onsite vs offsite

[RoseRoni2]

Would you consider off site if its cheaper? Or are the perks better staying on site? I usually stay onsite but I want the best for my money next summer!

 

[Perditamarie]

I vote for onsite....

* Time is money on vacations and it is worth it not to have to commute in/out of the world. Even if you are bringing/renting a car no matter what, it is always nice to have the option to use Disney transportation.

* I think even the values are imbued in the magic of a Disney vacation that you just don't get offsite. We stayed at the Grovesnor for a weekend, and I would have loved to have been able to stay at Pop! It felt like we were on the outside looking in, and their shuttle took forever.

* I like to have packages forwarded to our resort!!!

Happy planning!

 

[snykymom]

When you consider off-site as cheaper, don't forget to add the cost of gas commuting into the Disney property, and at least $11/day in parking fees.

And I agree about the "magic" of being at Disney.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

We prefer onsite - we don't like to have to drive to the parks.

I think a lot depends on the size of your group, too. Some families feel cramped in a single hotel room and want suites or vacation homes where everyone can spread out. They want more than one bathroom. Teenagers don't always want to share a bed with a sibling. Lots of reasons. For us, we have 2 young children and the benefits of staying on-site far outweigh the extra expense. Plus, as AP holders and FL residents, we can get some pretty good on-site rates so it's really not much more expensive for us to stay on-site.

 

[hoosiergirl7]

We stayed off-site in Sept '06. Never again. We thought we were saving money but we weren't. We had to pay for gas, parking, etc. Not only that we were traveling with a 2 yr old and having to head back to our off-site resort for naps and down time was a huge inconvenience. Then to drive back to Disney for evening activities. Pain in the rear!

 

[bkfree]

One year we went with friends, so there was 4 adults and 5 children. We rented a 5bdrm, 4bath house with a private pool, hot tub and game room for the kids.
It was great, we had a fabulous time at the parks and at the house.
It was only 3 miles from WDW and took us no time to get there. Once at the parks we used Disney Transportation.

We did save money that year. Not only was splitting the cost of the house very cheap, but because we could do breakfast or dinner at the house, we did not need to purchase the DDP that year. We still had ADR's for some dinners and some breakfasts, but having the option to cook at the house and relax at our own pool did hold its own magic. ....As did the hot tub after the kiddies were tucked in bed.

We stay onsite if it is just us going. This is mainly because we fly in, use Disney Transportation the entire trip and DH gets a break from driving.
Yes, on site has all the bells and whistles and you are fully emersed in Disney 24/7.
But you can have a different yet equally great time in a great vacation home.
In fact, we joked that year that they kids so loved the house and pool and game room,that we could have just stayed there all week and they would have been happy.

 

[marciemouse]

If you are flying in and only doing Disney, one of the biggest savings of staying onsite is that you don't need a rental car and you get Magical Express to and from the airport for free. The cost of gas, parking and tolls really add up. If it's just you and your daughter, I would assume you'd be comfortable in a normal hotel room, so remember that Disney often offers a "late summer" discount on rooms in August.

 

[cb76]

We have done both, and with out a question staying on site is the best. You never leave the magic! I think we spend the same amount of money either way.

 

[GOLFDISNEY72]

We have done both. It is such a different experience, to me, staying on site. You are surrounded by the magic the whole time. I am sure we will stay off site again when we go in large groups because of cost. But if it is just my crew we are staying on site.

 

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

My first visits to WDW were off-site because the original lodgings, CR, Poly and Ft. Wilderness were too expensive and of course, the other perks didn't exist. However, I was determined that when I returned with my own family we would stay on-site and, as you can tell by my signature, we have tried something different every visit but always on-site. The conveniences of ME and not driving for one whole week was worth it. There was only one time when I wished I had had a car - the last performance of the evening of the Luau and travel back to POFQ.

Next year we are planning a Grand Gathering with my extended family, including my brother, mother and nephew. They talked about getting a room off-site because it would be cheaper but I think with what you get the value resorts are about as cheap as you can get. And besides, if you plan on any WDW gathering events those that participate have to be guests staying on-site.

 

[marcjmorris]

We have stayed both onsite and off. Without a doubt, the onsite is way better. The disney transportation alone is worth it. Also, the early access to the parks on certain days really makes a nice difference.

 

[winterman]

In 10 trips to WDW we have stayed on and off site an equal number of times. The deciding factor is always the cost. If we can save significantly, we will stay off site. If the numbers are close we will stay on. Some times we have been on site for 6 or 7 days then go off for 5 or 6. Our last trip we stayed off site for 11 nights. We had a king room with free breakfast at a very nice hotel for $60. Even with the cost of parking, its tough to beat that deal. We always rent a car anyway so we don't enter that into the cost comparision.

If you post this question on the Orlando Attractions board you will get very different responses from this one.

Staying off site does not detract from our vacations but I will admit that staying in a Disney Resort makes it a little more 'special.' And I did tell DH that next time I want to stay back on site.

 

[stlouisdisneyguy]

I would never stay off-site. Did it once a few years ago and was a total hassle. Plus I think the experience of staying on site totally out weighs being off site!

 

[Doc CW]

Onsite I would never stay offsite of WDW even if it was free b/c the WDW experience is best in total immersion rather than only at the parks

 

[cheerforchelsea]

I would not ever stay off-site again.....I would much rather stay at a Value Resort - not that much difference in price.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

We've done both. It really depends on your situation. Accomodations off site are usually cheaper and the rooms tend to be much larger than those at Disney resorts. That said, car rental and parking fees are a drawback (although we rent a car on property anyway and PAP's prevent us from having to pay parking fees). We do love the perks of being on-property with EMH, purchases being delivered to your room and of course being "in" the magic. It really depends on how much weight you give to the benefits/drawbacks.

 

[ReneeA]

It depends...we are finding that an onsite vacation, even upgrading to a moderate is cheaper than an offsite. I'm fine with either because I like other attractions in the Orlando area as well as Disney (gasp!)

When we stay onsite, we use Magical Express and don't have to rent a car, we normally go during the free dining promo (although this trip we are paying for the DDP, and we aren't buying tickets to other theme parks.

I think our next trip will be offsite. My sister wants to come with us next time, so we'll rent a house since we will have 4 adults (or 5 if my mom tags along) and 4 children. We will have to rent a car, pay for gas, pay for parking, and buy Universal and SeaWorld tickets.

Add it up...I think you'll be surprised that it's either the same price or slightly less to stay on property.

 

[earthelves]

Staying On Property In Sept AKL CL For 2 Wks,It Will Be My First Visit Staying On Property,Have Been To Disney Lots Of Times Though..Heading Back In Dec For Christmas & Have Booked WL Deluxe Suite CL,Its Not Cheap As U Can Imagine & Yes I Probably Could Find A Suite Much Cheaper Off Site,With Free Internet,Cooked Breakfast(Embassy Suites Comes To Mind) But Hey I Have Chosen To Be On Site But For Me It Just Seems "More Magical" Being On Property Especially At Christmas We Always Hire A Car Anyway So To Me That Is Not Added Cost And We Have Ap's & I Guess That After September Staying At AKL CL I Will Be "Hooked" Staying On Property Tbh I Couldnt Imagine Staying Off Property At Christmas,But Thats Just Me & Yet I Havnt Even Stayed On Property Yet

 

[amykay9377]

I am usually the gal who squeezes a penny til Lincoln screams UNCLE, but after doing the math back in April, we went with onsite for the value you get for the money. Granted, we did have to give up a king bed, but the price of offsite hotels I was looking at (I have some standards—a $50 fleabag hotel is still a fleabag hotel…) were MORE EXPENSIVE after adding in gas, parking fees and the ‘extras’ that some offsite hotels tack on (really, ‘resort fees’ and a Quality Inn?)

Our room at POP in April through AAA was $85/night.

Once at the hotel, I was immediately immersed in the magic, and on the 2nd night, when we went offsite to go out for dinner and shopping, it was as if reality came back and slapped me! It’s hard to explain, but having to drive myself around after relying on WDW transport for 2 days, was weird!

Hubby and I now swear by staying onsite. It’s hard to find a hotel with this many perks offsite. I loved it, but of course, YMMV.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We stay onsite, I just love the buses, the theming, the location etc. I would rather stay value than offsite.

But for a weekend, if the prices at WDW were nuts, I would stay offsite. We did this last month, turned in points and stayed at the DTD Staybridge Suites, the rooms at the value resorts were $149 a night! The Staybridge was free, the room was amazing, the staff were super friendly, the location was perfect. We took our car to the parks, it was so great but we did miss staying onsite and going back to the room for a break. But for a weekend it isnt that bad.