). Disney newbies seeking info about value level need to be aware of this.

Disney value resorts are 2* due to amenities, or lack there of. Full size beds. Small rooms. My memory is no real closet. Exterior corridor. The level of service and cleanliness is up to Disney standards.

A true 2* hotel offsite is likely to have service and/or cleanliness issues. In order to make an equitable comparison you probably have to go with a 2.5 or 3* offsite hotel. Compare offsite hotel amenities vs Disney location/transportation/DME.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

But those resorts are still not on Disney property. And for many of us that holds a special something that you cannot get at other resorts. I don't know why, but it just feels more magical to know you are on Disney property.

And I get that it's a big deal for some people, but for others it just isn't.

But again, that's personal preference. I won't argue preference, but when someone claims things like the onsite transportation is faster than driving, I have speak up. Because it just isn't so.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

And I get that it's a big deal for some people, but for others it just isn't.

But again, that's personal preference. I won't argue preference, but when someone claims things like the onsite transportation is faster than driving, I have speak up. Because it just isn't so.

Amen

 

[d1gitman]

..when someone claims things like the onsite transportation is faster than driving, I have speak up. Because it just isn't so.

and sometimes it is so...we have done two trips, 9d and 14d with friends onsite at the same resort. we had a rental car and tested this out multiple times. sometimes we beat them to the resort sometimes they beat us. i don't know that anyone can say one is always faster than the other.