Off property or AS Value Resorts

[ruadisneyfan2]

We actually like both. For a week long stay, we prefer a condo for the space & privacy. For a short stay 4 nts or less, we prefer onsite just to keep it simple.
We haven't stayed offsite since 2009 not because we dislike it but mostly that my family is WDW-parked out. After around 20 trips they want WDW in small doses, just enough to keep them wanting more.

Also now that they're older, they're able to stay up late for EMH. We arrived on Easter Sunday 2012 and pm EMH at MK were midnight to 3am and we closed the park. It was so deserted ds13 laid down on Main St across the trolley tracks & had me take his picture. lol. It felt like about 10 of us in the park.

 

[Lewisc]

I will send you a few of my photo albums from both onsite an offsite stays and I guarantee you won't be able to pick which one was a Florida vacation and which one was WDW vacation. Lol

Your point?

I'm sure most of us will be able to identify a "representative" photo from a WDW resort vs an offsite property.

Regardless your photos won't show the amenities a person looking for a WDW vs an Orlando vacation is looking for. Transportation taken care of from landing at MCO to departing from MCO. EMH. Disney "Mickey" themeing throughout the resort including hidden Mickey's, Mickey HBA, Mickey wake up, Mickey waffles....Delivery to your resort......

You have valid reasons for preferring your offsite stays. It sounds like you have a problem accepting the fact that other posters have equally valid reasons for having a different opinion.

It all comes down to budget. People willing to spend $$$ can match virtually all offsite amenities onsite People staying offsite can't duplicate onsite amenities.

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

Your point?

I'm sure most of us will be able to identify a "representative" photo from a WDW resort vs an offsite property.

Regardless your photos won't show the amenities a person looking for a WDW vs an Orlando vacation is looking for. Transportation taken care of from landing at MCO to departing from MCO. EMH. Disney "Mickey" themeing throughout the resort including hidden Mickey's, Mickey HBA, Mickey wake up, Mickey waffles....Delivery to your resort......

You have valid reasons for preferring your offsite stays. It sounds like you have a problem accepting the fact that other posters have equally valid reasons for having a different opinion.

It all comes down to budget. People willing to spend $$$ can match virtually all offsite amenities onsite People staying offsite can't duplicate onsite amenities.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Your point?

I'm sure most of us will be able to identify a "representative" photo from a WDW resort vs an offsite property.

Regardless your photos won't show the amenities a person looking for a WDW vs an Orlando vacation is looking for. Transportation taken care of from landing at MCO to departing from MCO. EMH. Disney "Mickey" themeing throughout the resort including hidden Mickey's, Mickey HBA, Mickey wake up, Mickey waffles....Delivery to your resort......

You have valid reasons for preferring your offsite stays. It sounds like you have a problem accepting the fact that other posters have equally valid reasons for having a different opinion.

It all comes down to budget. People willing to spend $$$ can match virtually all offsite amenities onsite People staying offsite can't duplicate onsite amenities.

I think what joe meant was that it's basically the same vacation with a few minor exceptions. I'd hardly say an offsite hotel stay is not a WDW vacation. To me, that's really petty & splitting hairs. If you spent 13 hrs per day in the parks for 7 days but sleep 3 miles away, that's no longer a Disney vacation?
Get off your high horse.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think what joe meant was that it's basically the same vacation with a few minor exceptions. I'd hardly say an offsite hotel stay is not a WDW vacation. To me, that's really petty & splitting hairs. If you spent 13 hrs per day in the parks for 7 days but sleep 3 miles away, that's no longer a Disney vacation?
Get off your high horse.

I don't think that poster is on a "high horse". Why so defensive? Maybe to them being off site doesn't feel like a Disney vacation.

I know when I have stayed off site it has missed a certain something. I didn't feel as a part of Disney as I do when I stay on site. Maybe that sounds crazy to you, but it is true. To me it is not the same vacation.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

To me, an "Orlando vacation" would be if I were visiting Universal, Sea World, Kennedy Space Ctr, Medieval Times, etc.
Yes, it does feel differently but to call an offsite stay NOT a Disney vacation is still petty, jmho. YMMV.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

ASsuming that either option is about the same price, what would you prefer?

we've never stayed at an All Star Value .... which one is best or are they the same? thank you.

It depends. If I am traveling alone with the kids I would pick the all stars for the ME and busses. If the whole family I would rent a car and stay at a DTD hotel such as the Hilton or doubletree or HBC as I would like larger rooms and better beds.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Lewisc]

I think what joe meant was that it's basically the same vacation with a few minor exceptions. I'd hardly say an offsite hotel stay is not a WDW vacation. To me, that's really petty & splitting hairs. If you spent 13 hrs per day in the parks for 7 days but sleep 3 miles away, that's no longer a Disney vacation?
Get off your high horse.

What high horse? I've probably stayed offsite as many times as I've stayed onsite. Both have advantages, and disadvantages.

Posters who talk about a WDW vacation vs an Orlando vacation are talking about the total trip experience. No need for a car. 24/7 Disney themeing. Mickey soap. Mickey wake up calls. EMH. Delivery back to your room.

Joe's photos are irrelevant to that point of view. Offering his photos as "proof" doesn't offer any relevant information to that part of this discussion.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Yep it's cheaper.....sounds like a nice Florida vacation. When my family goes we do a WDW vacation.
Why do all the offsiters say "I can jump in my car" ???

I think if you were to poll All the people who have ever been to Disney and ask them if it was still a "Disney vacation" even if you don't stay in a Disney resort, you will find your opinion very much in the minority.

If it doesn't seem like a "Disney vacation" to you, fine. Your opinion, nothing more. You are free to define YOUR vacation any way you wish. But, don't try to tell everyone else they aren't able to define THEIR vacations the way THEY choose.

We stayed offsite. Ask my kids where we went, and they will say, "Disneyworld!". End of story

 

[Lewisc]

I think if you were to poll All the people who have ever been to Disney and ask them if it was still a "Disney vacation" even if you don't stay in a Disney resort, you will find your opinion very much in the minority.

If it doesn't seem like a "Disney vacation" to you, fine. Your opinion, nothing more. You are free to define YOUR vacation any way you wish. But, don't try to tell everyone else they aren't able to define THEIR vacations the way THEY choose.

We stayed offsite. Ask my kids where we went, and they will say, "Disneyworld!". End of story

Some posters want a Disney 24/7 vacation. There are numerous perks to staying at a WDW resort. A poster wants to differentiate between a "Disney vacation" as opposed to a vacation where you visit Disney theme parks "Florida (or Orlando) Vacation". I guess that's one of phrasing it.

I'll agree with you if your point is that phrase overemphasis the importance of staying at a WDW resort but I think that phrase does fairly describe a valid point of view.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Some posters want a Disney 24/7 vacation. There are numerous perks to staying at a WDW resort. A poster wants to differentiate between a "Disney vacation" as opposed to a vacation where you visit Disney theme parks "Florida (or Orlando) Vacation". I guess that's one of phrasing it.

I'll agree with you if your point is that phrase overemphasis the importance of staying at a WDW resort but I think that phrase does fairly describe a valid point of view.

So its not a "Disney vacation" if you don't stay onsite but still visit only the Disney parks during your trip? Your accommodations alone dictate whether or not its a "Disney" vacation or a "Florida/Orlando" one?

I always thought that's where the words "offsite" and "onsite" came into play.

And I'm not validating or disputing the "benefits" of staying onsite at this point......that can be (and has been) debated at length. Its the ridiculous notion that by choosing to stay at a non-Disney resort changes your trip from a "Disney" vacation to a "Florida" one.

 

[Lewisc]

So its not a "Disney vacation" if you don't stay onsite but still visit only the Disney parks during your trip? Your accommodations alone dictate whether or not its a "Disney" vacation or a "Florida/Orlando" one?

I always thought that's where the words "offsite" and "onsite" came into play.

And I'm not validating or disputing the "benefits" of staying onsite at this point......that can be (and has been) debated at length. Its the ridiculous notion that by choosing to stay at a non-Disney resort changes your trip from a "Disney" vacation to a "Florida" one.

Disney Vacation or Florida vacation isn't the way I describe offsite vs onsite. Let's not pretend we don't know what the poster meant with that term.

It is a valid way of summarizing one point of view. I'm thinking of a family who starts their day with a Mickey wake up call, followed by a shower (with Mickey soap and shampoo), then a character breakfast at their resort followed by a car less trip to a theme park of their choice. Souvenirs are charged to their room key and delivered back to their resort. Those people enjoy looking for Mickey's (hidden and visible) at their resort. Maybe some pool activities with a Disney theme to it. Disney information channels on their TV set.

Posters who think those features are an important part of their vacation experience consider a vacation with an offsite stay to be a Florida vacation and not a Disney vacation. People who put little or no value in those amenities consider an offsite vacation to be a full Disney vacation.

Isn't it obvious what the poster meant by those terms?

Just another way of saying people who stay offsite are missing the Disney perks, ambiance and atmosphere offered to guests staying at a WDW resort.

 

[joedplumber]

Here is where it gets confusing. lol

One year we stayed 11 nights at POFQ (onsite) and took Mears to Seaworld for a day and to Universal for 2 days.

While another year we stayed at the Hilton near DTD (offsite) but only did Disney parks.

Hmmm.....

No matter how you slice it if you get to visit WDW your in the right place.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Some posters want a Disney 24/7 vacation. There are numerous perks to staying at a WDW resort. A poster wants to differentiate between a "Disney vacation" as opposed to a vacation where you visit Disney theme parks "Florida (or Orlando) Vacation". I guess that's one of phrasing it.

I'll agree with you if your point is that phrase overemphasis the importance of staying at a WDW resort but I think that phrase does fairly describe a valid point of view.

It's a point of view one is free to express when it comes to their own trip, but also a point of view one needs to keep to themselves when talking about someone else's idea of a "Disney Vacation".

 

[Planogirl]

What's wrong with taking a "Florida" vacation? We spend time offsite even when we stay onsite because central Florida has a lot to offer. We also use Disney amenities when we stay onsite and might even do so before heading out for the day to an offsite attraction. It's all good.

Another thing, you can't get all possible amenities onsite if you pay extra. For example, there is no actual luxury hotel at WDW. I don't care much for those myself but the point is that it's not possible to stay in one while on Disney property. Also, you can rent homes with pools offsite but there is no way to get a private pool onsite. There are no absolutes even at WDW!

 

[ICF]

Just another way of saying people who stay offsite are missing the Disney perks, ambiance and atmosphere offered to guests staying at a WDW resort.

But the thing is.....the OP (long ago) asked about VALUES vs Off-site.

The ambiance and such you get at a VALUE is far different then what you get when you stay at a Deluxe. That point has been lost on many in this thread.

And as to the perks/ambiance...etc...that you may get at a Disney overpriced (in most case) resort aren't always needed by everyone. Lots of people drive down -- therefore ME is not needed no matter where you stay.

People talk of charges that you can do to your room key -- well, there is a cool thing called a credit card that also charges without cash.

Extra magic hours, while nice for some aren't a big deal for others. Being at the parks from 830/9 am until 10 pm is plenty for us.

Package delivery to your room would be a nice feature -- but not one I'd want to pay WDW resort prices for. We just tend to purchase things on our way out, if at all.

Some off-site places have great pools, complete with waterslides and lazy rivers and in some cases more than 1 pool. They also may have theatres showing free movies throughout the day. No Values that I know of do that.

As for theming, sure the hotel itself is much more "decorated' than the grounds at most off-site places....but my room at Pop a few years ago, couldn't touch our most recent WH townhouse in terms of theming. There was 10x the "Disney magic" in that townhouse then in the Pop room. While we didn't have Disney soap (one of the only non-Disney things) -- we did have Disney Ice Cubes (and my kids thought they were pretty darn cool).

 

[JimPGH]

Unless I'm getting a family suite, I stay offsite. Kids in the same room throws a curve in my swerve. No thanks, rather stay home then.

 

[wishing4PA]

People talk of charges that you can do to your room key -- well, there is a cool thing called a credit card that also charges without cash.

Gosh, I've heard of those!
Sure, the credit card is the thing I use to handle all of those room charges ... except if I decide to take some cash or gift cards down to the front desk to apply instead.
So when I go to the desk, I can pick up a nice list of all my charges. On one page. It helps my record keeping. One list printed up for me vs me having to hang on to all those receipts.
When I go to the parks, though, I leave the credit card and money in the safe. Well, I admit I did take a credit card to MK one day. That's because I decided to eat lunch at The Wave afterward and wanted the Disney Visa discount.
So, for me, it's a perk. Actually, for me it is a huge perk. But I realize people with normal family accounting may not find the same benefit in this.

 

[ICF]

Random question -- do the WDW resorts offer free Wi-Fi these days? I know the parks have it now but wasn't sure if the resorts do.

 

[Kristibo42]

Have stayed at All Stars Music and Sports. Look into staying at POP. We love POP and it's a value.