Sorry, but the new Disney Deal isn't that great, and here's why......

[traderneal]

First let me state that if you are a first timer to the World or must stay on Disney property nothing I am going to say is going to make you change your mind. However, for those of you who don't need to stay on Disney property, I think I can show you that this deal isn't the greatest and you can stay outside the world with much larger accomodations for the same price or in most cases much cheaper.


For my last five trips down to Disney, thanks to Disboards, we have stayed at a local townhouse complex called Windsor Hill. (you can check out the site and find rentals at xxx.xxxxxxxxxx.xxx The complex is pretty much a new upscale townhome/condo complex which is literally a seven minute drive from the main gate of the MK. I can honestly state I have never had a problem whatsoever with any of my rentals. Everyone I have rented from has been totally truthful about the accomodations, and the condo's/townhomes have always been spotless with the proper entities included. (i.e. towels, linens, etc).

I have a family of four, including my wife and two girls age 10 and 7, so we usually rent a two bedroom condo for roughly $75 a night; sometimes a little more or sometimes a little less. One time we splurged and got a good deal on a three bedroom townhome, including a private pool, for $85 night. The two bedroom condo can sleep 6, while a three bedroom townhome can sleep up to 10. For comparisons sake, I will use the $75 price of a two bedroom condo.

The major benefit of staying in a condo like this is just the sheer size of the unit compared to a Disney Value Resort, or even a room at some of the Luxury resorts. I would have to estimate the two bedroom condo is about 4 times the size of a room at the Contemporary. It is nice to be able to come back from a day at the parks, put the kids to bed and relax in the living room before going to bed. It was even nicer when we rented the townhome to go for a quick private swim.

A final benefit is the ability to have a nice quiet cheap breakfast and late night snack in the condo as opposed to having to pay Disney prices. Normally we stop at the local market to pick up some cereal, drinks and snacks.

Here we go:

Seven nights in a 2 bedroom Condo at Windsor Hill: $75 * 7 = $525
Two childrens tix for the world including park hopper: $255 * 2 = $510
Two adult tix for world including park hopper: $292 * 2 = $584
(THE DISNEY PLAN DOES NOT INCLUDE HOPPERS!)
7 days of parking (you only pay parking once a day): $12 * 7 = $ 84
-----
Grand Total: $1703


Compare that price to the Disney plan:
Travel Dates Check In January 4, 2009
Check Out January 11, 2009

Travel Party2 Adults
2 Children (Ages 10 & 7)

Resort ChoiceThe Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

Dining and Entertainment ChoiceMagic Your Way Package

Park Ticket Choice7 Day Magic Your Way Ticket

Total Cost: $2092



Now let's see how much it is at a Deluxe Resort:

Travel DatesCheck In January 4, 2009
Check Out January 11, 2009

Travel Party2 Adults
2 Children (Ages 10 & 7)

Resort ChoiceDisney's Contemporary Resort

Dining and Entertainment ChoiceMagic Your Way Package

Park Ticket Choice7 Day Magic Your Way Ticket

Total Cost: $2497


And finally a Value Resort:

Travel DatesCheck In January 4, 2009
Check Out January 11, 2009

Travel Party2 Adults
2 Children (Ages 10 & 7)

Resort ChoiceDisney's All-Star Sports Resort

Dining and Entertainment ChoiceMagic Your Way Package

Park Ticket Choice7 Day Magic Your Way Ticket

Total Cost $1271



I will concede that when you add in the $200 gift card for travelling during Jan-Mar, it is $632 cheaper to stay at the Value Resort, that is a lot of money and could make the Value Resort a better choice than staying in a condo.

But for the Moderate and Deluxe, when you subtract out the $200 gift card I still think it is a much better value to stay in the condo for these reasons:

1. Size
2. Privacy
3. Quiet
4. No wait to check in
5. No check out
6. Meals such as breakfast in the condo as opposed to eating out.


Anyway, I hope, at least, this gives you an idea that there are alternatives to Disney properties.

 

[Disneyadore]

Wow you put so much effort and placed the same thread twice but I'm afraid you will be knocking on Deaf Men's door.

Nothing you say will convince me to stay outside my beloved WDW and I'm not alone on this one.
To each his own.

 

[jemgumby]

We've stayed on and off property before. We have stayed at Windsor Hills and really liked it as well as Cypress Palms, however, we really enjoy staying on property. We don't like the hassle of having to drive our car and park or the fact you can't get the extra magic hours or add the dining plan. Believe me I understand what you are saying, it is probably cheaper to stay off property but for us we prefer to stay at a Disney resort if we at all possible.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Yah but do we WANT to cook on vacation? Nope! I want to be pampered. I want to be in a hotel with maid service and feel like I am on vacation, not just moving into a condo for the week!
I also like using Disney transportation and couldn't imagine having to drive around, deal with parking,etc.... Too stressful on vacation.
To each their own, but that would not be a fun vacation for me.

I want to wake up IN disney world. I want to walk outside my room in the morning and smell Mickey waffles cooking. I want to hear nice music playing throughout my resort in the evening while we stroll back to our room. I want a food court and restaurants easily accessible that is NOT McDonalds or Wendys!

No thanks.....no condo for me!

 

[marsrunner]

Oh for crying out loud if I really wanted to save money I'd book the Howard Johnson Maingate East. $35 a night and closer to the parks than some of the resorts on property.
But that isn't the point! I want to stay on site and be immersed in the magic 24/7. If you don't, then by all means stay off site, but its kinda silly to act like those of us on this board don't know about this stuff. You aren't telling us anything we don't already know!

 

[Cinders Mum]

I think OP has made their point quite eloquently.

For some the deal is fantastic and that is great. For others, they get carried away with this "huge" deal until the figures are run, in the same way the OP has laid out, and then they are able to weigh up their options with their eyes wide open, and make an informed choice knowing what they are getting.

Sometimes it is easy to get carried away which is a sign of good marketing.

For me, offsite doesn't work, as I don't drive.... but if I did, I would have to weigh it up carefully.

 

[centurythree]

I usually do stay off property in a very nice villa (and based on the pictures in your link, more upscale than Windsor Hills), but this trip I want to try staying on site. Disney's offered me a killer rate on one of their deluxe properties with deluxe dining, and I'm happy to take them up on it.

Next year I do expect to go back to my home away from home, but this year I'm going to change things up a bit.

 

[centurythree]

Oh for crying out loud if I really wanted to save money I'd book the Howard Johnson Maingate East. $35 a night and closer to the parks than some of the resorts on property.
But that isn't the point! I want to stay on site and be immersed in the magic 24/7. If you don't, then by all means stay off site, but its kinda silly to act like those of us on this board don't know about this stuff. You aren't telling us anything we don't already know!

Sorry, but marsrunner is correct on this one.

 

[EnnEss]

Its a deal for people that stay onsite. Thats pretty obvious OP. Your entire thesis is off. I could stay in a tent and cook all my hot dogs on my camp stove for the cheapest possible vacation.

Its a good deal. I got 7 days with hoppers at pofq for 1300. Thats a sweet deal. I would have done deluxe but i wasnt going and that seemed fiscally less responsible. teehee.

You're comparing apples to oranges. I have no desire to stay in a condo, so your deal is far worse. This discount isn't aimed at you though, its at people that stay onsite.

 

[skipperkim]

Its a deal for people that stay onsite. Thats pretty obvious OP. Your entire thesis is off. I could stay in a tent and cook all my hot dogs on my camp stove for the cheapest possible vacation.

Its a good deal. I got 7 days with hoppers at pofq for 1300. Thats a sweet deal. I would have done deluxe but i wasnt going and that seemed fiscally less responsible. teehee.

You're comparing apples to oranges. I have no desire to stay in a condo, so your deal is far worse. This discount isn't aimed at you though, its at people that stay onsite.

I have to agree with you. I'm on vacation, I'm not cooking as someone else pointed out. I would rather stay on property, in fact I've never stayed off property other than my brothers place on the north side of Orlando. (While staying there I had already been to WDW and was there to visit him and see my niece graduate from college.)

I love being able to walk off the plan, board a bus to WDW, arrive at my resort check in and head off to the park. I'm immersed in Disney from the time I arrive until the time I leave. You don't get that staying off property.

 

[Nainolaf]

HAHAHAHAHA.....its good to see so many Onsite fans here on this site!! On the UK equivalent site us 'Magic' lovers often get flamed by fans of private villas!!!!
Personally id never stay anywhere else (funds allowing) than onsite! as a previous poster put it, walking back to your room in the afternoon/evening with the music playing is such a wonderful feeling, and the EMH seals the deal: every time!!

 

[SereneOne]

Great intentions, however, I WANT to stay onsite, it is part of the magic to me, just like eating at character meals and places like SciFi Diner. I could save a lot of money staying off property using the free nights my husband earns by traveling a lot with his work, I could save more money eating at the counter services and packing snacks. Heck, I could save even more by not booking BBB or the PPP, however, that is what makes it vacation for me. I did do the numbers and by doing the PayFourGetThree package, I save $700 which would be the price of tickets off the normal package.

 

[parmtoo]

Oh for crying out loud if I really wanted to save money I'd book the Howard Johnson Maingate East. $35 a night and closer to the parks than some of the resorts on property.
But that isn't the point! I want to stay on site and be immersed in the magic 24/7. If you don't, then by all means stay off site, but its kinda silly to act like those of us on this board don't know about this stuff. You aren't telling us anything we don't already know!

I agree!

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

That is a better deal for people who don't want Disney 24/7. I have stayed offsite many times growing up and it was fine then, but there was only the MK. Now it's completely different. Staying offsite is not a vacation for me. It is worth the money for us to stay on site. My girls eat, sleep and live Disney. We want the music and the characters every where we go. I want to sleep in a bed with Mickey on it, I want it on the walls and I don't want to cook, clean, drive or worry about money because it will all be paid for ahead of time.

 

[pixistix]

Everyone's different when they vacation. I work with a lady who is willing to go to Disney and stay at a value resort and take snacks, water, breakfast cereal, bagels, and items like that to save money. She said she would never stay at a deluxe resort because it's too expensive.
I vacation differently.
My DH said that if I'm doing any cooking of any kind, it's not a vacation for me. We prefer to be pampered on vacation because we work hard and feel we deserve it.
There's nothing wrong with either, it's all about how you choose to vacation.
I stayed off site the first few times I went to Disney. I prefer to be immersed in the Magic 24/7. I also like not having to drive for a week!
And everyone's "good vacation deal" may be different.
I booked Beach Club for 7 nights under the new promotion. Paying just over $2,800 for two. I figure I'm saving $2,400. And to me...that's a great deal!

 

[tinkbyday]

Just one small correction OP - your 10 yr old's ticket should be the adult price.

I would never stay off-site. The Disney resorts are just as much part of the experience as the parks.

 

[dlbbwu]

Everyone's different when they vacation. I work with a lady who is willing to go to Disney and stay at a value resort and take snacks, water, breakfast cereal, bagels, and items like that to save money. She said she would never stay at a deluxe resort because it's too expensive.
I vacation differently.
My DH said that if I'm doing any cooking of any kind, it's not a vacation for me. We prefer to be pampered on vacation because we work hard and feel we deserve it.
There's nothing wrong with either, it's all about how you choose to vacation.
I stayed off site the first few times I went to Disney. I prefer to be immersed in the Magic 24/7. I also like not having to drive for a week!
And everyone's "good vacation deal" may be different.
I booked Beach Club for 7 nights under the new promotion. Paying just over $2,800 for two. I figure I'm saving $2,400. And to me...that's a great deal!

We vacation like pixistix, but this is a great thread. We have been to Disney many times and have stayed offsite once. As the OP describes it has its advantages, but the rest of the times we have stayed at the Poly. We got hooked on it due to the monorail (the wife has been pregnant twice and it came in very handy). My only question to everyone is: What if I don't want to stay 7 nights? I know, I know, everyone wants 7 nights, but I am also working on airfare, and it would behoove me to spend 6 nights instead of 7. Any advice out there? I have been trying to start our Spring Break (March 20 - March 30) vacation based on flights before hotel. I would welcome all suggestions and comments. Thanks in advance...

 

[Teacher03]

I have stayed onsite and offsite. I agree with the OP, it is cheaper to stay offsite. We are returning in June and were booked to stay at Coronado Springs. However, my husband and son decided they wanted to go, so that makes 6 of us, so the only option is to stay in a condo (also in Windsor Hills.) We just can't afford to get two hotel rooms, even with the great deal Disney is offering. I have to admit, my heart sinks a little that we won't be onsite. I love being immersed in everything Disney, but this time it just won't work for us. But like my daughter says, "We'll still be in Disney!"

 

[jl]

We booked early Oct. .08 for the last week of Feb. '09 - 7 nights @ POR with 8-day park hoppers. Booked through AAA so we could get some discount & paid in full with Disney Visa - we were refunded $544 plus (as we are in the right time frame) we will get the $200 gift card.

The sheer convenience of on site accommodations doesn't have a defineable value for us; nor does riding the buses; same with DME - we have done many Disney trips - we use & thoroughly enjoy not driving in traffic anywhere on vacation, not having any lugggage hassel - just drop it off @ the local airport & let Disney do the rest, we don't do commando style - like to take a break whenever & go to POR - we've never had any issues room assignment, maid service, food -

The Disney deal 7/4 is just icing on the cake, now we will do a couple of tours & HDDR without thinking "gee we've already spent enough - it is expensive @ Disney". another plus - we are traveling with our "newbie" neighbors - they've done Disney a day here, a day there in the past - we know they will "get" staying on Disney property.

I only wish this promo applied to Disney cruises - we did our first cruise last year - again, with our "newbie" neighbors - we all had a fabulous time - I am the only one of the 4 of us that said we were not doing another cruise this year - too pricey - let's do Disney World this year!

OP - can we agree to disagree on this?

 

[mommyofboys]

My only question to everyone is: What if I don't want to stay 7 nights? I know, I know, everyone wants 7 nights, but I am also working on airfare, and it would behoove me to spend 6 nights instead of 7. Any advice out there? I have been trying to start our Spring Break (March 20 - March 30) vacation based on flights before hotel. I would welcome all suggestions and comments. Thanks in advance...

We are only staying 6 nights - it can be done. You do not have to stay 4 to get 3 free. If you go to the WDW website and go to the specials page, you can work the numbers there to see what it would be for 5 nights, 6 nights, etc.