Review Staying offsite or on?

[jduncan]

This is our 1st trip to Disneyworld for myself, my husband and my 11 year old daughter.

We're flying in for 7 nights in February. We're going to be primarily focussed on Disneyworld resorts trying to decide between the 2 onsite resorts:
- Port Orleans Riverside or the Carribean or alternatively these suite offsite resorts:

- Buena vista suites
- Lake Buena Vista resort village and spa
- Hawthorne Suites
- Quality Suites - The Royal Park Suites

Price wise for the rooms - there isn't a lot of difference. Big things for us is we ideally don't want to rent a car so need decent shuttle service. We also really like the idea of having a 1 bedroom suite since we'll be there for so many days

Main Questions are:
- Is the onsite Disney experience worth the fact that we won't have a suite and dining will be more expensive ie. no free breakfast etc.

- If we pick one of these offsites - which has the most convenient shuttle service?

Any advice appreciated!

 

[Brian Noble]

I love staying offsite, and do at least half the time. But, if you don't want to rent a car, you absolutely should stay onsite in a Disney resort. Offsite shuttle service is never particularly convenient.

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

You mentioned you do not want to rent a car and that you plan a shuttle. I would stay onsite based on this for the convenience of free transportation. You will also have free transportation to the resort from MCO via Magical Express which you will not have from the others.
Both resorts you have mentioned are awesome and your DD will love the magic of being onsite.
While the other hotels offer suites and free breakfast..It would depend on how much time you actually plan on being in the room which is different even from resort time. Resort time would not necessarily (probably not) be in-room rather enjoying the grounds etc. As far as these Disney mods you mention--lots to enjoy for the grounds and the pools are nice with waterslides which your off-sites do not.
I say go for the Disney experience, you will not regret. Also if you do not want to spend a lot on breakfast, there are a lot of in room things you can have such as instant oatmeal, cereal, bagel, cereal bars etc.
Good luck with your decision and have a great vacation. You will absolutely love Disney.

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

Well, Have a great trip regardless of where you stay

We cannot stay offsite ever again!! We drive down from Virginia so we have a car/ disney mobile as its usually set up and window painted to the hilt, and use that most of the time in the world, but we use disney transportation sometimes (boat rides, monorail and an occasional bus).

When driving around the world, every once and a while we would take a wrong turn (often the same darn wrong turn!!!) and end up outside the world...Well we didnt like the looks of the real world and immediately would try to return, and normally announce our return when passing the sign...

So is it worth staying onsite, to us, beyond yes, it is not disney if we are not living disney 24/7...well this next trip is only 24/6.. (last one was 12 days this past summer )

good luck in your choice, and if you decide to stay on property, take a look at DVC it is the way we do it. http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/member/resortsMemberGetaways/memberResortOverview?id=DVCResortMemberPage

http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/guest/resorts/virtual360/virtual360Landing?id=DAKV360Page

 

[jeast]

If you are not going to drive yourself, stay onsite. Hotel/resort shuttles offsite are not convenient. Disney's transportation system is really good. It will make all the difference in the world.

If you are driving yourself, stay offsite.