So how much of a benefit is it to stay on a Dis Property?

[TaurusNYY]

Ok, I know there magic hours are a big plus. Aside from that do you get a much warmer and Disney like feel staying on a Disney property? I am just wondering if it is truly worth it...I also like the free transportation from the airport- but dont other hotels offer this?

 

[tinkermommyof3]

I am aware of non-Disney hotels offering free transportation to WDW parks. I have never heard of them offering transportation from MCO to hotel. I would stay offsite for one night only before a promotion begins on WDW property if I could not get a reasonable deal on site. Other than that, when I go to WDW I like the feel of being immersed in the Disney experience and that comes from staying at a Disney resort. JMO.

 

[TaurusNYY]

Whats the best way to find out about WDW promotions- directly through Disney or through a preferred agent? Thanks.

 

[outahere]

Ok, I know there magic hours are a big plus. Aside from that do you get a much warmer and Disney like feel staying on a Disney property? I am just wondering if it is truly worth it...I also like the free transportation from the airport- but dont other hotels offer this?

I don't think any of the off-site hotels near WDW offer free transportation from the airport. The ones in the vicinity of the airport do, but not much further away than that.

We've stayed off site more times than on site and there is a definite advantage to staying on site. You can get the airport transportation, extra magic hours and not have to worry about driving from an off site hotel. Some of the hotels further away than Downtown Disney do offer shuttles, but they are limited and run on set schedules. If we're going for a Disney vacation, versus a few days of relaxation, we stay on site now. If we stay off site now, we usually stay in a condo at one of the Marriott Vacation Club properties.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

there nothing quite like the feeling driving onto property and knowing your staying on property...........its like a bubble passes over the family!


Yes its worth it!


AKK

 

[Mousemommy1]

For my family, it's not a Disney vacation unless we are staying on site. Knowing that we are 100% in Disney's hands for the duration of our stay is wonderful.

 

[disd55]

The first time we went to WDW we stayed off-site. We didn't know any better. It was pretty boring. We didn't buy park hoppers, so we went to one park a day. The next time we became spoiled and stayed at a Deluxe on-site resort and MAN what a difference. It felt amazing. Our room was literally a one minute walk from Epcot. It's so convenient and it's just an amazing feeling.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have not stayed offsite. To me, if I had a large family, was doing other things in Orlando and had a car, offsite would be more attractive.

As it is, we are a family of three now, we always fly and we do not want to rent a car.

When I add in rental car and parking, offsite isn't enough of a savings.

When I add in the immersion, Magical Express, good dining options at my resort, EMH, and being able to pre pay my meals if I choose, offsite is the way to go.

You can find about deals on disboards or use a Disney travel specialist. This board is owned by Dreams Unlimited and you can click on the top of this board to get a quote/agent.

Good luck!

 

[partypa]

"a much warmer and Disney like feel"
Yes indeed
It is all very Magical
You feel far away from the real World, that's why we all go, isn't it ?

 

[bluejasmine]

We use to years ago stay offsite but one yr we decided to stay at ASMo & fell in love with the magic of staying onsite

To us it's a true get away from everything when we don't have to get in our own car, I'd rather stay at a monorail resort b/c it's so convenient but that's not always possible.

Sometimes the buses can be a pain but its part of Disney to us now.

We always stay at a DTD hotel for one night and play around in DTD before checking into WDW & the whole check in cant wait to see what room will we get, will it be ready it part of the fun!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Missytara]

My stepbrother and sister in law went one year and could not believe why I would even begin to stay on site and pay all that money.

Next year, they stayed at POP and GOT IT.

 

[WDW in Pearls]

I never leave Disney property so I always stay on site. Its like you never have to leave the parks! Each hotel is an experience in its own right.

 

[wmpenguin]

What about ADRs? Isn't there an advantage to how you book your ADRs when you have an on-site reservation?

I am new to this and still in the planning stages, so I am not sure.

 

[lizzi6692]

What about ADRs? Isn't there an advantage to how you book your ADRs when you have an on-site reservation?

I am new to this and still in the planning stages, so I am not sure.

Yes you can book all your ADRs from 180 days out from the first day of your trip rather than having to call back each day to make ADRs for each day.

 

[Missytara]

What about ADRs? Isn't there an advantage to how you book your ADRs when you have an on-site reservation?

I am new to this and still in the planning stages, so I am not sure.

You can book ADR's 180 days out plus 10 days. If you stay longer, you have to go back and finish the rest. This happens to many people from overseas who stay longer.!

 

[starrysky]

We stayed offsite on honeymoon and while the resort was nice the shuttles to and from the parks were a pain. They only had two am pick ups and three late afternoon/ evening lets just say 13 hours in MK in August was not so magical. And if you missed the bus tough you had to find your own way back.

First on site trip was a joy. Tired and want to go back for a nap no problem bus will be right there, want some adult beverages with our meals no problem disney bus will get us back with no worries about one of us not getting a drink. Service in the hotels has always been excellent and the themes of the resorts are wonderful.

Ok so we could hire a car stay offsite and not have to use shuttles but that to me and my DH is not a vacation.

Overall disney might not be 100% perfect but no one and nothing is but hey as Mary poppins said its practically perfect in every way...

 

[pmaurer74]

It is like being in a Disney bubble... I would not consider staying elsewhere unless it was to rent a house.

 

[Sparkly]

Free transportation around WDW and to and from the airport, free parking, EMH, what's not to love?

 

[flamark]

It is VERY MUCH worth it to stay on property in my opinion! I just did a quick search on the WDW website and for a mid September 4 night stay All Star Music was $354 tax inclusive. That's $88.50 per night. You could stay off property for as little as $35 per night but then as others were saying, you would need to factor in transportation and the extra time spent getting to and from. You definitely don't get the Disney feeling either in those type places. I have stayed in some of those places and trust me you don't really get any type of warm and fuzzy feeling! Keep in mind as others have stated that when staying on property you can also get the Disney Dining Plan, which if you use it correctly can save you $ on your meals as well. The difference isn't really as much as is perceived if you find a decent discount. Even paying full price you are in the happiest place on Earth so to me that alone makes it worth it.

 

[capegirl]

It is definitely worth it to stay on Disney property. I know that there are folks who would disagree, but in my humble opinion there is no comparison. As others have pointed out, there is a that special 'detached from the real world' atmosphere on Disney property; but putting that aside, I would not consider staying off property, especially with young children, simply due to logistics. I have no desire to waste precious vacation time driving back and forth between the parks and our hotel. I cannot even imagine leaving the park to take an afternoon break, and then having to drive back to Disney if we wanted to do the parks or DTD at night. Forget about it. If you are concerned about your budget, I would stay at one of Disney's value resorts, and cut corners with meals in order to stay on property. Make a couple of ADR's that are important to you and your family, and do counter service, meal sharing, and bring breakfast items, snacks & drinks for your resort room. I promise, you will be happy camper if you decide to stay on property.