what are the benefits from staying on-site

[natalielongstaff]

and will that change with the new packages due out tomorrow?? we are thinking about staying at pop century for 2 weeks in october and budget is a big consideration
also can you add on a dining package whilst staying on site
thank you

 

[Goofyish]

Natalie, we have stayed on-site for 2 weeks and, although meals are generally more expensive than staying off-site you can eat to a budget

For breakfast we just snacked in our room, and then had an early lunch in the parks. This saved money on breakfast and eating earlier at counter service outlets beat the lunchtime rush
We mainly ate at counter service with only a few selected PSs at sit-down restaurants. Our lunch/dinners were around $35-40 on average. These were the 'all-you-can-eat' buffet or family style restaurants, which are much better value, especially if you are a fussy eater like me

 

[Pig Pen]

I agree that you can stay on-site on a budget!

1. Try to get a discount code from mousesavers.com.

2. Ask for a fridge in your room (I think $10 per day but may be free at some hotels) and store fruit, yogurt, etc.

3. Eat breakfast in your room using food you have brought in - cereal, donuts, etc.

4. Try to stay close to the food court and take advantage of the microwaves available to heat up "cup of soup" or popcorn.

5. Purchase a couple refillable cups. We usually buy just 2 - one for coffee and one for cold beverages. We fill them up, and bring them back to the room and divvy up into smaller cups.

6. Eat your main meal at lunchtime. This really works well at Epcot if you want to try some of the World Showcase restaurants. Similar meals are served during lunch at a lower price. I would recommend Biergarten if you have children as they offer entertainment as well as a great buffet.

7. Some restaurants offer discounts for annual passholders. If you combine this with a room discount, it may be worth it for you to buy one annual pass.

8. Consider renting DVC points and staying in a studio. A week in October at Old Key West would run you $820 approximately, but you will have a kitchenette with fridge, microwave, coffeemaker, and free laundry facilities.

 

[Penny12]

Hi Natalie

The new Magic Your Way dining plan can only be an add-on if you buy a package from Disney. Whilst with the new packages you don't have to have a ticket for the entire duration of your stay (like with the old ones) you do have to add on dining to every single day of your stay.

As these are so new it's not known yet whether Disney will be offering discounts on their packages, I imagine (hope) that they will though, as long as room only codes are still being offered as well.

Onsite perks are:-

Proximity - easier to go back to your resort during the day for a break, etc.
Extra Magical Hours - now including up to 3 hours after park closing.
Magical Express - Free luggage/airport transfers should you want them.
Park purchases sent back to your resort so you don't have to carry them.
Free parking at the themeparks.
The 'magic'.

Of course, you could look at it the way I did with my recent stay at AKL. With the strong exchange rate right now, visiting WDW was the cheapest it has been in a <I>very</i> long time so if ever there was a time for justifying staying onsite, this is it!

 

[Penny12]

Fridges cost $10 + tax per night at the Value resorts. I've seen them...tiny things, definitely not worth the money IMO. Buy a cooler and fill it with ice...a bit more fuss but more than worth it I think rather than spending the $150+ it would cost to hire one for two weeks!!!!

 

[natalielongstaff]

thanks for the quick replies,budget was never a consideration last year because my mum paid for the holiday cost and we paid for the food this year its just the 4 of us tho.
i have to say we did like the buffet meals last year, dh is a BIG eater and ds(4) is following in his footsteps lol
i like the idea of renting dvc points and may look into that more
thanks again

 

[goin2disneyagain]

We stay onsite every time we go but we often go offsite to eat because it is cheaper. We also make a Walmart run after we arrive and get snacks, drinks, and breakfast foods. We also fill a cooler with ice and drinks. If you don't have a car then obviously that won't work but it helps cut some of the cost for us. I would rather spend the extra money on souveniers and other attractions than food.

 

[eeyore0062]

I have stayed off site twice and I have learned my lesson. Many of the shuttles only go to TTC or Epcot, so you have to transfer to go elsewhere. Many only have scheduled stops at certain times, so if you want to go back for a nap, you may not be able to. Many have timeshare people sitting in their lobbies trying to talk you into going to a timeshare seminar for 1 1/2 hours to get a park ticket.... that 1 1/2 hours can stretch out to 1/2 your day, and then they won't take no for an answer.

If you do stay on Disney Property:
1) save $8 per day for parking if you drive i
2) busses, boats and monorails that run from before the parks open until after they close to insure that you will be able to come and go from your resort at your convenience.
3) Yes, you will find DVC reps in Disney lobbies, but they won't approach you, you will need to approach them, if you are interested.
4) You will have a full Disney Experience, as Disney Resorts carry the magic back with you at the end of the day with theming of their resort rooms, pools, exteriors, etc.
5)You will be able to participate in activities, such at Extra Magic Hour, for no extra charge, which is not available to off site guests.
6) You will have choices of transporation at many of the Disney resorts, including the monorail (CR, Poly, GF), Boat Launch (CR, Poly, GF, WL, BC, YC, BW and to and from DTD from PO-R, PO-FQ, OKW and Saratoga Springs) , and of course bus service.

I learned my lesson... never again will we stay offsite!