offsite vs onsite & skyauctions?

[ajk912]

I have been lurking on the board for a few days, while trying to decide whether to stay offsite or onsite. I am leaning toward onsite if we can afford it, but have a few little dilemmas I am dealing with. First though, a question- Do the skyauction rooms REALLY not have housecleaning? Or just not daily housecleaning? I have visuals of having to bring my own mop and bucket to clean the room when I am done. LOL. We aren't slobs by no means, but I sure hope I don't have to vaccuum before I check out, LOL!

My onsite vs. offsite dilemma. If anyone wants to help me choose, go ahead!

Onsite:
Closer
more expensive
Disney Magic
more space- which is a plus with a 5, 4, and almost 1 year old. Too much togetherness can be a bad thing, LOL!
easy for the kids to nap during the day and get back to the parks

Offsite:
cheaper (especially with Skyauctions, holy cow!)
bigger rooms for when we are tired at night and need a little space from one another
hard to get back to the room to nap for the kids
no Disney magic


UGH, UGH, UGH..I am hoping for a GREAT code so we can stay at the cabins at FW..that would be WONDERFUL! We'd get our own little cabin, our own parking space..room for the kids to roam.. We'll see how much money I save!

 

[disneysteve]

Couple of comments for you...

I'm not sure why you listed "more space" with onsite. The offsite accomodations are much more spacious than anything onsite other than renting DVC villas. I haven't been in a FW cabin lately but I can't imagine they are bigger than offsite condos. Last trip we rented a 3-bedroom, 2-bath condo that was 1400 square feet. We paid $90/nite and you can get them even cheaper.

As for getting back to the room, if you stay at one of the closer properties, it takes no longer to get there than it does to get back to some of the Disney hotels. There are quite a few places within a 10-minute drive from the parking lots of the parks.

I'd vote for offsite. Enjoy the extra space. And enjoy the extra money in your pocket to do something special, eat a couple of nicer meals, buy some souvenirs or start a fund for your next trip.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

believe me, from reading this board, I get the impression that he knows his stuff! Hi, Steve

I must admit, I used to be a resort snob (you know, only on-site, only on-site ), but with the space you get and the money you save, off-site has won me over.

We are a family of 5, with the youngest OUT of a crib, so I was forced, in a way, to look at other options. I just got a 2 brm. condo for $220 (inc. taxes) for THE WEEK!

I think I could have more fun with all of that extra money for special things, like maybe a "WISHES" cruise, or a character meal, or STAYING LONGER! All these things are pretty exciting to be able to add to the quality of your trip(especially if you are basically sleeping there and naps).

Housekeeping..............From my understanding, they clean when you leave for the next person. I also think you can pay for a "mid-week" cleaning, like $55 or something, but I don't expect we will be needing that.

And I've heard that Silver Lakes is right in back of AK (people here would be closer than people at the Cont. or WL, right?), although I don't know how long it is to MK. I can't imagine it could be that far.

Hope this helps.

 

[ajk912]

Thanks for your help, guys! Steve, that was definitely an error when I typed you get more space when you stay on-site. I was thinking ahead to my offsite post. I remember staying at ASMu- holy cow, it was pretty cramped! I appreciate the input!

 

[sln88]

pros and cons:

I will admit to only staying on site once about 13 years ago. We stayed at the Ft Wilderness. I did not feel any special magic and thought the Disney transportaion system was terrible from FW. My view may be a bit biased because of this.
Now, we are a family of 5, and Disney will not let me have 5 in a value room even if I wanted to torture myself like that!

When I finally dragged DH to WDW in 1992, I had found out about Skyauction. It was so great to have such a nice, spacious place for such little money. We are staying in a condo for a 3rd time this coming Oct.

cons to Skyauction: There is no daily housekeeping, but you do not have to clean before you leave. They do that. I really don't like housekeepers coming in every day anyhow. They do have a linen exchange for fresh towels and sheets, and I think each resort handles that differently.

You need a car. I would not want to have to rely on public transportation from an off site resort. We go off season, so traffic is not a problem- I don't know how bad it is if you go during a busy time.

You will have to pay to park at WDW.

You will have to pay for a week even if you don't need to stay that long.

pros- price, space, privacy(DH is a late night tv watcher- I want my sleep so that I can hit the parks), kitchen for cooking, food storage, snacks was a huge money saver and convenience. price, price, price. 2 bathrooms(our last one even had a huge whirlpool tub)

 

[spiceycat]

okay I do both - but only because I brought DVC back when it was a bargin.....

I use my DVC to stay on property - generally OKW.

I use my other timeshare to stay off-site, or skyauction, or a getaway thru II, have done them all.

Now when I am off-site I like to do off-site things - shopping - Orlando/Kissimmee have some great outlets, US/IOA, Seaworld, some of the local stuff.

when I stay on-site I like to do the WDW parks.

However I can certainly understand not wanting to spend the money - believe me!!!

Skyauction has only been around since 2001 or 2002 - when RCI got brought by the same people who own Fairfield. So you haven't miss that many opportunities.

When I stay off-site WDW parks become less important - there are other things to do - and especially with some of the resorts - Hilton, Sheraton, Grand Cypress, Silver Lake - you can have a wonderful time without going to any of the parks. Now with some of the other timeshare you can't - but most have something for folks to do every day.....If you want to go to the parks fine - if you don't your family certainly won't be bore.

okay I don't like friends going through my stuff - so I certainly don't appreciate stranger going through it - so I don't miss the maid service. This part was worring mother until she started to stay in a timeshare - the privacy is now also worth it for her. On one of our last trips - the maid was trying to clean the room and mother say not to bother.....BIG CHANGE!!!

Yes making up your own bed can be a problem - but hey it is your room - if you don't want to make it up don't.....

 

[disneysteve]

I forgot to comment on housekeeping at the condos. Everyone else is correct. There is no daily housekeeping but they do clean before you arrive and after you leave. Paying for a mid-week cleaning is usually $50-60 but who needs it. I don't like them coming into my room anyway and I hate when they tuck the sheets under the mattress. I can wash my own towels in the washer and dryer. The condo usually has a vacuum in the closet if you need it but you aren't expected to use it unless you make a mess, not for routine everyday kind of dirt.