On site did not impress me

[Savikins]

Double post, whoops!

 

[olwyngdh]

I don't feel any magic in value resorts either. I think what people love is the price.

Not everyone. With the military discount, we could stay at a Mod for rack rate at Pop, or even less, but we still choose Pop. We spent weeks trying to convince ourselves to go to POFQ or CB on the next trip, but they just don't have the immersion we get at Pop. I don't want to stay Deluxe--I prefer rooms that open to the outside than to inside hallways. The only time I would choose a deluxe is for a girls trip that we keep talking about, but that would be for an uber dining plan and at Boardwalk so we would have the night entertainment and not a lot of park time beyond Food and Wine and the Halloween party. In other words, a resort trip, not a Disney one.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

However... I've learned that I'm much more of a DCL person than I am a WDW person! It's so much more relaxing to me.

Amen!

 

[edolee]

I feel the same way as you! I don't drive, and even though my boyfriend does, I know we really enjoy not having to drive while staying at the Disney resorts. Also, I never ever have to worry about cleanliness at on-site resorts, and also we always use EMH. I love to just chill and hang out in the common areas of WDW resorts, not something I ever do in regular hotels.

I've stayed at on-site resorts for up to 4 days without ever stepping foot inside the parks. That's how much I enjoy WDW resorts. They are top notch to me - And I've stayed at quite a few different Ritz-Carltons! The theming, the magic, and also the general crowd of people who tend to stay at Disney resorts (i.e. avid Disney fans), they all make it more special. As you can see from my signature, I've stayed at all classes of on-site resorts (Value, Moderate, Deluxe, Villa, Concierge).

Also, having quick access to off-site locations such as food and gas stations isn't a big deal to me. I prefer not to leave WDW property while I'm vacationing there - I like to feel like I'm in a different world. Also, Disney food is one of my favorite parts about WDW, so there's no way I can be convinced to eat off-site, let alone use an in-suite kitchen to prepare a meal while I'm on vacation.



However... I've learned that I'm much more of a DCL person than I am a WDW person! It's so much more relaxing to me.

This is one of the better posts I have seen arguing FOR staying onsite. I think these are good reasons.... but for me the OTHER side of the coin is much more attractive...

We ALWAYS stay offsite. But I would skip the hotel/motel approach... you might get a bit better value, but not much. Please consider staying offsite in a Villa! Or Condo!

Just like the Disney resorts, the price changes for these offerings with the season, but you can take advantage of the fact that the area around Disney has been way overbuilt.

Windsor Hills, Windsor Palms, Emerald Island Resort, and on and on. We are going to Disney next September, and I am looking at this property in Windsor Hills: http://www.vrbo.com/506723 If we chose it, after taxes would be a bit less than $200 per night. But it has a private pool, 4 bedrooms, a theater room, a pool table and on and on. This is only one example, there are options for all budgets.

I don't mind driving, and my experiences waiting in lines for Disney transportation have convinced me I spend less time traveling when I drive myself. Typical day at the Magic Kingdom would go like so:

1) Head out from the resort and get to the TTC in about 20 minutes door to door.
2) Get to the park slightly before rope drop... do whatever until 1pm +/-..
3) Head back to the house, and hit the private pool for a few hours, maybe also a nap and a shower.
4) Head back to the park at 6pm or so... stay til the fireworks.
5) Drive back to the Villa, head to private bedrooms and get some good sleep.

We have NEVER had a bad experience... one year we stayed at Sunset lakes and my son caught some nice Bass in the lakes there. You really should consider giving the local Villas and Condos a try!

Ed

 

[dvan]

To each his own....off site to me would be the Swan and Dolphin....

LOLOLOL This is exactly how I feel!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I love Pop. However , with grown adult size children it is not a good option for us anymore. When the kids were young they loved the theming and pool parties. The food court was good for us. I loved listening to the music in the 80s section. Being onsite allowed us to split up using busses. It was so easy to have the laundry near the pool. No it was not luxury but it was fun and the price was right.

 

[tina.tina]

I am also basing my opinion on room price. For what I paid for pop, we would get a lot more space and amenities. An off site regular hotel room for $100-$125 a night has a lot more wow. Queen beds, space to turn around in the bathroom, and probably a nicer pool. I would still be the same distance from the parks.

I don't have an issue with this statement because it's fact-based. I've chosen to stay on-site for specific reasons and may choose to stay off-site for other reasons in the future. I think on-site/off-site arguments can be misleading to people newly considering a WDW vacation because different accommodations suit different purposes. Actually, one of my favorite things about the DIS is reading Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina's Sheraton Vistana Resort trip reports. (Yes, I'm a lurker and a fan.)

I guess disney magic only applies to those willing to pay for deluxe resorts.

On the other hand, this statement really bothers me because threads like this stressed me out terribly and confused me before I went to Pop for my first trip. That's why I'm posting here, to provide an alternate opinion. The theme of Pop is fun and is perfect for many families looking for an on-site experience. Pop actually feels more fun and magical to my family than the Grand Floridian.

I also wanted to say that everyone has their own opinions, but comparing Pop to a bottom-of-the-line place like Motel 6 is inaccurate and misleading to people who may be searching through these threads to help make an informed decision. We've stayed in 2 different rooms at Pop and both were clean, well-kept, and quieter than more expensive hotels we've stayed at.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Actually, one of my favorite things about the DIS is reading Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina's Sheraton Vistana Resort trip reports. (Yes, I'm a lurker and a fan.)

Well, by gosh....I'm blushing!

Thanks, tina.tina .

 

[tina.tina]

Well, by gosh....I'm blushing!

Thanks, tina.tina .

I had surgery August 29th so reading your most recent report was a great way to spend my recovery. My DH knows you as one of those Canadians I like to read about. I'm also a fan of Gary Cruise's reports and blogs on All Ears.

 

[LadyJayne813]

I'm sorry if others disagree with me, but my opinion stands. Pop to me is no more than a motel 6 with huge plastic decorations. I never said motel 6 was a dirty nasty hotel. I've stayed at a few in my day. I never said the pop was a dump. To me pop is on par with a decent newer motel 6. We've always stayed at holiday inn type places so I am not a hoity toity hotel person. Pop is a step down from that. I did not like being in a room so small that I could touch the door laying in bed. I have never seen a smaller hotel bathroom in my life. It was not magical. I would honestly advise people from staying at the pop if they are used to even holiday inn or hampton inn type accomodations. It is definately a step down. Again, not dirty or sleazy, but not a place that I wanted to go back to at night. Also definately not a hotel I would be pleased with after planning and anticipating a trip that is once in a lifetime for many.

 

[disneydude365]

seriously? lol ok again ill point out like someone else missing your exit not disney's resorts fault.. thats all yours for not paying attention. if you don't like transportation well that is a huge plus for my family. the minute we arrive we know we won't have to get in our car until our trip is over, so much freedom no one has to argue where to go or when they need to be back because transportation is provided to all destinations so I'm honestly baffled why anyone would ignore it.

some people are off site ppl i guess I've only stayed off site 1 time and i hated it with a fiery passion as tinkerbells jealousy. on one day trips when we action to florida though not orlando ill just drive to the park and drive back but sorry you didn't like the decor i love all resorts from value to deluxe contemporary by far my favorite!!

like others have said i guess try higher values and see if to your liking but in my opinion if your passing the transportation.. stay offsite thats basically paying for the dining plan and then paying out of pocket for every meal wasting your gas

 

[LadyJayne813]

Like I said previously, I take complete responsibility for missing my exit. However I did find it more difficult to turn around and get on my way on property than off.

I also did not judge pop transportation in anyway. We had a car. Either way when we go to orlando we always have a car. As I said, I am basing my opinion on the hotel only.

 

[nugov2]

I always wonder what Motel 6 people have stayed at when they compare any Disney resort to a Motel 6.

I have stayed off site, and plan to do so again in the future. But I would much rather be on site, and have Disney everywhere I look and CMs taking care of me. I understand the decor was not to your liking, but the fact that you missed the exit and took so long to get there was not the fault of the resort. So it is not fair to add that to your list of reasons why you disliked it.

At least now you can say you tried a value resort. But you still don't know if you are on or off site people until you have tried both moderate and deluxe resorts. The themeing is totally different, and the rooms are larger than the values.

I've never stayed at one personally(value or motel 6), but they are the same because the amenities are almost exactly the same. Outdoor corridors, basic pools and no frills dining options, small rooms and small beds with cheaper mattresses and bedding. That is exactly what the values have only they have giant WDW decorations all over. I liken them more to motels in vegas rather than off the highway motels b/c they have more food options then a small in lobby breakfast buffet like you may or may not find at a motel 6 or super 8, but at the end of the day the are pretty much the same.

 

[metz72]

Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you I am a hotel snob. I won't stay at anything less then a 3 star hotel and even then I might complain. I would never ever stay at a Motel 6, Super 8 etc.

I have stayed at the ASMo and the ASMu and loved both stays. Yes the rooms are small but we were really only in the room to sleep and get ready. I love being in the middle of the "magic" For our first trip we stayed off site in a beautiful condo but the driving and the parking was not fun for us. Plus it could have been a vacation anywhere in any condo/hotel with a side trip to a theme park. When you stay on-site every minute is part of the magic for me.

Again it all boils down to a matter of taste and you really can't go wrong with however you plan a Disney Trip.

 

[nugov2]

Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you I am a hotel snob. I won't stay at anything less then a 3 star hotel and even then I might complain. I would never ever stay at a Motel 6, Super 8 etc.

I have stayed at the ASMo and the ASMu and loved both stays. Yes the rooms are small but we were really only in the room to sleep and get ready. I love being in the middle of the "magic" For our first trip we stayed off site in a beautiful condo but the driving and the parking was not fun for us. Plus it could have been a vacation anywhere in any condo/hotel with a side trip to a theme park. When you stay on-site every minute is part of the magic for me.

Again it all boils down to a matter of taste and you really can't go wrong with however you plan a Disney Trip.

Then IMO, you are not a hotel snob. There is no difference in amenities only one has WDW stamped on it. Like a pp stated Motel 6/Super 8 doesn't = dirty and gross. It would be the same is saying you only drink Cristal, but while in Disney will make an exception because the Korbel they serve is just so good. Disney may slap a fancy bow on their motel but again the amenities are motel amenities. Read almost any review of a value at WDW and they say hard beds, small beds, small rooms, minimal dining options, basic pool the same reviews you'd see at any other motel chain. Plus a three star hotel is just a very basic hotel. LaQuinta, Courtyard, Doubletree etc. Nothing wrong with them at all, but I wouldn't consider someone who will only stay in a Best Western a hotel snob.

 

[olwyngdh]

I'm sorry if others disagree with me, but my opinion stands. Pop to me is no more than a motel 6 with huge plastic decorations. I never said motel 6 was a dirty nasty hotel. I've stayed at a few in my day. I never said the pop was a dump. To me pop is on par with a decent newer motel 6. We've always stayed at holiday inn type places so I am not a hoity toity hotel person. Pop is a step down from that. I did not like being in a room so small that I could touch the door laying in bed. I have never seen a smaller hotel bathroom in my life. It was not magical. I would honestly advise people from staying at the pop if they are used to even holiday inn or hampton inn type accomodations. It is definately a step down. Again, not dirty or sleazy, but not a place that I wanted to go back to at night. Also definately not a hotel I would be pleased with after planning and anticipating a trip that is once in a lifetime for many.

We usually stay at Holiday Inn, and I have to disagree with you. I will take Pop over a Holiday Inn. I don't like interior corrodors-- they are loud and echoing and I hear every noise. I don't get that at Pop. The pools at Pop are better than any HI I have stayed in. The people are friendlier, and that even includes the managers receptions at HI when they are supposed to be being nice. Yes, the rooms and bathrooms are smaller, but seriously, do you need a bathroom big enough for your entire family to be in it at the same time? The rooms at Pop are big enough for sleeping, relaxing when we choose to be inside, and for keeping our stuff. Just because it doesn't appeal to you is no reason to denegrate it, or the people who like it. Personally, if someone is bringing the this isn't good enough for me attitude into my happy place, I would prefer that they do stay somewhere else so that their attitude doesn't harsh my mellow. ( I would put a smiley hippie here, but I don't know how to do it on the app. Please imagine one!)

 

[LadyJayne813]

I am not degrading the property, or the people who like it.
I am stating my opinion based on my stay. If I were a potential pop guest who had never been there before, I would want to hear all opinions. I don't think a hotel should get extra points because you only sleep there. You can also sleep in a tent at camp wilderness.

 

[nugov2]

We usually stay at Holiday Inn, and I have to disagree with you. I will take Pop over a Holiday Inn. I don't like interior corrodors-- they are loud and echoing and I hear every noise. I don't get that at Pop. The pools at Pop are better than any HI I have stayed in. The people are friendlier, and that even includes the managers receptions at HI when they are supposed to be being nice. Yes, the rooms and bathrooms are smaller, but seriously, do you need a bathroom big enough for your entire family to be in it at the same time? The rooms at Pop are big enough for sleeping, relaxing when we choose to be inside, and for keeping our stuff. Just because it doesn't appeal to you is no reason to denegrate it, or the people who like it. Personally, if someone is bringing the this isn't good enough for me attitude into my happy place, I would prefer that they do stay somewhere else so that their attitude doesn't harsh my mellow. ( I would put a smiley hippie here, but I don't know how to do it on the app. Please imagine one!)

I haven't seen one person slam the Pop/value or Motel 6, they have said the two are very similar. If anyone sees that as a slam on a value or who stays at them then that is YOUR view of a motel 6 not being worthy. People are simply comparing the amenities of the motel, size of the room and the fact it is outside corridors(which is a feature very important for some people. My DH refuses to sleep anywhere with an outdoor corridor) and I think that is an accurate description of them. Doesn't mean they are gross, dirty, but it also doesn't mean b/c some wants a bathrooms that their whole family can be in with a much larger room that they think they are "too good" for a value. Everyone has different comfort levels and I actually think the opposite when it comes to my accommodations compared to many posters...they are the number one priority on my vacation. Sleep is the most important thing to make my vacation enjoyable day after day and I can't get that in a small room with smaller/harder beds.

 

[metz72]

Then IMO, you are not a hotel snob. There is no difference in amenities only one has WDW stamped on it. Like a pp stated Motel 6/Super 8 doesn't = dirty and gross. It would be the same is saying you only drink Cristal, but while in Disney will make an exception because the Korbel they serve is just so good. Disney may slap a fancy bow on their motel but again the amenities are motel amenities. Read almost any review of a value at WDW and they say hard beds, small beds, small rooms, minimal dining options, basic pool the same reviews you'd see at any other motel chain. Plus a three star hotel is just a very basic hotel. LaQuinta, Courtyard, Doubletree etc. Nothing wrong with them at all, but I wouldn't consider someone who will only stay in a Best Western a hotel snob.

I guess it is the same as saying I only drink Cristal, but will drink the Korbel at Disney. Outside of Disney I would only stay at a LaQuinta or Courtyard if I absolutely had no choice and I would complain about every minute of it. I am more of a Hilton or Westin kind of gal.

The only reason we stayed at the All Stars was because my DD was part of a dance group that performed at Disney and the dance teacher required that we all stay together. I was prepared to be snobbish about them for our first stay but I guess I was too busy having fun with my family and being in the parks to care that the hotel wasn't up to my usual standards.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

if you don't like transportation well that is a huge plus for my family. the minute we arrive we know we won't have to get in our car until our trip is over, so much freedom no one has to argue where to go or when they need to be back because transportation is provided to all destinations so I'm honestly baffled why anyone would ignore it.

Its all in your preferences, I guess. We used Disney transportation exclusively for our first trip to Orlando, when we were onsite at POR. We definitely didn't get the "magic" that you have found in riding the buses.

For us, the buses meant loud guests, insufficient space for everyone to sit (yep, even my DH gets weary feet at the end of a park day and craves the opportunity to rest in a seat), smelly bodies, fussing babies and toddlers, stopping multiple times before you ever get to your destination.....and that's AFTER waiting in the sun (or the rain) for a bus to finally arrive in the first place.

Hopping in our rental vehicle at the end of a park day holds a much greater appeal for us. With a GPS, we find getting around Orlando to be a breeze. We each have our own seat. We have as much air conditioning or heat as we need. There's no need to wait for our transportation to arrive. We have the option to stop anywhere along the way if we so desire. If we have a dining reservation, we don't need to leave an hour before the ADR if the actual distance to drive it is only 20 minutes away.

If someone is truly driving averse, then yes....the buses would be a blessing. For many folks, though, they are definitely not considered a convenience.

some people are off site ppl i guess I've only stayed off site 1 time and i hated it with a fiery passion as tinkerbells jealousy. on one day trips when we action to florida though not orlando ill just drive to the park and drive back but sorry you didn't like the decor i love all resorts from value to deluxe contemporary by far my favorite!!

We have the same passion for our offsite resort. The style and "vibe" of the Vistana fits us far better than POR. The Contemporary feels very cold to us. The Grand Floridian feel pretentious. The values feel gaudy. The Boardwalk has some appealing characteristics but then I think of that clown pool and (no thanks). But that's one of the most wonderful things about Orlando....the sheer scope of accommodation, dining and entertainment options make it a place where virtually every family can find their particular niche.

like others have said i guess try higher values and see if to your liking but in my opinion if your passing the transportation.. stay offsite thats basically paying for the dining plan and then paying out of pocket for every meal wasting your gas

By staying offsite, we save way more than enough to pay for our gas . Here's our apples to apples comparison:

Our 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom villa at Sheraton Vistana Resort for May 1st to 8th, 2015: $906 USD, including all taxes and fees.

A 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom villa at Saratoga Springs for the same dates: $5843.25 .

Difference: $4937.25

That's a lot of Mickey bars! And at a nightly difference of $705 between the two resorts, we could stop wasting gas and take a limo to the parks each day and still come out ahead .

We, personally, can't rationalize "we're just in the room to sleep". We want vacation accommodations that are at least equal to home in space, comfort and amenities. We want a true resort property that offers us a day of fun if we, for whatever reason, don't feel like stepping foot outside of its boundaries. And we want it to be a reasonable price.

Offsite is our paradise. We don't want total "immersion"......too much stimulation, too much colour, too much princess-infused whimsy for us if it was in our face 24/7. But we don't look poorly on anyone else who has come to a different decision for their family. Wouldn't the world be a boring place if we all thought the same?