Want deluxe, want to pay value

[Happyjen27]

Here is what convinced me to stay at the Poly.

I was travelling with 5 year old twins and my goal was to spend no more than 4 hours at a park at a time. That meant mid-day breaks, and that was most easily achieved at the Poly. Hop on the monorail, hop off, we were where we wanted to be quickly.
It was my first ever Disney trip, and I wanted the full treatment. I didn't want to drop a significant amount of cash and not feel ALL the magic. I didn't want any regrets. So, I turned that significant amount of cash into a bigger pile of cash and went for it.
I had no regrets. Could I have saved $2000 by staying off site? Yes. But, I would have had to take a ferry or monorail to the parking lot, then hopped on the tram, then walked to my car, gotten into a Florida hot car and driven to my offsite hotel. All the while my exhausted kids would be struggling and just want to cool off and lay down.
I would have been reluctant to go back to a park later, knowing that I would have to park, walk, take a tram to the ferry or monorail, take the ferry or monorail to the park and repeat it again to go home. I feel like we got more park time by saying onsite, because it was easy to pop back on the monorail and head back to the park after a nap or swim time or just downtime laying down and watching TV.

I am the first to admit that I've never stayed offsite. I have not experienced this gauntlet firsthand, this is only conjecture based on the information I've learned here. People talk quite highly of staying offsite and wouldn't do it any other way, so it can't be all that bad I guess.

For me, I just wanted the most convenient way to travel with my 5 year old twins, and staying at the POLY was exactly that. So, I spent the money and I have no regrets.

 

[Dis nerd]

Am I correct at you are staying in Sept? If so you may want to research on the free dining offer for that month. If you stay on disney property you would get the free dining, think of the savings!!! you will pay possibly for a nicer hotel but free food my out way the offsite hotel plus paying for food. I have never stayed offsite so I can't say what would be a better fit. I just wanted to mention the free dining so you can think of that as well. What ever you decide, enjoy your trip!

 

[smorkovsky]

Well, great you guys! Now you all have me addicted to DIS Boards because of your awesome advice and first hand experiences!! Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and help me make my family's trip MAGIC!! <3

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

You won't regret this at all. This will give you more options too. Dining and shopping outside of WDW. A couple hours at cocoa beach. Check the off site threads for ideas. There are some fantastic places where the rooms for kids are fantastic with Disney themes.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Haygar2]

We went in September 2013. I have a 14 year old daughter and a 10 year old son. They would not share a bed. We stayed at Pirt Orleans Riverside. We had 2 queen beds and a pull down (Murphy style) bed. It worked out perfectly and the price for the moderate resort was very reasonable. We are going back next September and we will not stay anywhere but on property. Not a huge problem to go back to your room and rest. I say...stay on property.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you plan on taking breaks during the day, you can't beat the ease of staying on Disney property. I've stayed off site, and while it is fine, driving back and forth multiple times a day is a hassle, no way around it.

I'm also thinking given your children's ages your family may want to split up a bit, and some take a break and some stay in the parks. Staying on site makes that easy to do.

If you truly think this is your one and only trip to WDW, do it right and stay on site. It is a very different experience than the one you will get staying off site. Stay in the Disney bubble. It is a great place to be!

 

[Disneylover921]

Last time my Dh and I did a split stay - we stayed at All Star Music (trying to save $$) and then rented a fancy condo off site because we like to stay in nicer places and it was cheaper. The time onsite was AWESOME. We were in the parks from RD to Close everyday and loved the magic of being at disney. The resort itself wasn't bad really as all we did was sleep. We also drove to the parks each day & avoided the buses because I wanted flexibility

When we moved off site it was a nice place but not worth the $$ saved. I actually found myself wishing I was back onsite in our value hotel (which was the same cost as the off site fancy place)

Now I will only stay onsite because the benefits - Extra Magic Hours - are worth it IMO.

We are going back this Dec and staying at the French Quarter (mod) which will be a step up because we are going to try not to be comando tourists and spend a little more time at the resorts...once I am able to admit that I don't want to spend 100% of my time at the parks I will spring for the Poly.

Also if you have the chance to do free dining I say you should stay onsite and get the free dining. You can eat for less at DW, but having the dining plan that's free anyway gives you the flexibility to do things you might not normally do (like eat at a signature dining...or certain character meals that are expensive). Just food for thought!

Let us know what you decide!

 

[jaykorf001]

After continued researching, I really don't want to settle for AofA, but I really don't want to pay for Poly.

Sooooo, thinking of staying off site because we REALLY want a nice room! We'll rent a car, and drive. I like the idea of that freedom anyway because we still will have a 4 year old and require some down time, and the ease of stopping at Wal Mart whenever I really need it!

Will I regret this?

If you had posted this on the Orlando Hotels section you would see overwhelming support for staying offsite. I just want to make sure you realize that. Some would do anything to stay onsite, even in a value, and some feel differently. It all really depends on what's important to you.

I also want to mention that there are offsite locations as close to the parks as the value resorts. So I agree with a pp -- staying at the Poly is one thing convenience wise but the same cant be said about many of the other Disney hotels. I've read over and over how someone staying at Windsor Hills says they can get back in the car as fast or faster than Disney buses. I thought the valet idea was genius and will be using it myself if its still permissible on the next family trip.

Anyway, we just made our first trip to WDW. We stayed at AKL CL. We really enjoyed the resort and would recommend it. However, we were happy to get out of that hotel room at the end and it was a short stay. We used the Kilimanjaro Club to relax some and let our son watch Disney Jr in the evening as there was no place to do that in the room. We learned for sure that we will stay offsite for a future longer trip. The location of AKL did not bother me at all. The size of the room did.

So figure out what's important to you and go with it. The deluxe properties are 30% off in September this year so that does help. I'm considering going back and staying onsite but just with my son and at the Poly or WL.

Good luck!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I have similar thoughts sometime! Sometimes I want a little luxury at a value resort price. Sometimes I just do exactly that and stay offsite.

I might look into Hilton Bonnet Creek - it is practically on site (provides its' own transport shuttle to the parks) - very nice, lazy river pool. The only downside are the extra charges - resort fees, taxes, parking - however if you know all the costs going into it - it is easier to make a decision. The last time I was looking Hilton Bonnet Creek came out to $20 more than Pop would have been for the same time. The Ritz, Waldorf Astoria, JW Marriott GL all offer deluxe experiences for a moderate/low end deluxe price.

 

[JennyDrake]

In another post you made it sound like you want to take it kind of easy and take some breaks, which might make off-site a bit time consuming for you. Also, I'm not sure what time of year you are thinking of going, but take into consideration the traffic you might have to face when you hit the parking lots.

I was going to say the same thing. If you are there during a crowded time, you need to allow at least 15 minutes to get from the park to your car, then at least a 30 min. drive. So there you have "lost" at least an hour and a half round trip before you even took your break.

 

[nugov2]

I was going to say the same thing. If you are there during a crowded time, you need to allow at least 15 minutes to get from the park to your car, then at least a 30 min. drive. So there you have "lost" at least an hour and a half round trip before you even took your break.

This is untrue. Let's say you drove... valet at the resort walking distance to the park. Then 15 minutes to WH or other similarly close off site locations: 20-25 each way. Let's say you are onsite value or mod..wait for transportation from park and ride...20-25 minutes each way. It is the same. Can there be traffic...yes can there be long waits for a bus/ monorail...yes, but it is the same for both. I just got back from WH and not once did we hit traffic. We were at a park or resort every day of our one week vacation and at varying times.

 

[bdink921]

We stayed at a Windsor Hills 3 bedroom condo in January/February of 2011. We usually stay onsite and even though we had large accommodations for cheap ($99 a night!) we will not stay offsite any time soon. We prefer just hopping on Disney transportation for afternoon breaks and for our family, we prefer the Disney bubble (and the service that goes along with it.

We found this to be true for us too. It became a huge hassle for us staying off site. We like to split up, DH can only take so much of the parks. Staying on site was great for this...want to go back to the room, hop on the bus. With only one rental car, this was not happening. For us, what we saved in $, we spent in aggravation. Didn't like meals in the condo (you mean I have to COOK on vacation?!), no housekeeping, didn't care for the pool (moldy when we went), small small game room. Not a heck of a lot to do. Would have been awesome for a beach vacation, but not our style when it comes to WDW. We like the hustle and bustle of the Disney resorts. Lesson learned, on site for us. And this is from a girl who is always looking for a bargain! YMMV. Good luck with your decision.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

For us, NOT having to drive to MK alone is worth it to stay on site! The boat or monorail is such a nuisance, and the bus is SO easy and convenient, and MK is the resort we usually go back and forth to, to see the nighttime parades and fireworks.

 

[smorkovsky]

Thank you ALL for this thread!!!! It was INCREDIBLY helpful!! We are staying at the Poly! I put pen to paper and as long as we get FD, the cost is virtually the same as staying off site, and just a tad cheaper to stay at AofA (because I would upgrade our dining if we stayed value). We'll just stay in a Garden View room (would have to stay in a suite at AofA). I.CANNOT.WAIT!!!!

 

[kmb584]

We've been staying off-site as of late (either WBC or SVV) and have yet to regret it. WBC is located on Disney property (but isn't Disney property) and right next door to Epcot. SVV is a bit further away but still a mere 5-8 minute drive. We reserve a 2 bedroom unit complete with 2 bathrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, lanai or balcony. It's like living in a super upscale hotel for 10 days for pennies on the Disney dollar ($740 is what I paid for our stay at SVV in April). Off-site is becoming more and more popular. We're AP holders and I purchased the TiW card 3 years ago (initially) so while we aren't able to participate in free dining I'm getting 20% off of all of our meals where TiW is accepted.

 

[maxiesmom]

Off-site is becoming more and more popular.

As you have made this statement as fact, can I ask what your source is?

If Disney was having trouble filling up their rooms they would be offering more discounts than they are. They would also not have spent money on adding rooms as they have. I don't doubt some people who used to stay on site are now staying off, but I bet the opposite is true too.

 

[Andrea817]

Thank you ALL for this thread!!!! It was INCREDIBLY helpful!! We are staying at the Poly! I put pen to paper and as long as we get FD, the cost is virtually the same as staying off site, and just a tad cheaper to stay at AofA (because I would upgrade our dining if we stayed value). We'll just stay in a Garden View room (would have to stay in a suite at AofA). I.CANNOT.WAIT!!!!

So glad to hear!! I'm local (3 hours South) and have had more off-site stays than on-site and I can tell you the experience for me and my DH is immensely different. We only recently have started staying on site (moderates only) and refuse to go back. I'm the one with the Disney obsession but even DH agrees that on-site makes the trip SO much more enjoyable and convenient. Not to mention there is nothing like staying in the "bubble". For a first trip, I think on-site is the way to go for the FULL Disney magic. From there you can decide what works best for your family in the future, but I have a feeling you will all be hooked

 

[buzznina]

For us a couple of big reasons keeps us on-site for now, both DD's LOVE riding disney tthe bus and we always use EMH. I will say that if disney prices keep rising and their discounts keep shrinking, then we will think harder about staying off-site.

 

[amfie928]

Thank you ALL for this thread!!!! It was INCREDIBLY helpful!! We are staying at the Poly! I put pen to paper and as long as we get FD, the cost is virtually the same as staying off site, and just a tad cheaper to stay at AofA (because I would upgrade our dining if we stayed value). We'll just stay in a Garden View room (would have to stay in a suite at AofA). I.CANNOT.WAIT!!!!

I don't think you will regret it! Its been a realllllly long time since I stayed at the Poly (82 ish? Geesh!) But its still my favorite resort. Every trip I stop by even if its for a quick look around.

Now I have stayed off site maybe as often as on. Granted I haven't always 'paid' for it so I can't quite compare pricing but just being able to hop a bus and go back to the room in the middle of the day is worth it for me. Not that you can't do that offsite but the trip from MK alone makes me cringe! Its not so bad from the other parks.

If staying on site with free dining means no cooking for an extended period of time...count me in! I will be doing my first September stay this year too. I think you and your family will have a fantastic time at WDW and the Poly!

 

[darkwing818]

Thank you ALL for this thread!!!! It was INCREDIBLY helpful!! We are staying at the Poly! I put pen to paper and as long as we get FD, the cost is virtually the same as staying off site, and just a tad cheaper to stay at AofA (because I would upgrade our dining if we stayed value). We'll just stay in a Garden View room (would have to stay in a suite at AofA). I.CANNOT.WAIT!!!!

Way to go....