Staying On Disney Property VS Staying Off Property?

[ZephyrHawk]

You'll find a lot of people on these Boards who would never stay on property because of the expense, and you'll find a lot of people who would never stay off property. The problem is, you won't really know which one of those you are until you try staying on property once. If you do and you find it's not worth the cost, then you know for the future. Yeah, you lose a bit of money on this particular trip, but since you're already considering doing it, it can't be that much of a hardship for you.

 

[bartleby1]

We have done both and while we do enjoy staying on property better, I also understand that there is a financial 'breaking point' where it becomes not worth it. That breaking point is going to be different for different people and only you can decide what your personal breaking point is. However, I would STRONGLY urge you to limit your hotel changes to two max. We always feel like we lose a day when we switch hotels because of the time it takes to pack up, check out, move stuff, re-check in, etc. Vacations are expensive and the time spent is invaluable. I'd much rather be out enjoying the parks, pool, whatever, than switching hotels.

 

[rdevine10]

For us it depends on how long we will be there. We have greatly grown to LOVE Bonnet Creek. Its truly wonderful. Awesome pools love the space, location is amazing. We get a 2 bedroom and when we have stayed 10 days its awesome to have a little space.

I wasnt sure we would ever go back onsite again UNTIL I read about the Magical deal here on the Disboards. We are staying at the Contemporary in August for 5 nights. I have wanted to stay there since I was about 8 years old and I couldnt beat the price (still way more than Bonnet Creek). Anyhow, I dont mind 5 nights in a larger hotel room for 4 people but 10 is too much.

I can tell you we are NOT a fan of split stays. I hate packing and repacking. Good luck!

 

[OrangeBirdGirl]

I've never stayed offsite but if it were the decision of checking into one place offsite and being set for the trip or staying onsite and checking in 3 different times, I'd stay offsite.

 

[Sleepy425]

Do you have kids? For me, I choose onsite because I have 4 kids in car seats. Even if we drove (I hope to never drive, 1200 miles with kids doesn't seem fun), I just hate dealing with getting kids in and out of the seats. If we rent a car, I either have to bring car seats or rent them. Neither sounds appealing. Especially the thought of getting all the kids buckled in extremely hot temperatures (I'm spoiled with an automatic car starter at home). So we bought into DVC to make onsite more reasonable for us. Once the kids are all older, we will probably look into Bonnet Creek or renting houses. As a child we went to Disney often, but only stayed on site once. I have fond memories of going to Old Town and shopping at the gaudy gift shops. So I do want to at least try it in the future (after the days of car seats are past us). If we like that option we will decide what to do with the DVC points. But until then, we love getting off the plane and letting Disney drive us everywhere.

 

[MichelleVW]

In my opinion, the time you save by staying onsite is worth more than any money savings that you get by staying offsite. Plus you get the extra magic hours, and FP reservation perks.

If you stay offsite, you are most likely renting a car (and paying to park) or using less convenient transportation to the parks. Just to get to the front gate of the Magic Kingdom, it takes longer. And if I were staying offsite, it would be harder to take a mid-day break. Most of our friends that stay offsite just power through the whole day rather than go through all the trouble of making all the trips to monorails and to the parking lot.

Even if we stay onsite we use a car. Disney transportation is way too slow. We stay at houses/townhouses near Animal Kingdom and it doesn't take us any longer to drive to the parks as it does for someone to wait for a bus and ride it to the park. We almost always take a mid day break....not a big deal at all. Can be back at the front door of the condo in less than 30.....seems to always take us longer when we use Disney transportation and stay on site.

 

[artemis4]

Offsite, hands down. I have never found any reason compelling enough to spend a premium for Disney accommodations. Even renting DVC points is a lot more than we need to spend for similar accommodations offsite.

I like a very nice vacation, but I don't like to overpay. To me, staying in onsite accommations is overpaying. I'd rather save the money and have more available for fun experiences or our next trip wherever.

 

[tomthebarncat]

I would stay off site, but then again, I have an MBA and know how money works. I refuse to pay Four Seasons prices for Motel 6 rooms. If I want to spend 500 bucks a night at a hotel I will stay at the Four Seasons, at least I will get my money's worth. I would stay off-site and get a house with a private pool. Then again, Disney is just an amusement park with a lot of great rides, some cool characters, and a lot of really bad overpriced food, and mediocre hotels. Just my 2 Yuan cents ( I live in China and that is the currency). Good luck with whatever decision you make but I would think long and hard about what your goal is for your vacation and how best to get that within your budget!

 

[Mickeypooh99]

Do you have kids? For me, I choose onsite because I have 4 kids in car seats. Even if we drove (I hope to never drive, 1200 miles with kids doesn't seem fun), I just hate dealing with getting kids in and out of the seats. If we rent a car, I either have to bring car seats or rent them. Neither sounds appealing. Especially the thought of getting all the kids buckled in extremely hot temperatures (I'm spoiled with an automatic car starter at home). So we bought into DVC to make onsite more reasonable for us. Once the kids are all older, we will probably look into Bonnet Creek or renting houses. As a child we went to Disney often, but only stayed on site once. I have fond memories of going to Old Town and shopping at the gaudy gift shops. So I do want to at least try it in the future (after the days of car seats are past us). If we like that option we will decide what to do with the DVC points. But until then, we love getting off the plane and letting Disney drive us everywhere.

That is definitely a great reason to stay onsite! I hate dealing with car seats.

My boys are teenagers, and they prefer offsite. They like having a pool out back all to themselves. They like to each have their own rooms. They love Windsor hills.

Since we are DVC owners, we will be staying onsite mostly. It's really frustrating knowing the boys don't really prefer it. For me I think onsite is better if we are in at least a one bedroom villa at a resort where we can walk to at least one park. The boardwalk is great because we can walk to two parks. Staying at another resort like AKL, isn't worth it to me. We don't use Disney buses, and we rarely use EMH. Windsor hills is so close it's not much different than staying at AKL.

 

[sueliz]

It really depends on so many factors. Last time we were in Disney we stayed at a townhouse at Emerald Island. LOVED it, Loved it, Loved it! It was so wonderful to be able to spread out, park right by our door, walk out the door to our pool, cook our food inside then eat outside our unit while kids played at little playground right outside our unit. All for sooooooooo much less $. When my husband got a stomach bug we were able to give him his own room for a night without any inconvenience to the rest of us as we were 6 people in a 4 bedroom townhouse for <100 a night. THAT was magical! Being stuffed into a small room with a sick person is not magical. You can also save even more money as preparing a simple breakfast with a toaster, snack prep for the day and freezing water bottles is so much easier if you have a real fridge/freezer and kitchen. not to mention if you prepare a few meals on your own. Having our own washer /dryer was pretty magical too!. It made for a truly relaxing trip despite our busy busy schedule. However, I am taking my 2 kids and the three of us will be on our own in a room this time. We are staying at CBR first part then all star sports 2nd part. I am soo excited about the pool area/water slides at CBR and the over the top sports stuff for my 5 year old son. I think we will have a blast. I feel being onsite will be more relaxing to me in this instance of being on my own with the kids. SOOO- I think just weigh what is most important to you and make a decision. splitting between 2 seems ideal to me. Just have to make sure you have time built into schedule. For example- the day we switch resorts is going to be partly dedicated to packing/moving/exploring new resort. We will go into a park but not expecting an entire long day. If it bothers you to know that switching will cut into your park time- then just pick one.

 

[ValpoCory]

The idea of cramming into one small hotel room to say we stayed at a Disney property is not something we would enjoy

I don't think anyone stays on property just to "say we stayed at a Disney property". The perks are tangible, the largest of which is time you save moving between your room and the parks, and the flexibility it gives you to take mid-day breaks. Plus the Extra Magic Hours and 60-day FP+ reservations and 180+10 day Dining reservations. And if you rent DVC points, the cost is comparable to, if not cheaper than, offsite lodging + rental car + parking (at parks and at some hotels like Bonnet Creek).

Also wanted to add that because this resort is "onsite" for all intents and purposes, it WILL NOT take you any longer to get to the parks than a Disney hotel.

Direct Transportation to Walt Disney World® Resort Theme Parks -- Enjoy our complimentary private MEARS Motor Coach transportation directly from Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria® Orlando to the neighboring Disney® Theme Parks and Downtown Disney®.
View Current Shuttle Schedule
Please be advised that the shuttle service runs during regularly scheduled park hours only and is subject to change without prior notice.

That is not the same as the on site transportation. That schedule is not convenient. Only one bus per hour to most places, and only one returning bus per hour too. Like you, I'd rent a car if faced with that hassle, but I'd never drive to the parks if staying at a Disney resort.

That being said, as a trade-off for not getting the those Disney Resort perks, you get more square footage for your money by not staying at a Disney Resort. So if space is important to you, and you are already renting a car, then Bonnet Creek is a great option, especially if you're thinking about visiting a non-Disney park in the area.

 

[eliza61]

I don't think anyone stays on property just to "say we stayed at a Disney property". The perks are tangible, the largest of which is time you save moving between your room and the parks, and the flexibility it gives you to take mid-day breaks. And if you rent DVC points, the cost is comparable to, if not cheaper than, offsite lodging + rental car + parking.

see I think it's subjective Val,

It can totally depend on where you stay.

I'm sorry every time I've done Disney transportation, it sucked as far as time. Now let me say that I don't like buses and trains (and I grew up in NYC) so it's really hard or me to be objective.
I will also say that it was a pleasant ride, fellow guest are very nice but it was never ever what I would call a quick ride.

I have always gotten back to my room at bonnet creek waaay faster driving then I've gotten back to fort wilderness or animal kingdom lodge using Disney transportation.
Why do you think they tell you to allow one hour to get to your adr's If it's outside the parks. Don't even get me started of the hassle to get from resort to resort.

So time is definitely not a perk in Disney's favor unless you stay at a deluxe. going from park to park can eat up a chunk of time.

You did say renting dvc points but there is an inherent risk involved with that. I rented one time but it was because I wanted the space I can't recall if it was as cheap as bonnet creek.

Maybe poster meant the "perk" are not really perks to her.

The only perk for my family to staying onsite is the 60 day fp advantage.
We've never have a problem getting reservations and rarely do I make them 180 days out. most of the time I make them the night before.
We don't do early morning EMH or rope drop
We don't do transportation except if we are at BLT or WL to MK

 

[ValpoCory]

Good point eliza. The time-saving aspect of staying at a Disney resort varies depending on which property you are in. We always choose a Magic Kingdom or Epcot area DVC resort, so we can walk, boat, or monorail to at least one park.

Even with the great travel time, the Boardwalk Villas have some of the cheapest rental point values on property, as you can a stay there for ~$108-$151 (that's $10-14/point, whichever rate you can secure) per night for a normal hotel room that sleeps 4.

 

[ValpoCory]

I would stay off site, but then again, I have an MBA and know how money works. I refuse to pay Four Seasons prices for Motel 6 rooms. If I want to spend 500 bucks a night at a hotel I will stay at the Four Seasons, at least I will get my money's worth. I would stay off-site and get a house with a private pool. Then again, Disney is just an amusement park with a lot of great rides, some cool characters, and a lot of really bad overpriced food, and mediocre hotels. Just my 2 Yuan cents ( I live in China and that is the currency). Good luck with whatever decision you make but I would think long and hard about what your goal is for your vacation and how best to get that within your budget!

I would never pay $500, but the $110-$180 I pay for a DVC rental is not for the just the quality of the room or hotel, but for the convenient "walk to a park" location and all the perks that Disney resort guests get. I see you have an MBA, so if I need to explain it further, that is understandable.

 

[tasha99]

I prefer to stay onsite, but the only offsite place I've ever stayed was a hotel. I think a vacation home or condo could be just as nice (I would try Bonnet Creek in a heartbeat). That said, the one time we stayed offsite in a hotel, transportation was a big pain. I don't mind the bus, and have even used Disney's bus system staying at OKW (I do not want to drive on my vacation, but I think I would do it if it meant being able to stay in a condo vs. hotel onsite). Not having tried all of the options, I think my preference would be:

DVC villa (not studio)> offsite condo that's close> Disney hotel > offsite hotel

The longer the visit, the more important having the extra space would be. Also, I really like having 2 bathrooms wherever we go.

 

[ICF]

Off - site....no questions asked.

That was my answer when the kids were little and needed naps midday or went to bed early....of now that they are teens and pretty much "adult" size.

Give me a 3 BR townhouse, w/kitchen and private splash pool at Windsor hills for a week at $500-$600 any day...over a very overpriced 1 room "disney resort". You also can save plenty of $$ by eating breakfast in the room and we usually do another meal there most days as well if we head back to swim or relax for a bit during the heat of the day.

The only "perk" I'll miss is the 30 day wait on the new FP+ -- otherwise....Disney transportation is slow, driving off-site from WH takes 10-15 at most to 3 of the 4 parks....if we drive down to Disney anyway, magical express is meaningless, EMH might be nice, but getting to the parks at 9 is plenty early and staying usually until 10/11 is plenty long enough for us. Some love their "disney bubble/magic" -- but there's nothing magical for my family about 4 people crammed into 1 small room sharing a bathroom/shower for a week.

I'll have to try Bonnet Creek sometime, it always sound good too.

 

[tasha99]

Just wanted to add that one of the things we like about staying onsite is that everyone can do their own thing. If one person doesn't want to wake up, everyone else can go without them, and we meet up later. I frequently have just about enough of Disney around noon and go "home," leaving my young adult kids in the parks. Doing that offsite would require depending on less frequent transportation or cabs.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

And if you rent DVC points, the cost is comparable to, if not cheaper than, offsite lodging + rental car + parking (at parks and at some hotels like Bonnet Creek).

This argument rarely seems to calculate out for me.

For our dates (May 1st to 8th), the cheapest one bedroom via David's is $2338.

Our offsite comparison:

One bedroom villa at Sheraton Vistana Resort = $419
Car rental (fullsize) with Dollar = $165 (this one could, and probably will, go lower)
Parking at $20/day x 7 days = $140
Gas = $50 (probably won't spend that much there, either)

Total: $774

A savings of $1,564

In answer to the OP's question, we are offsite fans all the way. We've done both (onsite at POR, offsite at various locations) and have no desire to ever do an onsite stay again. We love the higher end finishes at offsite timeshare resorts, the extra space, the greater selection of resort amenities, and the savings.

 

[PlainJane]

I would not recommend moving that many times, keep it to two resorts max. As far as onsite being worth it......I prefer being onsite. I've done both many times. It's all about priorities. I like having priority with FP, not having to drive, not having to rent a car (which doesn't apply here), having the hotel close by if I want to go back midday and return later, the themes of the hotels, being able to charge back to the room, and EMHs.

A good compromise resort (especially since you have a car) is Bonnet Creek. It doesn't have all of the perks of staying at a Disney hotel, but it's a great location and a very nice hotel.

 

[Turk February]

This argument rarely seems to calculate out for me.

For our dates (May 1st to 8th), the cheapest one bedroom via David's is $2338.

Our offsite comparison:

One bedroom villa at Sheraton Vistana Resort = $419
Car rental (fullsize) with Dollar = $165 (this one could, and probably will, go lower)
Parking at $20/day x 7 days = $140
Gas = $50 (probably won't spend that much there, either)

Total: $774

A savings of $1,564

In answer to the OP's question, we are offsite fans all the way. We've done both (onsite at POR, offsite at various locations) and have no desire to ever do an onsite stay again. We love the higher end finishes at offsite timeshare resorts, the extra space, the greater selection of resort amenities, and the savings.

Yes, but those rates are the exception. You're obviously getting great deals since when I check those dates I see $1078 for the villa and $405 for the rental car. So it's really all about what personally works best for you and what deals you're able to get. I always stay on property and love it but if I could get those rates I'd be all over it.