Off site v on site

[NJlauren]

I’m really struggling with deciding for my next trip if I should do on or off site.

We have done both and historically I never liked offsite, but last two trips were offsite and honestly they were amazing (1 pre and 1 post/during Covid). The extra space we gained out weighed any transportation issues. We have a trip for the 50th planned onsite. Then we will have a break till August or November of 2022. If it was November and over Thanksgiving like originally planned offsite was a no brainer for us. However it’s looking more like an August trip, and I’m having a harder time pulling the trigger on offsite.

What factors am I missing in my decision here? Space, transportation, 60 days + 10 ADRs, 30 min early entry to each park, late night hours at some parks (my kids don’t stay up that late so maybe not an issue) anything else I’m not factoring? Maybe FP but don’t know yet…. What else do you have?

Help me make my decision. Kids will be 8/4 and we will probably do 2 universal days and move there if we do onsite.

 

[loves to dive]

Right now just about the only perk to staying on site is Disney transportation. Which is why we do it. We drive so we have a car but we just don't like to drive on vacation and like to have the occasional refreshing adult beverage. We don't mind the buses and stay in the Epcot resorts so being able to walk to two parks is huge. Heck, we are paying a little for for a mini-suite at Dolphin that only has one bathroom, no bedroom door and no microwave as opposed to a suite at AoA our upcoming trip because AoA only offers sky liner to Epcot and HS, my son won't ride it because of claustrophobia and not a fan of heights so we would have to drive to those two parks (they sometimes offer bus service, sometimes don't, you never know) and we would rather pay more for less room than drive.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I’m always for the Full Immersion Visit so always opt for onsite. August weather… rains n heat…I’d be doing onsite, just would be easier imho.

 

[jimmymc]

Two questions: What on-site resorts are you looking at? And will you have a car with you, or are you still considering it?

I would struggle to do offsite without a car. Having to constantly call Ubers is much less convenient than the on-site transportation, and is probably even more stressful with kids who need car seats. So if you want to avoid driving then I would go for anything on-site. Check out renting a 1 bedroom DVC room for more space, better locations, and better pools.

If you have a car, then it can go either way. Off site places do have great pools and rooms, but driving on property still takes time every day and makes park-hopping more difficult IMO. If you want more space and want to spend time at the resort/room, the I would prioritize DVC rooms, and if those are out of budget then look at off-site rentals.

 

[NJlauren]

Two questions: What on-site resorts are you looking at? And will you have a car with you, or are you still considering it?

I would struggle to do offsite without a car. Having to constantly call Ubers is much less convenient than the on-site transportation, and is probably even more stressful with kids who need car seats. So if you want to avoid driving then I would go for anything on-site. Check out renting a 1 bedroom DVC room for more space, better locations, and better pools.

If you have a car, then it can go either way. Off site places do have great pools and rooms, but driving on property still takes time every day and makes park-hopping more difficult IMO. If you want more space and want to spend time at the resort/room, the I would prioritize DVC rooms, and if those are out of budget then look at off-site rentals.

If we do offsite 100% will rent a car on-site probably not, but it’s possible.

I am going back and forth on this one a lot!

 

[jimmymc]

If we do offsite 100% will rent a car on-site probably not, but it’s possible.

I am going back and forth on this one a lot!

Yeah, there are some really nice resorts right near Disney Springs. If you have the money, then deluxe or DVC rooms are my number 1 pick. After that it can go either way.

If you want to go to Universal, I think their on-site hotels are an even better deal than Disney's. They have transportation to the parks and early entry. And they are all very close to the parks.

 

[NJlauren]

Yeah, there are some really nice resorts right near Disney Springs. If you have the money, then deluxe or DVC rooms are my number 1 pick. After that it can go either way.

If you want to go to Universal, I think their on-site hotels are an even better deal than Disney's. They have transportation to the parks and early entry. And they are all very close to the parks.

On-site would most likely be deluxe, I haven’t rented DVC i chicken out every time I consider it.

 

[jimmymc]

On-site would most likely be deluxe, I haven’t rented DVC i chicken out every time I consider it.

I own DVC now, but I would definitely recommend it to save money on the rooms. They are nicer than 99% of what you'll find offsite and follow the theme of the resort. The only caveat is that the cancellation policy isn't as generous as a normal booking, so you might want to get travel insurance or be very sure you want the dates.

 

[Grumpy92]

With the elimination of the on-site benefits and increased prices we rarely stay at a Disney resort Anymore. We have fallen in love with the Swan and Dolphin, Waldorf and Hilton BC as better on site options. We really feel we get more bang for our buck at the Universal hotels and just drive over. So I really don’t think it is worth it to stay at the Disney hotel’s anymore for us.

 

[NJlauren]

I own DVC now, but I would definitely recommend it to save money on the rooms. They are nicer than 99% of what you'll find offsite and follow the theme of the resort. The only caveat is that the cancellation policy isn't as generous as a normal booking, so you might want to get travel insurance or be very sure you want the dates.

this is exactly why I haven’t been able to commit to renting DVC points, my plans while almost always happens, they tend to change by a day or 2, or sometimes 2 months so I never can book at 11 months for renting points.

 

[NJlauren]

With the elimination of the on-site benefits and increased prices we rarely stay at a Disney resort Anymore. We have fallen in love with the Swan and Dolphin, Waldorf and Hilton BC as better on site options. We really feel we get more bang for our buck at the Universal hotels and just drive over. So I really don’t think it is worth it to stay at the Disney hotel’s anymore for us.

We rented a house for this thanksgiving and it was so nice, so much space, and the driving wasn’t that bad…. If I go offsite I think I’ll do that again

 

[CarolynFH]

I’m really struggling with deciding for my next trip if I should do on or off site.

We have done both and historically I never liked offsite, but last two trips were offsite and honestly they were amazing (1 pre and 1 post/during Covid). The extra space we gained out weighed any transportation issues. We have a trip for the 50th planned onsite. Then we will have a break till August or November of 2022. If it was November and over Thanksgiving like originally planned offsite was a no brainer for us. However it’s looking more like an August trip, and I’m having a harder time pulling the trigger on offsite.

What factors am I missing in my decision here? Space, transportation, 60 days + 10 ADRs, 30 min early entry to each park, late night hours at some parks (my kids don’t stay up that late so maybe not an issue) anything else I’m not factoring? Maybe FP but don’t know yet…. What else do you have?

Help me make my decision. Kids will be 8/4 and we will probably do 2 universal days and move there if we do onsite.

Well, now I guess you need to read up on Disney Genie and wait until the first few weeks/months of reports come in of people using it to decide whether you would get enough benefit from the 7AM opportunity to book attractions to make onsite worth it.