WDW, staying onsite and offsite, what's your pick and why?

[becpee]

We're looking at doing a split stay on our next trip, onsite stay and offsite (nothing is set).
What's your pick of any?

 

[Jessica527]

I always recommend on site due to conveniences and atmosphere. What about staying at a deluxe resort for 5 days and 5 days at a value?

 

[becpee]

I always recommend on site due to conveniences and atmosphere. What about staying at a deluxe resort for 5 days and 5 days at a value?

Totally doable, i'm just spoilt for choice

 

[WAMUMOF4]

If I had to stay offsite it would be the nick resort my kids loved it espesicially the teenagers who I thought might be to old for it lol
But this time I loved not having to pack up and move I really preferred being in the one location for longer.

 

[becpee]

If I had to stay offsite it would be the nick resort my kids loved it espesicially the teenagers who I thought might be to old for it lol
But this time I loved not having to pack up and move I really preferred being in the one location for longer.

Yeah, time is also important, I don't want to "waste" a day if I don't have to...

I have a long time to decide...

 

[PrincessInOz]

I've stayed off site and on site. Pros and Cons to both sides and like with everything, it comes down to personal preference and your individual situation.


We stayed off-site for 10 nights and had a lot of room to spread out for a lot less money than staying on site. We did spend more time offsite than onsite for that trip; we had planned day trips outside of Disney; so it was fit for purpose.

I've done a split stay - moderate for 5 nights and deluxe for 5 nights. As long as you can be bothered packing up and shifting. Packing and shifting does take time away from the parks; but it gives you the option to experience different resorts especially if you can't make up your mind where to stay.

I've also picked one resort and stayed there for the entire duration.

At WDW, my personal preference is to stay on-site. DH and I like the convenience of the Disney transportation. We do hire a car; but having the option of being able to split up and jump on the Disney transportation to get back to our resort has proved to be invaluable with DS along.

Depending on budget and what resort you want to stay at; how long you're going for and whether you can be bothered packing up, a split stay allows you to experience the different resorts. I've found that the Disney resorts offer different theming and they are so nice to enjoy. If you plan to do split stays, you also need to plan some resort time to enjoy what the resort has to offer. If you're only planning on sleeping at a resort and spending all your time at the parks, then it won't matter which resort you pick.

I would have no issue doing a split stay....heck, I think I prefer it because there are so many lovely resorts that I'd like to stay at; but I think my DH and DS prefer to stay in the one spot.

You've got plenty of time to think about what you want to do.

 

[zanzibar138]

For WDW I personally wouldn't even consider staying off-site, just for the convenience factor! Not to mention the famous Disney hospitality and extra sprinkling of pixie dust.

But it does seem like you can get a lot more bang for your buck off-site and if you're the sort of family who like to spread out a bit more on holiday, it could be worth it. Especially if you're planning to hire a car.

 

[cola]

I've stayed on-site and off-site. I do venture beyond the World, I like Universal, I like shopping, I like going to visit a few real things rather than just themed locations, I like some more authentic tasting cusine every now and then (I find Disney pixie dust lets them get away with a lot of blandness on the food side), I hire a car regardless of on-site or off-site.

I have been to WDW quite a few times, so I'm pretty relaxed about it - I obviously love going there, but you pay a LOT for the ability to stay on Disney property, and outside US major holidays and school holidays off site is soooooooooooooooooooo cheap, particularly if you are booking a week.

If you want 100% Disney, don't care about Universal or Kennedy Space Center, (Kennedy Space Center is right next to Melbourne, it can make for cheesy postcard/photo op...), or eating off-site or shopping, refuse to hire a car - there is no question - stay on-site 100%, you can find something that fits your budget.

If you want to stay in one of the more expensive places on site, there is no need to do that for the whole trip, split stay, and that cheaper option could be somewhere larger off site, or just a cheaper on-site. I love staying at the Marriott timeshares, if you know how to get them, they can be incredibly cheap.

 

[battymum]

I wouldn't bother while you are doing the Disney parks, as there are just three of you, you don't really need the extra space.

But if you plan on going elsewhere, such as universal, shopping etc - there is nothing wrong with going off site for those.
We stayed at hard rock hotel while doing the universal parks and it was just fantastic!!! (Although not a budget place)

 

[Kiwifan]

When we were there in May 2012 we stayed at one of the Downtown Disney resort hotels. It was directly across the road from DTD (5 min walk at most) which made it so easy to wander across to get something to eat, shop etc.

We didn't have any issues with the resort's bus service to the parks and the hotel was on a public bus route to the Florida Mall for fantastic shopping.

It was incredible value for money. The only drawback was it didn't have any of the special Disney touches. Although they did have a character breakfast every Sunday.

When we go back we will probably stay there again as it's a good compromise for my DH. On Disney property (for me) but not too "Disney" (for him)

 

[marvel]

Done both. Did a split stay at WL and Poly when the kids were small, loved the WL better than Poly but Poly concierge was good, does that make sense? In 2011 we stayed at sheraton vistana. Cannot say enough good things about it. I could easy stay at both but the price does come into it. If cost is not an issue and room size isnt an issue then onsite is wonderful. But at less than half price, staying in a deluxe level two bed 2 bath odd site, 5-10 mins drive to disney it would be difficult for us to stay for the 10 or more days onsite.

We always rent a car, parking is very well orgniaed and we dont travel during peak times.

If i could afford it then I would stay deluxe onsite, try out AKL savannah view or BVLT at the contemp., but would need a cash injection to get there!!!

 

[Oz-kateer]

Prefer accommodation on site.

Have done both and for the convenience and atmosphere I stay on. Would now never consider otherwise, unless circumstances were compelling.

But we always rent a car and venture off site for day trips, Universal, NASA, shopping etc.

 

[slugguts]

Had a family trip in may2012 and also stayed at Sheraton Vistiana-was perfect for our family(Mum,Dad,&15,16 y/o daughters).
Very spacious 2bedroom apartment with kitchen, spa,bbq lounge,wifi and dining. We were at Sheraton for 3.5 weeks and we were happy to have b/fast at apartment before venturing out- plus we had a blast shopping for essentials each week at walmart just down the road. The kids still laugh at our shopping at Walmart
Also convenience store plus a bit of fast food,couple of bars and several pool options in resort for the days we wanted to chill.
We did have hire transport and were quite happy with the 5 -10min travel to parks each time we visited- we enjoy WDW but also liked the break from being trapped in WDW 24/7.
Concierge was helpful and we even done a Sheraton time share talk- they gave us $50plus 2x light sabre swords and breakfast for the family to attend.
I did have fun stirring up presenters and in the end I think they were happy to see the end of me.
rgds
slugguts

 

[DizOz]

We have always stayed onsite due to the convenience of the transport system and other benefits of staying on site. On our next trip we are doing a split stay for the first time.

Half our time we will be at the YC due to the many restaurants at Epcot it will make life a lot easier. The other half is at the WL. Just love this place. The theming is great and it is so close to MK. A 5 minute bus ride or 10 min boat trip.

 

[BecBennett]

When we were there in May 2012 we stayed at one of the Downtown Disney resort hotels. It was directly across the road from DTD (5 min walk at most) which made it so easy to wander across to get something to eat, shop etc.

We didn't have any issues with the resort's bus service to the parks and the hotel was on a public bus route to the Florida Mall for fantastic shopping.

It was incredible value for money. The only drawback was it didn't have any of the special Disney touches. Although they did have a character breakfast every Sunday.

When we go back we will probably stay there again as it's a good compromise for my DH. On Disney property (for me) but not too "Disney" (for him)

That sounds like the place my sister stayed at for my wedding. The room was almost double the size of ours, plus it was half the price and had an amazing view over DTD. For location it couldn't be beat, and I would most likely stay there if DH and I were to go back.

However, looking into going in Sept/Oct with my mum and my aunty, my mum would also be happy to stay there, but I think we've decided we're going to splurge so my aunty can experience on site. It's just that little bit more "special" or something.

I wasn't a fan of the Disney transport, so we'll hire a car next time and not worry about it. I felt like I spent most of my time on my last trip either waiting for transport, or sitting on transport. So while driving time may not cut down on this time as much as I'd like, at least I'll feel like I'm doing something