What are the advantages of staying onsite?

[Loritlc3]

Besides being closer are there any other advantages to staying on-site? This will be our first trip and there is so much that I don't know like how do character breakfasts/dinners work? How do you reserve them? How much are they etc.. I have a DS7 and a DD5

 

[Kae]

Ok first just look around this site there is so much info here. Stay on site my reasons: Extra Magic Hours which means you can get into the parks early or stay later. No driving we use WDW transporation love it. Mickey on your shampoo For us it just way easier. ADR are what Dining reservations are called, you have to call the disney dining #. You can book 90 days out. there are lots of character meals. We first choose by meal my kids are big breakfast eaters so when they were younger that was a starting point. I would check out wwww.allearsnet.com

Look around, ask lots of questions & have great trip.

Kae

 

[Shagley]

You get to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours (EMH) when the are offered. I like staying on site because I like to be able to take the buses and not have to drive while I am on vacation. I also love that I am at Disney for the entire length of my trip, even the resorts have the Disney magic that I love so much.

 

[oddBotkins]

For me it's like sitting on the bench or playin in the game.

 

[DRS_Are_Best]

Besides being closer are there any other advantages to staying on-site? This will be our first trip and there is so much that I don't know like how do character breakfasts/dinners work? How do you reserve them? How much are they etc.. I have a DS7 and a DD5

Take this response for what it is - MY OPINION.

We just returned from our 3rd family trip to WDW -- 2 of them we stayed off site, this time we stayed at Port Orleans, Riverside. OMG -- What a Difference it is staying on site!!!!!!!! If we can afford it, I'm going to make a stink to DH that we should ALWAYS stay on site for all future WDW trips.

Basic advantage to me is that you can turn it into an all-inclusive vacation..... this is something that means a lot to me since I'm always worried about how much I'm spending (which, of course, doesn't STOP me from spending lots of $$). We did the Deluxe Dining Plan and almost ALL of our food and drink were covered, including 7 character meals (reservations are a must for these). And we did PLENTY of eating.

Along those same lines, another advantage is that everything can be charged to the room from all the parks, Downtown Disney, tips for your meals, etc. That means that at the end of your vacation, you just have one final bill to pay, for any and all incidentals.

And the biggest difference: the Disney resorts think of EVERYTHING!!!!! The facilities are great, they provide transportation to everything Disney (and airport as well) for free (didn't take advantage of this since we have 3 kids in strollers/carseats so I don't know how good it really is) -- you name it, they've included it in their resorts!!!!!!

So, yes, if you can, I would suggest staying on site.

DH has added his 2-cents: He seems to agree that staying onsite is a great thing -- but he points out a couple of drawbacks -- the biggest is cost. If you look for it, you can easily find the same accomodations for a lot less $$ and can find a location with a lot more space if you stay off site. Also, you run the risk of getting Disney'ed out since everything has a Disney connotation to it onsite. The second is probably NOT a problem if you are on the DIS boards -- the first, well, with the deal they are offering now (buy 4 get 3 free), it's about as good a chance to experience the onsite for as reasonable price as possible.

Have a great vacation no matter where you choose to stay.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

We have always stayed onsite. It's so much more convenient. Sure, it can cost a little more than being off-site, but you have to calculate in what you'll be paying for gas and daily parking fees nowadays.

We were ALWAYS on a very strict budget when we would go to WDW. We would stay on-site, eat breakfast in our room (pop tarts, breakfast bars, cereal), come back for an afternoon rest and snack on pb & j or cold cuts. We would get a CS meal for the most of the days and do one special TS meal. One time we did a character breakfast at Chef Mickey's or hit up the Biergarten.

Depending on which character meal you want - you can reference which characters are at which meals in several places, decide if it's right for your little ones.

It's been 10 years since my last trip to the World and SOOOOOO much has changed. I picked up a Passporter (excellent book - very thorough), subscribed to this message board, and cross reference a lot of my findings. allears.net is a wonderful site! I started looking at the actual Disney site for basic info, then checked here and allears for the specifics.

Don't overplan! Sit down with a book, or keep a notebook to list all of the things that interest you and find the details to see if it fits, then scale that list back! I have my MUST-DO list and anything on top of that will be a bonus!

There's so much to do! You can even find out ahead of time height restrictions for the rides so there are no surprises for the kids. I don't have the links on hand, but I know they exist. Several sites have sample menus to the restaurants too. If you travel dates are flexible, go in the offseason - you'll save even more!

Good luck!

 

[Loritlc3]

Thank you so much! I am so excited! We have decided to stay on site and were going to stay at POP because it seems to be the most commonly mentioned. Unfortunately it didn't work for our days and we have to pick an all-star. Any recommendations between, movies, sports, and music or should I just pick any one? You guys are awesome!

 

[mamacatnv]

Sport and Movie seem to be the first choices - I liked Music, not as many little kids as our prior stay at Sport.

 

[Jennygt]

location, location ,location, that is in my mind the best reason to stay on property. Also the themimg at the resorts just adds to you vacation, have fun!! Check out the resorts board tons of info there.

 

[oddBotkins]

We have stayed at Movies and Music and for those young and young at heart movies is themed wondefully, the Toy Story part is really neat, and has many photo opportunities.

 

[trennr]

Pros/Cons From someone who has never stayed onsite...

Pros:
1] Extra Magic Hours
2] Purchases from the parks are delivered to your room.
3] Disney Transportation.
4] If you chose to drive...free parking.

Cons:
1] Extra Magic Cost
2] Crowded Pools
3] Waiting on Disney Transportaion...should you use it.

Guess I'm spoiled...my last 3 trips were with large family groups and we rented private houses with private pools...and the only pro that really tempts me is the free parking.

 

[momma2minnie]

We have never stayed off site, so I can't compare the two BUT

Staying on site is awesome, As a PP said you can make it "All Inclusive"

We have always used the DDP everything is already paid for,and you can make ADR's including character meals. *don't think tips are included this year*

Disney transportation (although slow at times) is great. Just park & go!
The fact that the roads are so confusing, to me anyway, and everything is so spread out, I'd rather leave the driving to the experts.

Hope that helps! You are in the right place for Disney planning but be warned, you may need a 12 step program to UN-Dis yourself!

 

[Kelblum]

We like staying on property for the "whole" experience!

We especially like not having to rent a car--we take the Magical Express to and from the airport and use the shuttle system to get everywhere else.

 

[WantToGoNow]

I have stayed on property 5 times and off 2. I really, really prefer to stay on site. The main reason - I'm directionally impaired and when I'm off-site I seem to get lost a lot and end up frustrated. The last time, I made my dh agree that we will never stay off-site again. We started planning our Grand Gathering for November and I started looking into Windsor Hills which I hear is very nice. He reminded me that we can only stay on-site.

I've stayed at Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, All Star Movies and POP - I have loved each one of them. We will be staying at Port Orleans Riverside on our upcoming trip.

 

[NU2WDW]

1] Extra Magic Cost

ROFL! That, and "elbow room" is why both our trips have been off site. It would be no kind of vacation for me stuck in a room (or "suite") with three kids for a week! Part of any get-away experience for me is nice and spacious accomodations and Disney can't provide that for our family size and budget. JMHO. I know for many people they have to be immersed in Disney; I guess I'm glad we don't!

Of course, I wouldn't rule it out. Maybe when our kids are a bit older we'll try on-site. The dining plan could be fun, although it seems like it could turn into pure gluttony!

Have a great trip!!!

 

[lmillercrew]

DH and I stayed at All Star Sports and really enjoyed it. It's the first in the line up of the All Stars, as far as locations, and there is a McDonalds across the street. We've stayed on-site 4 times and off site once. Our first time was off site and after staying on, we decided it is SO worth it to stay on!!! The convenience alone is worth the extra cost. We love being surrounded by the "Disneyisms" that come with staying on property. Have a great time and enjoy every minute!!