Poll- on site or off site?

[mrsklamc]

I know there are strong opinions on both sides but I'm just curious what the percentage is here on the budget board, so - onsite or offsite?

 

[mrsklamc]

I guess those last two options are excessive. It just seems like no matter what the poll options are there's always something that doesn't get covered.

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

When we fly to Orlando, or want the dining plan, on-site is our preference.

When we drive to Orlando, we like off-site for the size and cost of the rooms (we usually get a suite off-site). We have AP's, so we don't have to pay parking.

If we could get an affordable suite on-property, that would be the best of both worlds!

 

[marie1203]

We always stay onsite I feel when I drive off property I lose the Disney feeling. And I love the theme of the hotels and everything mickey. I love in the morning when I can go to the bakery and get cup cakes with Mickey ears . There is something magical on property.

 

[daisyduck123]

I voted "onsite".

We've never stayed offsite, & never will.

We are actually moving near WDW in 10-12 years, and I still plan to keep our DVC membership too, just so we can still stay at our "home away from home".

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I guess those last two options are excessive. It just seems like no matter what the poll options are there's always something that doesn't get covered.

And you still missed mine.

At WDW (which I'm sure you're referring to in the poll), I have always stayed onsite and at this time have no plans to ever stay offsite, although I wouldn't rule it out completely. I like the perks of DME, EMH, resort transit, resort package pick-up, and the "magic" of staying onsite. At this point in time, I won't go to WDW unless I can at least stay at a value, although my favorite level of resort is moderate.

At Disneyland, I have never actually stayed in an onsite resort. I would love to stay at the Disneyland Hotel at some point, but at this point I cannot justify the cost. The proximity of the offsite lodging options and their comparably low prices cannot be passed up. The walk from DLH to the parks is about the same as the walk from many offsite locations. Also, there is no DME at DLR. You have to pay for ground transportation for any hotel, onsite or off. The onsite perks do not seem as valuable or important at DLR as they do at WDW, therefore not justifying the cost premium to me.

 

[Brer Shay]

I'm a "both" person. When DH and I go by ourselves, we stay onsite. With just two of us, we fly, use ME and the buses or taxis as the whim strikes. When the three kids come along, we stay offsite. We drive and LOVE the extra space of the house and the transportation control of our own vehicle. We've done onsite in two connected rooms with all five of us and, even though we're immersed in Disney, some of the magic disappears when we're on top of each other.

 

[marcemc]

On site, there is just something magical about it

 

[collegejunkie]

also missed mine in the poll

if we find a reasonable rate, we rent DVC points and stay onsite. normally, we stay off-site at my timeshare (sheraton vistana) and drive to the parks. i find that renting DVC points helps us justify staying on site because we can get such a great deal. we're staying at AKV for about $120 a night - only $20 more than pop century per night for the same dates.

 

[ilovemk76]

I voted on site but none really applied 100%.

We love on site and will stay value. We are not a family with 4+ kids so space is not an issue. We would definitely go off site if that was the only way to go or we had free rooms. We have done both and enjoyed both but they are not the same vacation.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

We used to stay onsite--even owned DVC. But, we realilzed we could stay for a week offsite, on just our DVC dues.

I think a lot depends on your particular situation. We're a family of 6 who value our down time. My kids don't care much for eating in restaurants. My gang would rather spend a lot of time, having burgers by the private pool, than standing in line for yet another ride. This is a personal preference. Also, my gang isn't a 24/7 Disney type of family--we also visit Universal and Seaworld. Also, my kids are 5-16, making things interesting when choosing rides and stuff.

A family of 4 or less, that loves Disney Dining and commando touring would probably be miserable offsite. And probably wouldn't consider it such a bargain, with the various discounts you can find onsite. It's nice that there are so many options out there.

 

[Shmily1]

We use to stay offsite some when my grandmother lived close by but since she died, we only stay onsite. I won't stay offsite again because I don't want to miss any bit of the magic!

 

[MamaJessie]

I picked "I don't care as long as I can go". We did two on site visits and this will be our first off site, so I really won't know until then if the money and space outweigh the disney experience bubble for our family.

 

[twinsplusone]

We went to WDW for the first time 2009. DH is NOT a Disney person and staying onsite would have been overkill for him. We stayed offsite, he got to go fishing at the small lake in the gated communitiy, the kids had the pool to themselves, we ate a few meals at home, etc. It was a wonderful trip and I even got him to commit to another trip in 2013. I would never had been able to talk him into it if he couldn't get away from the mouse for awhile. Now, if we ever go back for along weekend, then we might try onsite, but with 5 of us, the reasonable (in my head) priced hotels are very limited.

 

[Jaime4004]

I voted off-site because that it where we stay most often. Much better, IMO, to have the space of a house, own kitchen, own pool, etc with 3 kids. While they love Disney, the pool is still their favorite part. If it were just my DH and I, I would vote on-site for sure!

 

[sydneysmom]

I've stayed offsite once.....and only once. Never again. I did not feel like I was on a "Disney World vacation" at all. It was depressing to leave the parks and go to the hotel and you're just done for the day.

When we go to Disney, we like to be right in the middle of the magic. If that means we don't go every year, then okay, fine w/ me. There's something about staying on-site that you just feel like you're "part of the whole experience". When we stayed offsite, we felt detached. I know, that probably sounds weird. But I hated it.

 

[mrsklamc]

I am really surprised by the numbers here! Keep the great answers coming though! Really fascinating to me (because I am a huge geek.)

 

[Friendly Frog]

It depends for me. I enjoy off site but as long as Disney offers free airport transportation they will most likely see me in one of their hotels. It is nice not having to rent a car.

If not in a Disney hotel I would choose a condo. Even with only two people I enjoy the room and feel of a condo and even the "off" time Disney. With a rental car I will explore the area and shops and the vacation always feels more relaxed.

We are doing Disney Hotels when at Disney and every few years when we do Universal, we will stay in a condo. It is a nice mix for us.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

We stay offsite. We need the space. We are a family of 4, but we just don't want to cram into 1 room hotel for 10 to 14 days. The rooms are so small! That is our main problem with Disney hotels. We can stay in a 3 bedroom house with a pool for less than a value resort.

We stayed onsite 1 time, and we really didn't like the busses, so we would rent a car either way. We don't get depressed leaving Disney at night. We are happy to go home to a house where we can put the kids to bed and DH and I can stay up watching TV or whatever without bothering the kids.

We also do things outside of Disney like Universal etc. I feel like we would be missing so much of what Orlando has to offer if we only did Disney.

 

[Isaiah55.1]

On Site for sure.