Okay, now I get it.

[chrisw127]

I have to admit to being a bit unconvinced when I read on-site vs. off-site debates. I certainly didn't get the whole idea that it "spoiled the magic." I got that you were closer to Disney; that's obvious. But I wasn't so sure about the other benefits of staying on-site. Well, after staying off-site on this trip, I have to say I am absolutely positive that the benefits of staying on-site overwhelmingly outweigh the small savings of staying off-site.

First of all, it really does spoil the magic. Now, I know that sounds corny, but it's true. Kissimmee-St. Clould is not the most attractive place on earth. It's true that there are nice properties off-site, but you have to drive through a neon mess to get there. We stayed at a rental with All-Star Vacation Homes and it was fine and the staff was very helpful. But it's a bit of a drive to all the parks and the surrounding area (Highway 192) and is probably one of the ugliest stretches of road in Florida. After a day at the parks, the ride back to the condo was long and ugly. I know that's such a small thing, but after being on Disney property all day, it's a letdown.

Transportation was a big pain as well. We have a six-year old and 22-month old twins. The twins needed naps and couldn't stay at the parks for very long, so it meant a long drive to the park, a short visit, and then a long drive back with two crabby kids. To make this less of an issue for the older kid, we rented two cars. Hardly a savings there. As much as Disney transportation can be a pain, it certainly beats renting two cars and long drives in and out of the park.

I've never used Extra Magic Hours when I stayed on-site, mostly because I've heard it's very crowded. The irony is, this time, I actually could have used them. We ended up staying in the park one night during EMH because of some transportation issues, and it was practically empty. I would have loved to have taken advantage of that this time, but of course, no benefits if you're staying off-site.

Finally, when you add two crib rentals (we used Orlando Crib Rental and it was probably the easiest part of our trip) which came to around $135 and the cars, which added another $425, I doubt we really saved anything. also, by the time the rental agency adds in all the additional costs, that $189 a night rate is at least 50% higher ($150 cleaning fee, insurance fee, etc.). Yes, it was nice to have the space and a washer-dryer. But we could have stayed at Ft. Wilderness cabins and had a good amount of space for about the same amount of money.

Lesson learned: I won't stay off-site again.

 

[mickeystoontown]

For years and years, we stayed offsite at a resort that was less than a ten minute drive to any of the theme parks. We loved going to WDW and we had great times every time we went.

But, one year, we decided to splurge and stay at the Caribbean Beach Resort. Well, we were HOOKED! The only way I would stay offsite again is if that was absolutely positively the only way I was going to get to go to Walt Disney World.

We drive our own vehicle and, in all honesty, we drove it once on our first onsite trip, once on our second onsite trip and twice on our third onsite trip. It's so nice to have the Disney bus driver drive me around WDW. He/she could worry about the traffic. Yes, the buses got crowded during peak hours but we didn't care. Our trips are during the Summer months and it was so refreshing to get in an air conditioned bus rather than in a sweltering hot car.

When you stay onsite, you can also purchase the dining plan which is a super big plus in our book.

Like I said, I won't be staying offsite again unless that's the only way I get to visit WDW!

 

[dqpowell]

Even though we stay onsite more often than offsite, I think you're giving offsite stays an unfairly bad rap. Sure, staying where you did was not terribly convenient for a family with three kids under 7 years old (including two toddlers). But you chose to rent two cars and two cribs. (Side note: cribs for 22 month-olds? Our pediatrician strongly recommended we not keep any of our kids in cribs past 16 months -- AAP statistics show a significant rise in crib-related injuries, including concussions and broken bones, after 16 months.)

Sorry, I'm drifting off topic. Staying offsite in a vacation home is almost always a more economical way to go if your family has more than 4 or 5 people. And there are certain advantages -- you're not a slave to the Disney transportation system, you often have much better amenities offsite, especially in a house.

It's not for everyone, obviously. But you may find that when your kids are 5 or 6 years older that it makes more sense than it does now.

David

 

[PoohsFan1]

We have always stayed offsite, even as a kid I stayed offsite except for the 2 times that we stayed at the Poly in the 1980s. My parent's had a condo right outside the gates of Disney and then when I got married my DH and I bought it off of them. Well when we went in 2007 (hadn't been there since 2000), we decided to stay 3 nights at POR before transferring to the condo. Let me tell you the big difference between everything. You are exatly right about how the onsite perks outweighs the offsite perks. Therefore when we go in March we decided to solely stay onsite for the 7 nights that we will be there and not take or rent a care, we are going to use ME (first time) and rely on Disney transportation.

FYI--we decided that we are going to use our offsite condo only for trading into other vacation destinations, but whenever we want to go to Disney, we will be staying onsite only.

 

[aceys_h0ney]

I am glad you posted this. It just reaffirms my decision to stay onsite again. Well actually for our next trip we took advantage of the 4-3 offer. We really really debated on vs off for our first trip and part of me still was curious if it would make a difference. However I doubt we will stay off site in any future trips.

 

[chrisw127]

Even though we stay onsite more often than offsite, I think you're giving offsite stays an unfairly bad rap. Sure, staying where you did was not terribly convenient for a family with three kids under 7 years old (including two toddlers). But you chose to rent two cars and two cribs. (Side note: cribs for 22 month-olds? Our pediatrician strongly recommended we not keep any of our kids in cribs past 16 months -- APA statistics show a significant rise in crib-related injuries, including concussions and broken bones, after 16 months.)

Sorry, I'm drifting off topic. Staying offsite in a vacation home is almost always a more economical way to go if your family has more than 4 or 5 people. And there are certain advantages -- you're not a slave to the Disney transportation system, you often have much better amenities offsite, especially in a house.

It's not for everyone, obviously. But you may find that when your kids are 5 or 6 years older that it makes more sense than it does now.

David

There were six of us, so we needed a minivan or two cars. Renting two cars is actually more economical than renting a minivan.

Something tells me that all those peditricians at the APA actually don't spend too much time around children outside of their offices. While if probably is a good idea to transition from a crib to a bed after they can climb, it's not something most parents do at 22 months. I know my twins would simply not understand the concept of a bed vs a crib at this age. Besides, if I didn't use a crib, what kind of bed would I have put them in? A full-size bed? I don't think so.

 

[dqpowell]

Something tells me that all those peditricians at the APA actually don't spend too much time around children outside of their offices.

Something tells me the AAP is basing their recommendation on actual incidents of injury, and that maybe you should take that into consideration.

Truth be told, we followed the pediatrician's recommendation with our first two children, and then... didn't with our third. It's not that we were trying to defy his advice... we just never got around to transitioning our youngest to a bed at the appropriate time. Can you guess what happened one day, when he was 19 months old? Yes, he climbed out of his crib and fell head-first into the hardwood floor in his room. He lost consciousness twice right in front of me when I was trying to attend to him. We brought him to the emergency room and they had to sedate him for a CAT scan (because kids that young can't voluntarily stay still enough for the scan).

Thankfully he's fine, but it could have been otherwise.

While if probably is a good idea to transition from a crib to a bed after they can climb, it's not something most parents do at 22 months.

Care to cite something to back this claim?

I know my twins would simply not understand the concept of a bed vs a crib at this age.

They don't have to understand the concept. They only need to sleep. Besides, it's not a difficult thing at all... kids see older siblings and Mom & Dad use a bed, and they "learn the concept" in pretty short order.

Besides, if I didn't use a crib, what kind of bed would I have put them in? A full-size bed? I don't think so.

Why not? Seriously -- what's wrong with that?

David

 

[Baltazar]

Just a heads up but there are areas in the parks to take kids for a nap. That way you don't have to go back to your resort, whether it be on site or off.

I get such a kick out of seeing all the sleeping kids in strollers at the park in the afternoon. Usually parked in a shady spot with mom or dad reading a book or crowd watching.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

It's a hard lesson to learn but I'm glad you learned it, OP. I never understood why people even considered off-site accomodations since WDW opened the values. We have crunched the numbers every time and never has it been cheaper to stay off-site.

 

[chrisw127]

Something tells me the AAP is basing their recommendation on actual incidents of injury, and that maybe you should take that into consideration.

Truth be told, we followed the pediatrician's recommendation with our first two children, and then... didn't with our third. It's not that we were trying to defy his advice... we just never got around to transitioning our youngest to a bed at the appropriate time. Can you guess what happened one day, when he was 19 months old? Yes, he climbed out of his crib and fell head-first into the hardwood floor in his room. He lost consciousness twice right in front of me when I was trying to attend to him. We brought him to the emergency room and they had to sedate him for a CAT scan (because kids that young can't voluntarily stay still enough for the scan).

Thankfully he's fine, but it could have been otherwise.



Care to cite something to back this claim?



They don't have to understand the concept. They only need to sleep. Besides, it's not a difficult thing at all... kids see older siblings and Mom & Dad use a bed, and they "learn the concept" in pretty short order.



Why not? Seriously -- what's wrong with that?

David

Seriously, I'm not going to argue when to transition a child from a crib to a regular bed. If you want to have that discussion, perhaps the parenting board is a better place?

 

[dqpowell]

Seriously, I'm not going to argue when to transition a child from a crib to a regular bed. If you want to have that discussion, perhaps the parenting board is a better place?

Nobody's requiring you to take part in this side discussion... but you might want to consider what I wrote on your own time. You will probably feel pretty guilty if one of your children is injured...

David

 

[constanze]

I totally agree with the OP. We also have stayed on and off site. For us, the convenience alone, when staying on-site is really hard to beat.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Nobody's requiring you to take part in this side discussion... but you might want to consider what I wrote on your own time. You will probably feel pretty guilty if one of your children is injured...

What a terrible thing to say!

I really don't think that the OP intended for this thread to be a debate about when to start putting your child into a regular bed. If you want to have that discussion, start a new thread.

 

[LuvsTinker]

We've only stayed on-site and I can't imagine not doing so.

The WDW buses may take a bit long sometimes but I'd rather let someone else do the driving once we're there.

 

[dqpowell]

What a terrible thing to say! :sad1

Terrible? Give me a break. I'm trying to help, even if she doesn't appreciate the help. As I explained above -- our child was injured when he fell out of his crib, and it could have been serious. My wife and I felt extremely guilty about not having followed the pediatrician's advice.

I'm not talking about this because I have some desire to discuss it... I brought it up because the OP mentioned her 22 month old twins sleeping in cribs, and I thought she might want to be informed about the risk. I'm not wishing anything bad to happen... I'm trying to help minimize the risk.

I won't comment any more on this issue... I made my points. Now it is up to the OP to consider.

David

 

[bravos66]

We stayed offsite 3 years, this year we are staying onsite. I do not recommend going back and forth to the parks if you stay offsite. We would do an early breakfast and try to get in the parks before rope drop. Then, stay until mid-afternoon. Then, drive home for naps followed by a swim at our "private pool" and dinner. It is definitely less time in the parks, but for the younger children I think they handle the parks and are happier with shorter visits.

We are back onsite this year - as children are 6, 8 and 9. They are older and can handle being at the parks all day.

Off site stays are great, but I agree its not all Disney all the time like on site stays.

 

[Allieloopy]

We really wanted to go to Disney this year and were looking for the cheapest way to do it. On another thread everyone crunched numbers and really it wouldn't have saved me much money to stay off-site.

Both my husband and I hate to drive in strange or crowded places. The bus system is crowded but we don't have to worry about fighting traffic or getting lost. Yeah there are people who never get lost or have a problem with traffic but that's just not us!

There is a washer and dryer right by the pool at the resorts. We don't stay in our room that much, so we don't care about the extra rooms in a condo. All of the offsite hotels seem to be either expensive or scruddy. I would rather spend the money for Disney accomodations than struggle with a hotel shuttle. Which in some places you have to pay extra for anyway.

With all of the hidden charges and inconvienances staying offsite just didn't seem that attractive.

We like adventure and novelty so making a sandwich in our room for lunch to save money seems fun. Heck, after tent camping for three years (in the rain!) anything with indoor plumbing sounds fun.

We have Garden Grocer deliver snacks and keep lunchmeat, milk and drinks in a cooler filled with ice daily. Then we splurge on a Disney meal once a day. Plus Disney only has Coke so I have to get my Diet Pepsi someplace!

Really, when you add it all up, it doesn't seem to save that much money to stay offsite. And belive me, I have been adding it all up for months now! Thank goodness for the 4-3 special. Pop here we come.

Oh and after 28 foster kids I have come to realise that pediatricians are just people. They scratch their butts and pick their nose just like everyone else. I had one tell me that a baby should be on formula only until they were a year old!
So you can listen to them, take their advice with a grain of salt and know that in the end, you know your own child and their limits. No one is perfect but I do keep my babies in cribs until they are old enough not to get up in the middle of the night and create havoc in the house. Usually that is around 2 or so. Depending on the child. One of my kids was 18 months in a kiddie bed, the other kept her crib till she was 3, just depends.

Relax and enjoy Disney World anyway you can, offsite or on, because soon enough you will be back home and back in the real world!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Nobody's requiring you to take part in this side discussion... but you might want to consider what I wrote on your own time. You will probably feel pretty guilty if one of your children is injured...

David

OMG, can we please get back to the original topic! Everybody be nice, it's the holidays for goodness sakes!

 

[chrisw127]

We really wanted to go to Disney this year and were looking for the cheapest way to do it. On another thread everyone crunched numbers and really it wouldn't have saved me much money to stay off-site.

Both my husband and I hate to drive in strange or crowded places. The bus system is crowded but we don't have to worry about fighting traffic or getting lost. Yeah there are people who never get lost or have a problem with traffic but that's just not us!

There is a washer and dryer right by the pool at the resorts. We don't stay in our room that much, so we don't care about the extra rooms in a condo. All of the offsite hotels seem to be either expensive or scruddy. I would rather spend the money for Disney accomodations than struggle with a hotel shuttle. Which in some places you have to pay extra for anyway.

With all of the hidden charges and inconvienances staying offsite just didn't seem that attractive.
We like adventure and novelty so making a sandwich in our room for lunch to save money seems fun. Heck, after tent camping for three years (in the rain!) anything with indoor plumbing sounds fun.

We have Garden Grocer deliver snacks and keep lunchmeat, milk and drinks in a cooler filled with ice daily. Then we splurge on a Disney meal once a day. Plus Disney only has Coke so I have to get my Diet Pepsi someplace!

Really, when you add it all up, it doesn't seem to save that much money to stay offsite. And belive me, I have been adding it all up for months now! Thank goodness for the 4-3 special. Pop here we come.

Oh and after 28 foster kids I have come to realise that pediatricians are just people. They scratch their butts and pick their nose just like everyone else. I had one tell me that a baby should be on formula only until they were a year old!
So you can listen to them, take their advice with a grain of salt and know that in the end, you know your own child and their limits. No one is perfect but I do keep my babies in cribs until they are old enough not to get up in the middle of the night and create havoc in the house. Usually that is around 2 or so. Depending on the child. One of my kids was 18 months in a kiddie bed, the other kept her crib till she was 3, just depends.

Relax and enjoy Disney World anyway you can, offsite or on, because soon enough you will be back home and back in the real world!

I think that's it in a nutshell. All Star Vacation Homes was fine, but they had a lot of fees that you wouldn't expect.

 

[disny_luvr]

I know this post is about staying off-site, not cribs, but I just need to comment. I have twins that will be 30-months-old on December 20 and they both still sleep in a crib. They have never tried to climb out of them. Now grant it - I am not in their room while they are sleeping, but I put them in their cribs, they usually fall asleep within minutes and get them out when I hear them awake. I worry that if I have them in a regular bed they'd be jumping up-and-down and could hit their heads or fall out of the bed (They like to jump on my bed). Or, they'd probably never sleep because they'd have a great time climbing in-and-out of each others bed. I did ask my pediatrician about moving them into a toddler bed when they turned two and she told me to keep them in their cribs until they attempt to climb out.

Just thought I'd share.