This is killing meeeeeee!!!

[agame2323]

I simply can't decide if I want to stay on site or off! I've narrowed down my hotel selection to POFQ if we stay on site. But there are some off site locations like the Royal Plaza Hotel that look good too.

Wow. This is tough.

 

[OB1]

I have stayed at both. Hotel Royal is nice, has big rooms that were re-built about 4 years ago after hurricane damage. Not as easy a location at POFQ, but still a very good location. They do charge an $8 parking fee + $8 resort fee. Add on $14 parking at the parks, and that is your price to compare.

Many of the DTD hotels now charge some additional fees. Make sure you know when comparing.

 

[Cinderella94]

No brainer for our family---on site is the way to go! We want to be immersed in the Disney feeling the whole time .

 

[Dznefreek]

They do charge an $8 parking fee

They probably have a shuttle. . . . .

 

[jake&samsmom]

Would you consider doing a split stay? That way you can experience both and see what works best for you. Have a great vacay!!

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

I find I'm almost bold enough to say we won't go to Disney if not onsite...well...almost...if the trip was free that is

 

[nessz79]

You won't regret staying onsite! We stay at Value Resorts usually to save money but are staying at CBR for our first non-Value stay as a family!

There's nothing like staying onsite. You are fully immersed in the magic and even if you have a car, it's nice to take the transportation and just relax!

 

[patty57]

Agree with staying onsite...both for the Disney immersion and for EMHs!

 

[2Tiggies]

I'm also an onsite person and wouldn't consider off site, but I have my own reasons for that.

The split stay was a good suggestion by a previous poster if that is an option.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Here's what I tell people:

On site:

- you have magical express to get to the resort from the airport. you can save money by not having to rent a car and use disney transportation.
- you'll be immersed in the Disney Magic.
- it's easy to go back to your room for a break.
- Disney's extra magic hours
-can have packages delivered to your resort
- you can split up. If one person is worn out and wants to go back to the resort but the rest are still wanting to tour, the tired person can leave and go back to the resort.

Off site:
- room is usually cheaper but you'll have to have a car.
- It's easier to eat off site if you are staying off site and food is cheaper off site
-Bigger rooms if you book a suite room and it's still cheaper than Disney's rooms


I prefer to stay on-site but with my kids getting so big, we are either going to have to start getting 2 rooms at a value or renting a house/condo since we can't share double beds anymore and can't always stay deluxe.

We stayed at POFQ in June 2010. I liked it, DH said it was ok, DD10 didn't like it and neither did DS14 for the one night he joined us. It's small size was really nice but the kids felt the pool was too small and there were never chairs available when we'd head to the pool.

The food court served good food. DD10 hated all the masks in the food court.

Double beds are awful to share. DD10 and I managed to squeeze into the double bed but DH and DS14 couldn't share one. DS14 slept on the floor wrapped in blankets for the one night all 4 of us stayed in the room. He said he didn't mind but I felt bad.

 

[MHSweb79]

For us, there is a huge difference between staying off-site and on-site. Once we started staying on-site, and POFQ is our favorite resort, we all agreed we would never stay off-site again.

It's kind of like the difference between living in a city and just visiting the city. As others have said, the total immersion in all things Disney really makes you feel a part of the place, while driving in from an outside resort makes you feel like a visitor. Maybe someone else can explain it more eloquently.

As for POFQ, I can highly recommend it. The grounds are beautiful, and the resort is small so the pool, food court and bus stop are an easy walk from every building. There's also a free (and quick) boat ride to Downtown Disney that's a lot of fun. The pool is great for young children (and old too) and there's a nice quiet hot tub. We've been there at varying times of year, and the only other people you seem to see are in the food court at 8am! Otherwise, you almost feel like you have the place to yourself.

 

[dnbent]

I can't imagine staying off site anymore.

We did that back in the 90's a couple of times but then started staying at the All Stars and we will never go back. After the parking fees and car rental I really don't think that you save that much.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Eljay]

I have stayed at both. Hotel Royal is nice, has big rooms that were re-built about 4 years ago after hurricane damage. Not as easy a location at POFQ, but still a very good location. They do charge an $8 parking fee + $8 resort fee. Add on $14 parking at the parks, and that is your price to compare.

Many of the DTD hotels now charge some additional fees. Make sure you know when comparing.

They probably have a shuttle. . . . .

Royal Plaza does have a shuttle, but I seriously don't recommend using it.
Long walk, long wait, old busses.

(BTW, the hotel and their rooms are great.)

 

[goofyernmost]

After many years of staying off site, I finally broke down and stayed on site at a value resort.

I can truthfully say that I will never do that again. I was traveling alone and yet felt like I was in a appliance box instead of a room. It was tiny. I rented a small fridge for the week. It cost me $10.00 per day and you couldn't even fit a gallon jug in it. You put about a gazillion walking miles just to get to the food court and there were no chairs to sit in except one uncomfortable straight chair at the desk. TV reception was very limited...only a few channels and the cost of food was enough to make you lose your appetite.

Car rental was not a factor for me because I won't go without renting one. I hate to be imprisoned anyplace.

But you have to remember that all this is just my opinion...others obviously feel completely different.

 

[carrie1626]

I stayed at every variety of resorts from DD to Val/Mod and DEL.
Personally, onsite is always better unless you're saving $$$

do you have your own vehicle- renting a car?

***it's easy traveling around when you have car.
figure in the cost of parking that car at the hotel( off-site) every night and the parking fee for parks everyday (off-site) NO PROBLEM ON-SITE

if you do not have a car- then I would absolutely recommend On-site because they'll be too much wasted time traveling, waiting and a much longer distance to walk to get on those buses. Off-site buses DO NOT drop-off or pick up nearly as close to the entrance as the WDW buses do!!!

 

[snykymom]

I simply can't decide if I want to stay on site or off! I've narrowed down my hotel selection to POFQ if we stay on site. But there are some off site locations like the Royal Plaza Hotel that look good too.

Wow. This is tough.

POFQ is the smallest hotel on site, I believe, and usually fills quickly. If you really want to stay there, you might want to book it now while you're deciding. If you book room only, you can cancel up to 5 days before arrival, so there's very little risk. But if you wait, there's a huge risk that you won't get it.

 

[eugeniuss]

after having stayed off site after my first two on site trips, I can say that nothing compares to staying on site.... the bonus of having bigger rooms off site easily is dismissed by not worrying about park travel, and more importantly, leaving the bubble.... nothing beats remaining in that bubble the entire vacation

 

[WheelCEO]

I finally broke down and stay on site at a value resort.

this was your first mistake

 

[Nikisha421]

I always stayed off site when I was a kid...and said one day I would take my daughter and would want to stay on site...well we first stayed at a value and loved it...when vacation anywhere else I don't like the imprisoned feel...but at WDW go for onsite

 

[akozlosk]

We stayed at the Royal Plaza two years ago and it was quite nice, BUT, the transportation system is horrible! You share buses with all of the big hotels nearby and have to walk much farther to catch them at the parks too. This time we are staying at Coronado (in 10 days) and I can't wait! I would stay inside the park if I were you! Just my two cents worth.