Onsite or off

[sdrsdd]

we have done both in the past and will be coming in March on spring break. We have 5 people in our family. Kids are 14, 12, & 9. We are doing 3 days at Universal and 3 days at Disney. We can get a much cheaper hotel offsite. Bigger space, still has a shuttle IF we don't want to drive. Is there any reason other than extra magic hours to stay onsite and spend much more $?

 

[Shellyb84]

We love being in the Disney bubble. It's magical and special to us. Resort time is as important to us as park time, we spend a lot of time at the pools.

 

[mickeynut1]

we have done both in the past and will be coming in March on spring break. We have 5 people in our family. Kids are 14, 12, & 9. We are doing 3 days at Universal and 3 days at Disney. We can get a much cheaper hotel offsite. Bigger space, still has a shuttle IF we don't want to drive. Is there any reason other than extra magic hours to stay onsite and spend much more $?

We love being immersed in everything Disney when our trips are Disney centered; however, for a 6 day trip evenly split with other parks, I'd probably stay offsite for less money. You could split and stay on property for the Disney portion of your trip, but for me, it wouldn't be worth it to pack up after 3 days and move/get settled again (but that's just me). Good luck deciding, but I'm sure you'll have a great trip either way .

 

[richmo]

With the size and ages of your group, I'd recommend looking at houses/condos for rent offsite. You can sometimes get them for approximately the price of Disney value resorts. If Saturday to Saturday works for you, look at vacationcentralflorida.com. But, one piece of advice if you stay anywhere offsite is to spend the money and rent a car. But also factor in the cost of the car rental and $20/day parking at the parks when you crunch the numbers.

If you stay onsite, you're going to be more cramped, but you get the full Disney experience. Another advantage is that maybe you can let the older kids go off on their own and bus it back to the resort...that would be up to you. You might still want a car since you're going to Universal (although you could just rent from Alamo/National at the Car Care Center/Dolphin for just the Universal part of the trip).

 

[Marionnette]

we have done both in the past and will be coming in March on spring break. We have 5 people in our family. Kids are 14, 12, & 9. We are doing 3 days at Universal and 3 days at Disney. We can get a much cheaper hotel offsite. Bigger space, still has a shuttle IF we don't want to drive. Is there any reason other than extra magic hours to stay onsite and spend much more $?

Ask on the Resorts Boards and you will get a majority of folks telling you that onsite is the way to do it.

Ask the same question on the Orlando Hotels and Attractions Board and people will tell you that you're better off staying offsite.

Ask this on the Budget Board and they will point out that splitting your days between the two resorts might be the best of both worlds BUT you're sacrificing savings at Disney by only visiting 3 days because those tickets aren't discounted very deeply and you will have to pay for hopping if you want to visit all 4 parks.

If I were planning a trip where at least half of my time was not going to be spent in Disney, then I would find a really nice rental home, condo or resort and stay there.

 

[rwdavis2]

As was mentioned house/condo offsite. We have used All Star Vacation Homes with homes in Windsor Hills, about 10 minutes off property on 192. Tons of choices, lost of space. Kitchen, laundry, pool if you want one.

One thing to consider. Staying onsite at Universal, IMHO, has more benefits than WDW. The free express pass when staying at Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, and Portofino can't be beat.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You'd get better access to the parks if you stay at WDW for those nights and at Universal for those nights. The offsite shuttles aren't as reliable as the Disney buses. If you rent a car, you'll be paying to park every day.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Definitely look at what the hours and schedules of the shuttles at any target offsite properties are. They aren't created equal and some are much more flexible than others.

 

[toonaspie]

The advance FP+ options are now becoming the bigger draw. Depending on how much you plan to do at Disney they can be timesavers.

 

[minijeanie]

I would stay offsite for wdw and inside universal hotel . Your kids are older so don't need a stroller or naps. Well maybe parents do lol. Yes inside truly magical but rent Marriott vacation club condo for Disney and I would do hrh for universal awesome place that kids will love and you get free fast pass all day while a guest . Think only exception is Harry Potter. Whatever you decide it is sure to be great

 

[maxiesmom]

I'd stay on site for a few reasons. Ease of getting to/from the parks, especially if one or two want to take a break and the rest don't. Even the off site resorts that offer shuttles do so on a very limited basis. Some charge, some make you pre-book your spot, some drop you way off in the boonies of the parking lots.

Also during a peak time of the year, Extra Magic Hours are a great option if you want to avoid crowds and not wait in giant lines. Which leads to another on site perk, being able to book your FP+s 60 days out instead of the 30 you get staying off site. And then there is being able to book all of your ADRs at once, instead of 1 day at a time.

I've stayed off site before, but no way would I do it when I knew the parks were going to be crazy busy. No way.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Yes. The convenience factor. Direct Disney transportation from your resort. Shorter travel times. Charging purchases back to your room. Using your Magic Bands for everything. Accountability and customer service.