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

[kimysbug]

We always stay on property
It's all Disney all the time
Get off plane get magically expressed, check in use Disney transport, use room key for everything. Extra magic hours

I don't rent a car
Carry tons of I'd or credit cards
If I buy things, I don't carry them, I have them shipped back to room.

 

[JoeKir]

We always stay on site for a few reasons:

- Disney crazy and love being submerged in it
- 100% stress free transportation
- convenience of meal options
- room key as "key to the world"; we literally don't bring anything into the parks but our room keys so there is no worry of losing or damaging phones or anything, and if we want a camera it takes no time to go back and get one.

We considered staying offsite (at universal) to see if it was cheaper but for us having the dining and transportation all covered offsets any savings of a cheaper hotel. And the removed stress is a huge bonus.

 

[chimommy]

I have stayed onsite and off... I think there are benefits to both, but I do prefer to stay onsite. The vacation just has a different feel when you stay onsite that is hard for me to explain... My parents have a time share with Marriott and I really enjoy the properties but on our last visit we decided next time we would go to Disney we would stay onsite. I do like having extra space off site and I think there are some great options.... But I think it about evens out the cost after you add in the rental car, gas, and parking expenses... Anyway. I think if you are thinking about it... I would recommend at least trying onsite out... Especially the deluxe resorts... You can't beat the transportation

 

[AprilJ26]

We've stayed both offsite (at a downtown disney area hotel) and onsite. We prefer onsite simply because its so easy to just go back to the hotel for an afternoon break. When we stayed offsite, everything took longer. Had to get up earlier to get to the parks. Epcot, AK, and HS wasn't really a big issue but MK was a headache because of having to transfer at the TTC. We didn't even attempt to go back for a break because of that. So I think we were more exhausted on our offsite trip. BUT we did go during a holiday period with no onsite discounts and the offsite hotel was walking distance to DTD with great dining options, so we really enjoyed our trip. We would stay offsite again if no really good onsite discounts were offered.