onsite vs. offsite

[tiff211]

Okay, now contemplating stay on site especially since I read that you can send in payments. But after looking at prices (YIKES!) I am wondering what are the perks to spending 3X the money you would pay for the same type room offsite, except for EMH and not paying for parking. We are traveling in April with a 4 kids so we would have to get a suite.

 

[janets]

I have stayed both on and off site. I like both for different reasons.

If you have 4 kids, you're going to need a suite, a villa at one of the DVC resorts or 2 connecting rooms if you stay on site. You will be immersed in Disney magic all the time, you will be able to utilize EMH times and you will not need a car, since you can use the Disney transportation network. Using codes, you might be able to secure 2 rooms at a moderate resort at a fairly decent price, depending on when you are travelling. Or you can rent DVC points from an owner and get a 2 bdrm villa at one of the home away from home locations.

If you stay off site, you can rent a pool home at one of the many developments just minutes outside Disney. You will have plenty of space and privacy for everyone, perhaps your own pool, full kitchen (so you can make a few meals or snacks rather than eat out), save significant money if you cannot get a good rate code. You will need a car, but using different codes available, you might get one that would be the same as using a towncar service (unless you were planning on using ME). While you won't have that Disney magic 24/7 and you can't utilize EMH, you will have the ability to unwind, spread out, have some privacy from the kids while you're on vacation.

Each choice has pros/cons. It really depends on your budget and what is important to you as a family. I have only 2 children but at this point, I prefer an offsite accomodation with a least 2 bdrms so that they boys have a separate place to sleep from Dh and me. When they are a bit older and I know that sharing a room won't be a problem (going to bed later, not bothered by noise in the room) we'll probably consider staying on site again. But I can secure a 2 bdrm suite at a lovely resort for only $100/night (got a 3 bdrm condo in December for the same price last year) so from a cost perspective it works for me. I don't mind not having the EMH access since my youngest is still too young to be out much past bedtime (8 PM) so I'm heading back to my room after dinner anyway. We prefer eating at less expensive places since the cost to feed children on property can be very high (my little one is a selective eater). But again, in a few years, I can see us coming back on site.

This board is a great resource for offsite information and everyone can help you with off site accomodation information.

Good luck.

 

[Reflection]

In my view there are tangible and intangible benefits to staying onsite. The tangible benefits:

Access to Early Magic Hours (EMH), a perq for onsite guests only, which allows them access to the 4 WDW parks on specific mornings and evenings
Proximity of resorts to theme parks (this is true, IMO, for deluxe accomodations and the following DVC properties: BWV, BCV, and WLV)
Free parking in the WDW theme park parking lots
Use of the WDW transportation system
High level of customer service
Wake up calls from Mickey or other Disney characters
Accomdations in varying price ranges
Themed pool areas (some with slides)

Intangible
Being immersed 24-7 in the Disney 'magic'
Highly themed motels and hotels

Benefits to staying offsite
Larger hotel rooms at lesser cost
Hotels rooms with breakfast and/or fridge/microwave as part of the room cost
More affordable villa/condo accomodations
Proximity to WDW parks (when compared to WDW value and some moderate accomodations);

Suites are available at the WDW deluxe hotels and only one of the moderate motels (Coronado Springs). The suites are quite expensive. Disney villas (home-away-from-home properties) are expensive compared to off-site options, but are available at nightly rates from WDW reservations or, a more economical option, would be to rent points from a DVC member.

I've stayed onsite and offsite and enjoy both. Most trips are a combination of both. Ultimately, where one decides to stay depends on budget and the type of vacation you seek.

Here are a couple of links that provide good info on the onsite/offsite decision:

http://www.allearsnet.com
http://www.mousesavers.com

Good luck with your decision and happy planning!

 

[spiceycat]

the big one - is WDW transportation with the new ME - if you fly in to Orlando -you don't need a car period. Disney will take you back and forth to their resorts for free. So you don't even need to pay for a airport shuttle.

then there is free WDW transportation to your resorts and WDW theme parks.

the new (just started this January) magic hours - is for both morning and evenings (this is the new part - use to be called E-nights and you were charged extra). If you are going during this summer this can be really usefully if you use it. This fall like Sept - less usefully - because the parks aren't going to that crowded period. When the parks are crowded during magic hours is the only time I go to the parks...

At WDW the landscaping of each and every resort is different. the gardens, architecture, design for each resort is unique.
being able to walk to Epcot or Studios (you can from the Epcot resorts-BW, BC/YC, D/S), taking a monrail to boat to the MK (MK resorts- COnt, Polyn, Gf and Wl plus FW), taking a boat, walking or bus to DD (OKW, PO and SSR)

the value resorts are reasonable for WDW - $99 (w/o taxes) during value season per room. - 2 double beds in each room. I like Pop century!!!

you can, as mentioned, rent points from a DVC member - that would be $140 per studio (you would need 2 studios) for the summer for BWV, BCV or VWL
1 queen bed and a double sleeper sofa. A 2-bedroom villa would be $400.

or OKW - 2 queen beds - $110. A 2-bedroom herewould be $300. these prices are only if you are renting points from a DVC member - go to the rental/trade board on this site.

the moderates and deluxe resorts all now have refrigerator in the rooms. the value you are still charge for this.

Disney can charge more - because it is Disney. most people who go to Disney want to stay at Disney.

you can stay at an offsite timeshare for around $211 (if you are lucky) to $800 for the week - using
www.skyauction.com - if you like to bid
or
www.condodirect.com - if you don't

SA has a relationship with RCI, cd has one with II. these are the 2 biggest timeshare exchange company in the world.

If you are staying off-site - please rent a car. Offsite transportation can be difficult and very time consuming. Offsite generally has 2 shuttles going to the parks in the morning and 2 returning in the evening - that is it - once these shuttles leave either place - you have to take a taxis (which can be expensive).

just kept in mind that the drive into WDW each morning can be anywhere from 10 minutes (silver lake to AK) - or 45 minutes (OL to MK -on a high traffic morning).

most of the places will be in the 10 to 20 minute range.

don't go really cheap and stay in a dump - Kissimmee still has some so does Orlando. then you will HATE WDW. (one of my boss did this - refused to consider WDW and stayed some place cheap - they kept moving because his wife refused to stay in some of the places he picked).

Florida has an insect problem - roaches & ants can be anywhere - at the higher priced places they are less of a problem - because these places can and do use repellant. Don't leave doors open that aren't screened anywhere!!!

there are some great places to stay offsite - even better than WDW - Gaylord Palms, Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt Grand Vista, Universal's Loews Hotels Marriott world center and Renaissance Hotels - these are in the same price range as WDW (sometimes higher).

it depends upon what you want.

I like both - for WDW I like to stay at WDW - there is a ton to do in the Orlando area besides WDW - I like to stay offsite.

I also like to stay offsite for other reason - I travel with my cat - WDW only has kennels for him to stay at - if I want him in my room - offsite is the only way.

So there is lots to think about.