transitioning to off property resort

[Biggen]

To me, driving to the park is a perk. I have no desire to wait in a transportation queue and then be on a bus, sky line, boat, etc... Being able to leave the timeshare (WBC) and be at the gates within 10 minutes is a major advantage. When we leave the park we head right to the car and skip all the chaos of waiting in bus lines.

We also pay for preferred parking. That really gets you right up close to the parks as well. The only park that it doesn't help is at MK since you have to go through the transportation hub.

 

[Sue M]

Have about 150 on property stays and now I only stay off property. I was an out of state AP for about 7 years, then FL AP .... and I go about 4-6 weeks a year. Disney prices are insane and paying those would cut back on my number of days/visits.

I can get a bigger space, often with breakfast and/or evening receptions, mostly free parking, hotel points, easy access to outside dining. Very often we are staying in a suite for MUCH less than I'd pay for a Disney value, even a condo with full kitchen and washer/dryer (which I love having).

Perks of on property (at least pre-COVID):

- Disney transportation - which takes MUCH longer to get anywhere than driving. I can be offsite and in bed before a Disney bus even arrives at the park for us. Now with COVID I wouldn't use Disney transportation anyway. BUT the transportation is open to anyone if you want to hop.

- Free parking at the Parks for Disney hotel guests. You have an AP so you get free parking.

- Booking ADRs with a plus 10 days. Even when I stayed onsite I didn't use that. I often didn't book dining until a couple weeks in advance.

- Booking FP+ at 60 days. Only a handful of rides does that matter, and even those I've gotten by just checking the app off and on. I don't find getting what I want difficult.

- Charging back to room. So instead of whipping out my magicband, I whip out my credit card. The plus is I think twice about spending when I'm not using my magicband.

- Shipping purchases to room. I have them sent to front of park and just get them on my way to the car. SO much easier than having to get to the gift shop and pick them up. And I can still send to front the last couple days which you can't do to hotel.

- Dining Plan for hotel guests only. Making the DDP work for me with value is WAY too much work, I eat WAY too much food, and I eat food I would never order. I much rather use my AP or TIW discount to eat how I want. I save tons of money.

- Extra Magic Hours. I don't get up early so that is no perk for me, and now the evening ones are gone unless you are deluxe. I have enjoyed my deluxe stays but no way I'm paying that anymore. I'd rather pay much less for an offsite deluxe.

- MagicBands. No longer free.

- Magical Express was a great perk for those who fly and don't want a car. No more.

I have AP, I have a car, I enjoy going to the other parks (have Universal AP too) ... there is simply no perk to a Disney stay that can justify the cost for what we get. I spend all that money I save to go more often and to do special events & upsells. I'd much rather do dessert parties, Club Villain, Highway in the Sky, Discovery Cove etc than pay for staying in the bubble.

All good points. Just left wdw today. Sitting in SeaTac waiting for connecting flight.
The things that kept me onsite are disappearing.
No luggage pick up for DME either way.
DME soon to disappear
No FP and when they come back it will be $$$
No shipping stuff from park to room
No EMH
No daily housekeeping
and yet room rates and park tickets are higher than ever.
Disney’s new motto: give less charge more

 

[kathy884]

If you like the Gaylord Resort in FL you must visit the Gaylord in Nashville. So much to do and so many places to dine you don't have to leave for a week and all of this under one climate controlled roof that is HUGE!

Just enjoyed seeing this as we're going to the Gaylord Palms in Nashville next Wednesday. Looking forward to it.

 

[mitsukoshi samurai]

All good points. Just left wdw today. Sitting in SeaTac waiting for connecting flight.
The things that kept me onsite are disappearing.
No luggage pick up for DME either way.
DME soon to disappear
No FP and when they come back it will be $$$
No shipping stuff from park to room
No EMH
No daily housekeeping
and yet room rates and park tickets are higher than ever.
Disney’s new motto: give less charge more

More money less go

 

[TamaraQT]

To me, driving to the park is a perk. I have no desire to wait in a transportation queue and then be on a bus, sky line, boat, etc... Being able to leave the timeshare (WBC) and be at the gates within 10 minutes is a major advantage. When we leave the park we head right to the car and skip all the chaos of waiting in bus lines.

We also pay for preferred parking. That really gets you right up close to the parks as well. The only park that it doesn't help is at MK since you have to go through the transportation hub.

Exactly...and coming back to WBC is also a perk in comparison to any Value or Moderate Disney Resort. WBC is a perk in comparison to price at any Disney Deluxe resort as well.

 

[disneyjr77]

Easy...just stop going on a DISNEY vacation and start going on a Florida vacation. This way you will incorporate MORE of Florida and visit Disney while in the area. Then start finding things to do at your resort. My family enjoys the poolside activities like "dive-in" movies, line dancing and so on. This allows us to spend less time visiting parks and enjoying more of Orlando and the area. I think you are going to be shocked at how much your kids enjoy themselves without a Disney requirement for vacation. Maybe incorporate SeaWorld for a day. It's easy to ENJOY offsite if you stop expecting all of your entertainment and enjoyment needs a Disney price tag attached to it. Enjoy yourself off-site at least once. You will know if it's for you or not. I stayed onsite once and my daughter couldn't wait to go back offsite at a resort. She HATED a standard hotel room at Disney. She wanted her own bedroom and a fridge full of snacks, and a balcony overlooking a pool. Try it!!!

This is our plan for next summer. Staying at Sheraton Vistana Resort, so it will be a 10ish minute ride to MK. DD14 and her bestie are very excited about having their own room next year, and i'm excited about having a balcony and soaking/jet tub. DD has already asked to go to the Titanic experience and they both lost their minds when they saw the big crayola store on the shuttle from the airport to universal 2 weeks ago...so we'll be going there as well.

We used to stay off property, but I hated driving and up until now being on property at Disney was worth the extra cost, plus we always got a great discount. To us, it isn't worth it anymore and we are going to do more of a Florida vacation (that's the perfect name for it)

 

[shalom]

But why would I want to go to Nashville?

Because Nashville is cool! Their Parthenon is still intact, and has a statue of Athena in it!

 

[Pixiedust04]

Have about 150 on property stays and now I only stay off property. I was an out of state AP for about 7 years, then FL AP .... and I go about 4-6 weeks a year. Disney prices are insane and paying those would cut back on my number of days/visits.

I can get a bigger space, often with breakfast and/or evening receptions, mostly free parking, hotel points, easy access to outside dining. Very often we are staying in a suite for MUCH less than I'd pay for a Disney value, even a condo with full kitchen and washer/dryer (which I love having).

Perks of on property (at least pre-COVID):

- Disney transportation - which takes MUCH longer to get anywhere than driving. I can be offsite and in bed before a Disney bus even arrives at the park for us. Now with COVID I wouldn't use Disney transportation anyway. BUT the transportation is open to anyone if you want to hop.

- Free parking at the Parks for Disney hotel guests. You have an AP so you get free parking.

- Booking ADRs with a plus 10 days. Even when I stayed onsite I didn't use that. I often didn't book dining until a couple weeks in advance.

- Booking FP+ at 60 days. Only a handful of rides does that matter, and even those I've gotten by just checking the app off and on. I don't find getting what I want difficult.

- Charging back to room. So instead of whipping out my magicband, I whip out my credit card. The plus is I think twice about spending when I'm not using my magicband.

- Shipping purchases to room. I have them sent to front of park and just get them on my way to the car. SO much easier than having to get to the gift shop and pick them up. And I can still send to front the last couple days which you can't do to hotel.

- Dining Plan for hotel guests only. Making the DDP work for me with value is WAY too much work, I eat WAY too much food, and I eat food I would never order. I much rather use my AP or TIW discount to eat how I want. I save tons of money.

- Extra Magic Hours. I don't get up early so that is no perk for me, and now the evening ones are gone unless you are deluxe. I have enjoyed my deluxe stays but no way I'm paying that anymore. I'd rather pay much less for an offsite deluxe.

- MagicBands. No longer free.

- Magical Express was a great perk for those who fly and don't want a car. No more.

I have AP, I have a car, I enjoy going to the other parks (have Universal AP too) ... there is simply no perk to a Disney stay that can justify the cost for what we get. I spend all that money I save to go more often and to do special events & upsells. I'd much rather do dessert parties, Club Villain, Highway in the Sky, Discovery Cove etc than pay for staying in the bubble.

What hotel would you recommend very close to Disney. Comparable to Disney’s Value resorts.

 

[HopperFan]

What hotel would you recommend very close to Disney. Comparable to Disney’s Value resorts.

Nothing is really going to look like a value resort ... the theme.

What are you looking to compare to? Price, room offering? Will you have a car?

 

[Pixiedust04]

Nothing is really going to look like a value resort ... the theme.

What are you looking to compare to? Price, room offering? Will you have a car?

Yes I will have a car. Price and room offerings. If I could get 2 queen beds cheaper and close to Disney, I wanted to check into that. Thank you

 

[HopperFan]

Yes I will have a car. Price and room offerings. If I could get 2 queen beds cheaper and close to Disney, I wanted to check into that. Thank you

First dates can cause wide swing in rates, sometimes I can stay at Embassy Suites LBV South for $125 a night and sometimes it is $180 a night so I go elsewhere.

Flamingo Crossing resorts are a great location for parks. You will have to drive down the road a bit for dining and stores but they are there. If you are doing Universal too, it really is too far for that. The Hiltons are brand new and will be in excellent condition. The Marriotts are newer but likely close to rehab time. Be sure to check reviews. Now once that whole village thing is built it will be awesome.

Don't do Disney Springs. The rates, resort & parking fees really make them not worth it when you have a car.

Now that Disney Springs road construction all done I'm back to staying along the Palm Parkway. Great location minutes outside Disney Springs, minimal traffic, plenty of dining, a grocery and a hop to big Target, outlet mall. Most these hotels are considered LAKE BUENA VISTA.

- I stayed Hampton Inn a few years back when they were renovating. Great stay, very reasonable, breakfast, no fees. Great rates, I think I paid less than $100 per night.
- Homewood Suites newly renovated, I have two trips booked there right now. Breakfast, no extra fees, kitchen, suite. Have it booked for January and April.
- Hilton Garden Inn, stayed several times. No breakfast but got good rates.
- There is a Marriott Town Place Suites, Residence Inn and Spring Hill Suites.
- Holiday Inn Express I think is fairly new
- ALoft newer hotel

If you jump over I-4 close to outlet mall and newer stores and hotels behind it there is =

- Home2Suites I have stayed at. Dog friendly but was a nice room with sofa and kitchenette, breakfast. I once stayed there, my DS was at POP. We left front gate of MK at same time. I was in bed and he was still waiting for his bus.
- Holiday Inn and Suites
- Spot X (I know nothing about it looks brand new)

535 other side of I-4 still only minutes away and easy entry to parks via World Center Dr
- Caribe Royale - I believe it is newly renovated, suites, we stayed there before.
- Buena Vista Suites next door - great suite, we were only there to sleep
- Hampton Inn South - had a great room with 2 queens and sofa bed, HUGE, love it.
- Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista SOUTH ( a favorite of ours - great breakfast).
- Marriott VILLAGE, 3 hotels. Can be a bit tough to get in and out and next to I-4 but some great rates. I've never stayed.

 

[Pixiedust04]

First dates can cause wide swing in rates, sometimes I can stay at Embassy Suites LBV South for $125 a night and sometimes it is $180 a night so I go elsewhere.

Flamingo Crossing resorts are a great location for parks. You will have to drive down the road a bit for dining and stores but they are there. If you are doing Universal too, it really is too far for that. The Hiltons are brand new and will be in excellent condition. The Marriotts are newer but likely close to rehab time. Be sure to check reviews. Now once that whole village thing is built it will be awesome.

Don't do Disney Springs. The rates, resort & parking fees really make them not worth it when you have a car.

Now that Disney Springs road construction all done I'm back to staying along the Palm Parkway. Great location minutes outside Disney Springs, minimal traffic, plenty of dining, a grocery and a hop to big Target, outlet mall. Most these hotels are considered LAKE BUENA VISTA.

- I stayed Hampton Inn a few years back when they were renovating. Great stay, very reasonable, breakfast, no fees. Great rates, I think I paid less than $100 per night.
- Homewood Suites newly renovated, I have two trips booked there right now. Breakfast, no extra fees, kitchen, suite. Have it booked for January and April.
- Hilton Garden Inn, stayed several times. No breakfast but got good rates.
- There is a Marriott Town Place Suites, Residence Inn and Spring Hill Suites.
- Holiday Inn Express I think is fairly new
- ALoft newer hotel

If you jump over I-4 close to outlet mall and newer stores and hotels behind it there is =

- Home2Suites I have stayed at. Dog friendly but was a nice room with sofa and kitchenette, breakfast. I once stayed there, my DS was at POP. We left front gate of MK at same time. I was in bed and he was still waiting for his bus.
- Holiday Inn and Suites
- Spot X (I know nothing about it looks brand new)

535 other side of I-4 still only minutes away and easy entry to parks via World Center Dr
- Caribe Royale - I believe it is newly renovated, suites, we stayed there before.
- Buena Vista Suites next door - great suite, we were only there to sleep
- Hampton Inn South - had a great room with 2 queens and sofa bed, HUGE, love it.
- Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista SOUTH ( a favorite of ours - great breakfast).
- Marriott VILLAGE, 3 hotels. Can be a bit tough to get in and out and next to I-4 but some great rates. I've never stayed.

Thank you so much! I will check on all of these. This information is so helpful. We are going end of February. We go 1 or twice a year and have always stayed on site but with no discounts just looking at other options. I appreciate all your help.

 

[HopperFan]

Thank you so much! I will check on all of these. This information is so helpful. We are going end of February. We go 1 or twice a year and have always stayed on site but with no discounts just looking at other options. I appreciate all your help.

Let me know if you have any other questions or thoughts. I am picky about where I stay but go for the best rate I can, more money I save, the more trips I can make. Usually there 4-6 weeks a year.

 

[Pixiedust04]

Let me know if you have any other questions or thoughts. I am picky about where I stay but go for the best rate I can, more money I save, the more trips I can make. Usually there 4-6 weeks a year.

I definitely will. Thank you