Staying Off Site

[avic77]

Anyone a strictly off siter? Im planning to stay off site but feeling a little out of the loop with all the WDW resorters.
We choose off site becuase of our budget and EMH are not that big a deal to us. Though I really wanted the dining plan =( Wish it was open to everyone.

 

[MrsGoofyMitchell]

The first 3 years my husband and I went we stayed offsite and I loved it! I really didn't ever want to stay onsite!! Then last year for our honeymoon we stayed onsite. I liked it because we got to the parks faster (we drove our own car) but I didn't feel that much more into the Disney magic. Maybe when we have kids. We are going next month and staying onsite for the dining plan.

But I do miss staying offsite because we usually got a suite with a kitchen (Homewood Suites) for less than what we pay to stay at DW.

 

[Hannathy]

I've stayed on site and off and haven't noticed too much of a difference actually. I think the Magic is what you make it not just where you stay, because after you get to your room and close the door it is still just a hotel room. The only trip I didn't like being off site was the time I under estimated the time to drive to Disney, then it wasn't as nice because it added too much time but the times we stayed in the LBV area we were back to our room as quick if not quicker than driving to some of the value resorts. Before I decide I look at the numbers If I can get room and add the 10 for parking and come out a lot cheaper then I stay off site, If it is close I stay on for the EMH but not just to say "I'm on site"

 

[Lisa Hale]

In the past we stayed off-site and very much enjoyed it. Granted, we were younger then and had more patience and energy - awwww, early 20's, THOSE were the days!

Now, we're in our mid-.......40's ..... and we have 2 children (13 years old and 4 years old). We stay on-site.

Quite frankly, I think both options have great benefits and both have some negatives. When we stayed off-site, we found some fantastic deals on large rooms (I love Embassy Suites!), which also cut down our food costs (large breakfast included with room). We drove to the parks and stayed for the day. We also took advantage of off-site dining which we don't do anymore, and shopping at some of the outlet malls nearby. Thinking back I have absolutely no regrets at staying off-site then. It was great!

Once we started having kids, though, it changed. For us. We wanted the option of using Disney transport anytime we needed it for naps, extra hot days or just if the little ones didn't sleep well the night before and we needed extra breaks during the day. It's so much quicker to hop a bus and ride back to an on-site resort for naps, breaks, etc. rather than trundling out to the car and fighting traffic to a hotel off-site. Plus, we were much more likely to go back for fireworks, parades, etc., than if we knew we were going through the traffic and parking lot ritual twice a day. So, we no longer rent a car (gotta love magical express!), and eat all of our meals on-site.

I don't think there are any "right" or "wrong" ways of doing Disney. Whatever suits you best, be it financially, time-wise or preference, is what you should do. Would I recommend trying both if you can to compare for yourself? Sure! What have you got to lose and you gain a great vacation either way.

 

[shmedly123]

I have done both also. Both are nice in their own way

It's cheaper and the food is better outside of WDW. It is less convenient, not as well themed and no EMH outside. Personally I try to avoid the parks that have the EMH's anyway

 

[sticker231]

There have been several debates about it on the DIS. It basically comes down to what is best for you and your family. Do what is best in your situation and have an awesome trip.

 

[momtomari]

i am staying offsite in december but this is my first time going as a family the other time was on a band trip for the citrus bowl and we also stayed offsite that time at a holiday inn

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I've stayed on site and off and haven't noticed too much of a difference actually. I think the Magic is what you make it not just where you stay, because after you get to your room and close the door it is still just a hotel room.

I couldn't agree more. We've done both onsite and offsite depending on what else we're doing on the trip. If it's a short one week trip that'll be spent mostly at Disney we'll stay onsite but for our longer trips we'll stay at the Comfort Suites Maingate East. Truthfully, we really don't feel like we're missing out on any 'magic' by not having a mouse on our soap wrappers.

The onsite perks are nice but we really don't get much use out of them when we do stay onsite. We always have a rental car so we'll only use Disney transportation to go to DTD one or two nights so we can have a few drinks at PI. We may use EMH once or twice a trip but we find we get enough time in at the parks without them.

The offsite hotel advantages (besides a lot more room for the same money as a Disney value) are the free breakfast buffet plus the in-room fridge, microwave, and coffee maker.

The distance isn't bad either. It's about 5 minutes to any of the WDW parking lots and about 10 to Universal. Not bad when compared to the 20 minutes it took us to ride the bus from Pop Century to DTD (on top of the time spent waiting for the bus).

I read all these threads about how you "can't truly experience Disney magic" without staying onsite and I guess I'm not one of the cool kids because frankly I don't get them. The experience truly is what you make of it.

Lee

 

[WillCAD]

For me the deciding factor has always been money. I stay on-sitre when I can afford to, and off-site when I must.

I don't feel that my vacation is negatively impacted when I stay off-site. I have gotten some great deals at nice hotels over the years, mostly in good location very close to WDW property so travel is no more than 5 minutes longer than staying at the All-Stars or one of the moderates.

And off-site hotels can have other advantages over on-site, such as bigger rooms, more in-room amenities, better parking, included breakfast, and once in a while free internet access (though this is rare). There are also plenty of condo-style hotels near WDW with multiple bedrooms, full kitchens, in-room laundry, and multiple baths. Then there are vacation homes, which are a much more cost-effective option for large families or groups, and often come with private pools as well.

If you carry the Magic in your hearts it won't matter that you're staying at an Amerisuites or Comfort Inn instead of Pop Century or Polynesian.

 

[Lizzybear]

I'll be staying onsite for the first time in September. I'm not sure if that'll be the way to go for me from now on, we're mainly doing it to try the onsite experience and also due to free dining. I've had 2 fabulous offsite trips though and don't feel as if i've had a less magical experience, it was what suited my family best without a car (we like to visit other Orlando attractions too) and for me coming from another country just the whole experience of being in the US is a big part of my holiday

 

[Jill in Chicago]

We're staying off site in a house with its own pool. I am so looking forward to the extra space. Staying off site, with our own bedroom and kitchen is what sold DH on going back to Disney. He loves to cook so we are eating dinner in most nights. DH really likes that idea too.

 

[kathie859]

We've stayed on and off-site. Both have merit. For your lodging dollar you can certainly buy more space off site. i.e., next trip with DD, DSIL, DGS, DGD and DH, we have a 3 bedroom condo with full kitchen, laundry, and pool. I like having the space to "spread out" and it simplifies packing if you can throw in a load of laundry and not leave your rooms. And we save a lot of cash by having a good breakfast before hitting the parks.

When we stayed on site, we did enjoy Mousekeeping's little touches but we certainly spent more money on food and we still preferred to take our car instead of relying on the buses.

The most inexpensive trip for us is to stay off site, use the DDE card for our TS meals. Only one person has to have an AP (right now that's me) and we get parking at the parks for free and free valet when we visit a resort for a meal.

I am trying to plan a little "lost long weekend" for DH and I in late January or February. If there's any AP discounts, we may try to stay on-site since it's just the 2 of us.