Off Site visit to Disney, why bother?

[MommaBerd]

I am sorry and I have not looked at prices outside of Disney but All Star is about $118/night. That seems pretty reasonable. You can really get an entire house cheaper than that??

Depending on how big a house/condo and time of year - yes, you can get a house/condo for less than that - nice places, too.

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[ArwenMarie]

Why should Disney be obligated to provide a "level playing field" for off site guests versus on site?

I don't really understand the folks who argue that it is so much better value to stay off site and that people are fools to waste their money to stay on site, but then get annoyed if Disney gives on site guests advantages. Well, duh, Disney wants to make it more beneficial for people to pay their high resort rates and stay on property.

Now, Disney has come out and said that everyone will have access to FP+ once it is fully rolled out. It is certainly possible that on site guests will have either earlier access to FP+ bookings or might be able to book more FP+ per day (or both). If they do that, then it would provide another advantage/perk for staying on site. At that point, people will have a choice (just like they have had pre-FP+): stay on site and get the benefits of that option (free transport, proximity to the parks, EMH, free parking, early access to dining ressies, whatever FP+ perks) versus the benefits of off site (cheaper/larger accommodations, potentially nicer decor and amenities)

Very logical post. I don't see why anyone would be surprised that Disney would try to make more money via FP+. That's what they exist for, to make money.

 

[MommaBerd]

Plus, for me, I need a place that sleeps 6 or 7. So even if it's $150/night, I'm still accommodating my whole family in multiple rooms. I'm staying in a 3BR WBC condo for about $130/ night in a few weeks!

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[Mama Mouse]

I am sorry and I have not looked at prices outside of Disney but All Star is about $118/night. That seems pretty reasonable. You can really get an entire house cheaper than that??

In May we had a 3 bedroom condo at WH for $70/night. With that I had a full kitchen and plenty of fridge/freezer space, washer/dryer, separate bedroom spaces and two bathrooms. And we had a GREAT trip and a wonderful time at the parks. Even with the FP+ stuff, fun can be had at Disney and to assert that staying off site means you can't have a good Disney trip is silly.

 

[Planogirl]

Very logical post. I don't see why anyone would be surprised that Disney would try to make more money via FP+. That's what they exist for, to make money.

Then charge offsite visitors for early access to FP+. Would they even do that?

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

In May we had a 3 bedroom condo at WH for $70/night. With that I had a full kitchen and plenty of fridge/freezer space, washer/dryer, separate bedroom spaces and two bathrooms. And we had a GREAT trip and a wonderful time at the parks. Even with the FP+ stuff, fun can be had at Disney and to assert that staying off site means you can't have a good Disney trip is silly.

I totally agree!

On site or off, some folks are really going way off the wall with the extremes of some posts.

AKK

 

[EagleScout]

As others have suggested, I think the level of anger, etc on this post shows that fp plus may be having part of its intended effect. Disney officials have made official statements to shareholders that fp plus has as a primary goal to retain a larger portion of the overall orlando revenue for disney (as well as to try to steer people into gift shops, etc), particularly because they feel every other attraction/hotel in area is largely leeching off their success. Interestingly, that was part of the original idea of disney world- to make the whole complex large enough so that (unlike disneyland) there could not be competitors right next door. So now disney has (it seems) found a way to make people even more likely to be willing to pay a premium to stay onsite, and perhaps even justifying an even larger premium than in years past.

 

[FLchick415]

I've stayed both on AND off site and I can see the benefits of both. No one person is right or wrong here. If someone wants to stay on site, that's their preference. Same goes with people who prefer to stay off site. I like staying on Disney property because I just do. I'm staying at Pop Century in December for $97/night. I don't think that's a bad deal.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Then charge offsite visitors for early access to FP+. Would they even do that?

I think they would if they could...depends on the numbers I guess?

 

[ArwenMarie]

As others have suggested, I think the level of anger, etc on this post shows that fp plus may be having part of its intended effect. Disney officials have made official statements to shareholders that fp plus has as a primary goal to retain a larger portion of the overall orlando revenue for disney (as well as to try to steer people into gift shops, etc), particularly because they feel every other attraction/hotel in area is largely leeching off their success. Interestingly, that was part of the original idea of disney world- to make the whole complex large enough so that (unlike disneyland) there could not be competitors right next door. So now disney has (it seems) found a way to make people even more likely to be willing to pay a premium to stay onsite, and perhaps even justifying an even larger premium than in years past.

Yep. It will be interesting to see what happens with prices, both onsite and offsite. Do the offsite prices go down and onsite go up?

 

[PeterPanic]

Then charge offsite visitors for early access to FP+. Would they even do that?

I honestly wouldn't rule that possibility out. I'm not even sure that I wouldn't be in favor of it, depending on what they charge. They have to be pretty high to equal what it costs per day at a Disney Resort. EMH is not something that I was interested in even the one time I stayed on-site. I can handle crowds but there isn't a chance of a snowball in (you know) that I will intentionally subject myself to them by going then. I usually just check the schedules that Disney Post and where EMH isn't, is where I am. Free meals...ya, they are free and I have ocean front property in Arizona I'd like to sell, let me know if anyone is interested.

 

[MommaBerd]

BTW, I don't begrudge Disney for catering to their on-site guests. I think it is fine that they have perks like EMH and 180+10 ADRs. I do hope, though, that off-site guests aren't COMPLETELY left out of the FP+ game. And I'm really believing that what's going on with the FPs being gone so early is just temporary.

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[leafE]

Why does it matter where other people choose to stay? I always stay onsite, but frankly it's none of my business if other people choose to stay offsite. It's their vacation, not mine.

 

[PeterPanic]

BTW, I don't begrudge Disney for catering to their on-site guests. I think it is fine that they have perks like EMH and 180+10 ADRs. I do hope, though, that off-site guests aren't COMPLETELY left out of the FP+ game. And I'm really believing that what's going on with the FPs being gone so early is just temporary.

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There was a documented period of time recently where they had a major glitch in the FP+ system. By 9:30 AM it was giving out FP's for 7 PM. It was an error in the software someplace. It had skipped over about 10 hours of available FP distribution time. From what I have read it was a total mess. It is possible that the problems that have been listed I think it's possible that this is what was happening that caused the problems mentioned. The numbers just don't add up that the 3 allowances for FP would clean out the system just during the testing period when it's not available to everyone to begin with.

 

[patrickpiteo]

There was a documented period of time recently where they had a major glitch in the FP+ system. By 9:30 AM it was giving out FP's for 7 PM. It was an error in the software someplace. It had skipped over about 10 hours of available FP distribution time. From what I have read it was a total mess. It is possible that the problems that have been listed I think it's possible that this is what was happening that caused the problems mentioned. The numbers just don't add up that the 3 allowances for FP would clean out the system just during the testing period when it's not available to everyone to begin with.

No no no it had to be because of the FP + and MB ...

All the jumping to conclusions without even the final MB FP + product from Disney makes little sense..

 

[wendybeth75]

Also, I'm not entirely sure why riding the Carousel of Progress and the Peoplemover is a bad thing? Those are must-dos in my book.

Me too! Love them both! I can understand the frustration the OP has. I rationalize it like this when I think about how much cheaper it would be offsite. Part of the higher prices I pay are to get those extra amenities and conveniences that you get on site. I just think there is something magical about staying at a Disney Resort. For some, especially bigger families I can see where it wouldn't make as much sense.

 

[daytondisney]

I am sorry and I have not looked at prices outside of Disney but All Star is about $118/night. That seems pretty reasonable. You can really get an entire house cheaper than that??

Not a house, but a well appointed 3 BR (all ensuite) town home with full kitchen, living room, private pool.

 

[PEC]

First FP+ is in the test phase. They didnt even start it with only Delux Hotels. They had several at different levels and then expanded. This is the test phase. Until final can we say off site is disadvantaged.
There are advantages and disadvantages on and off site. For the off site generally it is cheaper for more space. On site has EMH and free transportation with others.
As far as a big family of a group of more than 4 yes off site can save a lot unless you are like me and stay at the campsite.
My next point is the big myth that you cant get the e-ticket rides. Yes TSM,, TT and Soarin have had issues. Everything else has been close to normal. Example Splash Mountain wait times never went over 30 minutes today and Space MTN was reasonable to include FP returns not too far out. Another words if you rode People Mover it was because you wanted to not that you had to. Personaaly I dont mind doing it wait ing for my Space Mountain return time not too far out.
So hope everybody has fun trips. Will like to here al feedback just dont tell me there are no problems when yes TSM says I do need to prepare for that and on the other side dont tell me everything is falling apart when Space Mountain is telling me it isnt.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

Hmm. I'd rather stay on site than off, but I'd rather stay off site than not go at all.

This. ^

 

[Amunet]

I understand why people would stay off site, but depending what one does in the parks, in the long run, it may be cheaper onsite.

For those vacationing with No children or those with 2 or less children, I think it's pretty dang awesome to stay onsite ... any resort. But for those with large families, renting a house or a larger hotel for cheaper is a much more economic option.

It's just DH and I and we LOVE staying onsite, I love not having to drive