Resort comparison

[lwilson105]

We are planning our first WDW vacation and on a budget. I am thinking about staying at a Hotel like Hotel Royal Plaza or Doubletree Guest Suite. Is there a difference between these types of hotels and WDW Resorts? Meaning if we stay at one of these cheaper places will it effect our access and enjoyment of WDW. Would it be better to stay at a WDW resort?

 

[ducklite]

You wo'nt be able to get early entry (except at the Hilton), transportation isn't as convenient, and you won't have the convenience of room charge privileges.

I'd look into the value or moderate WDW resorts, which can often cost the same or even less with a code.

JMHO.

Anne

 

[dandave]

Welcome to the Dis!!

As ducklite said, unless you stay onsite at WDW or the Hilton, then you won't be able to get in for the Extra Magic Hour or get into the e-ride nights.
If you don't care about getting in early or staying for e-night, then you'll have the same access as everyone else at WDW. You can still ride the monorail, the boats, and the busses.
You can go into the resorts to look around or eat. You can explore everything, to see if you find a resort where you may want to stay in the future.

I like staying onsite. We love trying the different resorts at WDW. Each has its own theme and its own feel. Plus, DH has no sense of direction, and I have very little more. When we stay off-site, we always get lost. Then we have to "discuss" who's fault it is that we are lost. Then we have to "discuss" it some more, until DH admits it's all his fault.....You get the picture.

When we stay onsite, we don't have to drive. It's the little things that make staying onsite so worthwhile!

 

[BambiTamby]

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[BambiTamby]

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Like dandave said....

When we stay onsite, we don't have to drive. It's the little things that make staying onsite so worthwhile!

There alot of codes from here andhttp://www.mousesavers.com/ .

the Budget Board, which is another DIS forum, is another great place to hang out!

And last, but not least....you could priceline for WDW vicinity resorts, but research at http://pub210.ezboard.com/bpricelineandexpediabidding

Hope this helps!

 

[kalamazoo]

I stayed both on and off-site and enjoyed both. These are things to consider:

Will you have a car? If you don't have a car then don't stay off-site. The shuttles are too limiting.

If you are flying and don't intend to rent a car then remember that you do have to pay for some kind of transportation between the airport and resort.

You have to pay for parking at the parks if you are not a WDW resort guest or if you do not have an annual pass.

You mentioned the off-site hotels you are considering but where would you consider staying on-site? There is a huge range of WDW resorts to choose from and a huge range of prices. Lots of people like the value resorts but I would rather stay off-site in a nicer place for the same money.

If it is important to you to have a place with a lot of room or a suite then it will be much cheaper to stay off-site.

If you are really, really on a budget then don't stay on-site. You will be more likely to spend more on food not to mention the room.

If you don't want to have to drive then stay on-site.

If you really think you will want to take advantage of the extra magic hour then on-site it is. But really think about it and make sure you would be able to take advantage of it. Figure out what time you'd be likely to get up, how long to get ready, eat breakfast and get to the park.

Lots of people say if you want to return to your room during the day (let's say for a nap) then on-site can't be beaten. I kind of disagree. I think that sometimes WDW bus transportation is not all it's cracked up to be and you can spend an awful lot of time getting back to the room, whereas taking your car can be quite efficient.

However, a case when I do think it is a tremendous advantage to stay on-site is when part of your party wants to return to the resort early. When you stay on-site everyone has a way to get back to the room. If you are off-site then you only have one way to get back so if someone wants to leave early you all have to leave or they have to come back to get the other half of the party when they are ready to leave.

Finally it also depends on when you are going. I find that if you go during value season the difference in price between on-site and off-site is smaller than during peak season. That is, the off-site resort prices don't fluctuate tremendously (though you can sometimes get some awesome deals) and the WDW resorts really soak you during peak season and are more reasonable during value season.

 

[PamNC]

If you're on a budget - try a moderate or even a value resort. Staying off-site, in my opinion, does take away from your vacation. We did it once. Never again. Here are some reasons:

1) Convenience. No matter how close your off-site hotel is you can't be closer than a WDW resort. Plus, you won't have the same transportation options.

2) Early Entry - only available at WDW resorts

3) Charge Privileges - only available at WDW resorts

4) Room delivery - at WDW you can have packages delivered to your resort

5) Service/Magic - Can't beat the Disney touch when it comes to service...not to mention the themed resorts are so magical. Where else can you stay in a South Seas Paradise, a wilderness retreat, the Caribbean, the list goes on.

6) free parking at the theme parks

I can't stress enough - stay on-site.

PamNC

 

[DisneyBill]

Again, welcome to the DIS boards! If you don't already have the WDW planning video, go to www.disneyworld.com and order one. You'll have a better understanding of how the resorts are and what is offered. There is a guest quote in the video something along the lines of "when you stay at Disney you don't have to go to Disney to get the experience, its 24/7." That's true. You also should know that you will likely never stay off-site again.
Welcome, good luck, and enjoy!