On site or not- the never ending debate

[kman1011]

Hello
I have not posted for a while. We are now going back to wdw this feb. Last year it was my wife, myself and our boys of 7 and 4. This year were thinking for sure our ds of 8, 5, 3. Possibly thinking bringing my in laws and then our 1 year old daughter would come then. Last year we stayed at all stars and it was just fine. We only used early admittance one day tho We are thinking of a vacation home close to disney that way we have more flexibilty and room. What are your thoughts on this, what else would we be missing out on? Your wisdom is always appreciated

 

[mpbs]

I would definately recommend on site with young children. My sons are now 11 & 13, and still stay on site. My family likes to go back to the hotel in the afternoon and swim, staying at a disney hotel makes that very easy to do. Have fun !

 

[tone.def]

IMHO, on-site is better for transportation (not having to worry about renting a car and paying for parking), accessibility to your resort if the kids get tired and cranky and want to take a nap or a swim - you're that much closer and obviously for the Disney magic for the kids!

 

[califred]

WE went last year with a family group and had great luck staying in a vacation home, we were all of 15 minutes from the parks and were able to cook, the kids had their own rooms and pool.

You might also want to pose this question on the Orlando boards to see what other have to say. On this board you're mostly going to get stay on site opinions .

We are staying on site this year b/c it's just us and the kids, but if we go back with extended family again we'll rent a house.

 

[polyfan]

We went the first time and stayed off site. My husband said he would never go back to Disney. After our first son was born he said we could try again and stay on site. We have been going at least once a year(sometimes more) for the past 9 years! There is definitely a difference. You cannot compare driving in traffic to getting on a monorail or bus and being driven there. With all the bad accidents that occur on those interstates why even tempt it. Plus it uses up alot more of your time( that is a given).

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

We have been 8 times and have stayed off site all but one of those years. The year we stayed off site is why we won't stay off site again. Now, we are also a family of 3 so the cost isn't as much a difference for us. The more in your party, the higher the cost difference is.

To us, the advantages for on site are:

Location, location, location - yes, there are hotels, resorts, that are close to Disney, but once you get off Disney property, even going one mile can make a difference. We take a break every day at the parks and go back to our resort to rest or swim. We stay at the moderates and the location is still much better than off site. Now, again, this depends on how busy it is when you are down there. During off season when it isn't busy, the traffice off site isn't as bad. But, even a slightly busy time can reap havoc on the traffic.

Atmosphere - we love the theming of the Disney resorts. They are extremely relaxing and very quiete. We love them at night after getting back from the parks.

Transportation - We always drive, so we have our car and drive to most of the parks. The MK is the only one that we take the bus. But, it is very easy to get around in WDW in a car and the bus is there if we don't feel like driving. It is also nice if your party consist of people who want to go to different places at different times. When I have to drive, being on property makes it much less stressful and it is my vacation too.

Perks - Extended hours for resort guests, if going during very busy time, guaranteed entereance to the parks, packages delivered back to your resort from the parks. Disney service.

The biggest advantages for staying off site just don't apply to our family. We are a family of three, sometimes four if we take a friend of our sons, so we don't need the larger accomodations you can get off site. Also, me or my wife aren't going to cook on vacation, so having a kitchen isn't a plus for us. If we travel with extended family, it is a requirement of mine that they have their own place anyway. I don't live with them at home, I'm not living with them on my vacation.

If we needed the extra room, we would probably rent DVC points and get a one bedroom or two bedroom at Old Key West.

Really, it is just a matter of what is going to be important for you and your family. Figure out what is your highest priorities and that will tell you whether on site or off site is best for you.

 

[kman1011]

We will rent a car, last year we never used the pool but for an hour, but we ran and ran and might slow down this trip(but who knows) We went off site to get some groceries, nothing major just breakfast stuff and snacks. If we go to universal I thought it just made sense to stay off site so we don't have to pack up twice. But again I agree the atmosphere is worth something to. I just cannot decide. I guess it will factor in if we bring extended family or not.

 

[brymolmom]

Well - I have been an off-site proponent for years. I have been about 6 times in the last 7 years and have never stayed on site. If budget is not an issue - then I'd say GO FOR ON SITE. But, I am a big bargain hunter and have always found better deals off-site. Don't get me wrong- for room price alone you can get close at a Disney property (especially Value), but when you're onsite- especially if you opt not to rent a car - you are 'trapped' into buying every bite of food and sip of drink at the parks. I love having a kitchen in the room - and it's very convenient with my 1 and 3 year olds (string cheese and yogurt can get them through anything). Also, having young kids, I like having a separate bedroom/living area suite. That way - when they go to bed at 8:00pm, my dh and I can stay up until whenever in the other room without disturbing them.

I recently stayed at Homewood Suites on Parkway (or Parkwood, can't remember exactly) - and for $70 a night the 4 of us got a 1 bedroom suite, kitchenette area and a hot breakfast for all of us. We also go to the grocery store, make sandwiches and bring them to the parks. I have found that this saves a lot of money. And I've never been disappointed in the locations I've chosen- very convenient to the parks. The Homewood suites is likely closer to some of the parks than other Disney resorts - only 1 mile outside the gate. And it has a huge pool to relax in after the day at the parks. As do many of the offsite choices.

That being said - I am about to embark on my first on-site experience. The MYW plus dining that I booked for September was too incredible a deal for me to pass up - I figured it is ending up at least $500 savings to stay onsite instead of off. Because they're 'throwing in' the meals for free - you can't beat that anywhere!

So - I will let you know after this trip if I will pay the higher price and stay onsite next time.

Good luck with your decision.
Karen

 

[gepetto]

We've both stayed onsite and offsite and had a great time every trip. Do consider a vacation home. Our friends rented one last summer and loved it. It was spotless. Everyone had their own bedroom and they had a screened in pool.

 

[TXTink]

We will rent a car, last year we never used the pool but for an hour, but we ran and ran and might slow down this trip(but who knows) We went off site to get some groceries, nothing major just breakfast stuff and snacks. If we go to universal I thought it just made sense to stay off site so we don't have to pack up twice. But again I agree the atmosphere is worth something to. I just cannot decide. I guess it will factor in if we bring extended family or not.

I agree, if you go to Universal it makes sense to stay off site.

If you decide to only do Disney, then I would vote for on site. If you do stay on site, you can get connecting rooms at the All Stars, or Pop to add to "the family's all together" feel, for a reasonable rate.

 

[TINKTWINS]

It really depends on you, how did you feel when you stayed on property? Did you get all tingly inside, were you so sad to leave. There are lots of things that factor for people. I myself cannot bring myself to stay off property. I have serious Disney issues. For instance, last August we did one week in Disney then one week in Vero. Well we were flying out of MCO, so I managed to justify checking out of Vero a day earlier, driving back up to Orlando checking into PC for one night, just to make the trip to the airport easier. DH was gonna leave me on the side of the road
But the upside was, I added yet another Disney Resort stay to my (even if for just one night) to my list! and hit the outlets just once more!

Good luck in your choice!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Last January, we stayed off-site for the first time after many times of staying onsite. Our kids at the time were 6 and 16 months. What a royal pain in the butt!!!! Never again! Just the driving alone was a royal pain. We couldn't take afternoon breaks because it would have been a hassle to leave and come back. The money we saved on the hotel wasn't worth it, at least for us. We had a condo, which was nice for DH and I, and the kids but no more! We are staying at the CR in September. No more offsite for us!

 

[Okiemom]

This will be only our 2nd time to visit WDW, so I am no expert, but we did stay on-site and loved it. It really added to the quality of the vacation in my opinion. We did not drive a car for the 5 days we were there, and it was wonderful. The Disney transportation worked very well for us. They dropped us at the parks, and we did not have to hunt for our cars in the parking lot at night when we are tired. I hate traffic and figuring out where to go, directions and me do not mix!!! We even had a town car pick us up at the airport and deliver us to hotel. I hate to drive in places we are not familar with. So I guess it just depends on your family make-up, for me it is on-site for sure. We are coming back in November and staying at POFQ this time. I am seriously thinking about doing 2 rooms at the moderate just so we can spread out more, 2 teens (boy & girl) so each need there own bed, and having the extra bathroom. I say whatever is a "stress buster" for you to have a good time, is what you need to do.

 

[Mainebound]

I think you will have a great trip no matter what.

Here's my two cents: the last two trips we split our stay between onsite and offsite (Swan/Hard Rock, then Vacation Home/Wilderness Lodge). Prior to that, we have always stayed onsite the whole trip.

Obviously, you get much more for your money offsite. Yes, you can rent DVC points, but that is still much more costly than renting a condo or pool home. Our 4 bed pool home was about $150 a night -- the cost of one room at a WDW moderate, more than a DVC studio.

We have two preschool aged sons. We often do return to the room/home for naps. Yet, we found the vacation home to be easiest with them. They have their own bedrooms, their own Tvs, their own space to relax and play. Night time was quiet for sleeping and DH and I did not have to pretend to be asleep with the lights out, waiting for DSs to fall asleep, and then quietly sneak out to a tiny balcony with our overpriced glass of wine. Instead we could swim in the private pool or relax in the hot tub, with a fridge full of food and drinks at our disposal. We found transportation to be very easy to the vacation home -- much easier than I expected, and often faster than WDW transportation (no stops!). We found ourselves using the car after one day at WL, and MANY DISers still use their cars when onsite -- there are good reasons for this.

The WDW hotels are wonderful and definitely have a special "magic" -- due mostly to the theming and great service -- so I think any trip we take will include at least some time in them. And there is a thrill in staying at a resort rather than a condo or pool home (perhaps it is just as thrilling to stay at offiste hotels like the Nick Hotel -- I don't know), where everyone is having fun on vacation. Vacation homes tend to be quiet.

But don't feel for a second that your trip will be compromised in any way if you decide not to stay onsite. In fact, I think sometimes the expectations are built up so much for WDW hotels that you see more complaints about them on the WDW Resorts board than about Orlando area hotels on the off-site boards, because people often expect that once they've booked onsite everything will be perfect! You can have a great stay (or a poor one) at any hotel.

Have fun planning!

 

[Goobergal99]

There is nothing like the magic of staying on site. Since we really are not fans of the bach and the ocean, we go to Florida for the mere reason of going to Disney. Therefore it is our Disney vacation, not out florida vacation. So for me it is no contest: I'm staying in Disney or I'm not going!

 

[stacy6552]

Not only should you be onsite, but you should stay with Disney. We really missed the magic when we tried one of the DTD resorts a few years back. In fact it sent us straight to DVC to buy in. Disney just does it so much better. Stay in a home away from home resort with Disney or rent points from a DVC member.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Im not going to say that "onsite is allways better" like others on this board. Each has there advantage and disadvantages.

Onsite Advantages-

Transportation
EMH
Being able to go back to the room "real quick" for a mid-day nap
Being around the magic 24 hrs a day

Onsite Disadvantages-

Price

Offsite Advantages-

Better Value
Sometimes Accomidations are larger then Disney Hotel Rooms

Offsite Disadvantages-

Having to drive to the parks
Being "outside the world"!
Having to pay for parking



Whatever you choose, have a great time!

 

[kirbsam]

We have always stayed onsite, but have heard nothing but great things about vacation homes. someday, we will probably go that direction, but now my family loves the magic of onsite.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Staying onsite is the way to go!!! Especially with young children!!

 

[Lewisc]

Replies on the Disney Resort board inevitably favor the on-site experience. Posts on the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board are more likely to give you the other side.

PRO--Better accomodations for larger famlies, cooking available in a broader range of accomodations and better access to lower priced restaurants. You still get free theme park parking if you have an AP. Prices tend to be much better.

CON--You really have to drive, offsite shuttle buses aren't that good. You're less likely to want to take a break at your hotel and then go back to another park for dinner and fireworks. You don't get perks like extra hours and package delivery.