So nervous about staying offsite..

[kty]

you will be fine and have a great time whether you stay on site or off site.
this is the weirdest thing, but i hate doing laundry at home, but enjoyed it at the townhouse- i think because it was a novelty to have the machine in my town home while on vacation

 

[crazelion]

I found I like offsite more because we could get two TVs in a suite hotel. Whye me and mom want have share a TV. Plus we had fridge in the room to keep a 12 pack of coke in. We found out the hotel store did not sale coke and had withdraws badly. I had more food choices than at WDW that I did not have ADR 180 days out. I can't decide what for dinner at night. You expect know want eat 180 days out. You must crazy.

 

[emmsmama]

THE ONLY TIME WE CAN GO WOULD BE DECEMBER BREAK OR SPRING BREAK, VERY EXPENSIVE. PLEASE HELP ME FIND THE BEST OFF-SITE FOR MY LARGE FAMILY THAT WON'T COST AN ARM & LEG. MOMMY NEEDS A VACATION MORE THEN SHE CAN EXPRESS!

Check out www.vacationcentralflorida.com I haven't stayed there yet, but booked their townhouse and they've received good reviews from some people on the DIS boards. They have really good rates for condos and a townhouse in Windsor Hills.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I can't really imagine trying to stay in a tiny hotel room with the kids even though I was really excited about WL. Disney certainly has a lot of magic, but for their prices we will stay offsite and enjoy the extra perks at Windsor Hills.

And that's the clincher skmommy. Onsite does offer alot of themeing and ambience and onsite perks. But you will pay a price for that. It is a choice between that and larger accomodations/less money. We stayed at the WL last summer and loved every second of it. The resort is so beautiful that we didn't even care if we hit the parks. We would hang out by the pool or on the beach. We rented boats, rode bikes over to Ft Wilderness...just hung out in the gorgeous lobby. We know we paid more than we would have liked to, but it's a choice. I can certainly understand the decision to not want to pay that kind of money (we paid $225/night at the WL for early Aug 2007). There are certainly many people here on the "offsite/Orlando" boards that would feel we just threw our money away. But it is what each person truly values in a vacation. I didn't see the small hotel room. I saw the themeing/atmosphere/waking up to a view of Bay Lake/sitting out on the beach at night and watching the MK fireworks or the Electric Water Pagent etc.

And I can be objective about this too, because we do own an offsite timeshare where we stay every year (Vistana) in addition to our onsite stays. We just don't get the same "feel" from our vacation there, while we do VERY much appreciate the extra space. We like having stays both on and offsite----get the best of both worlds.

I think if the OP has never stayed offsite, they should definitely give it a try. No argument that it's easier on the pocket book and offers more space (and kitches etc) for families.

 

[iwannago!!]

If the OP is planning to go back to teaching... IIRC, teachers get a discount at the Dolphin/Swan that is a really good deal & worth checking into if being on site is important to you.

Last year, our family spent a week at Vistana & enjoyed the resort & pool. Then we moved into the Swan for 3 nights to 'do disney'. The hotel was wonderful and beautiful & felt plenty 'magical'. Their pool is awesome & they had movies at night too. We love being right by the boardwalk & loved being able to watch the fireworks at Epcot from the bridge. However, the room was pretty tight after spending a week at vistana!

 

[deejay-55]

We have stayed onsite, now we prefer offsite. Once you have enjoyed the space and comfort of your own 'home' with your own pool and spa, you will wonder why you ever stayed in a hotel.

 

[dioxide45]

I have this fear that I'll have a big "off property" sign taped to my forehead and I'll feel like a total outcast the whole trip for not staying at a Disney resort, LOL.

The only place you may feel an outcast is if you ask this same question on the resort board.

 

[TotoToo]

When you really look at what makes the on site resorts different it is the theming. But that, for the most part, is in the public areas. It's beautiful and very Disney oriented but it doesn't carry into the units except maybe a poster or a trim. Simply not worth hundreds or even thousands of extra dollars to be cramped into a tiny, expensive hotel room when for far less you can have a multi-room condo/home.

We do enjoy those beautiful common areas, but anyone can enjoy them. You don't have to be a guest. Plan a meal at a restaurant there if you must or simply take a newspaper or magazine and sit in the lobby. You get the "magic" that actually exists and don't pay a dime for it. Having stayed in the units I can safely say once you open the door to the rooms the majoics ends and the cramped feeling of any other hotel room begins. We'll never pay to be on site again as the value / experience just isn't there.

 

[Reflection]

The only place you may feel an outcast is if you ask this same question on the resort board.

LOL! The 'we-must-stay-onsite-only-or-we-don't-go' crowd will be out in full force.

 

[MiaSRN62]

deejay55 says :Once you have enjoyed the space and comfort of your own 'home' with your own pool and spa, you will wonder why you ever stayed in a hotel.

I used to think that.....but not so much anymore. Now it's more about not having a cookie cutter offsite place. It's more about ambience and perks now for us. But for everyone it's different...........

dioxide45 says :The only place you may feel an outcast is if you ask this same question on the resort board.

true.....but the same goes for anyone who prefers ONSITE here on this board ! Feel very outcast


The best bet, is to ask on BOTH boards and then analyze/evaluate the pros and cons of both and go what is best for you.

 

[sanibelover]

Just make sure you stay at a nice offsite place. Just stayed one night at the Sheraton Safari and will NEVER go back there again. Do your homework - get recommendations - make sure you know what is acceptable to you and what is not, and you should be just fine.

BTW, make sure you do your homework as far as touring is concerned and you will realize that all of the touring plans tell you to stay away from the EMH parks anyway. We followed their advice and never waited more than 10 minutes in a line (except at the Southwest check-in at the airport!!)

 

[dfarner]

As someone who frequently slums it with the rest of the offsite horde

Where is the TAG FAIRY??

 

[maxiesmom]

Just make sure you stay at a nice offsite place. Just stayed one night at the Sheraton Safari and will NEVER go back there again. Do your homework - get recommendations - make sure you know what is acceptable to you and what is not, and you should be just fine.

What was wrong with the Safari? It always looks like such a neat hotel, and that pool slide looks fun. I thought it being a Sheraton would ensure it was well run and clean.

 

[Brian Noble]

Where is the TAG FAIRY??

Those who know don't tell.
Those who tell don't know.

 

[MiaSRN62]

BrianNoble: Those who know don't tell.
Those who tell don't know.

 

[collcass]

I would never pay $100 for a Value resort, and almost $200 for a moderate is ridiculous.

$137 @ ASSR in July And we have to get 2 rooms

We are paying more for the two nights at a value resort than we are for 8 nights in a villa. The only reason I am only willing to pay it because we can't get into the villa until the 4th of July and we've never been which just goes to show how well that WDW marketing works

 

[supersuperwendy]

Our last trip we stayed at POR and really enjoyed it but...

The worst part of everyday was when our 3 kids fell asleep on the bus and then we had to carry them all the way to our room at the end of the night..it was awful. It's just one of the reasons why we are staying off site this October. Also, we are bringing our babysitter to help out which makes us a party of 6 plus my parents want to go too!!! That makes us a total of 8 people!! That would cost a fortune staying on site! We are getting a house with all star vacation homes and they include a free rental car with a week's stay!!! I love the thought of the kids falling asleep on the drive back to the house, then pulling into the driveway and carrying them in like we do at home!! Putting them to bed, then going outback and relaxing in our very own hot tub! Last year the hot tub at POR was closed all but our last night there! On that night it was packed! Yuck!!!

off site..here we come!

 

[sanibelover]

Guess it depends on what you are used to, but I found it dirty and depressing - the pictures do look impressive, but it is VERY well used. The reviews on trip advisor are all over the place. Some folks like it, but it was not my idea of vacation. I actually couldn't wait to leave. My husband told my kids that I am becoming a hotel snob, which may be true, but when I'm on vacation, I don't want ot look at peeling paint, mildew, stained carpet, etc. (can look at that at home - no, just kidding!!) The hotel could be nice, but it needs some freshening and brightening and the staff could use a little attitude adjustment as well. We stayed on points, and I wouldn't even do that again. I guess I was just a little grossed out.

 

[mlbudach]

We've been staying offsite and it is nerve racking to find a good place to stay. We've had good luck using websites that have user feedback ratings of the places people have stayed. We've been staying at hotels that have free breakfast because that cuts down on food costs a lot. We have not stayed at pool homes yet. Mainly because of the price, but I think we will try one in the future. You just have to make an informed choice and hope for the best. That's what we've done and it has worked so far. Good luck!