The "MAGIC" of staying on site..?

[crelange]

My family and I are planning a trip in the end of August. We have never stayed on site before. What things make staying on site more special? I am sure there are many things I do not know about. I have heard about Mickey Mouse wake up calls, but what other things make it extra special?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[kimmar067]

...we visited WDW [back in 1992] we stayed in a very lovely 2-floor condo resort and asked that very same question. My DSis told me, "Ya gotta try it JUST ONCE and you'll get 'hooked' !!" Well, she was absolutely right - no matter how good the lure of the 'great prices' for off-site resorts, it's not the same unless you stay ON-SITE! It can't really be put into words ~ you just have to experience it for yourself.

I think of it this way: if I was staying off-property, I'd consider myself on a FLORIDA VACATION, and we happen to visit WDW a couple 'o times, but if I am staying at, for instance, AKL, I'm on a DISNEY VACATION and I happen to visit some other popular Florida attractions! When you stay ON-SITE, it's DISNEY 24-7, but when you stay off-site Disney begins [or ends] when you pass the "Welcome" sign....hope this helps!

 

[VAgal76]

For me it's use of their transportation system so I don't have to rent a vehicle (I love not having to drive while on vacation), being in the middle of it all, resorts have a Disney feel and they are well themed IMO, room charging priviledges, package delivery (at least at the deluxes where I stayed) from the parks to your hotel (when you stay concierge they will even have packages delivered right to your room instead of the gift shop). You'll even get the option of using Disney's Magical Express which is a free bus transportation service from MCO to your resort. I'm not sure how it's running as I prefer to hire my own transportation even though ME is free. Extra Magic Hours - you have to be an onsite guest to participate with the exception of a few DTD hotels. Anyway, this was just a no brainer decision for me when we decided we wanted to go to Disney. I want convenience and service as well as be in the middle of all the action.

Are you trying to justify the cost on site vs. off site?

 

[NY Disney fan]

The #1 reason to stay on site is not renting a car. The Disney buses take you anywhere on the resort.

 

[lmhall2000]

Maximum park time....

Gotta love it! We figure you save atleast 3 hours a day by staying onsite and that's a winner and worth it in our book...

Tara

 

[pdchris]

I've been to WDW 3 times since 2000 and stayed on site every time. I would never stay off-site.
The WDW transportaton system is great. And, if you like to drive, the traffic is very light . For MK, if you stay on site and take the bus, you don't go to the ticket area, they drop you off right at MK.
I'd have to agree with the previous post also. It's a whole "magical" experience staying on site.
For budget, the All Star resorts are fine, too. Some people will complain and say they're too crowded but that doesn't bother me. Of course, every time we've gone it's been the first week of May. Weather is nice since the humidity isn't too high and the parks aren't super-crowded like they are in the summer.
for example, we went to MGM and rode TOT four times in one day and had a max wait time of zero. Walked right on and that's with the coaster not running.
Finally, for me, it's like being in a world that's completely cutoff from the rest of the world.

 

[kimmar067]

Are you trying to justify the cost on site vs. off site?

...staying off-site and then having to pay for a rental PLUS parking every day is going to bring that 'value' off-site price UP....JMHO !

 

[Greg K.]

Convenience. It's so easy to get to the parks, and then get back to your hotel, whether using Disney transportation or your own.

Service. By and large, the Disney castmembers do a superb job of making you feel welcome, and feel at home. Call it the "Disney touch."

Theming. Each resort has its own character and flavor -- and a few really do make you feel like you are totally in another world. (Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Polynesian, for example.)

Package delivery. You can shop to your heart's content in the parks, and they deliver everything back to your hotel. No lugging stuff around!

Early entry privileges. Visit the parks earlier and, some nights, stay later. The late hours gets mixed-to-bad reviews around here -- too many people -- but the extra hour in the morning can be a real perk, and help you got a lot done before the heat and the crowds catch up with you.

Live amid the magic. There's nothing quite like feeling you are surrounded by the Disney magic 24/7. From some hotels, you can see the fireworks. And depending on your resort, you can walk (or boat or monorail) to some of the parks. Location, location, location!

 

[grimley1968]

package delivery (at least at the deluxes where I stayed) from the parks to your hotel (when you stay concierge they will even have packages delivered right to your room instead of the gift shop)

I got this without staying concierge. I stayed at a Poly garden view room in 2001 and our packages came straight to the room.

 

[kimmar067]

Bravo...nicely said!

 

[Jungle Skipper]

For me, I would say staying on property is making it a real Disney vacation. I enjoy staying anywhere on property 20x more than staying anywhere off. You are surrounding yourself with disney and emersing yourself in the magic.

There is no hassel to get to the parks, the CMs are so nice and pleasant to be around (for the most part). It's all about location and service...its the best. Id much rather stay at the Pop of AllStar than a 4 star off property.

Jungle Josh

 

[philaround]

I got this without staying concierge. I stayed at a Poly garden view room in 2001 and our packages came straight to the room.

Room delivery is gone now. We stayed in a Poly water view in May 2003 and had to pick up our stuff at the gift shop.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Being surrounded by Disney magic for the whole trip 24/7 is the best! It really cant be beat!

 

[pandora174]

We first stayed onsite in 2000 & have always stayed onsite since. For us it's just driving up, parking & letting the Disney experience start. From the moment you drive up to your resort you get that Disney feeling (you'll know after you stay). The ease of everything from charging to your room (who needs to worry carrying around cash & change) ?, the customer service (we have always found examples of employees who are super friendly), Disney transportation (from monorail, boat), we drive to Disney, so we park our car & never see it again until the end of our trip !, the joy of not having to drag yourself to a parking lot, find your car & then drive to your hotel, the ease to take breaks at your hotel (take a nap, swim in the pool, eat something & then back to the parks all refreshed & relaxed, extra hours on select days in the am & pm hours, theming of the resorts (for us it's almost as much fun exploring all the different resorts) etc etc ! I'm sure there's even more stuff others can add. Have a great trip !

 

[Greg K.]

Room delivery is gone now. We stayed in a Poly water view in May 2003 and had to pick up our stuff at the gift shop.

According to the Disney web site, here are the perks they list:

---

As a Guest staying in a Disney Resort, you'll enjoy terrific benefits, more convenient transportation, and more magic all-round. It's the most relaxing way to enjoy your Disney vacation.

Extra Magic Hours Benefit*
Each day one of the Disney Theme Parks opens an hour early or stays open up to an extra three hours, so Guests of Disney Resorts have the opportunity to get extra time in the parks.

Enjoy easy access to select attractions -- even some of the most popular ones!
Make the most of your vacation time thanks to shorter lines, cooler nights and mornings; see and do everything at an easy, relaxed pace.
Take a relaxing mid-day break for a nap, a swim, to golf - knowing you have extra time for Theme Park fun.
Valid theme park admission and Resort identification required.

Disney's Magical Express Service
This service which is scheduled to start May 5, 2005, is available and complimentary during the Happiest Celebration on Earth, lets your vacation start the moment you land at Orlando International Airport. This is just one more advantage of staying at a Disney Resort. Don't bother picking up your luggage when you arrive; Disney takes you from the Orlando airport to check-in, while your luggage goes straight from the plane to your room. Save on transportation costs, tolls, parking, and more. Enjoy comfortable transportation to and from the airport in themed air conditioned motorcoaches. When your vacation's over, you and your luggage are whisked back from your Disney Resort to the airport. All you do is attach the personalized luggage tags we send you — we do the rest! Pet Carriers are not included.

Disney Transportation*
Save time and money thanks to complimentary transportation throughout Walt Disney World® Resort, including motorcoaches, water taxis and the Monorail. Enjoy door-to-door service that delivers you just steps from Theme Park gates. Feel free to enjoy all the fun without worrying about driving or parking fees.

Disney Dining
By purchasing the Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining you have a convenient and affordable way to enjoy meals and snacks at over 100 selected restaurants throughout the Walt Disney World® Resort.

*These benefits are available to guests staying at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels.

Additional Benefits for Guests of Disney Resorts

Disney Service -- Disney Cast Members are there to make your vacation as easy and worry-free as possible, 24 hours a day. They're your personal Disney experts only steps or a phone call away.
Package Delivery -- Don't worry about carrying your packages around all day! Disney Resort guests can enjoy the convenience of having purchases from select Disney shops delivered right to your Disney Resort.
Charging Privileges -- Take advantage of charging privileges available on your Disney Resort ID. Disney Resort guests can charge select Disney purchases (i.e. meals, merchandise and tickets) right to their rooms!

 

[C.Ann]

I've done both - and neither one were more "magical".. The "magic" is where you make it.. For me, it's in the parks..

 

[VAgal76]

...staying off-site and then having to pay for a rental PLUS parking every day is going to bring that 'value' off-site price UP....JMHO !

Man, ITA!!!! I love being surrounded by Disney. IMO, the resorts DO have a different feel rather than just your local Hampton/Days Inn.

As far as I know, concierge guests still have in-room package delivery though they won't do delivery at all anymore 24 hours prior to your departure date REGARDLESS if you have a late flight. They want to make sure you go home with your stuff. It's possible that May was a slower time for them so they didn't have the staff to accommodate that kind of turn around time. Last year I had my packages on my bed by that evening without a hitch. I guess I'll find out in just 23 days from now to test out our package delivery theories.

 

[Aisling]

For our family, we wouldn't want to to go WDW unless we stay onsite. Something would definitely be lacking in experience for us if we were "outside" WDW. It would feel too much like we're just "going" to WDW instead of really being a part of it 24/7.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

ITA with what everyone else said. As far as the package delivery, a cm told us that delivery to the rooms ended after 9-11. Not sure if that's true of concierge though, haven't done that yet!

 

[*Fantasia*]

It's the refillable mugs for me! And riding the Disney bus or monorail or boat. It's the CMs with their uniforms with their name tags on with their name and where their from. It's everything. And that's how much I appreciate Disney. They make me and my family happy.