On Site or Off-site for first time visitor

[3princes+1princess]

Our original plans (for my family of 5, plus my husband coming for a portion of the week) was to stay onsite to get the whole disney package. I liked not having to rent a car, not driving there everyday, and just being there. However, I am starting to feel the money be sucked out of me for a small room.

Another option we have is to get a timeshare where all we would have to do is pay for the exchange fee, probably around $100. We can get a two bedroom with places to sleep 6. Obviously much bigger. But then we would have to rent a car.

If it helps, my family loves to spend every minute at disney, so I doubt we would make it back for dinner or utilize the kitchen very much. We would probably be there only to sleep. We are going in Dec so not much use for the pools either. However, I have never done disney for 8 days (only dl for 3 days). We may get a bit more tired than I anticipate.

Can I get the good bad and ugly on staying onsite versus offsite?

 

[Stinky_Pete]

My first question is where are you planning on staying on site? It sounds like you will have 6 people at one point. The only places on property that can accomodate that many is a family suite at the All Stars, a Jr. Suite at the WL, a DVC Villa or a cabin at FW. Most of those options are way expensive!

That being said...

I'm staying at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek this December. I'm looking forward to having the extra room and the huge cost savings (actually free since I'm going with a Wyndham owner). I don't mind driving at WDW, but they also do have a shuttle to the parks, which I will take if I don't want to drive.

It's true there is something special about staying in Disney accomodations, and I'm sure part of me will miss it. But for cost savings and the kitchen (which I will use, especially for breakfast) I'm sure I will be very happy.

 

[bcinohio]

Stayed offsite for the first time last summer and loved it. We are a family of 5 and would need 2 rooms at a value. My cousin and her family joined us and we paid $800 for a 4 bed/3 bath house at Sunset Lakes with pool and gameroom and loved it. It was a very easy drive. It was faster than waiting for a bus even at closing. With all 10 of us we would have needed 3 room at the POP and we spent less than 1 room for a whole house. Then we split that so even better. We would take breaks in the afternoon and go back in the evening for the late shows. It worked out great. I will be doing it again.

We did not miss staying onsite at all. We still had all the Disney Magic and didn't feel like we missed anything. The money saving was great!!

 

[TamaraQT]

Another on-site vs. off-site question. This is gonna get interesting.

Well my response is, it depends on who you ask. There are those who love either one and can't see past it. On-site lovers always seem to want to be surrounded by the Magic 24hours a day. And for that, you definitely have to stay On-site. Off-site people seem to like the convenience of having room to spread out. But one thing I find interesting is I hear people say often, "we don't plan on spending much time in our rooms. Just a place to sleep and shower". And that makes me question why they LIKE to pay HIGH PREMIUM prices to stay on-site in a room they barely see. Thats the part I don't get.


Personally I love Off-site. I own a timeshare week in the area and I love the convenience of it. Sure I rent a car and drive back and forth. But I don't mind. The point is, no matter what, the park closes eventually and you have to go back to your room no matter where you stay. I prefer to put the kids to bed in their own room and kick back and relax on a sofa in front of a huge screen TV. All the conveniences of home, with the Disney park only 15 minutes away. I like having the option of using a full kitchen to prepare a quick meal. I am not a gourmet chef in the kitchen on vacation. I am not on vacation to do that. However, a run to the local walmart or publix for a couple of rotissiere chickens and a side of mac and cheese for under $20 to feed a family of 5 doesnt seem like cooking on vacation to me. Thats what me and family enjoy. Or a stop at a local restaurant on the way home or on an afternoon break works for us too. Many nice places to eat in the Orlando area.

Others will argue again, that all they do is sleep and shower and are so DEAD tired that they don't care to do anything else but sleep. So that works for them. I still have to question why pay so much to stay onsite in a room you only sleep and shower in? Then there's the Dining Plans thats all the RAVE of on-site lovers. They dont mind having dining reservations dictate how they spend their day in disney. In fact, they look forward to it !!! Its a way of life for them, and even though its not ideal for me, I think its GREAT if it works for them.

I am sure you are going to get some interesting comments. But in the end, you will do what is best for YOU and YOUR family. It may take some time to give both options a try and you will know. Good luck!! ENJOY YOURSELF no matter which path you choose!!!

 

[Mickey2013]

We took our first family WDW vacation last April. We are a family of 5. Kids were 9, 5, and 3 at the time of the trip. We stayed in FW cabins to make it a little cheaper, but still give us room.

PROS: I liked FW Campground - must have a golfcart, the idea of having our own separate space (cabin), 2 sleeping spaces - bedroom and LR, kitchen space w/ young kids, proximity to MK by boat, transportation worked great for us.

CONS: the cabin was less than my idea of a "vacation" room/hotel - it was "cabiny", not polished (I would have preferred the polish of a Deluxe), for our family the one bedroom w/ LR just wasn't enough private sleeping space, no real CS on-site for a quick meal, but a great general store for prepackaged or frozen snacks

We did do the DDP and really only ate breakfast food and a frozen pizza one eve in the cabin. We napped everyday and enjoyed the pool.

For our next visit I would like to stay 0ff-site to give our kids space of their own for sleeping. My vacation time will be better if my kids can sleep comfortably (then I can too). I've looked into Windsor Hills condos and TH and priced it out every which way. It really is the same price or cheaper to stay off-site in a 3B / 2Bath condo, rent a car, pay for parking, buy tix, and food. And although we had no problem w/ Disney transport, others have had L-O-N-G waits for buses and long trips due to stops. I keep thinking the car really will be faster.

Another option may be for you to rent DVC points. Again, it is much cheaper to rent points than pay the Disney prices for a villa. Checkout David's DVC rentals OR rentalstore.com for prices. With renting points you can still do the DDP and use ME.

I think everyone has their personal preference, but you have to do what is right for your family and your budget.

 

[Havana]

When are you going in December? If it's over the Christmas/New Year's. The onsite magic hours are a huge benefit.

 

[shalom]

However, I have never done disney for 8 days (only dl for 3 days). We may get a bit more tired than I anticipate.

Can I get the good bad and ugly on staying onsite versus offsite?

If you're going to be there eight days I'd stay offsite in a condo. I know there are people who are happy doing the parks opening to close 8 days straight, but everyone I know who stays that long takes some days off or do a lot of partial days. So I'm guessing you may be spending more time in your room or villa than you anticipate, in which case on site will likely feel cramped.

It's also more restful, IMHO, to have separate rooms, in terms of sleeping at night but also in terms of taking some time off from the parks. Even just a room for mom and dad and one for the kids means you can have the ones who like the TV on in one and the ones craving quiet in the other; add in a living room area and you can have nappers or kids who want to be doing something else in the third.

 

[Brian Noble]

On Site or Off-site for first time visitor

In general, there are three things you might want in your Disney vacation lodging:
1: To be onsite.
2: To have plenty of space.
3: To spend a reasonable amount of money.

You can have two of those three. It's generally impossible to have all three at the same time*. So, you have to decide which of those three you are most willing to give up.

For me, #2 (having plenty of space) is an iron-clad requirement. My wife and I do not consider it "vacation" if we have to share a bedroom with our children, and I actively resent pretending to be asleep while they nod off. Then, when it comes down to #1 vs. #3, I usually go with #3. So, we generally stay offsite, in a condo, townhome, or pool home, and laugh all the way to the bank. Others would rather give up the space, or spend more money, and that's why Baskin-Robbins has 31 flavors.

(*---Technically, it is possible, but it usually requires a DVC exchange or renting points from someone at absolutely fire-sale prices. And, about half my stays are onsite, but it's been through one of these mechanisms.)

 

[3princes+1princess]

You all are so great to share your experiences. All of the reasons you listed are why I want to stay off-site....especially the space. And out of those 8 days, two will be traveling, but still buying the extra days since we may get an hour or two extra there. The thought of not being cramped with kids in my bed sounds WONDERFUL! And having a grocery store....is almost a necessity for my family. And I have to agree with one of the posters....I don't know how people do the regular dining plan where you have to PLAN a meal everyday. It would just my luck to be on the opposite side of a park when I had reservations.

Now, since I may just change my plans and stay off-site....on to seeing what my grandmas timeshare has to offer in terms of space and location to the park. And then it is the BIG decision.

 

[kathy884]

It's a personal preference, of course. I'm an offsite fan myself, and for any trip of six days or longer (anywhere -- not just Orlando), really want the extra space, kitchen, and laundry facilities if possible. If people go to bed at different times, some in your family are a little restless, etc. having the separate bedroom and spaces is just so wonderful. I love being able to have breakfast in too (eating out all the time just gets sooo tiresome). I also like to make sandwiches to bring to the park in a soft sided cooler, and that's so easy to do when you have a condo. Also, Orlando has so many terriffic timeshares. Disney, of course, has condos too, but they are very expensive and out of my budget. // We've stayed onsite, but only for four night/three day trips. I get stir crazy in a hotel room after that.

 

[utahkennedys]

I vote for on-site for a first trip. Why? WDW is huge and often overwhelming for first time visitors. I have taken about 35 WDW trips in my 37 years, so I know the airport, the roads, the grocery stores, my way around, etc. But, if I didn't, and this is the same advice I give friends -- save yourself some stress and stay on site. You only have one "first trip". Take Magical Express and let them drive you to the resort and handle your luggage. Enjoy the little Disney touches and be completely removed from the "real world". Let the bus driver get you to the parks. Having said that, I highly recommend a DVC villa. The 2BR will give you loads of space, a kitchen and a washer/dryer -- not to mention a great location on site. Then you can consider off-site on your next trip. We stay on-site at a DVC resort about 2/3 of the time because to us you just can't beat it no matter how nice the off-site place may be.

 

[torinsmom]

Well, even with a rental car, offsite will be cheaper, since you'd have to stay somewhere that could fit 6 people or get two rooms onsite. My personal feeling is that driving and parking in the parks is more relaxing than waiting for the bus and then having to squeeze on with 100 people you don't know. The ride there isn't so bad, but the ride back.....well different story. We love to spread out, which is easy in a condo. And we like having a fridge, oven, microwave and washer/dryer, plus more than one bath.

That being said, since it is your first trip, onsite might be fun for you. EVerything Disney all the time can be fun for the kids. We've BTDT and even with only the 2 of us, I prefer an offsite condo now. If you are onsite, you can use the EMHs and won't have to pay to park. You are pretty much stuck with Disney food and don't have the ability to cook or have a fridge though(maybe in some of the deluxe places you do)

 

[John Tag]

For us, Staying off-site last year saved us $1200 from year before at Pop Resort. Same B,L and dinners, 7 day PH passes ect. We drive down so we do have a car, BUT used shuttle 6 days of the 7.

Our kids also bring air mattress as they love that fun factor.


It really does depend on you travel style.

 

[Lost boy]

We're DVC members so we stay onsite now, but even before that we stayed onsite. With 4 kids we usually got adjoining rooms at a value resort and spent the whole day in the parks, ate whatever on the fly and returned to the room exhausted. The kids always went in the pools at night because they're heated, even in Dec and Jan and still do. We never would have considered staying off site, the Dis hotel was part of the experience, the logistics of staying onsite are so easy with a large family it's hard to beat. Does it cost a ton of cash, sure, but we didn't go every year, it was a special treat. If we wanted to vacation on the cheap we'd go to Cape Cod for a week in the summer, stay in a crappy motel, eat fast food (like at DIS) and still end up spending 3,000, so in comparison to us at least staying onsite wasn't that bad. I vote for onsite just for the total experience.

 

[Brian Noble]

Cape Cod ... stay in a crappy motel

In Cape Cod (or a lot of NE beach towns) there aren't many other options. But it's important to point out that, in Orlando, this is by no means necessary. You certainly *could* stay in a crappy motel, as there are plenty in the area, but for just a little bit more money---usually around the cost of a Disney Value room---you can stay in a lovely condo or townhome with more space than some of us have in our primary homes.

 

[torinsmom]

In Cape Cod (or a lot of NE beach towns) there aren't many other options. But it's important to point out that, in Orlando, this is by no means necessary. You certainly *could* stay in a crappy motel, as there are plenty in the area, but for just a little bit more money---usually around the cost of a Disney Value room---you can stay in a lovely condo or townhome with more space than some of us have in our primary homes.

Yeah, comparing a condo/house in a gated community to a crappy motel is pretty silly if you ask me. I guess we will just suffer through our 8 night stay in a 5 bedroom pool house for $800. Poor us, LOL. It would take at least 3 rooms for my group onsite, to the tune of at least $2400. I can do another trip on that savings. Some people like the magic of being on property 24 hours/day. I like driving under the Disney sign every day of my vacation and spreading out with my free wireless, several big screen tvs, full kitchen and a pool on my patio when I need a break. 4 people in a room not much bigger than my bedroom is just not my idea of fun. But to each their own.....

 

[shalom]

The thought of not being cramped with kids in my bed sounds WONDERFUL!

There was a time I wanted to stay in ALL the on-site resorts. Then I discovered that you couldn't get a guaranteed King bed unless you're in a DVC unit... We have a queen at home because we prefer the closeness, but I sleep better on a King while traveling.

WDW is huge and often overwhelming for first time visitors.

We went to WDW the first time last year and found it really easy to navigate. It was 2 minutes and two turns to the nearest Publix, 4 minutes and two turns to Disney's Character Warehouse (a Disney outlet store), and ten minutes and one turn (from International Drive to World Center/Epcot Center Dr.) to the WDW entrance arch. And there are plenty of places much closer to WDW than we were (we wanted a place halfway between WDW and Sea World).

No problem driving into Orlando and finding our resort, either, although admittedly we're used to navigating cities and have a GPS. Definitely less hassle to get to WDW than to DL! I would guess that Orlando's cake for someone who can get around the LA metro area.

We stay on-site at a DVC resort about 2/3 of the time because to us you just can't beat it no matter how nice the off-site place may be.

People keep saying this, but then I look at the layout of a DVC 2 BR or watch a video tour and I just don't get it. I can understand it for someone who spends opening to close in the parks and just crashes in the unit at night, but DVC units look so cramped to me if you take breaks in the afternoon or days off as we do. And some of the upper level balconies are so tiny! All you can cram out there are two people in two tiny chairs out there, then maybe one or two more standing.

I'm used to units with screened porches that'll hold a table and four chairs and still have space for another couple of chairs if the whole lot of us want to sit out there. And a dining room table that'll seat at least six, with room to squeeze another chair or two in there. What is the logic of a unit that sleeps eight having a table that seats only four? DVC logic, I'm thinking -- design the unit so that no one really wants to eat there or hang out there, so they'll be out in the parks or shops or restaurants spending money.

And DVC's the only resort system I've ever explored that defines as "full" a kitchen that has less counter space than the one in our hooch in Korea. I get all wound up following the photo threads in the resort board, and part of me just plain likes the idea of staying onsite, and trading in through our system it's pretty reasonable financially ($150/night for a Beach Club 2 BR in May, which is when we'd be going for the next few years), but whenever I start seriously considering it and look at what you get and read a few reviews on the TS boards, I back out. I'm like Brian -- gotta have space or it's not a vacation. I suspect I won't work up the nerve to try a DVC unit until it's just hubby and I and maybe one or two kids going.

I just go round and round on it, one day thinking I'm totally going for a DVC unit and the next day thinking I'm crazy to even consider it. It's pretty sad. Although part of the problem is that I'm the rabid Disney fan of the family -- convert a few more kids and might not be such a dilemma. Already talked the older two into going with me this year. Not that I'm working at it or or anything....

 

[utahkennedys]

People keep saying this, but then I look at the layout of a DVC 2 BR or watch a video tour and I just don't get it. I can understand it for someone who spends opening to close in the parks and just crashes in the unit at night, but DVC units look so cramped to me if you take breaks in the afternoon or days off as we do. And some of the upper level balconies are so tiny! All you can cram out there are two people in two tiny chairs out there, then maybe one or two more standing.

This is why we love OKW. Huge rooms, peaceful ambience, large living room, huge patio. I agree it's not for everyone and if we had a huge group, maybe a pool home would be fun. But for our family of 4, DVC fits the bill more than perfectly. We actually stay at Westin and Marriott villas elsewhere, and although the rooms may be more "luxurious" in a way, they still lack that special something people either want or don't care about at a Disney resort. I would never advocate staying on site in a value...we did that once and never again. But even the smaller DVC villas work perfectly for us an the extra cash compared to ticket costs, flying 4 from Seattle, renting a car, etc. are very minor to our family.

 

[littlestar]

There are so many wonderful timeshares in Orlando that I really, really enjoy mixing my trips up with offsite and onsite (we own DVC, Wyndham points, and another RCI/II dual affiliated timeshare to trade with).

What exchange company do you trade with? DVC is with RCI - you might be able to trade into DVC or the next best thing Wyndham Bonnet Creek (which has free shuttle service to the parks). If you're with II (Interval) I would try for a trade into a Marriott or Sheraton Vistana Villages. With that big of a family, I'd want the space of a condo if it were me. And especially if you can get it for a small trade free vs. a large hotel bill.

Another option since you'll have six people for part of your trip would be one of Disney's Fort Wilderness cabins (they sleep six) and I'd watch Mousesavers for a discount code.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

This is why we love OKW. Huge rooms, peaceful ambience, large living room, huge patio. I agree it's not for everyone and if we had a huge group, maybe a pool home would be fun. But for our family of 4, DVC fits the bill more than perfectly. We actually stay at Westin and Marriott villas elsewhere, and although the rooms may be more "luxurious" in a way, they still lack that special something people either want or don't care about at a Disney resort. I would never advocate staying on site in a value...we did that once and never again. But even the smaller DVC villas work perfectly for us an the extra cash compared to ticket costs, flying 4 from Seattle, renting a car, etc. are very minor to our family.

I've stayed in OKW, in a 2BR (we're a family of 6). We liked it a lot, but liked the 4BR/4BA WH home much better. The patio was nice--bigger than at BCv, definitely, with a table big enough for 4 people to play cards at--but it just can't compare to the lanai with same-sized table, next to the private pool and hot tub. And lounge chairs, and grill.

I think there are a lot of factos that go into whether on or off-site is better:

1. Family size. If your group is 4 or less, the cost difference is a lot less. You have a ton of options in both categories. For groups of 5 or more, your onsite options drop dramatically, and the costs rise significantly.

2. Time of year that you travel. Peak season, onsite offers perks (EMH, park admission) that you can't get if you're offsite. We travel in July and stay offsite due ot other considerations, but if you like EMH and guaranteed admission on the High Holy days, onsite is going to be your best bet.

3. Family vacation style. If your family likes to go all-out on park touring, if your gang splits up a lot, if your family enjoys eating out a lot--onsite is likely better. Teens could use Disney transportation to go back to the room later, and a kitchen has no value if you don't want it. None of these things describe my family--we tour for several hours, then take a break--we may or may not return in the evenings. My gang doesn't like to eat out.

4. If you plan to do anything non-Disney. Some other things we've done include Gatorland, Universal, Seaworld, Medieval Times, Holy Land Experience,Old town, outlet shopping, etc.

5. What your gang puts a premium on. We like a private pool and hot tub. I like being able to toss in a load of laundry. We like relaxing by the pool or watching a rented movie. We do parks, too, and love Disney, but for us, the relaxing atmosphere of a rental home is what truly makes the vacation. Some people thrive on being in the parks, eating at Disney's various restaurants, enjoying the lavishly themed pools at some of the Disney hotels, and so forth. Some people don't consider it a vacation if they have to look at a dish or a box of detergent. Such people are NOT WRONG--they just have different ideas of what constitutes a vacation.

P.S. I didn't find it at all hard to navigate around Orlando/Kissimmee. Well, I did somehow miss the Universal exit off I-4, and I swear, the big, flashing red sign wasn't there that visit. But I think that was operator error. Just don't tell my Dh that I said that.