Off property or AS Value Resorts

[joedplumber]

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.

Too funny, I used to be the same way about charging to the room key and getting the printout. Until my DW took over and used the CC all the time instead of the room key and was even throwing out the receipts.

Then she showed me an app on her phone that showed the details of daily charges on the CC. So needless to say I lost that battle and the CC is always used for purchases while in disney.

 

[djmeredith]

Too funny, I used to be the same way about charging to the room key and getting the printout. Until my DW took over and used the CC all the time instead of the room key and was even throwing out the receipts.

Then she showed me an app on her phone that showed the details of daily charges on the CC. So needless to say I lost that battle and the CC is always used for purchases while in disney.

Perfect example of how Disney lags way behind in technology. You have to go to front desk to get a print out of room charges but can check cc purchases instantly (that is if you can find wi fi or cell service on Disney property, lol).

Someone asked about wi fi in rooms. At Pop last month in the 50's section we had wi fi in the rooms but absolutely no cell service on AT&T. Had to go outside to send/receive texts or call which was very frustrating since our party often split up and needed to communicate.

 

[burnurcomputer]

I stayed at ASMu earlier this year for my first onsite stay. It was okay for Mom and I. I have to honestly say that I did not love it.

The "Disney bubble" isn't a big deal to me, so I don't mind staying offsite. I did like the cute hair clip that I bought at the hotel gift shop, but it was available at many other places and I just didn't think to pick it up until later. The food court had a nice selection of food, and I thought the food was reasonable in price. I just want a clean space to sleep and a place to sit and read in quiet.

Normally its 7 of us staying offsite, so a room at a Disney resort wouldn't make sense for us, cost wise and space wise. A small room for Mom and I was just fine. When its all 7 of us, I like having multiple bathrooms (which I don't have at home) and separate bedrooms so we can ship some off to bed and others can stay up. The cost of a family suite or 2 rooms is way more then we pay with our timeshare ownership ($400) at our basic Marriott resort(Harbor Lake). even when you factor in the cost of our purchase, it saves $.

My onsite room didn't have a porch, but my offsite one gets tons of use.

I did think the ability to send stuff to your resort wasn't that much different then having it sent to the front of the Park for pick up. You still have to go to the gift shop to get your purchases and carry them back to your room. To me, it wasn't any different then picking them up and taking them to the car. Granted, we use a HC placard to park so we don't have as far to walk, and I have small people who are in strollers, so we use the under bins to put them in while we are walking.

As I said earlier the food court isn't that bad. We are used to purchasing food at the grocery store and prepping it our first day at our timeshare. We take food into the park and round out the meal with some quick service items or have a reservation for a meal while in the parks. we find it saves us time and money to do this, as well as have input into our dietary choices for the week. Several of us have tummy issues from our gallbladder being removed so it helps to make sure we can enjoy our trip and not feel sick.

When we visit Disney we fly, so we pack a carry on and wash our clothing in the evening and first adult up throws it into the dryer. It is easy for us to do and allows us to skip paying checked bag fees. I understand that on site resorts also offer this, but for my trip with Mom we didn't stay as long as we normally do as a family so I can't comment on the convenience.

The main driver on our trip is DH, he just loves to drive!!! We find it fast and easy for our family. When Mom and I went earlier this year, we did not enjoy the bus as much as we thought that we would. Granted, the values are situated further away form the parks we like to visit, so our drive was longer then we are used to. We found the busses crowded, and the drivers commented that it was much more busy then was anticipated so it was kind of cramped. I didn't understand the long walks to the parks for the value pick up and drop off, but it was all new to me. The more expensive resorts had dedicated busses and seemed to have a more pleasant travel to and from, based on facial expressions and body language. I like driving in a rental with my family and prefer it to the experience that I had.

I had said on other posts that you couldn't pay me to stay on site again, and I have revised my thoughts on this. If I could stay at a moderate or deluxe resort, I would try it again for a girl trip. I am very happy with our Disney vacation at an offsite hotel for our family size and the way we like to travel.

 

[rosiep]

The thread is very interesting. Opting for on-site or off-site is a preference; as in: The selection of one thing or person over others. The option to so select, and the one selected.

The OP asked people what they would choose not what held the most value, which incidentally is still a matter of opinion. Ask a starving man what is more valuable bread or a diamond ring. I bet he'd pick the bread.

There is no right or wrong answer. We can argue the merit of our choices until we're blue in the face but in the end it is still just that: A CHOICE.

 

[wishing4PA]

Too funny, I used to be the same way about charging to the room key and getting the printout. Until my DW took over and used the CC all the time instead of the room key and was even throwing out the receipts.

Then she showed me an app on her phone that showed the details of daily charges on the CC. So needless to say I lost that battle and the CC is always used for purchases while in disney.

Ah, I would love to be a normal consumer again. Your DW's method would work, then! I forgot to mention I had to charge part of the bill to a different account. And my situation is such that bringing one card one day and one card a different day does not work. Without the room charges, if I wanted to split between accounts (and have it documented properly) I would have 2 options. 1. Bring both cards and at each point of sale have them split the bill, or ... 2. Charge everything to the one card (that can't really take extra) and redistribute the $ later, which, without going into details, is not really proper in my situation. Paying off the room account from 2 separate cards (plus cash plus gift cards) was kosher. I can't really explain, but it works.
Now this probably matters to just one person (me) out of 10,000.

 

[rosiep]

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.

Yes. Funny fact: Last trip I did a split stay between POP and Boardwalk and the reception at POP was much better.

 

[purpledisneyprncess]

The 3 Disneyworld vacations I've been on have been offsite at a DTD hotel 2 minutes walking distance from Downtown Disney (the part near Earl of Sandwich etc) and we love it. The pool is really nice, has an aquatic playground for the kids and a bar right near it to order bar food and drinks. This time around- 2 weeks!!!!- we are staying at Pop. We honestly are a little sad not to be staying at our usual hotel but there were more perks to Pop. For one, we got a cheaper room rate there than offsite, plus the buses run more often. While our Dtd hotel provided free shuttles, it doesn't start early enough and we missed rope drop. We get EMH too and we are excited to use them. Lastly, I think there will be more Disney magic staying onsite. Can't get enough of that!!

It really boils down to what you prefer and how you envision your vacation. Disney value resorts are fine for us because I don't need a kitchen when in Disney-- cooking isn't on my agenda. I cook all year round and while I do bring lots of snacks and lunch items, cooking meals I will not!

 

[rosiep]

The 3 Disneyworld vacations I've been on have been offsite at a DTD hotel 2 minutes walking distance from Downtown Disney (the part near Earl of Sandwich etc) and we love it. The pool is really nice, has an aquatic playground for the kids and a bar right near it to order bar food and drinks. This time around- 2 weeks!!!!- we are staying at Pop. We honestly are a little sad not to be staying at our usual hotel but there were more perks to Pop. For one, we got a cheaper room rate there than offsite, plus the buses run more often. While our Dtd hotel provided free shuttles, it doesn't start early enough and we missed rope drop. We get EMH too and we are excited to use them. Lastly, I think there will be more Disney magic staying onsite. Can't get enough of that!!

It really boils down to what you prefer and how you envision your vacation. Disney value resorts are fine for us because I don't need a kitchen when in Disney-- cooking isn't on my agenda. I cook all year round and while I do bring lots of snacks and lunch items, cooking meals I will not!

Hope you have a great vacation! ... and I'm sure you will.

 

[Lewisc]

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".

I don't see how calling a vacation which includes offsite features a Florida vacation is negative or derogatory. It's clear the poster is using the term "Disney Vacation" to refer to a trip where they stay on Disney property for virtually the entire trip.

Assume I stay offsite, Vistana for example, 7 nights. I go to a Disney park 6 days. Is that a Disney vacation? I go to a Disney park for 2 days, Universal for 2 days, SW one day and spend one day at my resort. Is that a Disney vacation? I'd probably tell friends as was going to Disney even if I was staying offsite and even if I wasn't going to WDW every day. BUT

the way the poster is using the term is accurate and not negative.

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).

It's not lost. For the same money you can get better accommodations offsite but without the Disney "magic". Some people prefer more space. Other people want a full "Disney Vacation" experience.

You can allow room charges on every room key, even to family members who don't have a credit card on your account.

I get it. The Disney "magic" which comes from staying at a WDW hotel isn't worth the money to you.

There is no right or wrong answer. We can argue the merit of our choices until we're blue in the face but in the end it is still just that: A CHOICE.

My issue is with the posters who don't take that position. Who think people who stay onsite are wasting money.

Sometimes the best answer is to agree with the poster.

Two (hypothetical) examples.

This is the first trip where we're considering staying offsite. Do you think we'll miss EMH. JMO but the only answer is YES. The fact that they're asking the question suggests EMH is an amenity they use and enjoy.

This is the first trip we're considering staying onsite. We normal rent a 2 bedroom condo. Do you think our family of 2 adults, 2 teenagers and 1 infant will fee cramped in a value resort? JMO but the answer is yes. The fact that they're asking the question suggests they already know they won't be happy stuffed in a room.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I don't see how calling a vacation which includes offsite features a Florida vacation is negative or derogatory.

Yes you do, but I'll spell it out anyway.

Person A: Oh, we had a wonderful trip to Disney, and we stayed at this great place off 192. It was such a great time.

Person B: Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but that was not a "Disney Vacation".

 

[JimPGH]

Star bellied sneetches all over again.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Yes you do, but I'll spell it out anyway.

Person A: Oh, we had a wonderful trip to Disney, and we stayed at this great place off 192. It was such a great time.

Person B: Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but that was not a "Disney Vacation".

Exactly!
My boss is in the midst of planning an offsite trip in March; sharing a condo with her sister's family. Maybe when she says they're planning a Disney vacation I should quickly remind her that because of where she sleeps, & the unique hotel amenities she's missing out on, it's not really a Disney vacation; it's a Marriott vacation. Oh wait, that's an Orlando vacation.
That should score me some big jack*** points for my next evaluation.

And likewise anyone going to the shore this summer isn't really at the shore unless their accommodations are oceanfront. If you're 3 blocks from the beach, that's just an inland visit, not truly at the shore.

 

[AntFarm]

Star bellied sneetches all over again.

Woot, woot! Somebody got it right!
What some of the posts on this thread are really trying to say is "How dare those offsiters chip away my validation and taint my status symbol by saying their trip is a Disney vacation too!" THE END

 

[joedplumber]

Woot, woot! Somebody got it right!
What some of the posts on this thread are really trying to say is "How dare those offsiters chip away my validation and taint my status symbol by saying their trip is a Disney vacation too!" THE END

Hey ours is neither!! Ours is just a good old fashion Griswold family vacation!

But, what this thread boils down to is you need to first figure out what is important to you and your family and what will give you the most magic.

"MAGIC" that's what it is all about!

 

[Dizisfun]

Guess I haven't had a "Disney vacation" since my own kids were small then. But, shhh, don't tell my dear grand kids that bc we are staying off site bc it suits our extended family's needs that they are ONLY going on an ORLANDO vacation. Smh!!!!! Lmbo

 

[Dizisfun]

Guess I haven't had a "Disney vacation" since my own kids were small then. But, shhh, don't tell my dear grand kids that bc we are staying off site bc it suits our extended family's needs that they are ONLY going on an ORLANDO vacation. Smh!!!!! Lmbo

Edited to add that even when my kids were small and we did stay on site we nvr used the EMH anyway. So I guess we aren't missing anything after all.......

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

Yes you do, but I'll spell it out anyway.

Person A: Oh, we had a wonderful trip to Disney, and we stayed at this great place off 192. It was such a great time.

Person B: Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but that was not a "Disney Vacation".

OR Person A: OH, we had a wonderful trip to Florida, we stayed at this great place off 192 nestled between the Denny's AND the Burger King. Went to Disney a couple days and really had fun.

Person B: Sounds great! Glad you had fun. When we go we like to stay on WDW property. It's just something special and that's what we want on a vacation! You should try it on your next trip! I can give you some help if you'd like.

Woot, woot! Somebody got it right!
What some of the posts on this thread are really trying to say is "How dare those offsiters chip away my validation and taint my status symbol by saying their trip is a Disney vacation too!" THE END

I'm sure there are some "status symbol" people out there,but frankly staying offsite is your choice and you DO get a different VACATION experience than staying at WDW.(AllStars up to DVC)
Some will overspend for that status and other won't put out an extra dime to stay on site.

 

[Lewisc]

And likewise anyone going to the shore this summer isn't really at the shore unless their accommodations are oceanfront. If you're 3 blocks from the beach, that's just an inland visit, not truly at the shore.

I'm assuming the 3 blocks is walkable. How about a 30 minute drive from the beach? An hour with traffic? $50 daily parking charge?

Assume you've been to that shore community and your friend hasn't. At what point should you speak up? JMO but I'd assume they know about a 3 block walk. I might not assume they know about a large parking fee or a drive that shows as 15 minutes on mapquest might take up to an hour. They already made guaranteed reservation. I might suggest they leave for the beach early enough in the morning to avoid traffic.

Would I tell a friend they're not taking a real "Disney" vacation because they're staying offsite. Of course not. I wouldn't even say that if they're describing their vacation as a Disney vacation but are only planning on spending one day on Disney property spending the rest at Universal, SW.....

The difference....

I don't have an issue if a poster, on a Disney discussion board, talks about a Disney vacation vs a Florida vacation as a shortcut way of referring to Disney 'magic" missing from offsite. I'm using Disney "magic" as a shorthand way of referring to the list of amenities available to guests staying at a WDW hotel. That "magic" is important to some guests, of no importance to other guests and mixed to others. EMH is a great feature, to those famlies who use it. It has no value to guests who don't use it.

 

[ICF]

I'm assuming the 3 blocks is walkable. How about a 30 minute drive from the beach? An hour with traffic? $50 daily parking charge?

Are you trying to say that it costs $50 day to park at Disney or could take off-site visitors an hour to get to the park????

 

[Gumbo4x4]

OR Person A: OH, we had a wonderful trip to Florida, we stayed at this great place off 192 nestled between the Denny's AND the Burger King. Went to Disney a couple days and really had fun.

Person B: Sounds great! Glad you had fun. When we go we like to stay on WDW property. It's just something special and that's what we want on a vacation! You should try it on your next trip! I can give you some help if you'd like.



I'm sure there are some "status symbol" people out there,but frankly staying offsite is your choice and you DO get a different VACATION experience than staying at WDW.(AllStars up to DVC)
Some will overspend for that status and other won't put out an extra dime to stay on site.

Except the way you've phrased it throughout this entire thread comes off MUCH more like my original post

BTW, we spent nearly every waking minute of our "Orlando vacation" inside one of the Disney parks. Other people go stay at the Disney resorts, but barely make it to the parks at all. Who's to say which trip is REALLY "more Disney" than the other?

On a side note, I went to MK in 1985 and AK in 1998. Those were "FL vacations" even by my own standard, not because I stayed offsite, but because Disney wasn't the focus of the trip. And until a couple years ago, I didn't even know Disney HAD their own hotels.