On-Site vs. Off-Site

[MHdis]

My Sister and I are planning on taking our first trip to Disneyworld in October 2012. I am 21 and she is 18 and we plan on spending four nights at Disney and wont be renting a car. Right now we are looking at either the Moderate On-Site resorts or on of the Off-Site Hotels. What are the advantages of staying On-Site?

 

[MissPrice]

Hey there...this might be helpful. From All Ears:

http://allears.net/acc/onoff.htm

 

[Upatnoon]

My Sister and I are planning on taking our first trip to Disneyworld in October 2012. I am 21 and she is 18 and we plan on spending four nights at Disney and wont be renting a car. Right now we are looking at either the Moderate On-Site resorts or on of the Off-Site Hotels. What are the advantages of staying On-Site?

For the most part, the big advantage to staying off site is when you need something beyond a simple hotel room. For example, a large family can save thousands by staying offsite in a rented home or timeshare.

Another example would be if you want to stay in a luxury hotel -- but can't stomach Disney's prices. You can often stay at the Waldorf Astoria for the same price as a moderate.

For a couple of young women looking to crash after a day at the parks, I'd just get a value.

 

[disneychic2]

How fun to be planning a trip with your sister! Lots of people have very strong views both for and against staying on property. Here's my take on it: My DH and I always stay on property. We love the convenience of the buses, being immersed in the Disney magic from the moment we arrive, using the Magical Express, as well as being able to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours. Since you won't have a car, the free ME from the airport is a real bonus. Also, I have heard that the shuttle service from off property hotels isn't as frequent as Disney buses. Don't know personally, but I've read it here on the Dis.

As far as where to stay, I think you would like Port Orleans French Quarter. It is a moderate resort that is a bit more compact than most other resorts. The bus stop and food court are close no matter which building you're in. They also have a fairly large pool. Also, a big plus is the boat that takes you to Downtown Disney in a 20 minute relaxing and fun trip.

Good luck with your planning and I hope you and your sister have a truly magical first trip to the happiest place on earth!

ETA: I would suggest getting a couple of books about WDW and familiarizing yourself with each park. I would recommend Unofficial Guide and Passporters for starters. You can probably get them at your library. October is a great time to go weather wise and the crowds are fairly good, so you shouldn't have any big problems. Be sure to go the MNSSHP if you can. It is a blast!

 

[disneybliss2]

Advantages of staying on-site:

Magical Express shuttle service will pick you up at the airport and transport you to hotel and back to airport at end of trip for no additional charge. That service is very nice (and a great perk since it's free) since you're not renting a car.

We never rent a car, because another perk is that Disney will provide transportation to/from the parks. As another posted stated, based on what we've read here on the boards, the shuttle service that some off-site hotels provide isn't so great.

By staying on property, you get completely immersed in the Disney magic. From the cast members who treat you so nicely at your hotel, the theming at the hotel, not seeing the outside world as you travel to the parks because you're in a "Disney bubble," etc. (I wish I could elaborate clearer; you'll know fully what I mean if you stay on property. For me, this reason is one of the top reasons I stay on property)

You can take advantage of extra magic hours. One park each day will open an hour early or stay open a few hours later for Disney hotel guests. A very nice perk to get that extra time!

By staying on property, you can book dining reservation 180 + 10 days out for reservations if you choose to reserve table service restaurant reservations (versus eating only counter service the whole time: burgers, chicken wraps, etc.) Off site guests can only book their reservations 180 days in advance. Then they have to make each subsequent reservation one day at a time at the 180 day mark. I would rather do it all in one fell swoop.

Those are the advantages I can think off the top of my head.

If you are looking into a moderate, I would highly suggest Port Orleans French Quarter. It's small (a perk, because large resorts cause you to walk and walk), has great bus service, the rooms were recently renovated; we've loved our stay there.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[dmband]

DME is huge plus IMO
But I have four kids

No car I would def lean toward on tie too

 

[AggieMom28]

In your situation, I would definitely stay on-site. Several years ago, my sister, cousin, and I went on a last minute trip to Disney. We booked an off- site hotel because it was cheaper. We did not rent a car, so we relied on the hotel's transportation. We missed the last shuttle scheduled the first morning we were there and ended up taking a taxi to Magic Kingdom. By mid- day we really wanted to go back to the hotel for a break ( we were there in July), but the only shuttle back wasn't until after the fireworks that night. We were hot, tired, and pretty grumpy by the end of the day. The next day, we got a room at All- Star Music and the rest of our trip was really fun! Being able to come and go as you please is really a nice perk!

Staying off site is fine if you have a car, but I will never stay off site again without one!

 

[POOHsie]

In the '80s and early '90s, we would stay off-site. The low price seemed appealing and the hotels were pretty new then. Those same hotels are 30 years old now, and showing their age. I would say that many off-site hotels are not nearly as well-maintained and well-outfitted as Disney's resorts.

When Disney had their major resort expansion in the early '90s, and added the value resorts and moderates resorts, we gave Disney a try. It was instantly crystal-clear to us that there would be no going back to off-site. First, off-site hotels had the long commute to the parks. Second, the few-and-far-between shuttles. Third, if we wanted a mid-day break, the long commute and the unavailable transportation made that almost impossible. Fourth, if not renting a car, it was hard to find convenient restaurant choices. Fifth, the enormous traffic and noise outside of Disney cannot be described, except that it doesn't make for a relaxing vacation.

Disney offers great, clean, visually appealing resorts for all budgets. The Disney grounds are beautiful wherever you go, and you aren't mixed in with ordinary traffic from commuters and truckers. Rides to the parks are fairly quick on themed buses with happy Disney music, so you can reasonably go back to your resort for a swim or rest at mid-day. As a Disney resort guest, you can stay late at the parks with EMH, so that afternoon break can recharge your batteries nicely. Everything is well-taken care of: transportation, accessible restaurants, parks, water parks, nightlife at Downtown Disney.

My "home" resort is Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter. I love the shady landscaping, the peaceful river, numerous pools, the boat to Downtown Disney, horse and carriage rides, surrey bikes, or just strolling along the walkway. I like that I can go to both food courts, and that both resorts have live music Weds-Sat.

You shouldn't even consider off-site. Every negative comment here about off-site is absolutely true. Disney offers so much more built-in value. Disney has created a bubble - like a domed city - that once you enter, you are completely immersed in the happiness and magic that is Disney. I recommend you try POR or POFQ. Enjoy your first visit!

 

[Karabee]

Im going to agree with the majority of the people here. Stay on-site. My sister and I also do trips together and we always stay onsite. For one thing, being two girls - it feels so safe everywhere. There are usually always deals also. For example, last time we stayed at POR and had free dining, another time I got 30% off a Deluxe, this time we're renting points and staying at SSR for less than we would stayed at a moderate. There are so many options when you stay onsite. Plus the theming and transportation is wonderful. For the full Disney experience - onsite is the way to go

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I have done both and highly recommend staying onsite. There is nothing quite like that onsite Disney magic IMO - I like being "cared for" by Magical Express and Disney transportation - Disney has a way of making your vacation just "easier" at least that was my take on it.

If you choose to stay off site I would suggest a car to make things more convenient. Relying on hotel shuttle services really was a hindrance for me as previous posters have also said. Also the cost of parking is $15 a day at the Parks (unless you have an annual pass or stay at a Disney resort). You may end up paying less overall staying off site and access to grocery stores for meals is a positive with a car.

All in all and especially for two people - I would definitely suggest onsite!

 

[CdnKayDee]

Room charging everywere basically, and Disney will send purchased items back to your resort for you to pick up next day to mention a few more.

 

[Chelley00]

I'm a huge fan of offsite, but not just for 2 people. When we go as a family or for extra long trips, offsite is the way to go for for us. If its just 2, stay onsite for the experience, dining plan, transportation etc.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

For just you and your sister, definitely on-site. You will have a much easier time getting around WDW than if you are depending on an off-site shuttle system. Take Magical Express from the airport, use the Disney buses/boats/monorails and have fun!

 

[Trek Girl]

I've never stayed onsite before, but I might try it if the price were right. The last two trips, we've stayed at hotels on Hotel Plaza Blvd, near DTD. One trip, we stayed at the Hilton which is right across the street from DTD, definitely within walking distance. The other time we stayed at the Best Western. We never had a problem with the shuttle service. DH and I are staying at the Hilton when we go for my birthday in two weeks. We considered the Disney value resorts, but we just felt like you get more bang for your buck at the DTD area resorts. For less than it would have cost to stay at a value resort, we're staying at a four-star hotel. Plus, we can walk to DTD, and Hilton guests are eligible for EMH. It's definitely a win-win for us. Maybe down the road when we have more money to burn, we'll try an onsite hotel, but the DTD area is fine for us right now. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Butterbunkins]

No car and doing Disney the whole time - stay on-site. I have done both and the majority of the time it was before WDW had the inexpensive on-site options like they do now.

Of the times we stayed off-site we rented a car all but one time. The transportation from off-site hotels is awful compared to on-site in my opinion. Some were an additional cost and the times were always far and few between. There is definitely an ease you will get from the WDW transportation system.

Plus, as others have mentioned you get to use the Magical Express to and from the airport. This is a great convenience and a money saver.

This may sound cheesy, but the WDW hotels are magical! The incredible theming that goes into their parks doesn't stop at the parks. They go all out for their hotels too. When you stay at the Holiday Inn you feel like you're at a Holiday Inn. When you stay at the Caribbean Beach you feel like you're in the Caribbean! And there is something special about waking up in the morning and you're already at Disney!

There are other perks to staying at Disney as well like the Extra Magic hours and package delivery. They may seem like little things but they could make a big difference for your trip!

Good luck!

 

[*Fantasia*]

There is something about staying on-site. It just makes our experience more magical. We love the Extra Magic Hours and the free transportation to all the parks, including DTD. We don't stay on just any hotel.. we stay on a themed resorts! It's like vacations within vacation. If you stay at WL, you feel like you just stepped into a Pacific Northwest, or if you stay in Poly, you feel like you're actually in Hawaii. They put a lot of thoughts and effort making the resort feel like you're at another place. I mean if you look at AKL, as if you just stepped in somewhere in Africa! Or what about CBR, it feels like you're at the Caribbean island. I'd rather pay a little more just so my family and I can have that piece of magic of a wonderful memory that will last us a lifetime!

 

[disnut8]

My Sister and I are planning on taking our first trip to Disneyworld in October 2012. I am 21 and she is 18 and we plan on spending four nights at Disney and wont be renting a car. Right now we are looking at either the Moderate On-Site resorts or on of the Off-Site Hotels. What are the advantages of staying On-Site?

Check with your offsite hotel on exactly when you could take their shuttle to the parks. Most offsite places have very strict times and if you miss the shuttle either going to or coming back, you are SOL. If you plan on taking a taxi, put another $40 at least in your budget for each day (that's for round trip and it's an average).

My advice to anyone staying offsite - rent a car. And that will increase your budget so you have to do the math yourself.

 

[Sparkly]

My family and I have always stayed offsite- it's much cheaper but you do need to rent a car! We love Universal and the great selection of restaurants.

I think your response will vary on which board you post this on really. It's your holiday, do whatever you feel is best.

I think you'll like the wide variety of attractions, restaurants and shopping offsite, and you don't even need to stay ages away from Disney either. We always stay in Kissimmee where it's no more then 10-15 mins to Disney so not a long trip. As long as you read reviews (NOT Tripadvisor. They more often they not have a very negative view when that's not the case) on hotels you should be fine. Some people talk about the $15 parking fee..well you'll probably save more then that staying offsite.

Sure, staying onsite has it's advantages and I would ADORE to try that someday. We've only ever stayed onsite at Universal (mum is a bit of a cheapskate; she probably wouldn't have chosen staying at RPR if it wasn't for the front of the line passes) but I would like to try a Disney resort someday. Don't like the sound of the buses though! It's stressful enough catching them at home!

I'll probably get flamed for this, but just giving my 2 pence Whichever you'll do, you'll have a amazing holiday! We've always had plenty of magic even offsite!

 

[mieuxmew]

I have been to Disney several times and stayed both onsite and offsite. Have stayed onsite at all levels (value, moderate and deluxe). I have also stayed offsite many times. Here is my two cents...I recommend onsite for you and your sister. (Most offsite fans are larger families who want more space, bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, washer dryer, etc and are staying a week or more).

For off-site stays I would recommend renting a car. A rental car might be expensive because you are staying less than a week (weekly rates are more discounted) and you may be surcharged by the rental company because of your ages.

Offsite is also a good choice for visiting non-Disney attractions (Sea World, Universal, Legoland, etc). Since your stay is short, I would stay on Disney property since you are only going to Disney.

The perks for staying onsite at Disney are great! Free transportation from airport to your Disney resort, extra-Magic Hours, package delivery, Disney theming, etc.

Now, which to choose...

As much as I really love the Deluxe resorts, they have become quite expensive. Unless money is no object and you plan to spend a lot of time enjoying the resort, a moderate or value might be a better fit.

If you are looking to save money and/or not planning to spend much time in your room the value resorts are a great bang for your buck! If you were to add a rental car (or transportation to and from airport) and parking at Disney to an offsite hotel, the cost/convenience of the Disney value resorts are seriously tough to beat! Rooms are small but for two people more than fine. (a family of 4 is a bit tight and 5 people or more forget it!)

Moderate resorts are my favorite! For a few dollars more, you get a bit larger room, more services and everything is a bit more upscale - sit down restaurants, slides at the pools, queen size (rather than double beds), etc. I do not think you can go wrong with any of the four of them. Just pick which theme you like - Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans Riverside (Southern theme), Port Orleans French Quarter (Mardi Gras) and Coronado Springs (Southwest). There are threads describing each one along with photos.

Good LUCK and enjoy your trip!

 

[Lisa71]

On site for the reasons the PP mentioned and never leaving the "magic" and feeling safe being the biggest ones.