Should we stay onsite or offsite?

[Disneyforus]

We decided to stay off-site for our first family trip. We are a family of six and have stayed in hotel rooms with the gang and it just isn't fun. My husband and I always have to be quiet and done for the day at 8:00pm which is so not our regular routine. The onsite options were just way to expensive...I would rather have the extra money for souvies and character meals.

We are staying in a villa that friends of ours have stayed at and LOVE! My husband and I are looking forward to having time to relax when the kids go to bed. I have priced out our meals, and we are going to save so much money on food. We are still doing 2 character breakfasts, 3 dinners out in a week. The rest will be back at the villa....my kids will do much better eating "our" food anyway. I also get real sick of "restauranting" after a few days.

Whatever you decide you will have a fabulous time!

 

[maxiesmom]

I would pick on-site at the All-Star Suites. With that many adults, someone is bound to want to go their own way. And with the Disney transportation it is so easy to do that. Plus you get the EMH hours for added park time.
We have done both on and off site, and on site is much easier.

 

[jodifla]

Questions like this make me SO glad we bought DVC 10 years ago.

I get a 2-bedroom villa, with a jacuzzi tub, AND all the benefits of onsite!

TO OP: In your case, I'd probably stay offsite, unless you were amenable to renting a DVC unit.

 

[C&C's Mom]

Can you do both? This is our first trip, and we are a family of 6. We are going to stay onsite at AKL for three days, so we can get the whole "onsite experience", then we are spending 7 days offsite. The house we rented only rents for a week at a time, so it worked out that we were able to do both.

I think by the third day in a 300sf hotel room, we'll be itching to get to that 3000sf house, no matter how "inconvenient" it is!

We also plan on doing a number of things in the Orlando area, besides WDW, so that was also a factor in our decision.

 

[TXTurtle]

It's really going to depend on what your priorities are ... if you want space to spread out, room for adult time, and a kitchen then off site is probably best. However for me the transportation would be the deal-breaker. In my family having just the one car going from hotel/condo/rental to property would lead to someone checking into the Haunted Mansion, if you get my drift. If your family has proved in the past that going en mass in the morning to the park and back at night works without problem then it sounds like there's a lot of perks to offsite. If you're in my family, however, I would check out anything from AS to the campground before giving up the transportation!

 

[Natterjack9]

I voted onsite. The perks that you get by staying at one of the WDW resorts are just too good to pass up. If you stay offsite you have to drive to the parks everyday instead of letting a bus take you back. If where you are staying does have a shuttle service, you are subject to their time schedule, and possibly an extra cost. I was there over Easter in '04 and they closed entrance to MK because of the crowds, but resort guests were still allowed to enter (that made a few people mad!) Also, the resorts are competitively priced with anything in Orlando, and don't forget the Extra Magic Hours for resort guests only. The only way to really get the whole Disney magical experience is to stay onsite.

 

[SmallWorld71]

I stayed off-site for many years and then once Disney opened their moderate and value resorts we tried on-site. We will never stay off-site again. We like to be completely immersed in the magic. To us the smaller space is completely worth the special experience. Also, when you have several children you do not always have to travel as a group it you stay on-site. This is especially helpful when little ones become tired and older ones really want to stay in the parks. Then you and DH can split up and everyone is still happy and you can avoid those vacation meltdowns. We do save $ by bringing our own snacks and also our own breakfast from home. Either way I am sure you will have a great time.

 

[Georgia]

Another thing about offsite is the food. Disney food is awful! Counter service is approaching gross. It is nice to be offsite and get something better to eat.

Lots of people love DDP...I'm convinced this is because many are trading in table service meals for character dining and feeling like they are getting something for nothing.

Give me a good Friday's or Outback anyday!!

 

[WAHMto5]

With young children, I would only stay on~site for soo many reasons. You will find it so much easier to stay on~site then off and it is well worth the extra money!

 

[Arielsfanmom]

On-site just for all the benefits. Consider 2 adjoining rooms at a Value. or renting points from a DVC member.
We rent points everytime we go. Where else can I get a reservation for a villa ,well a studio(2 queen beds) for 500 dollars for 5 nights and all the perks of staying on site.