Offsite- Never Again!!!!

[keypooh90]

Oh I know you stay both onsite and offsite but my point is that you will tell it how it is for both. In other words you're not an onsite or offsite snob.

I'm definitely an onsite snob and not afraid to admit it.

However, I realize that for some people, offsite is what they prefer. No harm in that!

 

[Planogirl]

Oh good grief, saying that all hotels offsite are like one location is like saying that all Disney hotels are in pristine condition. Simply not true. I see people complaining about rooms in bad need of refurbishment at Disney hotels too. Wear and tear catches up with any place.

I do know for a fact that there are lovely offsite hotels that blow any Disney hotel out of the water when it comes to luxury and amenities. There are of course many that don't too but what can you expect for $70? It's funny though because some people were praising the Safari on the Budget Board recently.

I've been onsite and offsite many times and more power to you if you prefer onsite. Just don't claim it's only because of one offsite hotel that you didn't care for. That is completely illogical IMO.

 

[keypooh90]

Oh good grief, saying that all hotels offsite are like one location is like saying that all Disney hotels are in pristine condition. Simply not true. I see people complaining about rooms in bad need of refurbishment at Disney hotels too. Wear and tear catches up with any place.

I do know for a fact that there are lovely offsite hotels that blow any Disney hotel out of the water when it comes to luxury and amenities. There are of course many that don't too but what can you expect for $70? It's funny though because some people were praising the Safari on the Budget Board recently.

I've been onsite and offsite many times and more power to you if you prefer onsite. Just don't claim it's only because of one offsite hotel that you didn't care for. That is completely illogical IMO.

And when wear and tear happens on site, Disney fixes it. As I stated before, their hotels are given hard/complete rehabs on a 7 year rotation and soft rehabs on a 3/4 year rotation. Pop Century was rehabbed (hard) last year and is pristine condition. We love Pop. POFQ was just finished, as was OKW. POR-Riverside is currently undergoing a rehab.

 

[jtopicz1]

This thread is quite amusing.

You're trying to compare an older, no-frills Sheraton property to AKL? 99% of the year, the Sheraton Safari can be had for $35-40 on Priceline, and under $80 direct through Sheraton. AKL is between $200 and $400, depending on the time of year.

And to act as though Disney hotels are all "pristine" and well taken care of - that is simply just not the case. We have stayed in the majority of the onsite hotels in all levels (budget - deluxe - DVC) and quite honestly there have been NONE that I was overly impressed with.

About five years ago, we stayed at POP. Upon crawling into bed on our checking night, we were met with a sticky "substance" all over the sheets. Upon calling the front desk we were told that housekeeping must have "forgot" to change the sheets....great! At 11pm, it took 4 calls and nearly two hours to get the problem corrected. I'll gladly take some scratched paint in the hallways compared to this.

In all honestly, assuming the Safari (which is a decent hotel - for the right price) is like all offsite hotels is just not accurate. I have yet to stay in a Disney resort that has compared with the cleanliness, service, and amenities I have found at Gaylord Palms, Omni Champions Gate, and Hilton Bonnet Creek - all of which are very nice offsite hotels which can typically be had for under $150/nt, often under $80/nt through Priceline!

 

[angelmav]

I have to assume the OP is just trolling here now to stir up offsiters.

First, claiming only a $50 savings over an onsite room when said room was booked for $70 (just what are you getting onsite for $120 a night) FAIL then posting pics from a Deluxe resort (with Safari View, additional charge itself more than you paid for your 1 night at the Sheraton).

1 night and you complain about the loss of EMH (something trip advisors tell you to avoid anyway).

You complain about the ferries to/from TTC, while admittedly staying in the only Deluxe that has only bus service to all 4 parks as if you have no concerns about getting to/from the parks with that choice!

 

[cymbaldiva]

Did some posts get deleted? I'm having a heck of a time following this thread...

 

[pigletto]

He's kind of a big deal.

 

[Beccabunny]

I highly doubt that some townhome had more theming than say...Pop Century or Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. AKL is our favorite resort. There's no offsite place can give you the beauty of seeing this:

Every morning. This was a pair of Ankole Cattle that was always outside our balcony at AKV. We rent points and it is much more cost efficient that booking straight through Disney.

All Disney hotels/resorts get a "hard rehab" every 7 years (fixtures, furnishings, etc.), and a soft rehab every four (bedding, curtains, paint). They never let their hotels fall into disrepair.

We also enjoy having lots of resort time. For example, AKL offers many activities including African Storytelling, Cultural Safaris, Bead Activities, and more. We also go back to the room for a nap/swim around 1 pm ish and then go back into the parks at night, so we love utilizing the evening EMHs and love the ability to go from the parks and back quickly. Traffic was a nightmare that one night and we couldn't imagine doing it every day to/from the parks.


We booked the Sheraton on Priceline for 70 because it was the only cost it would take. We booked this last minute and will never do it again. Offsite is just not for us. We also go on a budget, but we choose to budget meals instead of the rooms. We eat breakfasts and one other meal in the room, to get the total experience of being on site and in the magic 24/7. We also do not do Universal/Sea World and only go offsite for some meals, so onsite is the best for us. To each his own.

I said "Disney" theming. Mickey, princesses, etc. I spend enough time on a farm. I don't go to Disney so I can smell cattle outside my balcony.

 

[Teacher03]

I said "Disney" theming. Mickey, princesses, etc. I spend enough time on a farm. I don't go to Disney so I can smell cattle outside my balcony.

Too funny, and true. If I take a whiff I can smell it right now. Although I have to admit, I would love to stay at the AKL and hopefully see some giraffes outside my balcony.

 

[MamaJessie]

If all off site accommodations are judged by one night at the Sheraton Safari then all on site accommodations can be judged by one night at an all star during pop warner, right?

 

[nessz79]

The fact that the OP specifically posted this on the Orlando Attractions forum tells us something. Why not post an anti-offsite post in the Disney Resorts forum? I believe the OP is just trying to stir things up.

 

[Brian Noble]

At the risk of repeating myself:

If you ignore them, they go away.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and you don't know that the OP is trying to stir things up. It can be frustrating trying to express your opinions on the boards in an effort to help other vacation planners when everyone is discounting you because of said opinion. It's ok. Some people like staying offsite or have to stay offsite and others like onsite.

While I've stayed offsite and have seen some nice hotels and resorts, I also prefer onsite. There is nothing like being in the middle of it all.

OP - The good thing is that you understand what an offsite stay can mean. If Disney transportation, EMH, or resort package delivery are important to you, you know to stay onsite. But you can also use your offsite stay as a way to plan any other offsite stays and do it better (if you want!) As someone who stayed exclusively offsite for years, I know that I prefer onsite. I'll still stay offsite but only for a night or two because I just get so excited to stay on property! So I understand how you feel.

 

[Planogirl]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and you don't know that the OP is trying to stir things up. It can be frustrating trying to express your opinions on the boards in an effort to help other vacation planners when everyone is discounting you because of said opinion. It's ok. Some people like staying offsite or have to stay offsite and others like onsite.

While I've stayed offsite and have seen some nice hotels and resorts, I also prefer onsite. There is nothing like being in the middle of it all.

OP - The good thing is that you understand what an offsite stay can mean. If Disney transportation, EMH, or resort package delivery are important to you, you know to stay onsite. But you can also use your offsite stay as a way to plan any other offsite stays and do it better (if you want!) As someone who stayed exclusively offsite for years, I know that I prefer onsite. I'll still stay offsite but only for a night or two because I just get so excited to stay on property! So I understand how you feel.

I can understand a person preferring onsite to offsite. However that isn't the point that the OP made. She called her one night stay at ONE offsite resort a clear indicator that all offsite resorts were awful. That simply makes no sense and will only cause worry to those who are unsure about staying offsite. Trolling like this deserves this reaction IMO.

 

[suemom2kay]

OP: Perhaps had you titled your thread, Sheraton Safari - Never, Ever Again, you wouldn't have so many opposing you. You jumped on an offsite forum at the DIS... Do you think some of the folks on this forum might actually stay offsite???

To criticize offsite as if it is a bad choice, based on a cheap hotel that is known for problems can be perceived as trolling. I'm not saying that is what you are doing, but I can see where many get this perception.

Have you ever seen the reaction on these boards when a Universal Lover/WDW Hater comes on here and talks about how "lame" Disney is and how "great" universal is??? Well you did the exact same thing with regards to offsite/onsite. People reacted and instead of seeing that you probably shouldn't have posted a generalization regarding all offsite stays based on one cheap hotel, you argued using AKL view as an answer to Windsor Hills Disney theming. PP was talking about the theming in the condo, not the view. Although I've heard the views are nice from the balconies. There are only balconies in the Deluxe WDW resort. Perhaps a photo of the view from the window of a value would be a be a better comparison dollar for dollar.

Just sayin' you criticized a choice most here make in your title and made it worse in your original and subsequent posts.

BTW, I met a Vulcan who was mean to me once. I HATE Vulcans! I will never ever ever talk to a Vulcan again!!!

 

[Brian Noble]

heraton Safari - Never, Ever Again,

I would be in "wild" agreement with such a thread. (Pun intended.)

 

[Lou Holtz]

Brian, can you use some of your pull with Starwood to get this hotel a renovation?

 

[Brian Noble]

Like I said, I'm just your average business traveler who spends too many nights in hotel rooms. I doubt they'll listen to little ol' me.

Edited: for grins, I went to check it on TripAdvisor. It has a surprisingly decent average review score (3 1/2 out of 5). Maybe Sheraton is just happy with their RevPAR as it stands.

 

[KrysiaG]

oh goodness! I am so sorry about your experience. We stayed off site last week and had a phenominal experience.

 

[Brian Noble]

Maybe Sheraton is just happy with their RevPAR as it stands.

What's more, it looks like Starwood recently tossed several dozen properties from the brand, but apparently this one makes the grade:

http://www.hotelnewsnow.com/Articles.aspx/5837/Sheraton-launches-campaign-to-spotlight-refresh