Offsite vs Onsite

[Danny K]

I will be in disney world for 8 full days, and wondering which is a better choice. The reason I am asking this and thinking twice is because, I have a place to stay for free at a friends house, and I am not sure if its really worth to pay if I have a free place to stay. What do you think, if I stay onsite it will be pop century, or all star movies, because I am on a budget for resorts. I will be there in july or august 2014. Please tell me which you think is better?

 

[figment_jii]

Folks staying onsite have access to EMH. While it's only one hour in the AM and two hours in the PM, those can make a difference in how much you get done.

On-site folks also have DME from the airport, package delivery to the resorts if you buy stuff in the park and don't want tote it around with you, ability to charge things to the room, and free parking at the theme parks.

 

[Nancyg56]

What is the downside for the free lodging? Will you be free to come and go as you please, or will your family feel obligated to follow your friend's schedule or plans?

We have chatted here before, and if your finances are tight, by all means, stay at your friends. You are looking at Deluxe vs value, and frankly, there is a middle ground that gives you some of both worlds. I can only tell you that if I had my choice, I would take a hard look at my budget, my plans (and I remember you have a jam-packed day every day) and how far I could reasonably stretch in order to say onsite. (Or even offsite but not in someone else's home) There is a lot to be said for coming and going as you please, using WDW transportation. You can change your mind, leave as early or as late as you wish, shower at your convenience, whatever without worrying that you are impacting someone else.

I don't know Danny- you said that this is a pretty once in a lifetime trip for your kids. While I would never suggest that you spend more than you are comfortable spending, I would suggest that you give some serious thought to the ramifications of being too thrifty. So, if it was my family, we would stay onsite. I would not stay with relatives, friends, or anyone for that matter. Not on vacation.

 

[abdgeek]

As the PP said, there are a lot of perks to staying onsite. You will have to cost it out(parking, car rental, airport transpo, etc.) and see what works for you. Some things to consider are below:
1) If you want to stay at the parks until midnight, will the people you are staying with be bothered by you coming in at 1am?
2) What is your purpose for visiting? Is it to see WDW, your friends or both?
3) Would you be bothered if you had to alter your vacation to be more in line with your friends schedule?
4) Are you renting a car, taking public transpo, or having your friend take you to the parks daily?

I hope these questions help. If it were me, I would stay on-site. I've stayed with friends before while trying to vacation and for me it didn't work. I wound up not being able to do the things I wanted to because they either didn't want to or already had other plans for me. Good luck.

 

[Danny K]

I think you misunderstood me a little, its not my friends actual house, my friend owns another house, to let people stay in, so it won't actually be with my friend. No I would be driving myself to the park and back.

 

[ChefLaura]

I would stay on site for one or two nights at the beginning of the trip and then switch to your friends. That way you get the Disney magic and can enjoy the EMH at the beginning of the trip. Then you can take things at a slower pace the rest of the trip by staying at your friend's house.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think you misunderstood me a little, its not my friends actual house, my friend owns another house, to let people stay in, so it won't actually be with my friend. No I would be driving myself to the park and back.

I think that it all boils down to what you are looking for with this portion of your family vacation. Do you want an escape from it all with total immersion in Disney, coupled with no responsibility for anything else, or do you want to be responsible for the home and travel arrangements on this potion of the trip.

Only you can determine if the value of staying onsite is offset by the additional cost. You have asked for opinions, and even under these conditions, if I could manage the resort costs, I would keep my family onsite. I think that there are different vacation experiences, and I am not opposed to making beds, cleaning kitchens and bathrooms, and making food on certain vacations. I would not want to do this on a Disney vacation. When you add in the distance your family is traveling to experience WDW, along with the fact that you will not be returning soon, that just compounds the reasoning to stay onsite.

I know that you worry that the values will not work for you, and don't think the moderates have any kid friendly options, and found that the deluxe are not offering enough discounts to remain within your budget, so I think that you have already made up your mind. I also think that no matter what you choose, on or off site, your family will have a wonderful time, so there is no wrong decision. Look at your budget, and if staying onsite would crunch your discretionary spending too much, don't do it. There is nothing worse than having to pass up a snack, or skimping on meals while on vacation.

 

[SA mom]

We really enjoy staying onsite, but offsite has been nice, too. If you have free lodging, that allows money for extras like character dining.

We had a similar situation in the DC area. Family lives in the area, but it still takes an hour to get to the National Mall. We decided that the next visit we make, we will stay mostly with family, but stay a few nights near the Mall.

 

[dobtia]

I think one factor to include is distance as well.

We been to Disney 8 times all offsite at our timeshare. We saved a ton of money and had great control of our vaction. Our timeshare is like 5 minutes from DTD and we can be at all the parks quickly. When my brother was with us a few years ago we beat them home all the time from all the park except MK. If you are close to the property that is good money to save and use on something else.

Another thing to think of is do you like to swim and will this house have a pool. Our timeshare has five pools so our answer is yes. If your family likes to swim and there is no pool this could make for unhappy kidos.

 

[Aquatic]

I would stay on site for one or two nights at the beginning of the trip and then switch to your friends. That way you get the Disney magic and can enjoy the EMH at the beginning of the trip. Then you can take things at a slower pace the rest of the trip by staying at your friend's house.

I agree. I'd stay a minimum of 2 nights on site (preferably the days you're going to MK). One of the downsides to doing a split stay is you will have to spend some time repacking and getting settled in the other place, but it might be worth it.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

If you are on a budget stay with friends.

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[Missytara]

Definitely, if money is tight, I would stay at your friend's place.

Had you considered maybe doing a value for a few nights, just to get the feel of the place.

 

[HM]

I'd hop on Free is a skinny minute.

 

[GaBelle]

Definitely, if money is tight, I would stay at your friend's place.

Had you considered maybe doing a value for a few nights, just to get the feel of the place.

This is an awesome idea! Do a split stay!
Stay at your friend's house for the 1st half of your trip and then onsite for the 2nd half. You get the money saving bonus and the Disney immersion.

 

[chasgoose]

If money is tight I would definitely stay for free at your friend's house. Yes disney onsite hotels are magical, but what you lose in magic and convenience you make up in money and comfort. Use some of the money you save on fun disney experiences you wouldn't be able to afford otherwise and I think you will come out ahead.

 

[Arthur92]

I do love staying on Disney Properties but Danny you if wanna PASS on Free I say HECK NO you do the math cause I'm sure there is stuff I'd love to buy at Disney but didn't cause it didn't fit in my budget, now if I stay free I'm going HARD buying up everything.

 

[Minniesgal]

Free is always better than not free

 

[momjeeps]

Our family went for our first trip to WDW in November 2012. We stayed our first two nights offsite at LB resort villages and the rest onsite at AoA with free dining. If it weren't for the free dining I'd go offsite every time. More space for the family and less chaos in your own space. It was very close to Disney and we had our own car. We also had a washer and dryer and full kitchen and spa tub in the master. Loved offsite.

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[rteetz]

Well if its free then I would stay there. If I was picking between offsite hotel and on site it is definitely on site I would never stay off. Staying on site has a lot of privileges and just adds to memories and experience I will always and I'm sure by that unless prices jump through the roof I will always stay on site.

disney lover at heart

 

[Yellowstonetim]

I think you misunderstood me a little, its not my friends actual house, my friend owns another house, to let people stay in, so it won't actually be with my friend. No I would be driving myself to the park and back.

If you have the use of a free house all to yourself, stay at your friends second home!! The only question would be how far is it from the parks? My wife's family lives in Titusville and years ago we would stay with family and drive the hour to the parks. It worked, but was VERY taxing. The first time we stayed on site was AWESOME!

While onsite has certain perks, they would not compare to having a whole house to yourselves, in my opinion. If the house is close to Disney, there is no question in my mind. In fact, if you don't want to stay there, what's the name and phone number of your friend? If you can stay longer by using the house, it would make up for having to drive. You can relax and take your time because you have more days.

If you have to pay for food and your budget is tight, you can cook at the house, make sandwiches and snacks. Food can get pretty expensive in the parks.

Whatever you decide you have a very nice friend!

Enjoy!