On site perks?

[cpfolk]

We have always stayed on site, but I’m questioning the cost for our December trip. We are booked at YC under the recovery 20 rate. We will have a car as I’m not quite ready for air travel. Last summer we stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn (2 bed, 2 bath, free amazing breakfast) while visiting Universal. The suite was spacious and the property is 5 minutes from Disney Springs. Other than the Yacht Club location which is ideal and parking fees, am I missing anything? I checked the calendar, and the dates are available for park entrance. The savings would be considerable. Only now thinking about it - still recovering from the last week of June spending days of my life on hold trying to rebook

 

[bclittle]

I am curious if anyone who has gone recently could comment on whether onsite was "worth it" because I also am not seeing the typical onsite perks with all the COVID changes. There is no extra magic hours, no fastpasses, and if you have a car you won't be using the buses. I would look offsite if you are okay with being outside of the Disney bubble. Alternatively, have you considered switching your resort from YC to Swan/Dolphin? I just switched my April reservation from Pop to Dolphin and with the lack of discounts now, it was a $20 a night difference (even with the resort fee at the Dolphin) for what I consider a big upgrade. They also have AAA, teacher, and nurse discounts which is an additional savings.

 

[Wild4Walt]

We considered going off site for our next trip in 2021, but ultimately decided we wanted to be inside the bubble even if there are reduced hours, no parades and no fireworks. ( Although we're hoping at least some of that comes back in the next 13 months. ) For us, the theme and Disney transportation is part of the vacation.

 

[brockash]

There really aren't any perks or benefits to staying on Disney property right now...in fact in some ways it's kinda a disadvantage. - Their pool in the reservation system seems to hit capacity before "day guests," there are lots of places/food still closed, so you may be inconvenienced of having to leave property anyways to find food at certain hrs. and it's a lot more expensive than offsite for what you get. Some will say you get "free parking" at the parks; but then you're charged a daily parking fee at thebresort; which many other hotels in Orlando don't charge; so I'd say go stay where you want; where you're comfortable and save your money.

 

[ucf_knight]

Other than proximity to the parks (especially resorts like YC, BC, BW etc) the other perk is park reservation availability as an AP there are a lot of dates that are unavailable but if you plan the trip out far enough were park availability isn’t an issue the benefits of staying onsite start to diminish.

 

[cpfolk]

Thanks all! As I thought, the advantages are slim right now. I am estimating we could save nearly $2000 and that doesn’t include free breakfast or the fact that my teens will have their own room and bathroom. While I’m usually a big fan of Disney properties, we will likely drive to the parks regardless. Seems like this is a no brainer!