On-site advantage(s)...during covid. Or not?

[2vets]

Hi, all - I’m a passionate on-site-r. I love the Disney resorts and have stayed exclusively on site for the last 20 years. EMH advantages were getting a little diluted pre-covid, but with parkhopping, morning EMH were a big advantage in my book. I tend to stay within walking distance of one or more parks (our fave is to stay in the Boardwalk/YC/BC area) so as not to be too reliant on transportation, but it was always a benefit. I've never used ME so am not thinking about that at all.

I've gotta ask - other than the different park reservation bucket (which doesn’t seem to matter all that much for DHS most Fridays/weekends) and being "in the bubble" (so I assume better mask enforcement)...what are the major advantages to on-site stays now? Internal transportation reports are pretty abysmal, though they were mixed before - seems that the best chance for rope drop involves waiting in a long line, taking omne's own car, or booking Uber. With the long waits being reported and the absence of parkhopping, it sure seems as if they could boost resort bookings by adding back EMH, even if days or number of parks offered were extremely limited.

Am I missing something?

 

[brockash]

No, there's really no advantage at this point. Buses and transportation is random...sometimes if you're really lucky and catch 5he first bus you might het into the parks a little before cars, but in our experience it can also often b after, so I'd call that a wash...so no advantage.

 

[SarahD112]

I’m wondering the same. I have tentative plans for two trips next year - one with just my husband, other with college age kids. For my husband, he’s all about onsite. Hopping on the skyliner to Epcot in the evenings...if the hoppers aren’t back by April, we’ll cancel and go another time. With the “kids”...I can rent a car and a three bedroom condo and still save $500 over Pop Century. It’s just harder for everyone to go do what they want, when they want if we’re offsite. Again, if the hoppers aren’t back, we’ll do offsite. If they are back, I’ll probably pay the extra for the onsite convenience. It would be an easier decision if the EMH and fast passes come back too! But at the moment, I’m seeing many reports of sketchy transportation, so without hopping, a car (and offsite accommodations) might be a better bet.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Hi, all - I’m a passionate on-site-r. I love the Disney resorts and have stayed exclusively on site for the last 20 years. EMH advantages were getting a little diluted pre-covid, but with parkhopping, morning EMH were a big advantage in my book. I tend to stay within walking distance of one or more parks (our fave is to stay in the Boardwalk/YC/BC area) so as not to be too reliant on transportation, but it was always a benefit. I've never used ME so am not thinking about that at all.

I've gotta ask - other than the different park reservation bucket (which doesn’t seem to matter all that much for DHS most Fridays/weekends) and being "in the bubble" (so I assume better mask enforcement)...what are the major advantages to on-site stays now? Internal transportation reports are pretty abysmal, though they were mixed before - seems that the best chance for rope drop involves waiting in a long line, taking omne's own car, or booking Uber. With the long waits being reported and the absence of parkhopping, it sure seems as if they could boost resort bookings by adding back EMH, even if days or number of parks offered were extremely limited.

Am I missing something?

I'd say no, but I am like you, we almost always stay on site for a few reasons. We really enjoy the bubble and we typically stay at an epcot area resort so we have walking access to DHS and Epcot. If transport isn't a big deal to you then no, there's no real benefit to staying onsite now.

 

[RanDIZ]

Hi, all - I’m a passionate on-site-r. I love the Disney resorts and have stayed exclusively on site for the last 20 years. EMH advantages were getting a little diluted pre-covid, but with parkhopping, morning EMH were a big advantage in my book. I tend to stay within walking distance of one or more parks (our fave is to stay in the Boardwalk/YC/BC area) so as not to be too reliant on transportation, but it was always a benefit. I've never used ME so am not thinking about that at all.

I've gotta ask - other than the different park reservation bucket (which doesn’t seem to matter all that much for DHS most Fridays/weekends) and being "in the bubble" (so I assume better mask enforcement)...what are the major advantages to on-site stays now? Internal transportation reports are pretty abysmal, though they were mixed before - seems that the best chance for rope drop involves waiting in a long line, taking omne's own car, or booking Uber. With the long waits being reported and the absence of parkhopping, it sure seems as if they could boost resort bookings by adding back EMH, even if days or number of parks offered were extremely limited.

Am I missing something?

As you know already having mentioned BW and BC, the walking distance is a huge advantage. Anything within the skyliner area is solid if you’re going to HS or EP.

 

[Sarahslay]

Hi, all - I’m a passionate on-site-r. I love the Disney resorts and have stayed exclusively on site for the last 20 years. EMH advantages were getting a little diluted pre-covid, but with parkhopping, morning EMH were a big advantage in my book. I tend to stay within walking distance of one or more parks (our fave is to stay in the Boardwalk/YC/BC area) so as not to be too reliant on transportation, but it was always a benefit. I've never used ME so am not thinking about that at all.

I've gotta ask - other than the different park reservation bucket (which doesn’t seem to matter all that much for DHS most Fridays/weekends) and being "in the bubble" (so I assume better mask enforcement)...what are the major advantages to on-site stays now? Internal transportation reports are pretty abysmal, though they were mixed before - seems that the best chance for rope drop involves waiting in a long line, taking omne's own car, or booking Uber. With the long waits being reported and the absence of parkhopping, it sure seems as if they could boost resort bookings by adding back EMH, even if days or number of parks offered were extremely limited.

Am I missing something?

The real advantage for me, personally, is being able to book a hotel within walking distance to atleast one park (or two) and not be reliant on other forms of transportation. We thought about switching offsite for Christmas, but we really liked the advantage of getting to certain parks easier and being able to just chill more. Even though Disney buses can be a pain sometimes it's still just as easy to get back to my room as it was before, and I don't want to have to drive back and forth every time I want to leave and take a break. I have two trips coming up, one at YC for Thanksgiving so we can walk to two parks easily, and one split stay at Christmas staying at CR and then Riviera so we can walk to MK and take the skyliner to DHS & Epcot. It's just easier, and for now I don't mind not having the extras because to me ease of mobility is an extra. I also got some very hefty AP room discounts so that really helped.

 

[2minny]

I don't think there are many advantages, maybe the Magical Express from the airport? It's so much more expensive than off site but no EMH, no buses getting you to the parks before opening, no fast pass advantage, many restaurants closed. This would be the only time I think being off site makes sense, and we love being on site!!

 

[empedocles]

I am planning a Christmas week trip right now, and and am about 80/20 split between a Disney Springs hotel or the Swan. With the reduced experiences and reported long waits for Disney transport, I really cannot justify the Disney resort holiday rates, which are hundreds of dollars (or $1,000+ in some cases) more than Non-Disney-Operated properties. I'll either keep the car (not starting at WDW), try the Springs buses, or Uber/Lyft. Most nights will probably be dinner & drinks at Springs, so a Springs-proximity hotel may be nice.

That might tilt toward the Swan if the boats come back. (But with no hopping, can't go to the Showcase for dinner every night, so, again, is Disney internal transport really necessary?)

 

[RoseGold]

Skyliner seems to be a pretty awesome way to get around right now.