On Property vs. Off Property

[Suzanna1973]

Found some vacation homes through allears and I was wondering....is it worth staying off property? I know that you can't do the DDP when you stay off prop, but we can still do FP(which is a definite plus!)
Trying to save as much money as possible while still having the BEST vacation we can. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[eeyoregon]

The biggest complaint I have heard about staying off property is the time spent traveling to and from the World and the cost of parking each day.

I personally LOVE the extra magic hours in the parks waaaaaaay too much to ever stay off property. We are also addicted to the "magic" of being on property.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We didn't think staying off property was worth it. We tried it because I got a 1 bedroom condo, 8 nights for $400.00.

It was a hassle to drive back and forth, our kids were 15 months and 6 at the time. DH who usually says nothing about my planning of vacations , chimed in and said never again. If we can't do onsite then we're not going.

Even though the kids are a little older now, 9 and 3, its onsite all the way.

 

[PoohsFan1]

We own a condo right outside of Disney that we love to use, however I still need that extra magic whenever we go to Disney. So my DH so lovingly allows us to stay onsite for at least 3 nights either before we check into our condo or after we check-out. He says that that is the best way to thank me for all the things I do around the house and with the kids , however, I think it is an excuse because I know he enjoys it just as much as I do

 

[TxRabbit]

I liken WDW to a cruise ship. (I have been on one cruise long ago with my parents when I was in highschool). My parents have been on a couple, and we discussed how much WDW services have in common with the cruiselines. That is, if you stay onsite, if you eat on site (especially the DDP), if you take advantage of ME (Magical Express), and if you use Disney courtesy transportation, then you arrive into an all inclusive, aiming to make it as hassle free as possible vacation.

If you fly, then you will check your baggage at your departure airport, and the next time you see it, it will be in your room at your resort. If you fly, you can get off your plane, walk over to the shuttle buses, which are nice luxury travel coach style buses, equipped with bathrooms, a welcome movie to entertain the kiddos, and relax as you don't worry about how to get where you are going and are taken to where you should be. Upon check-in, you may be able to have your room right away (depending on arrival time), and if you aren't, bell services can store your carry on items until you can check in, and if you are willing to tip them, they will deliver them to your room for you. Meanwhile, you have been givin' your key to the world. If you opt for charging priveleges on your key and if you are on the DDP, you will literally not need to carry anything else with you anywhere. (Most will have their supplies, of course, but the point is...) Now you can go make use of the resort facilities or go to the theme park of your choice. Anywhere you go, you use your key, it is admission to the parks, it is a dining card, it is a credit card. If you make any purchases in WDW, these can be delivered to your resort gift shop, where you can conveniently pick them up the next day, so you don't have to carry them around the parks. Courtesy buses, boats, and monorails will take you whereever you want in WDW. You need never worry about how to get where you want to go, other than getting to the appropriate bus stop, launching pad, station. These services also provide the members of your party some independence from each other as well. If necessary, a part of the group could return to the resort, while the other pursued other plans, etc. As an onsite guest, you will also be able to attend Extra Magic Hours, thus increasing your options for touring the parks. Depending on your resort of choice, there are childcare options, which would even allow Mom and Dad a chance to have a break from the kids while breaking from everyday life, while the kids are thoroughly entertained Disney style. Additionally, there are other opportunities of outdoor recreation, should you so desire to have such a break, including boat rentals, bicycle rentals, mini golf, golf, etc. And again, these are all accessible using Disney transportation.

While many of these services are offered at offsite properties, it is the total package that really comes together to offer the partaker of such an offering a true get away from reality, a true break from the everyday routine (it's amazing how funny you feel when you actually drive a car again when you get home). When it is time to get home, if your airline is a participant in the baggage check program, you will be able to check your baggage in at your resort, and the next time you see it, you will be picking it up from baggage claim at your home airport. Your carryon items can again be stored with bell services. You will again be driven back to the airport on the lovely bus (which you may be a little sick of by now) and entertained again by an in-bus movie, which will have the departure theme to it. While certain vacation stresses can never be totally taken away, WDW has really attempted to alieviate them in most way thinkable to those that opt to stay onsite.

Additionally, WDW has gone to great lengths to continue the magic of the parks at the resorts, so that while your resort may not be "Disney" themed, it is still attempting to be a little larger than life, a magical break from reality, which really, is what we all are looking for during our vacations. It's the total package. I would highly recommend staying on property.

 

[powellrj]

I think it also depends on what kind of vacation you want. When we stay on-site in a regular room, we are on the go all the time because it really isn't comfortable to relax and hang-out.

When we stay off-site its in a larger condo where everyone can spread out and relax.

We are now at an age where the spread out and relax is more important than the being on the go all the time which is why we prefer off-site.

We like that you can come back, get a cool drink or a blender drink, a snack and just relax. When we stay in a regular room, we never do that because there really isn't anyplace to relax.

If you are on the go all the time and don't want much down time, than on-site is worth it. I know lots of people never see the pool, but we spend a lot of time at the pool and on the balcony and with a condo you have multiple TVs so if the kids want to watch something, you can watch something too.

There really isn't a right or wrong answer, its more of a preference.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

We stay both on and off property. We own DVC and two timeshares outside of Disney. There are perks to both sides and drawbacks. Our accomodations in our non-Disney timeshares are 100% better than Disney's DVC and it takes us literally 6 minutes to go from our timeshare to the parking toll at MK. (Yes, we clocked it out of curiosity one time). So for us we are no further away than we would be on property in most cases-it takes us just as long from CBR or AKL to get to MK toll. However, we like DVC because sometimes we want to be "in" the magic. Like PP said, when your on property (even at a deluxe IMO) the rooms are small and you wind up being on the go all the time because the rooms are not really designed to be a hang out to relax-just a place to rest your head at night and shower. When we stay off property we love that all of us have separate bedrooms and our own bathrooms and kitchens. We do take the time to spend a little R&R time there.

 

[crisi]

You can stay in a bigger unit off property for a week for a little more than it would cost you to stay a single night at some Deluxes.

Where money is more plentiful than time, staying close to the parks and having a car at your disposal can make for a very efficient trip.

Where time is more plentiful than money, staying offsite is a great way to stretch the money into more time. You'll have to rent a car (if you fly) so make sure to add that to the budget. And you'll need to do some research - there are plenty of "cheap and less than ideal" motels in the Orlando area that are not close to WDW, not clean, and where you won't save enough money to make anything worthwhile.

I haven't stayed offsite in years, I'm an onsite snob. But for a lot of people offsite can make Disney much more affordable. And, if you are interested in Universal or SeaWorld - makes it much more likely that you'll get there.

 

[blessedby3]

I definately prefer to stay onsite. It is so much more convienent for our family. I dont like having take the extra time to travel off property to get to our hotel or condo. You have to pay for parking each day and you miss out on EMH which we LOVE. We fly down and if we were to stay off property we would have to fork out for a rental van and that would have to be added to the price of off site accomadations. We stay (on property) where our budget allows us to. We have a trip planned for Jan and our budget says POP this time. Would love to stay at the CR again, but just not able to on this trip. As long as we are on property its okay. We really dont spend too much time in our room so we dont need a place to spread out. We are commando and in the parks from open to close.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

You have to pay for parking each day and you miss out on EMH which we LOVE.

True that you miss out on EMH, but we never do that anyway even if we are on property. Some don't get whacked for the parking fees because they have AP's-we do.

We fly down and if we were to stay off property we would have to fork out for a rental van and that would have to be added to the price of off site accomadations.

See we never relied upon Disney transporation-only a select few times. We rent a car regardless of being on or off property. DH is disabled and we rent a van-so much easier than having to wait to be accomodated by the busses, but that is JMO. I guess its all in the way each person travels to begin with.

 

[powellrj]

we also always rent a car when we go. I needed an ECV last trip and it was so easy to just lift it in and out of the back of the SUV and not have to wait for a bus to load it up. We also like to make quick trips to DTD and there are a couple of places we love to eat at off-site plus we like to eat at several of the resorts so it just makes it easier to always rent a car.

There is really no right or wrong answer, its just what you want from a vacation.

 

[guelde96]

We always drive down so a car is not an issue. I think a lot of the factors to consider are personal tastes.

We have stayed on and off site. I personally would not stay off site again. At least until my kids get older and need more room.

I love to be on the go when I am on vacation. We love the ddp. I love the all inclusive aspect of staying on property.

We have friends that stay in a rental house and love it. They like to relax and see other sites when in Orlando. Everyone has different oppinions.

If you can stay value I do not know if you can save that much money staying off site. Hotel, Parking, Food, & Tickets. VS. All inclusive value resort stay. I am not sure the money would be that different.

Good luck! I hope you have a great vacation whatever you decide.

ME DH DS8 DD7 DS3

2004 Off site
2006 All Star Movies
2007 Pop Century Grand Gathering

 

[Darcy03231]

I've found I prefer off-site. I'm able to rent a much larger property for a lot less money. We prefer to be able to spread out and love having our own pool. I also like having the extra bathrooms and the full kitchen. Since we've been to Orlando area a lot our touring style is much more relaxed. We go in the summer for at least two weeks. We tend to get up early, go to the parks for about 4 hours, come back to the house, relax, swim, have something to eat and go back at night. I don't find the driving in and parking take any longer than when we stayed at the All Star Resorts. I will say that if I were going with very young children (mine are now almost 14 and almost 16) I would definitely stay on site. We also stay on site when DD's dance team competes there. It's definitely much easier with costume changes and performing to stay on-site.

 

[U2_rocks!]

I couldn't spend my whole vacation onsite. There's too much else I like to do in Orlando! I like my space too! I have considered doing a value for a few nights, then moving offsite for the rest of the vacation, but only if it's a family suite that has 2 bathrooms and a kitchenette! And only if it was during free dining - that's the only way it would be worth it to us.

We're pretty happy with even a 15 minutes drive to the parks - we are early risers, and can easily get out of the condo early enough to be there during park opening. And we wouldn't do EMH as a general rule either - we're happier going to another park that won't be as busy as the EMH park is by 10 a.m.!

 

[Brook1099]

Our first trip to Disney we stayed onsite. 2nd trip we split it between offsite timeshare and onsite. 3rd trip 2weeks off property. While staying off property has its pluses (bigger rooms, more relaxing at times, feels way homey) I just couldnt stand the fact I was not in the MAGIC. So this year we will spend our first week off property doing one of my favorites Sea World and Discovery Cove. Relax and then head off for some Magic. Gotta Luv It!

 

[Suzanna1973]

JMSADAMS....I have to say...you give a very very convincing argument(you should be a lawyer!

Showed the comments to my family and we have decided to keep our reservations with on property resort. Vacation to me does mean that...VACATION!! Away from reality, relaxing from the everyday.(kinda lost track of that for a second!)
Thanks again for all of your help!

 

[trennr]

It depends on the Vacation you want.

OFFSITE House PROS:
a] PRIVATE POOL ... worth a gazillion Extra Magic Hours.
b] Peaceful Communities.
c] Kitchen (Making a quick breakfast in the Morning can save you a bundle.)
d] Washer Dryer (Little to No Dirty Laundry to take home.)
e] Lots of ROOOOOOM!
f] More freedom to explore other parts Orlando/Florida.
g] Typically less expensive.

OFFSITE House CONS:
a] Paying to park ($10 per day)
b] Depending on where your House is...Driving might be a hassle. (If you get in or near Indian Creek community this is NOT a problem <4 Miles from World Drive.)
c] If you are flying...of course you will have to rent a car.
d] Can't think of anything...but I like staying offsite.

ONSITE PROS:
a] Free Disney Transportation. (A big deal if you fly.)
b] Free Delivery of purchases to your Room.
c] Extra Magic Hours
d] Free Parking if you elect not to use the Disney Transport.

ONSITE CONS:
a] CROWDED POOLS (Where are the kids!!!!)
b] Waiting on Disney Transportation to your proper destination.
c] If you don't drive or rent a car you are Stuck at Disney...or pay and arm and a leg to get anywhere else.
d] Pretty much stuck eating Disney food. 80-90% of the time. $$$$$$
e] Dirty Clothes. eewww!

 

[Georgia]

It depends on the Vacation you want.

OFFSITE House PROS:
a] PRIVATE POOL ... worth a gazillion Extra Magic Hours.
b] Peaceful Communities.
c] Kitchen (Making a quick breakfast in the Morning can save you a bundle.)
d] Washer Dryer (Little to No Dirty Laundry to take home.)
e] Lots of ROOOOOOM!
f] More freedom to explore other Orlando.
g] Typically less expensive.

OFFSITE House CONS:
a] Paying to park ($10 per day)
b] Depending on where your House is...Driving might be a hassle. (If you get in or near Indian Creek community this is NOT a problem <4 Miles from World Drive.)
c] If you are flying...of course you will have to rent a car.
d] Can't think of anything...but I like staying offsite.

ONSITE PROS:
a] Free Disney Transportation. (A big deal if you fly.)
b] Free Delivery of purchases to your Room.
c] Extra Magic Hours
d] Free Parking if you elect not to use the Disney Transport.

ONSITE CONS:
a] CROWDED POOLS (Where are the kids!!!!)
b] Waiting on Disney Transportation to your proper destination.
c] If you don't drive or rent a car you are Stuck at Disney...or pay and arm and a leg to get anywhere else.
d] Pretty much stuck eating Disney food. 80-90% of the time. $$$$$$
e] Dirty Clothes. eewww!

Totally agree with pp. For us it came down to three factors 1) not flying...it would be easier to stay on site if you are flying but three kids made it impossible this time 2) space...I have twin boys and need to put up two pack and plays. I had doubts they would fit in the value or even the moderate rooms 3)cost...we wanted the most for the $. We are staying at a property I found through allears.net It is very reasonably priced.

I also agree with the other post that mentioned not being a WDW mercy for everything. I haven't been in several years but I remember the food was terrible. My parents have been several times in the last 10 years and have said the food has only improved a little. I'm excited about not having to eat every meal at WDW.