Staying on property; doesn't seem worth it?

[Planogirl]

I don't use disney transportation and don't use the ddp so once again those are not "perks' that justify the outrageous price disney charges for a deluxe.
EMH's are the perk we really enjoy.

I would agree with the EMH perk being a nice one and the news of the cutbacks isn't great. We did enjoy the ME feature but would still pick up a rental car at the Dolphin so it's not a priority.

 

[danceintherain]

I think it's worth trying.
My family always stayed off-property when I was growing up (Disney doesn't have a lot of options for a family of 8) so it wasn't until I was on my own that I tried on property for the first time. I LOVED it!

Now when we go, I want to stay on property. When we on a trip with my parents, instead of going for the usual condo, I convinced them to stay at the Doubletree Guest Suites near Downtown Disney, for the convenience. It still didn't convince me to stay off-property on my own. I can't even convince myself to stay at Shades of Green, and it's across the street from the Polynesian! The transportation has never bothered me. I hate driving, and DH hates having me in the passenger seat while he's driving.

That said, my budget may not always permit me to stay on property, and I think if it came down to a Value or off-property, I would probably choose off. I felt crowded at the Animal Kingdom Lodge with only one other person, so I can't imagine staying in a value with 2-3 others. I'm willing to make the space compromises for a place with gorgeous Disney theming, but I don't think I will be for the Values. They simply don't appeal to me. Even so, I could see myself staying in a Value on a short trip, or maybe in a family suite with a good discount.

Ultimately, you won't know how you feel about it until you try.

 

[TheRatPack]

We've done both....we used to stay offsite every year and never thought staying onsite was worth the added expense. Now that we've stayed onsite for the last 10 trips or so, I don't think we could ever go back offsite. My husband drives all day for his job, so when he goes on vacation he doesn't like driving even more, especially to and from parks.

We like the food courts, some offsite hotels had restaurants but nothing like a full food court. We like the total immersion in to Disney. The resort, the music, the food court, the gift shops and buses, the cast members...etc. We also take advantage of the extra magic hours.

I also like the extra perks like the dining plan, charging to your room key and I'm sure I'm forgetting some .

It would be a lot cheaper if we stayed offsite, and we'd probably get larger rooms but if it helps vacation be a little more relaxing for my DH and the kids feel like they are in Disney even when they lay down at night hearing fireworks off in the distance then I budget so we can.

We all have different ideas of what is more budget friendly, some people are fine with generic washing powders while others say that the brand name cleans better. Cars, homes, clothing, groceries....we all decide what we can live with and why it's more or less important than something else. It's like so many posters said before me, there is no wrong or right....just what you feel comfortable with

 

[jenlov]

Having stayed off property several times and then finally staying on property last time, I'd do on property every time!!! LOVED it! It is so worth it. Don't pay full price. Go with some type of discount. Our room is $105/night and we're getting free dining. We're doing 2 rooms b/c it is WAY cheaper than a suite or DVC rental. DVC isn't cheap unless you are comparing it to the regular price of those rooms. It's still going to be more than staying off property. We could have gotten a condo for about the same price as a WDW room/night, but the free dining is way cheaper for us b/c of how many kids we have. We don't mind the small rooms. Sure, we'd love to have more space, but honestly....we have 7 kids and would still rather stay in 2 value rooms rather than stay off property. But then, we don't spend much time in our rooms anyway.

The buses were not bad AT ALL! We were there for a week and never came in contact with the bad bus experiences that people talk about on here.

At least give it a try some time.

 

[eliza61]

Having stayed off property several times and then finally staying on property last time, I'd do on property every time!!! LOVED it! It is so worth it. Don't pay full price. Go with some type of discount. Our room is $105/night and we're getting free dining. We're doing 2 rooms b/c it is WAY cheaper than a suite or DVC rental. DVC isn't cheap unless you are comparing it to the regular price of those rooms. It's still going to be more than staying off property. We could have gotten a condo for about the same price as a WDW room/night, but the free dining is way cheaper for us b/c of how many kids we have. We don't mind the small rooms. Sure, we'd love to have more space, but honestly....we have 7 kids and would still rather stay in 2 value rooms rather than stay off property. But then, we don't spend much time in our rooms anyway.
The buses were not bad AT ALL! We were there for a week and never came in contact with the bad bus experiences that people talk about on here.

At least give it a try some time.

Wow!! how do you guys do it. My sons and my husband are all over 6 ft tall. My sons were tall from age 10. We tried a value 1 time and seriously after 3 days we either had to move or some one was going to get killed just to have the extra space. I still have nightmares of trying to get ready in the morning.
That's exactly how we ended up "offsite". we couldn't afford the deluxe at the time and no way could we stand 1 more day in a tiny room and tiny beds.

 

[Bob NC]

I still have nightmares of trying to get ready in the morning.

Nightmares. LOL

That's pretty bad.

 

[canopynut66]

values all have fridges now included and if you want to cook on vacation then can get a suite in the new values AoA resort and buses are dedicated so you leave the resort and go straight to what ever park you have chosen or to DTD. the Little Mermaid area opnes in September but they will be all standard rooms but could get two connecting one for you and one for your daughter...you can also do this at POP century and get free dining but yoy pay rack rates. we have years ago stayed off site and once we started staying on property we like thousands of others and were hooked. so much easier to get around and get from place to place lots faster than fighting the traffic around Orland and after a park closes.

 

[disrulesfollower]

I've stayed many times both on and off property. When I stay on property I always rent a car anyways, because even though I love Disney, I like to go to dinner to other places, drive around the city and go to the other theme parks. I can not depend on buses for more than a week. (Maybe if a do a 5 days trip or shorter I could consider it) So having said so, for me the only advantage I find staying on property is that I know that the place is pretty safe and clean. If space is important to you, stay off property but remember having reference so the place you sta y would not ruin your vacation.

 

[jenlov]

Wow!! how do you guys do it. My sons and my husband are all over 6 ft tall. My sons were tall from age 10. We tried a value 1 time and seriously after 3 days we either had to move or some one was going to get killed just to have the extra space. I still have nightmares of trying to get ready in the morning.
That's exactly how we ended up "offsite". we couldn't afford the deluxe at the time and no way could we stand 1 more day in a tiny room and tiny beds.

Well, mainly b/c our oldest son is only 13, lol (almost 14). The little boys are 4, 6, and 9 and are on the small side at that. So, they really don't take up much space. Our oldest daughter is 15. They range from 10ms to 15yo. By the time the little guys are all teenagers, Our oldest 2 will probably be out of the house. We'll worry about it when we get to that point in time. We put the 4 oldest kids in one room and the 3 little ones in our room (well, last time it was just 2 little ones). Honestly, we're used to being together all the time. We stayed in our rooms long enough to sleep, change, and eat some breakfast. Otherwise, we were at the pool, food court, playground, or parks.

We go on vacation with my parents, siblings, and nieces and nephews every summer for a week and stay in a 3 bedroom condo on a lake (they own a timeshare that we've been using every summer since I was a kid). There are 19 of us. 11 of the kids sleep in the living room, the 2 babies sleep w/ their parents. My brother who isn't married gets the couch. Each couple gets a room. We love it, and the kids all have a blast staying with their cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents for a week. So, staying in 2 rooms at WDW w/ just the 9 of us is a piece of cake after that! LOL!

 

[Butterflygirl35]

I have stayed on site and offsite and I would NEVER stay offsite again...

It did not feel like I was on vacation at all...

I hated it... We are not park commando and enjoy staying onsite and spending time at the resorts...

I like taking my DD pin trading early morning or late evening when DH stays with DS in room... I love being able to sit and watch movies poolside and roast marshmallows.. Disney resorts are a vacation in itself even without parks especially deluxe level. If we don't have a pin we rent points through Timeshare Store as they are local and cheaper than David's

 

[nkereina]

The biggest reasons we prefer staying on site is extra magic hours, magical express, and dining plan - all of which are only available to on-site guests. We don't have a need to rent a car (and prefer not to drive on vacation) so ME is crucial. We love the convenience and "all inclusiveness" of the dining plan so we always get that. And EMH are great for getting a lot done in the early morning, or hanging out late. Since you sound like early risers being that you get there an hour before rope drop, you would really benefit from AM EMH.

 

[MikeinBoston]

I will only stay in park. Its the total resort experience. No need to rent a car, simply get off the plane and onto a free disney bus, you dont even need to deal with the luggage. Plus the transportation in the parks I find to be just fine.

 

[44Majestic]

It all depends on what you value. Obviously for the OP the advantages of staying on site have less value than the enticement of saving money by staying offsite. I respectfully and totally disagree. When I am on vacation I want service and convenience. Disney offers some of the best service in the hospitality industry. Certainly there are rooms / villas available on site that offer all that the offsite places offer. I have no emotional attachment about being in the magic, it is nice but not one of my top reasons for staying on site. We are willing to pay for service and convenience. We are DVC and get a 2 br villa often, but we've taken trips to WDW and also stayed onsite at hotels. Disney does it better than most. Try it, chances are you will like it.

 

[FloridaDreaming]

My reasoning is simple. It feels more like a vacation to me. The first few trips we stayed off property. It was nice and we enjoyed it. Then, we stayed on property for the first time at CSR and never looked back. I enjoy not thinking about the outside world. I love being surrounded by Disney touches and the wonderful CMs. And I'm still working my way through all the resorts. It's a total Disney experience. And one I don't mind paying extra for.

 

[TandLMommy28]

I just like being in the Disney bubble. It's like leaving the real world behind completely. Completely different experience from staying offsite.

We stayed offsite the night before our onsite package started last time. For $120 for the night, we had the biggest non-suite hotel room I have ever seen, a balcony, a pool with a waterfall and amazing watersides, walking distance to six restaurants, and a hot breakfast in the morning. That night I was regretting our package on property because we were 100% happy at the offsite hotel!

But then...

We checked in at POFQ. The room was tiny in comparison. No balcony. Not as many food choices. The pool wasn't as awesome.

And it didn't matter. It was still a million times better than our offsite room. There is this intangible quality that Disney properties have. Just this feeling and atmosphere and attitude. It's unlike anything you find off property. Like the greeter at the door who gave the kids necklaces and coins for the wishing well and wiped away their tears on the last day. And being right in the magic every minute. It's awesome.

 

[rentayenta]

Extra Magic Hours alone are worth it though the reasons for us are numerous.

 

[Z28KatCar]

The biggest reasons we prefer staying on site is extra magic hours, magical express, and dining plan - all of which are only available to on-site guests. We don't have a need to rent a car (and prefer not to drive on vacation) so ME is crucial. We love the convenience and "all inclusiveness" of the dining plan so we always get that. And EMH are great for getting a lot done in the early morning, or hanging out late. Since you sound like early risers being that you get there an hour before rope drop, you would really benefit from AM EMH.

Ditto!!! Also, I can easily go back to the hotel in the middle of the day to rest and swim and then go back to the park in the evening. I love staying in the Disney bubble!!

 

[JJsmama]

We would rather not go at all if we have to stay off site.

This is exactly how I feel. However, OP it sounds like you have already decided that it won't be worth it since you have always been happy staying off site. If paying more is going to upset you and not seem worth it, don't do it.

For my family, being immersed in the Disney experience the whole time and staying onsite is part of the Magic and the reason we go there, but if you don't feel that way, then don't pay extra for it. (Or maybe you should 'try it' and discover why so many of us DO pay extra for it.)

 

[sbb2012]

Thanks for all the replies. I should have also added these details that might help.

1)We like making breakfast in our room, and sometimes other meals. Really like having a kitchenette w/ fridge, microwave, and stovetop. At least a fridge and microwave.

2)We would have a car. We drive down. I just am not the type to want to depend on buses; I like to drive knowing I can get to the park when I want without having to depend on a bus.

I am still willing to consider on-property if it is important to hubby. But maybe some of you can now answer these questions:

--I tend to see Magic Kingdom as being the biggest hassle to get in and out of, and that is the park we usually like to take a mid-day break from. I'm looking into the renting DVC points thing; would any of you recommend the Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary? I don't really care much about the theming or anything, or what restaurants there. What is important to us is SPACE, being able to heat meals, and easy access to the parks.

--Are there other DVC properties with easy access to Magic Kingdom that you would recommend?

For the record, the parks we spend the most time in are Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

THanks, everyone!

 

[Planogirl]

I can't comment on DVC but I would strongly urge you to continue to use a car. You won't need it for MK but it can be invaluable for any other parks or shopping or whatever. It's hard to switch to relying on buses or at least it was for us!