Please raise hand if on-site only......

[emmalgin]

visiting this site.

Too often I read people who predominently stay on-site giving opinions for off-site questions.

Yes I am inciting a debate. But there is a large number of posters who are depressed if not staying on-site and will comment about food, hotels or areas and input their views of the perfect Disney world.

Examples I have read include one commenting that nothing offsite compares to Disney restaurants, others commenting on how tacky I-drive is or that a timeshare checkin was not as smooth as expected or the resort too big (Orange Lake).

Maybe there should be a disclaimer.

 

[spiceycat]

hey I do both and I LOVE both.

there are few places that can compare to the HGVC or the Marriott, love Celebration (but I have a pet so that may be in my love of this place), though even an older building (spring) at Sheraton Vistana my trip was wonderful.

be careful. You may be seeing stuff that is not there.

I even own a few DVC resorts.

I have problems with all restuarants....I am allergic to pepper - so I just love timeshares, condo - I get to control what I eat.

 

[lorilori]

Been there, done that. Many years of staying on-site and trying EVERY Disney hotel/villa/timeshare/room. Started staying off-site basically for more space at a more affordable price about 3 years ago and now have no desire to stay on-site again. But that's just us, probably because we were able to experience all the different resort options Disney has to offer (which are wonderful of course). We don't feel now like we're 'missing something' by staying off-site.

 

[disney 4me2]

We are going to Orlando next week. Our trip will be for 9 days. We are only spending 3 days at Disney. We also like Universal, Sea World, Wet and wild, ect... so we are staying off site. In my opinion, we are traveling all the way from NY so we want to see as much as we can! We do not go to Orlando every year. We like to vacation all over , so we probably will not go back to Orlando for a long time. Everyone has their own opinion, and we like Disney, but at the end of the day, we want to leave Disney. That is not a bad thing, just our thing! That is why when we cruise, we choose not to cruise the Disney cruise.But I am sure it is nice. We have 4 kids, ages 20,18,16, and 9. This will be our 9 year old's first trip to Disney, we thought she was at a good age to go. Our 2 oldest kids will not even be going, they chose not to go, as they are in college. They went to Universal Studios with us 5 years ago, and loved it.Next year we may go to the Grand Canyon!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

When I go to Disney I only stay on-site. But I'm trying Nick Hotel this year to see what all the shouting is about. WHen I go to Universal I stay at Universal hotels. I do not comment on on-site v. off-site. I don't think it would be fair to do that since I don't have anything to compare it to. I do enjoy the board though because I've learned useful information. THere are some off-site attractions I want to go to (like the Titanic Exhibit). I hope I'm welcome here.

 

[Disney Debbie]

I only comment on the off site hotels I've stayed at. My preference is on-site - but I've stayed off-site a few times - when we're going on quick commando trips on the spur of the moment and couldn't get a "code" room or when we're driving down and want a cheap place to stay the first night because we won't get there until later.

If Disney remains so stingy with the codes though - I'll be staying off-site more!

 

[disneymom3]

I understand what you are saying. It just gets to me big time when people say that onsite is the ONLY way to go and then it turns out that they have never even TRIED staying offsite. Or have stayed offsite one time at the el cheapo motel with a view of the freeway. There are so many gorgeous resorts in the area that have great service and if you haven't tried any of them, you have no business knocking them.

Besides, onsite and off both have their perks depending on what you are looking for.

 

[crazelion]

There is only one reason I stay onsite but it's a personal reasons. Is becasuse I get LOST easy. I know everyone says Orlando is easy to getting around. I found hard to get around myself.

That is not say will not stay offsite hotels and condos as long is someone is driving then all for staying offsite.

Right now it's just me and mom staying onsite at WDW is easy. We only stay in a value resort. Now if more than 2 people going we will looking into offsite hotels and condos.

I like hotels that offer a free breakfeast. Even if only a doughnut and cup orange juice then I am happy.

I like trying new things.

I am person that thinks Ci Ci Pizza and Golden Corral is fine dining.

 

[pamlet]

Boy do I know what you are saying.

I've been to WDW now 4 times - with the 5th coming up. The closest I stayed to being onsite was in 1972.. maybe 1973.. it was at Lake Buena Vista at the "round" hotel ... I THINK it was a Travel Lodge then..

Anyway - that said I've always dreamed of staying onsite .. at the Poly specifically .. BUT now that I'm paying for it - and staying with a 21 and 16 year old DS.. and DH... I've learned that for OUR family it makes a whole lot more sense to stay in a "condo" situation... I'm excited to see what Vistana is like!

I must admit, while reading these boards it's easy to get caught up in the "you HAVE to stay onsite" - but you know.. the more I think about it - the more we'll be happy offsite... even if we stayed onsite we'd STILL drive to the parks.. I HATE crowds... I can cook breakfast in the room... I will still be able to relax... I starting thinking about everytime we've been there - we've had park hoppers - and didn't go to more than 2 parks in a day.. and really .. If we really want to go back in the afternoon - could it be any more time driving to Vistana than say to OKW or SSR? I bet if it does take longer .. it would be all of 3 - 5 minutes!

So here's to staying offsite!!!

 

[ducklite]

I've stayed onsite umpteen times. I've also stayed at the Embassy Suites, the hilton, the Peabody, and my own house.

It IS different staying offsite--even at the Hilton. Leaving a park and knowing you're going to have to drive, or having it take a lot longer to get back to your resort... it's just not the same.

Also you lose some of that Disney Magic.

I'm not saying it's bad to stay offsite, there are benefits. But given a choice, I'd stay onsite. We still have our DVC points which we will use for a night onsite here or there.

Anne

 

[spiceycat]

it also completes depends upon you and where you are going.

Some people actually stay at WDW to go to US/IOA and SW - sorry - I think that is silly.

Why pay WDW prices then not do WDW???

now when I stay at my DVC I will on occasion go to SW - but I have to pay the maintence fees on my DVC no matter where I stay - so I might as well stay there. but most of the time if I am staying on WDW property then I will do WDW.

 

[disneymom3]

Anne and Pat--that is the kind of opinion I can respect and feel people can really gain from. You have done both. Then when you say, "I like this or that because of whatever." we have the perspective of having tried it both ways and having a preference. That is informative whereas saying "Oh you can ONLY stay onsite." from someone who ONLY has is reallly no information at all.

 

[emmalgin]

If you are one who does not consider anything outside WDW of any (or minimal interest), off-site is not for you .

I go to the Orlando area because it is somewhat convenient, there is plenty to do, great bargains, lots of choice, great weather..... WDW is less and less the main drawing point.

Simply laying my cards on the table..... Am I now going to be banned from posting?

 

[spiceycat]

Never - I agreed with what you say!

I love WDW - or I would have never brought DVC.

there is in Orlando/Kissimmee/LBV - not to mention the areas in an hour drive - alot of stuff to do, see and enjoy.

I love the outlet malls in Orlando!

WDW is part of the draw - but I think I would be happy going to Orlando without WDW - now I may get black listed -especially on the DVC board....

I kept annual passes for SW and (this year) US/IOA - in addition to WDW.

So Orlando is my favorite place to vacation!

 

[ducklite]

If I was planning on not doing much at WDW, then absolutely, I'd stay elsewhere for that part of my trip. But on the WDW days, I'd be onsite.

I also got to the point that WDW was just a part of the vacation experience. That's one of the reasons we decided to build a home in the area. I will admit it's nice to sleep in my own bed at night--we have the exact same mattress and springs in both NJ and FL--now that's comfort!

Anne

 

[safetymom]

I have stayed onsite and off. Yes being onsite is great but had no problems when we stayed offsite. I reminded myself how much money I was saving. Also we stayed close to the parks so we could go over at any time.

I have stayed at all of the Marriotts in the village. Also the former Courtyard by DTD and a few others and didn't feel like I was missing anything by staying offsite. We brought the magic back to our resort.

 

[MiaSRN62]

We stay both onsite and off. We own both DVC and also at Vistana. Offsite is not nearly as bad as some people make it out to be. When people comment how awful offsite is, I have to wonder if they've ever stepped foot onto the grounds of alot of the timeshare properties ? And I often get back to my Vistana villa much faster than relying on Disney busses. Even when we do stay onsite, we often use our own car to get around and don't find traveling much quicker onsite. One time (between waiting and the bus drive), it took us 45 min to get from MGM to POR. It's about 10 min back to Vistana.
People comment it's nice to be able to go back to your disney resort and take a nap or hop in the pool. Well, that can be done, often just as easily at alot of offsite resorts. What I do find a particular "plus" is extra magic hour and package delivery when staying at a disney resort. But after so many years of staying in our offsite timeshare, I'm not sure I'd trade on property to stay in an offsite motel/hotel ? We did once stay at Holiday Inn Maingate West and were not overly impressed, but I think that's simply from too many years of being spoiled by spacious villas.
As for restaurants. We have no problem eating at restaurants offsite (my ds likes places like Pizzeria Uno just fine), but we also like to save alot of onsite restaurants as special treats. We do feel the magic a little more when dining at say O'Hana's, Cape May Cafe, Whispering Canyon or Boma on Disney property. So we seem to like to mixup our on and offsite dining experiences as well.

 

[disneysteve]

I agree that some folks are just onsite "snobs" or compare apples to oranges. You can't compare Poly or GF to Days Inn or EconoLodge. But there are certainly many advantages to staying offsite depending on your needs and likes. I've said many times that we greatly prefer the space and amenities offsite as well as the cost. There is nothing onsite that compares to a nice pool home or condo. Yes, there are DVC rentals but they are tremendously more expensive.
Some people don't want to drive during their vacation. For those people, onsite is absolutely the way to go. Personally, we much prefer driving our own car over taking Disney buses. Waiting in line and cramming in with 40 or 50 others isn't a vacation to us.
We love Disney restaurants but also enjoy eating offsite. It just wouldn't be a Disney trip without a pizza from Flipper's one nite.
I've stayed at various onsite places from Fort Wilderness to Contemporary. I've also stayed at offsite places ranging from EconoLodge to 4 bedroom pool homes. We've never had a bad trip and we've never been anywhere that I wouldn't go back to if needed.
For the foreseeable future, we'll stick with offsite. When DD is older and can come and go on her own and maybe brings along a friend, we may stay onsite again because at that point Disney transportation becomes a big advantage.

 

[disneymom3]

Personally, we much prefer driving our own car over taking Disney buses. Waiting in line and cramming in with 40 or 50 others isn't a vacation to us..

That is exactly how DH and I feel. On our last onsite trip, we had no car and kept looking at each other asking, "Disney transportation is a perk, HOW??" Ugggh. No thanks. I would really rather drive myself.

 

[emmalgin]

I'd never consider that an advantage either. I don't mind chauferring, sometimes it is a nice break to the day.

Always am upset when people try and compare caviar (GF, Poly) to crackers (Econolodge, Motel 8) and then generalize.

I'll make a statement. Give a person $25/person/day to spend on food and you'll do better offsite then on-site. Same goes to $100/day for accomodations.....