Staying off site

[ckret01]

I usually stay inside disney when I go....this time a friend of ours has a condo right outside disney that we can stay for free. I know I can't complain about that but I am so used to staying on property. I love getting to the hotel and just walking the grounds....its one of the things I love about staying onsite. But on the other hand I could use that money I would be paying for a hotel and spend it on food/gifts etc. But I would also have to add the cost of a rental car for the week to get around.

Anyone have any thoughts on doing this? I guess what I'm trying to ask is get a confirmation that this is a good deal that I cant pass up-LOL

 

[*Fantasia*]

I love to be able to take advantage of the EMH in the morning or evening. This is a big plus for me. And staying off site will make me feel like I am not part of the "World." I feel special when staying in the "World." And having that special feeling is part of "Magic."

Even if the place is free, I wouldn't know how to bring myself to stay off site. I guess I am an "on site snob." Now... if staying off site is the only way for me to go back to the Disney parks, then I can't be picky at to where to stay. But I would try to go during the value season and stay at the value resort to save money and do less sit down dinings.

It's a great deal not to pass up as long as you don't mind staying off site.

 

[**pixiedust**]

I have always stayed offsite but am leaving on Saturday for my first onsite stay! I can tell you already that I will never stay offsite again,unless I had a free condo . I think I'd take it.

 

[spiceycat]

stay both onsite and offsite - love both.

go - you might have a whole new world....

as long as it is free.

 

[trirae]

I have only stayed offsite. I do plan for my next trip to be onsite, which is why I'm lurking about here reading your post.

I wouldn't hesitate to take the free offsite option. If you go regularly and know that you will be back, I don't think it would be such a big deal. Honestly, I didn't feel my trip was lacking in magic by staying offsite, but next time I do want to feel the difference.

The travel time for us wasn't too bad (often faster than some of the times I hear for Disney busses). We enjoyed having extra space too.

So, enjoy it! Spend money on other things one time, and you can always go back onsite nex time.

 

[susy]

Can you split the stay??? Are you doing some non-disney things or taking a few days to relax??? I would use those days at the condo and stay onsite for park touring. You might get more impartial responses on the Orlando.... board. I for one, do NO COOKING WHATSOEVER (could cereal counts) on vacation and can't stand the sight of a "kitchen" on vacation. Does the condo come with maid service????

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I usually stay inside disney when I go....this time a friend of ours has a condo right outside disney that we can stay for free. I know I can't complain about that but I am so used to staying on property. I love getting to the hotel and just walking the grounds....its one of the things I love about staying onsite. But on the other hand I could use that money I would be paying for a hotel and spend it on food/gifts etc. But I would also have to add the cost of a rental car for the week to get around.

Anyone have any thoughts on doing this? I guess what I'm trying to ask is get a confirmation that this is a good deal that I cant pass up-LOL

Totally depends on which place. I have stayed at Vistana.........I can't imagine passing that one up. There are some others that I wouldn't mind staying at, but ofcourse, there are some that I would stay away from.

Can you tell us which one it is??

 

[DawnCt1]

Look at the bright side. You will have more $$$ to spend on dining and the things you also enjoy about WDW. You have been before so there will be no problem driving to your favorite resort for breakfast, wandering around and then heading off to the parks. You just won't have a room to go to. When you are offsite, you may think about doing some of the things that you often are hesitant to leave Disney to do; Universal, Seaworld, etc. And then the really big plus is that you may save so much money that you will buy an AP and go again and stay on site.

 

[Kimberle]

This is what *I* would do. (After confirming the condo is nice.)

I would stay at the condo. I would do 1-2 days at WDW, and do SeaWorld, US, etc. the rest of the time. Believe it or not, there is a lot of non-WDW stuff to do in Orlando.

Next trip, I'd stay on-site and do WDW.

 

[ncbyrne]

I've stayed offsite more than on. Both have perks. The condo will be much more spacious than a hotel room and you will love the space. They usually have a washer/dryer right there and having separate sleeping quarters can be very nice. We always rent a car, onsite or off, so driving is not a problem for us - we prefer it. Definitely say yes and stay for free! You will have more $ for spending - a most pleasant feeling.

 

[erinz]

The last time we were at WDW we stayed offsite. It was SO NICE to have the extra room, and there was no lack of magic!