Off Site visit to Disney, why bother?

[Angel Ariel]

Really, why bother wasting your money in going to Disney if you are not staying at their hotels. You will start off at a handicap in the Parks and on busy days you won't be able to get a FP for any of the major attractions so your days will either be waiting in 2 hour stand by lines for 4 or 5 good attractions or spending your day on the People Mover, Carousel Of Progress and Aladdin's Flying Carpets.

Offsite guests will have access to FP+. Disney has not announced what kind of prebooking window offsite guests will have (if any) - but IMO, it will probably be 60 days, with onsite guests getting a +10 like they do for ADRs.

I may not be a huge fan of FP+ as it is right now, but this is a bit more negative of an outlook than I'm at right now.

 

[Angel Ariel]

So far there have been rumors that those that stay off-site will not be able to get fastpasses. That may be true, I, like everyone else, do not know that is the going to be how it ends up.

Disney has officially stated both in the Disney Parks Blog and Attractions Magazine that FP+ is included with your theme park admission, and NOT a benefit of staying onsite.

Free MBs are an on-site perk. Those staying offsite will have the opportunity to purchase them, but they are free for those on site.

The 60 day prebooking window may also be an onsite perk...there has not been any info released on whether offsite guests will get to prebook (or what their window would be if they did).

 

[Chelley00]

Hmmmmmm, why would people stay onsite in a hotel room with one bathroom and listen to people around them slam doors/pee/yell or listen to people stomp around in the room above them, cram themselves onto busses to get back to said hotel, deal with pool chair hogs and people peeing in the pool, standing in long lines at counter services for breakfast...................




You can find bad in staying onsite or offsite. It's all in what you make it. We've done both and loved both for different reasons, and hated both for different reasons, but we have 4 "kids" and Disney does not make affordable accommodations for families of 6, especially when 2 of those kids are 6 foot 4. We can spend 10 nights offsite for the same price as 4 nights onsite.

We haven't been since they implemented FP+, but if they don't offer it to offsite guests, or it's limited in any way, we may not go to Disney anymore. We just can't afford to travel all that way to be forced to stay in smaller and more expensive rooms to be able to actually ride something at the parks without waiting forever to do so.

 

[disneyavonohio]

Some of the Disney Cult is so strong on this forum. Every time anyone ever says anything that isn't about how "magical" Disney is every day you guys are out in full force.

The OP's original post IS very helpful and is one of the few posts that actually had facts in it. The OP was there recently and saw first hand how FP+ is impacting those that are off site. For someone going in about 3 weeks, how it is working NOW is more important than "what it will be when final". I don't care what the final product will be at this point as I won't be there when they to finally let off site guest use FP+ (If they ever do).

And those "on-site" super magical Disney people. That is fine to have that opinion, but a lot of what you say is mis-leading to those who have not been to Disney and using this forum to see what might be best for them.

For one on-site transportation is not the panacea some of you make it out to be. At the end of a long day waiting 30+ minutes in line to just get on a bus (with air conditioner of course-what a perk!) that is jam packed so you have to stand (try this with 2 sleeping kids and a stroller)--and then make multiple stops before you finally get to your resorts stop-and THEN have to walk back to your room--which at some resorts can be at least 10 minutes and quite a hike (I have stayed at AK and CBR). It was so bad a few nights that we took a cab back to our room--and this was in 2010 at a not so crowded time.

We have also stayed at a Home in Windsor Hills and a Condo and WBC. WBC condo is by far the fastest from room to parks that we have had. Windsor Hills was also much faster than staying on property-as it is a 1 minute walk to your car, 12 to 15 minutes to park and then 5 minutes to gate. At CBR, we had to walk at least 10 minutes to bus stop-and then hope the bus was there on time--generally we waited anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes--then on the bus to the parks they make stops--it is at least 15 to 20 minutes for what is normally a 10 minute drive (as CBR is right next door to WBC!)

Now if you can't tell, I prefer off site by a mile. But that is what is best for my family. I have three kids. Even though I could spend the money onsite--the value is just not there to me. Good for those who don't mind "wasting the money" for on site.

Here is an example of the extreme cost difference, we are going Nov 16th to the 26th. Staying at WBC.

Room cost is $925 for the 10 nights. 2 BR,2 Bath,full kitchen, 6+ pools, lazy river, putt putt, etc
A stay at the Poly for the same nights is $5206. Advantage is mono-rail resort--room is small for 5 people. EMH is tech a perk, but we avoid EMH parks.

Staying at WBC allows us to eat in room, pack a cooler, eat some dinner in the room (which we do during our mid-day breaks-)--so total food cost including a few meals out is about $500.

Staying at Poly-eat out for every meal you will spend at least $140 per day for family of 5--$1400 total. And that is a low ball number for the most part.

Tickets cost same either way- about $2000.

So total is: WBC=$3425 and a stay at Poly is $9006. A difference of $5581!
We can go almost three times off-site for the same price as one time on-site. Or--we can do Universal, Seaworld, Aquatica, Wet and Wild for 14 days unlimited for under $1500 for tickets. I have not bought my tickets yet--so that is still an option--one looking more attractive by the day. And we really do like Disney a lot-this will be our 4th year in a row going. But to "test a system" and hose a good portion of your client base--seems to not be the best idea to me and is not making this Disney fan very excited about an upcoming trip.

 

[crazyventures]

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

We're booked in a Marriott 1 bedroom villa with a full kitchen for $25/night through a timeshare exchange...way better than the $500/night they're charging at the deluxe resorts during the same time period. I can't see how we'd recoup that money in the parks

 

[Angel Ariel]

Before anyone asks, here are my sources for the offsite FP+ info:

This is a direct quote from Tom Staggs on the Disney Parks Blog:

Hi, Todd. Guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels, and Annual Passholders will receive a band, as well as those guests who purchase a photography package. Guests who stay at non-Disney hotels will receive a ticket with features of touch to enter the park, touch to redeem FastPass+ and touch to pay. These guests can participate in My Disney Experience and purchase a MagicBand if they wish.

Source - in response to comment #13

Guests can purchase MBs if they wish, but the ticket they purchase will come with touch to redeem FP+ as is. This is consistent with what Disney has been saying since the beginning.

Further confirmation from an article that states that FP+ is included in park admission:

UPDATE 2 p.m. Jan. 7, 2013 -Disney has released a few more details:
" Disney FastPass+ service is included with theme park admission.
" The MagicBand is initially available to select Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests and guests who purchase other specific products.
" Other guests will be able to use their standard ticket to access the benefits of MyMagic+, such as making FastPass+ selections on the My Disney Experience website and app.

Source

 

[tony609]

I think it's up to individuals. We stay on site, off site holds absolutely no value to us. I'm not gonna rent a car, I don't like driving, I don't want the hassle of parking, finding my car, keeping track of keys, and then tired at the end of a long day driving. I don't need a pool public/ private. I'm there for other things not swimming. I absolutely do not want to schlep to a grocery store/ Walmart/ pre order groceries/ to then prepare, cook, and then clean up food mess. I do that at home ( sometimes) not on a vacation.. That's no vacation. I love ADR. I don't want the hassle of where we gonna eat? What time should we eat. We just plan our day and all works out. We know our bodies, we know what approx. times we will be hungry. We can adjust what we eat/ how much we eat at any given time. Grab a snack if necessary.

I guess we've been blessed at wdw. We gave never waited over 20 minutes for a bus, that I can recall. We've usually been sat early or within 10 minutes to eat of our ADR. We have also never needed 2 hrs using wdw transportation to make an ADR on time.

Off site for us no value at all. To each their own. Off site would just add stress and unpleasantness to what is suppose to be our vacation.

 

[Planogirl]

I think it's up to individuals. We stay on site, off site holds absolutely no value to us. I'm not gonna rent a car, I don't like driving, I don't want the hassle of parking, finding my car, keeping track of keys, and then tired at the end of a long day driving. I don't need a pool public/ private. I'm there for other things not swimming. I absolutely do not want to schlep to a grocery store/ Walmart/ pre order groceries/ to then prepare, cook, and then clean up food mess. I do that at home ( sometimes) not on a vacation.. That's no vacation. I love ADR. I don't want the hassle of where we gonna eat? What time should we eat. We just plan our day and all works out. We know our bodies, we know what approx. times we will be hungry. We can adjust what we eat/ how much we eat at any given time. Grab a snack if necessary.

I guess we've been blessed at wdw. We gave never waited over 20 minutes for a bus, that I can recall. We've usually been sat early or within 10 minutes to eat of our ADR. We have also never needed 2 hrs using wdw transportation to make an ADR on time.

Off site for us no value at all. To each their own. Off site would just add stress and unpleasantness to what is suppose to be our vacation.

I agree with you 100% as far as saying to each their own. We drive and love having a kitchen (or at least a fridge and microwave) but I love having a car no matter where we stay and we don't cook or clean while on vacation. It's all just a matter of priorities and everyone's are different.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

People vacation differently! Maybe someone is spending 2 weeks in Florida, and only 1 week at Disney but they don't wanna move hotels!

 

[funkyspunky871]

Because it's hard to justify spending $100 a night for an All-Star resort which is basically an over-glorified motel or upwards of $400 a night for a room at a deluxe. I literally spend all day at each park. I never even knew some people took midday breaks until I joined disboards. So what kind of accommodations do I want from my hotel? A clean bed to sleep in. That's it. My favorite place to stay is the Orlando Vista Hotel which is walking distance away from Downtown Disney (and unfortunately it's being remodeled at the moment). I spent just $68 a night there this last May, and they had some of the best rooms and best beds I've ever experienced. $68 plus $15 for parking each day plus a rental car still adds up to some great savings.

I'm not saying that I don't love the Disney Resorts, because I got to experience the Polynesian in 2011 and it was awesome! Now, if I had the money, I would love to stay at the Contemporary Resort. It's just that Disney Resorts don't seem worth thinning my budget out on. I'd rather buy souvenirs and yummy food. However, with these new magic bands, I might be more likely to stay onsite.

And, yes, I said it. I hate the value resorts. I'm pretty stoked about AOA, but the rest are just terrible. I absolutely hate motel styled rooms.

 

[aubriee]

I don't think there's a reason to be snippy. The Deluxe and Moderate resorts aren't bowling pin themed, most of them are gorgeous, and unless you are staying somewhere like Bonnet Creek, there is no way you are back at your resort before someone taking a monorail or bus. Sorry.

As opposed to a 5-10 minute boat ride, 15 minutes is longer and much more of a hassle. Plus the walk to the parking lot, especially at EPCOT, could bring you close to a half hour.

Please! Last Oct/Nov we stayed offsite for the first time, (only because a coworker offered us her timeshare at Westlake Towne Center for just $400.00). We already had a week booked at CBR, but decided for that price that we would 'just try' offsite once. We immediately became hooked. As an AP holder I always go to WDW 4-6 times every year, staying 9-11 days every trip and had always stayed onsite, swearing we'd never stay offsite. Well, I had to eat my words, we sooooo much preferred offsite. We are not fans of Disney transportation, so would have rented a car regardless. Westlake Towne Center was literally five minutes from the WDW gates. We could be at AK in 7-8 minutes. No way could we have stayed onsite and walked out to our bus stop, waited for a bus, and rode to AK in that same 7-8 minutes. As soon as we came home I immediately went online to look for other offsite options and found I could stay in a one bedroom condo at Wyndham Bonnet Creek (I know not on Disney property technically, but still within the Disney gates) for cheaper than I could stay at a Value resort (even with an AP discount)and I would be closer to the parks than alot of the Disney owned hotels. I canceled the reservation I had for POFQ last May and booked Bonnet Creek for less than half the price (more space at a Deluxe resort for less money and just as close as POFQ seemed like a no brainer). I am so glad I did and think we may have finally found our new vacation home. We loved it! Epcot, DS, and DTD are maybe five minutes away, AK and MK just a little further.

If my mom is with us, we have her handicap tag, so other than at MK, can park right up close to the gates at each park. It takes less time to walk to our car than it does some of the bus stops. For example at DS the handicap parking is right there as you come out of the gates. The first bus stop as you come out to the left is CSR. We always got there early and parked in the handicap lot directly across from that first CSR bus stop. We could always see our car as we came out of the DS gates, so less than a two minute walk from the DS turnstyles to our car. We could easily make that two minute walk to our car, hop in, and make the five minute drive back to Bonnet Creek, before people waiting for that CSR even got on a bus. I'd be taking a bubble bath in my jacuzzi tub, sipping on a wine cooler, while people staying onsite would still be waiting to get on an overcrowded, standing room only bus full of stinky people and crying kids. At AK as you come out, veer left and just past those souvineer kiosks you'll see the handicapped parking (again right outside the AK gates--closer than the bus stops for the most part). At Epcot, instead of turning left out of the gates, just go straight past that sunglass/souvineer kiosk, walk under the monorail line, cross the road and the handicap parking is right there (again closer than most of the bus stops). Now at MK, you do have to take the boat or monorail to TTC, but it's still not bad. That would be the only park where the buses would be an advantage. I'd still rather drive though.

Driving time from either Westlake Town Center or Wyndham Bonnet Creek for the most part is about the same as from the WDW resorts.

 

[aubriee]

But, how can you say that when you have no idea how FP+ will actually affects off site guests and Disney themselves says FP+ will be rolled out to EVERYONE. You're just fear mongering because things aren't the way you'd like them to be anymore.

I know trips to Disney are extremely expensive and, tbh, if you're staying off site and this is your once in a lifetime trip and you're concerned about MB and FP+, I'd encourage you to put off your trip a few months to a year to see how things roll out, but this disadvantage to off site guests is nothing but wild speculation at this point.

As an AP holder who goes down there frequently, I'm upset because it is affecting not one but at least two of my trips. It affected my Sept trip and will also affect our Dec trip. Hopefully though things will be settled down by our early April trip. We have annual passes and want to get use out of them. Telling us to put off our trip for a few months is not an answer. Why should we pay over $600.00 each for our annual passes (so over $1800.00) and not take a trip? As much as we go, I resent that we'd have to stand in longer than normal lines and can't get fast passes like we are used to. The old fast pass system worked fine for us, since we are early risers anyway and wish they'd left it alone. Change happens though and we'll just have to deal with it, but feel the annual passholders should not have been punished.

 

[aubriee]

I was there a couple weeks ago when FPs were almost impossible to get because of the crowds and most of them being gone due to FP+.

Yes I've experienced it in person.

I think you're kind of jumping the gun here though. I don't think this is always going to be this way for off site visitors. Disney has always said that off site visitors will get access to FP+

I agree it probably sucks right now being an off site guest given the reported FP situation.

But trying to rally the masses right now… a little premature IMO.

But again, I get why you're upset. My friend just came back yesterday and said she felt like a second class citizen.

That's not what I asked and you know it.

You're assuming it was a mess due to FP+. Glad you can read a situation without knowing background information.

And glad you can spin a lie. I was there three weeks ago. Everything was fine.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Normally, I just ignore Postal's negativity, but in this case he's right. I was there in Sept (staying offsite at Bonnet Creek) and as an annual passholder felt like AmyB's friend (a second class citizen). I go several times a year and Sept is always light crowdwise. This time, due to FP+, both standby and fast pass lines were longer than I have ever seen them, the fast passes I was able to get had much later return times than I'm used to seeing early in the mornings, and fast passes were gone much earlier in the day than I've ever seen them. I admit I am one to get there at rope drop and ride my favorite rides over and over. I never stay in the parks past lunch. By 1:00pm I am usually out of there. With this new system that former touring style is not possible, so FP+ most definitely did negatively affect my trip. We still want to get at least two more trips out of our annual passes this year, so will keep our upcoming Dec and April trips and will just try to make the best of them. However, my negative experience in Sept did make us decide to do our Dec and April trips differently than we normally do. Instead of spending two days over at Universal and nine days at WDW, as we'd planned, we'll only spend four or five days at WDW, the two days at Universal (where we also have APs), and the other five days doing other things in Orlando. We've pretty much decided not to renew our WDW AP's after this year. There are too many things to do in Orlando for Disney to be treating their annual passholder like second rate citizens. We'll take our money elsewhere. When I was there in Sept I did stop into guest relations both at MK and DS to let them know that as an AP holder I was not pleased with the changes and the way the AP holders were being treated with this FP+ mess. I was very polite and told them I just wanted to voice my concerns and felt they should know they are alienating a very big percetnage of their customers, (since they have people that travel down there 5-6 times a year (like us), as well as a huge fan base of locals that are AP holders. We should not be treated like second class citizens, just because we choose to stay offsite.

 

[aubriee]

why stay off site? Ummmmm because I save THOUSANDS of dollars a year doing so. I can VERY easily say WHY do YOU waste your money ONLY staying at a Disney resort. Such a waste of money, in my opinion.

Soooo true! My trip last month (Sept 14-22) was a solo trip. I've done solo trips at Pop, AS Sports, CSR, CBR, POFQ, AKL, BW, and YC. Since I had just been down there a few months before and was going back in Dec and April with family, I considered staying at a Value resort in Sept to save money. However, when I ran the prices I could stay in a one bedroom condo at Wyndham Bonnet Creek cheaper than I could use my AP discount to stay in a Value. I had planned to rent a car anyway (since I don't like WDW transportation), so transportation didn't figure into my calculations. Even though I didn't need all that space, that jacuzzi tub, that fully equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, balcony, two lazy rivers, six pools, multiple pool slides, onsite restaraunts, etc at a Deluxe resort, why wouldn't I book it, if it was cheaper (and closer to the parks) than a tiny Value resort room? It seemed like a no brainer to me! Why would I pay more, for alot less?

For our Dec trip we are paying $60.00/night (so $600.00 for ten nights/eleven days) at Wyndham Bonnet Creek for a one bedroom condo. (However, the guy we're renting from, offered us a two bedroom condo for just $70.00 per night.) Even with the AP discount, we couldn't stay in a cheap, tiny value room for that. Physically we are just as close (if not closer) than we'd be at a WDW owned resort. Again we'd rent a car regardless. Up until last May when we stayed offsite for the first time, I always swore we'd never stay offsite and just couldn't understand why anyone would. After trying it though, it finally sunk in and now I can't imagine ever staying onsite again. I hate that I wasted all that money 4-6 times every year staying onsite.

 

[aubriee]

Then why are you being so harsh about it and freaking out to people. Put your complaints in to Disney see how fast the can get the ball rolling to off site guests.

And I wasn't a tester and did fine. I dot know what it's like now but if all these people complained about it to Disney and didn't come on here and rip everyone else's vacation ways maybe something would change.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

I actually have already sent a letter off stating my concerns.

I DID write to Disney..... the response was "At this time no announcement has been made on whether or not guests staying off-site will be able to get magic bands".

But I agree, EVERYONE who is unhappy with this should write. Who knows? Maybe they'll listen.

I wrote to Disney too and got a form letter explaining what FP+ is right now. I just asked if offsite visitors would eventually be included and the form letter didn't address it.

I went to two different guest relations and politely voiced my concerns, when I was down there in Sept. I was given a card to fill out (which I'm sure went straight into the trash can when I left).

When I got home I emailed them about my concern and got the same form letter they are sending everyone else where the issue was not even addressed. Oh wait a minute, they did say they appreciated their annual passholders. They just didn't say when we would be able to use FP+. So until then I guess we should be happy to be treated like second class citizens.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Folks remember this is a testing time. You cannot take 1 experience, good or bad, and say this is what it will be. Disney has repeatedly stated that the program with be changed and adjusted over time.

So much we have now is just opinion, remember opinion, and some posters being *fortune tellers*, saying this terrible and that this terribly thing is going to be the way FP+ is in the future is just plain silly.

There were a number of people back in the first few years of FP first came out that were saying the same things, FP will be terrible, it won't work, *the sky is falling*, but in the end it worked out pretty good.

Everyone takes their vacation in a different way, whether you stay on site or off there is great value in both. There are deals and bargains on and off property all the time.

Since off site guests are very important to Disney , there is no way they are going to alienate them ........and so far there is NO official statements as to how the off site guests will use FP+, only rumors and the *the sky is falling * few offering opinion and nothing more.

In May when we go then I will offer my own review of the system , good or bad!. My views of the system at this point, is just opinion, like anyone else.

However I am not going to run around condemning the system that has bearly started..........that would be plain silly and would be nothing more the attention getting and not helpful at all.


AKK

 

[aubriee]

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)

I have no problem with the perks onsite guests have always received. We are not fans of WDW transportation, so rent a car whether we are onsite or offsite. At Wyndham Bonnet Creek we are just as close (if not closer) to the parks than the WDW owned resorts. I wouldn't mind morning EMH, but never use evening EMH as I don't want to be in the parks that late. With our annual passes, we get free parking regardless. Ever since they've started requiring a credit card guarantee, we have had no desire to make ADRs at 180 days out (we'll either eat CS, try for a walkup, or eat offsite). We've eaten at just about all the WDW restaurants and there just aren't that many that are must do's anymore. None of the so called onsite perks effected my vacation, so I couldn't care less what perks onsite guests were offered.

FP+ though did/does affect my vacation, when it causes me to have longer waits and not be able to get as much down in the parks as I'm used to. I still say annual passholders should not be treated like second class citizens, just because we choose the comfort of staying offsite.

 

[EagleScout]

Normally, I just ignore Postal's negativity, but in this case he's right. I was there in Sept (staying offsite at Bonnet Creek) and as an annual passholder felt like AmyB's friend (a second class citizen). I go several times a year and Sept is always light crowdwise. This time, due to FP+, both standby and fast pass lines were longer than I have ever seen them, the fast passes I was able to get had much later return times than I'm used to seeing early in the mornings, and fast passes were gone much earlier in the day than I've ever seen them. I admit I am one to get there at rope drop and ride my favorite rides over and over. I never stay in the parks past lunch. By 1:00pm I am usually out of there. With this new system that former touring style is not possible, so FP+ most definitely did negatively affect my trip. We still want to get at least two more trips out of our annual passes this year, so will keep our upcoming Dec and April trips and will just try to make the best of them. However, my negative experience in Sept did make us decide to do our Dec and April trips differently than we normally do. Instead of spending two days over at Universal and nine days at WDW, as we'd planned, we'll only spend my four or five days at WDW, the two days at Universal (where we also have APs), and the other five days doing other things in Orlando. We've pretty much decided not to renew our WDW AP's after this year. There are too many things to do in Orlando for Disney to be treating their annual passholder like second rate citizens. We'll take our money elsewhere. When I was there in Sept I did stop into guest relations both at MK and DS to let them know that as an AP holder I was not pleased with the changes and the way the AP holders were being treated with this FP+ mess. I was very polite and told them I just wanted to voice my concerns and felt they should know they are alienating a very big percetnage of their customers, (since they have people that travel down there 5-6 times a year (like us), as well as a huge fan base of locals that are AP holders. We should not be treated like second class citizens, just because we choose to stay offsite.

Interestingly, though, (as I and others mentioned) your post at least suggests why fp plus will give disney more profits. First, your stated response to negatives of offsite is that you may stop going to wdw - some may instead choose to switch to onsite, and they are also likely counting on fact that disney fanatics will not stay away forever. Second, you will now spend more at wdw even if u do stay offsite - u noted that your typical visit was to give them none of your hotel revenue, and then to rush around from ride to ride and always be done by 1 (ie, likely before lunch), then leave for day, so maybe not even giving any revenue. Now that has changed, so u (or at least some others who are similarly situated) are going to buy lunch (maybe dinner or at least snacks if staying for a 6 pm fp, or even a 3 or 4 pm) and likely also buying more souvenirs/balloons/etc, or at least wdw is getting the chance to expose u (and others similarly situated) to more of their overall marketing, leading to more purchases of souvenirs/memorabilia at park and later when u get home, and as long as u r stuck anyway, maybe u will do a char meal, or get your kids a haircut, or the grandaddy of all splurges, the bip bop boutique, or if u r super diehard ride fanatics, maybe one of the guided tours or even the vip tour at approx 2k per day, which gets u essentially unlimited fp privileges all day for up to 6 people, along with a guide who has radio access who can direct u around and establish a touring plan (which is admittedly less of a challenge with the unlimted fp perk)

 

[ShayBells]

I think it's up to individuals. We stay on site, off site holds absolutely no value to us. I'm not gonna rent a car, I don't like driving, I don't want the hassle of parking, finding my car, keeping track of keys, and then tired at the end of a long day driving. I don't need a pool public/ private. I'm there for other things not swimming. I absolutely do not want to schlep to a grocery store/ Walmart/ pre order groceries/ to then prepare, cook, and then clean up food mess. I do that at home ( sometimes) not on a vacation.. That's no vacation. I love ADR. I don't want the hassle of where we gonna eat? What time should we eat. We just plan our day and all works out. We know our bodies, we know what approx. times we will be hungry. We can adjust what we eat/ how much we eat at any given time. Grab a snack if necessary. I guess we've been blessed at wdw. We gave never waited over 20 minutes for a bus, that I can recall. We've usually been sat early or within 10 minutes to eat of our ADR. We have also never needed 2 hrs using wdw transportation to make an ADR on time. Off site for us no value at all. To each their own. Off site would just add stress and unpleasantness to what is suppose to be our vacation.

I feel the same way. If staying off site works for others great. Me? I like being taken care of. I like getting if the plane and straight to disney w/o worrying about driving. I LOVE not cooking. I like not worrying about driving and parking and walking and where I parked my car etc.

And maybe we have just been blessed as well but I have never waited long for a bus. Maybe 10 tops and that would be rare. And my resort bus has never stopped anywhere else that I recall. Always straight to the park or straight back to the resort. And some times it's crowded but I think that was once the whole week I was there. We were at POFQ though. And again maybe I'm just lucky but I have never not had someone stand up for me when I had a sleepy kid in my arms.

I love staying on site and I get anxiety problems in big cities. So I just feel safer on Disney property no other places to deal with helps me.

I think everyone has reasons to stay on or off and what ever other people like is fine.

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[ShayBells]

Normally, I just ignore Postal's negativity, but in this case he's right. I was there in Sept (staying offsite at Bonnet Creek) and as an annual passholder felt like AmyB's friend (a second class citizen). I go several times a year and Sept is always light crowdwise. This time, due to FP+, both standby and fast pass lines were longer than I have ever seen them, the fast passes I was able to get had much later return times than I'm used to seeing early in the mornings, and fast passes were gone much earlier in the day than I've ever seen them. I admit I am one to get there at rope drop and ride my favorite rides over and over. I never stay in the parks past lunch. By 1:00pm I am usually out of there. With this new system that former touring style is not possible, so FP+ most definitely did negatively affect my trip. We still want to get at least two more trips out of our annual passes this year, so will keep our upcoming Dec and April trips and will just try to make the best of them. However, my negative experience in Sept did make us decide to do our Dec and April trips differently than we normally do. Instead of spending two days over at Universal and nine days at WDW, as we'd planned, we'll only spend my four or five days at WDW, the two days at Universal (where we also have APs), and the other five days doing other things in Orlando. We've pretty much decided not to renew our WDW AP's after this year. There are too many things to do in Orlando for Disney to be treating their annual passholder like second rate citizens. We'll take our money elsewhere. When I was there in Sept I did stop into guest relations both at MK and DS to let them know that as an AP holder I was not pleased with the changes and the way the AP holders were being treated with this FP+ mess. I was very polite and told them I just wanted to voice my concerns and felt they should know they are alienating a very big percetnage of their customers, (since they have people that travel down there 5-6 times a year (like us), as well as a huge fan base of locals that are AP holders. We should not be treated like second class citizens, just because we choose to stay offsite.

Everyone has had different experiences. I was there at the end of Sept and it was fine. I pulled a splash mountain fast pass in the evening that was an hour later. And more of the same other places. At 9:05 I pulled a TSM FP and my return time was 11:30

It just didn't seem any different to me and I did not get to use FP+.

I just think it's harsh to judge something so much.

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