On site resort or off site hotel

[Eeyoreluver]

We are going to Disney World the first week in November. We will be purchasing AP, we will return to spend Chirstmas at Disney World. My question is for those who have stayed in Disney and outside Disney, which was better. Supposedly the prices are better outside. In November, we will be staying at All Star Movies, at Chirstmas we are thinking about staying outside Disney. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[swilphil]

Once you stay on site, I don't think you will like staying off site. I would stay at the Swan or renovated room at the Dolphin. They have an AP special, which is more money than off-site, but we stayed off-site 3 years ago at Christmas and we could not get into Magic Kingdom on two days because of the crowds and we spent so much time stuck in Orlando traffic, waiting in our car in the parking lot, riding the tram, etc.

You will not need to rent a car if you stay at Swan/Dolphin, and it is right next to Epcot, Boardwalk, MGM. You can walk to Epcot and Boardwalk and take a short boat ride to MGM, if you don't want to do a longer walk. The bus for MK/AK picks up at the Swan first on that route. Christmas is the busiest week of the year at WDW, so you will want to take advantage of Early Entry to the parks, which is only available to on-site guests.

If the $139/night is too much for your entire stay, you could stay at All Stars or off-site for the first and last night of your trip.

Here is the AP rate info:

"New Annual Pass holder's Rate
(Rate Code = AP)

For the remainder of 2003, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin will be offering the following benefits to Annual Pass holders:

Special rates starting at $139.00 per night, available at BOTH the Walt Disney World Dolphin, as well as the Walt Disney World Swan.
One category complimentary upgrade on room (Purchase "Standard" rate, be upgraded to "Lake View", as an example)
Complimentary 4PM late check out at both properties.
* Based on rate schedule availability

Call 1-888-828-8850 for reservations
(Rate Code = AP)"

 

[goofy4tink]

I would always stay on-site. It's just so much more convenient. Yes, it's more money. But we look at it as part of the whole picture. I guess if we were going to spend more than a day at another park, like US or IOA or SW, then maybe we would stay off-site. We just like to be immersed in Disney. Even my dh, who just didn't get the whole Disney thing, doesn't even consider staying off-site.

 

[susy]

Check for AP discounts at mousesavers.com. In value season you can get the All Stars for around $49. Also, last year there were great deals for chistmas (depending on th day you check in) . The Wilderness Lodge was $109- a gret resort for the Christmas atmospehere.

I grew up in FL and have been to WDW too many times to remember. Always stayed offsite. Since staying onsite last year, there is no way we would go back off.

 

[antmaril]

I recently stayed offsite for the first time. I was traveling with my cousin and her family and she really needed more room for less $$ so we stayed at the Wyndham Palms. It was really quite nice and a very good value. That said, I would probably not stay offsite again. I just like being inside WDW rather than outside. I feel more comfortable there. It really has nothing to do with transporation (we always rent a car) or access (we were in WDW within minutes of our villa at the Wyndham Palms). My cousin on the other hand was very happy. She had tons of room for her family and didn't think about it all. Everyone is different.

I think the Swan or Dolphin would be a good choice to save money and still be "inside."

 

[Debbie]

You may want to post this on the Orlando Board and/or the Budget Board for some balance.

At Christmas time I'd be tempted to stay onsite if I could get a good rate, but don't forget that you can visit any of the resorts to check out their Christmas theming if you choose off-site! Only you can weigh up the pros and cons of each for your family and finances. The true magic is being at WDW (or anywhere) with the ones that you love! Good luck in your decision making!

 

[Mary Anne]

Christmas is NOT the time to stay offisite. If it's very busy which it does get that time of the year the parks are closed at least 2 to 3 days to off-site visitors that time of year, expecially from the 26th to the 31st of December. Meaning if you're staying offsite you will not get into a park for that day.

I would stay offiste another time of the year and pay the onsite rates for holiday time to to be assured of getting into the parks. What is the point of a cheaper hotel if you're then paying for a park ticket that you can't use. Just my opinion.

 

[disneyatl]

Another option if money is a concern is to stay at one of the Downtown Disney resorts. I personally have never stayed there but they offer good deals occassionally.

 

[nuts4sn00py]

I have stayed both onsite & off & will always choose onsite as my preference. As previously stated, the worst time to stay offsite is during those busy Holiday weeks, when the kids are out of school. Last year we stayed offsite for one week & on site for the other, but that was in August & we stayed at the Vistana & also @RPH. I was going to stay offsite this next trip...will be there 12/27-1/3, but when I saw the AP special for the Swan I knew right than & there I would be onsite. You can't beat the Value (IMHO) & you can't beat the location. If at all possible, stay onsite during the busy times. Especially if you have little ones!!! Trust me, I've done it...better onsite with little ones in busy seasons. Good luck whatever you decide! Kathy

 

[Lesley]

I really prefer to stay onsite....but after our stay at All Star Movies a couple weeks ago, I think I'd stay at a nicer place off site if I couldn't afford more than the $70 or so a night it cost us. The rooms were just so small, the resort crowded, and I didn't really feel like we were on property (we drove to all the parks because the bus stops were always so crowded). The AS's are cute, as clean as you expect a WDW resort to be, and the service is very good....but the just didn't do it for us.

I would take any other WDW resort (moderate or deluxe) over most places off property though....just for convenience and that 24 hour Disney feeling. But you can definitely get more room for your money off site.

Being there at Christmas though...you want to take into account that WDW resort guests are guaranteed admission to the theme parks (I think they do send you to another park if the one you show up at is too full though....but you'll get into one of the parks anyway) and if you're not an on property guest you can be turned away if the parks reach capacity.

 

[Eeyoreluver]

I think we have decided that Christmas is not the time to stay offsite thanks to all of you guys info. I am so glad that I found out NOW! that I could possibly have problems getting into the park we wanted to go to just because we were not staying onsite.
If we try offsite one day it will not be around a holiday. I love these forums. I am glad there are some many of you out there that are willing to share your expeiences to make it better for others.

 

[XStAnt]

Most people on the DIS, especially on the Disney Resorts board, will tell you to stay on site. Their points about the benefits of staying on site are extremely valid--especially about being immersed in Disney and the huge benefit of EMH.

I also am a fan of staying on site. However, to play Devil's Advocate you can stay at a budget motel off site for MUCH less, even less then the All Stars during Value Season. If money is a concern and even the All Stars could stretch your budget, this is certainly a viable option.

Also, you could probably find a very nice off site hotel for less than a deluxe at Disney. The Marriott Orlando World Center and the Radisson Resort Parkway are often mentioned by others as being first rate hotels. Sometimes these are less expensive than a Disney deluxe, and sometimes they're not. If they are cheaper you can get "more hotel" for less $$$.

Finally, some off site places may better suit your needs. You may be able to rent a condo with multiple bedrooms and kitchen. Or you can stay at the Holiday Inn Family Suites, which has a seperate bedroom designed for kids, one for adults, and a common area. You may find one of these kinds of places better fits your needs.

Personally, I feel that if a Disney resort fits your budget and your needs you should stay there. But, if $$$ is a concern, you want "more hotel" for the $$$, or an off site place fits your needs better, then stay off-site.

PS I agree with others that Christmas time is not the time to stay off site.

 

[yecats]

The other "Dissers" have given you great advice. I have done both, staying offsite and/or onsite as well as combo's of the two, multiple times. It is very nice to stay onsite when you can afford it. However, I usually always go in the offseason and have never experienced bad traffic or unusual waits trying to get in the parks. There have been times when I was happy to leave Disney property and not have to look at a themed resort with 100 kids in the pool at one time (usually staying offsite means a hotel with fewer children and families in general). However, when I was a teen (early 1980's) we were staying on grounds in the middle of summer (suffered through heat and lines) when the park did fill up and was closed. When we left people were not happy being turned away (and MGM and AK didn't exist then). So my humble opinion is at x-mas, attempt to stay on grounds or the Swan/Dolphin or one of the DTD hotels. This way you will definately be able to go to the park you choose and not be turned away. If you don't want to stay at the AS again, try Pop Century as it has the same sort of layout and cost structure but will have only been opened for 3 weeks or so. There aren't too many people who get to say that they were among the first to stay at a new Disney resort. Should you go to disney again in the future, I would encourage you to stay off grounds once as long as your not going during a peak season time.

Enjoy.