The "MAGIC" of staying on site..?

[kimmar067]

...off-topic, I know, but what a cute pic!

 

[VAgal76]

Sissy35749 - There are post card type cards and I did have concierge purchase a poster to have signed by characters. I'm sure this is available to all WDW resorts and not limited to just deluxes. I would inquire about it when you make your reservations. It's possible you may need to contact the hotel directly.

 

[tomerin]

for me my first time staying on site was over 20 years from my last trip to WDW. i went with my wife and kids and stayed at ASM. we bought one of the packages offered on the website and the idea of not having to worry about driving made the upcoming trip so much more appealing. when we arrived at the front of ASM i started to feel real good about this trip. we checked in and as i walked through and went into the pool area and saw the Three Cabalerros i felt it... the magic....i stood there for what i thought was just for a moment but then i heard my kids calling me to come on we gotta get to our room. so i snapped out of my trance and when i caught up to my wife she looked at me and smiled and jokingly told me that this trip was for the kids but at that moment of magic i realized that WDW really is truly a magical place.

 

[kimmar067]

for me my first time staying on site was over 20 years from my last trip to WDW. i went with my wife and kids and stayed at ASM. we bought one of the packages offered on the website and the idea of not having to worry about driving made the upcoming trip so much more appealing. when we arrived at the front of ASM i started to feel real good about this trip. we checked in and as i walked through and went into the pool area and saw the Three Cabalerros i felt it... the magic....i stood there for what i thought was just for a moment but then i heard my kids calling me to come on we gotta get to our room. so i snapped out of my trance and when i caught up to my wife she looked at me and smiled and jokingly told me that this trip was for the kids but at that moment of magic i realized that WDW really is truly a magical place.

...you 'ol sentimental softie, you...Your DW is a lucky lady!

 

[Jen D]

You guys are bumming me out, I have to stop reading this thread! We're visiting WDW with a large group of extended family this year and I've been overruled on staying on-site; we're staying in a vacation home. I'm trying to get excited about it but I just can't get over the feeling that I'm gonna be a commuter!

 

[C.Ann]

You guys are bumming me out, I have to stop reading this thread! We're visiting WDW with a large group of extended family this year and I've been overruled on staying on-site; we're staying in a vacation home. I'm trying to get excited about it but I just can't get over the feeling that I'm gonna be a commuter!

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That's really sad.. Why would you allow other people to brainwash you into thinking that your vacation can't/won't be just as "magical"? Disney marketing has been brainwashing people since day one - that's their job - but that doesn't mean you have to fall victim to it..

Think about the term "magic".. You can create your "magic" anywhere you choose to - that's what makes it magic!! Maybe you should do some reading over on the Orlando Area boards and see how excited people are about their upcoming Disney vacations.. Attitude is everything.. If you approach this vacation with the idea that you're "missing something", then you're never going to get "excited" about it..

Just go and have a great time! And enjoy that vacation home - you'll have soooo much more room...

 

[daisax]

I've done both -- on and off site. We drive our own (rental) car either way, so I don't use the buses. I never found the "commuting" to be particularly bothersome -- you could argue that you get to feel the excitement of "arriving" each separate time!

We had a particularly nice time share rental once right by Sea World -- it was directly off the highway, but a world unto itself. Hop on the highway, to WDW within 10 minutes. That's not significantly different than walking to the resort busstop and waiting for the right bus. And no screaming/whining children (except your own )

You'll have fun whatever you do -- don't let people tell you it's an inferior vacation. Different, but not markedly superior/inferior ( at least in my experience)

 

[bluejasmine]

Wow, for us it seems to be a completely different experience staying on site, the first couple trips we stayed off site but after our first on site stay I couldn't do it any other way. Their are so many plus! The wake up calls, the transportation, I love not having to get in my car, the ease of being abel to go to my resort in the middle of the day and then back to a park, being able to pool hop or just check out other resorts, the EMH, being able to charge to your room. having everything on one card is great too, dining, tickets and room key...

 

[dgaston]

I strongly agree with C.Ann and Lisa P that wonderful magical vacations can be found both on and off-site at Disney World. Please look at my signature to see the various places we have stayed. And many of those trips include a first night stay through Priceline at an off-site hotel. I have loved staying at Cypress Pointe for the surround sound and having a separate bedroom for my DSs. We watched Lord of the Rings every evening in April and I think that's one of my more "magical" family memories. The magic is what you make it, and for me that's creating special family time. I also have a great memory of eating at Sci-Fi restaurant, totally independent of where we were sleeping. We have discovered it is faster and more convenient for us to drive to parks, with the exception of MK if we are staying late.

In December 2003 we had a magical family gathering at Windsor Palms with my brother's family. With 4 adults and 4 kids ranging from 9 to 20 the extra space was wonderful. We loved the pool and whirlpool, and it only took us 15 minutes from the MK turnstyles to our driveway. I know I've waited and stood on Disney buses longer than that to POR. It was so nice we're doing that again this coming December.



I really think to be fair, this question should also be posted on the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board.

 

[dimimi]

We enjoy the resort atmosphere. It isn't like staying at a hotel. The transportation is also nice. We have stayed at Poly and POFQ. Our next trip will be the BCV. Enjoy.

 

[bubba73]

The Mickey phone calls would have been a lot better if they would get rid of Stitch. Otherwise, I have stayed in regular hotels, condos, and homes while at Disney but nothing compared to staying on site. This past trip last week was the best one that I have ever taken to WDW. From now on, if I go to WDW, I am staying on property. It was pure magic from beginning to end. You have to do it at least once.

 

[kimmar067]

...and homes while at Disney but nothing compared to staying on site. This past trip last week was the best one that I have ever taken to WDW. From now on, if I go to WDW, I am staying on property. It was pure magic from beginning to end. You have to do it at least once.

...can ANYONE stay on-site just ONCE???!?@?!?@?! [LOL]

 

[C.Ann]

...can ANYONE stay on-site just ONCE???!?@?!?@?! [LOL]

------------------------------

Yup - me!

That's not to say I'll "never" stay on-site again, just that each time I make a trip to WDW I'll base my decision on space, value, etc..

 

[Jen D]

---------------

That's really sad.. Why would you allow other people to brainwash you into thinking that your vacation can't/won't be just as "magical"? Disney marketing has been brainwashing people since day one - that's their job - but that doesn't mean you have to fall victim to it..

Think about the term "magic".. You can create your "magic" anywhere you choose to - that's what makes it magic!! Maybe you should do some reading over on the Orlando Area boards and see how excited people are about their upcoming Disney vacations.. Attitude is everything.. If you approach this vacation with the idea that you're "missing something", then you're never going to get "excited" about it..

Just go and have a great time! And enjoy that vacation home - you'll have soooo much more room...

I appreciate the sentiment and I assure you I'm not "brainwashed." It will certainly be nice to have the space and it will be a different kind of vacation but I just can't see how staying in a bland suburban home is very special. To each his own. The rest of my party fears the cramped conditions of hotels. To me, space is overrated. So is sitting in traffic waiting to get to the World!!

On the other hand.... the adults will convene in the hot tub every night while the little ones sleep.... while if we were in separate resort rooms we'd all be stuck inside watching over the kids... so I can definitely see there are benefits.

 

[kimmar067]

I don't opt for 'all that extra space', cuz' I guess I'm a little bit SELFISH. You see, if we had "all the conveniences" of home (like a W/D, kitchen, etc.) then I'd wind up doing laundry, cooking meals, straightening up beds, etc. and when I'M on vaca, THOSE are the things I'm getting away FROM ....all I need is an extra bathroom for all the 'MEN' in my life !

 

[we3disneygo]

we've never stayed on site....closest has been downtown disney.....planning on it next year.....now how to decide?? good luck.

 

[Hollymom1229]

It really is a matter of taste and prefrerence. I'd stayed off-site for three trips, but in 2002 put together the money to stay on-site. I'm hooked. We even bought DVC so we'd never have to stay off-site again.

My mother on the other hand is as big of a Disney nut as me. She likes staying on-site, but will also stay off-site without thinking twice about it.

 

[kimmar067]

.......planning on it next year.....now how to decide?? good luck.

...in YOUR shoes!

 

[cbusby]

We were there from 6/18-6-/25 they had extended the after park hours from one to 3 hours. One nite we could stay at the Magic Kingdom til 2 am. Of course we didn't stay. But that was just one of the benefits.

 

[cobbler]

For me its great. Once we park our vehicle near our room. It sits there until the day we check out.

Love not having to worry about how to get somewhere, a bus/boat/monorail is right there.

Also if you get the munchies. Nothing like having a mickey bar at 1130pm You can buy them in the foodcourts of the hotel.

Pop for breakfast - yep in our refillable mugs. Its a small luxury I allow the kids and myself to have on vacation.