what are the benefits to staying onsite?

[deebs]

Just wanted to know what the perks were to staying on site?
Will we be missing out on anything by staying at a nearby Mariott?

TIA

 

[iloverags2]

One of the biggest reasons we like staying onsite is it cuts down on travel time. Remember, Disney is a huge area. When offsite hotels list how far they are from Dis, it is usually just to the point of where Disney's actual land begins. You still may have quite a drive to get to the parks.

We also like the perk of free parking, especially if we are going to be there for an extended period of time.

Keep in mind, if you want to take a break from the parks during the day, it's a short drive to a Disney resort room to get some rest. If you're offsite, there is the driving distance issue again.

The downside to all of this...cost! Lower rates are by far easier to find offsite. We have found great deals at Disney resorts, but you have to be persistent in searching for those elusive codes. Try mousesavers.com where most codes are usually listed.

Oh yes, another thing we love about Dis resorts...most of them have a food court type area. If we get hungry, but don't want a regular sit-down meal, the food courts are always an excellent choice.

We've stayed both offsite and at Dis hotels, just depends on our mood and what we're willing to pay.

 

[Steffi]

Ever since staying onsite for the first time a few years ago, I will never again stay offsite! I know that there are many wonderful off-site hotels in and around the Disney area & have stayed at several of them & had a very nice vacation each time. But after just one weekend trip staying onsite, my family was hooked! It was like a weekend completely away from the real world. The theming, the attention to detail everywhere...we fell in love. Now that Disney is offering so many great discounts on resorts, the price difference between on & off site doesn't seem to be too huge.

You asked about the perks of staying onsite...in addition to the theming & magic...there's the Disney transportation & the ability to easily return to your hotel room mid-day to relax & cool off. The offsite hotels that claim to be "Just 3 miles from Walt Disney World!" don't offer that convenience. They might very well be only three miles from the little sign that says Welcome to the Walt Disney World Resort, but your travel time to and from the parks will be much longer.

But the main reason I stay onsite is that I just love the Disney resorts! If you can't decide whether or not staying onsite is for you...check out a few of the resorts during your upcoming trip. Just be careful...you might fall in love & get hooked

 

[Rneighh]

Would have to agree --- on-site is best. Have done both on and off and won't do off again. The drive is a pain. I like not having to drive on a vacation. We don't even rent a car. The Disney hotels are wonderful. They are a treat in themselves. If you look at the savings over not having to rent a car it is not that great.

Renee

 

[CamColt]

For me its transportation/travel time and the Disney Magic. EE was a MAJOR perk for us, but thats gone.

 

[dreamflight99]

Offsite properties are fine, if you are vacationing anywhere else but WDW (IMOHO). When at WDW & Orlando, the ONSITE resorts and properties will undoubtedly make the experience much nicer and more memorable. Disney World is not the only example of this, as Universal Studios & Loews have Three on-property resorts, and Sea World is preparing to open theirs soon! I feel much more "safe/secure" inside the Disney Property, and feel vulnerable when ever we rent a car and drive around off property on International Drive, etc. Perhaps this is the number one reason for us, as feeling secure makes for a more relaxed and enjoyable time. On Disney Property, we can stroll the Boardwalk late at night, swim in the pools and walk the grounds of any property relatively stress/worry free. I would not feel this relaxed at any off-property resort in Orlando. All the other perks are just too numerous to list, and everyone above (great posts) have mentioned the most valuable reasons to stay on property. I believe you can obtain Disney Resort stays for a relatively comparable cost to the off-property (factoring in all other costs, transportation, etc.) especially at the Value resorts. We have stayed at the World Sheraton near Sea World in a Suite 12 years ago, for two eves. This is the first and last time we ever stayed off-property in Orlando. A woman was attacked and robbed at gunpoint by two men in the parking lot on the eve of our last night. She was retrieving something from her vehicle and was "jumped" by the criminals. Disney property is more secure, and something of this sort is less-likely to occur. While at Disney's Vero Beach, we enjoy the presence of the night guards we see walking the property. They are very visible, and do a fabulous job patrolling the area. I sleep very well on ANY Disney Property. Hope you give it a try, even for one eve. You'll notice the difference, and enjoy ALL the other A+ Perks!

 

[The_Disney_God]

Transportation. Drops you off right by the enterance and then you just jump on when your day is over.

The views too. If you stay at certain hotels (I'll use the Contemporary) you get a great few of the MK fireworks at night.

Thats all I can think of

 

[TiggerT]

Disney transportation.
If one or more kids (or adults) gets tired or sick or whiny that she wants to go swimming, you can split the group - some can go back to the hotel for a break and some can stay and ride a few more rides.
You don't have to all load into a car and keep together.

And pools that are always just the right temperature.

 

[Bete]

I still vote for on-site. Recently, a very big perk called early entry was discontinued but I'm still hoping for a comeback on this perk. Another perk, e-nights are being reduced but they are still around. The environment and convenience are probably the best reasons to stay on-site. Also, they now have a character caravan to each resort on specified dates and times.

If you are without a car it's much less hassle on-site to get to the parks, etc. It's easier to take a mid-day rest. Resort Cast Members are more knowledgeable and helpful then the off-site resorts.

You have to be savy but you can get better rates if you watch for them for Disney resorts. There are no comparisons on the Deluxe end of resorts to nearby off-site resorts. The atmosphere is superb.

It does to a degree depend on how much time you spend at the resorts, too. Some people just may want a place to sleep and rather save a few bucks and there are more bargains to be found off-site. If you decide on off-site I lean towards the Downtown Disney resorts.

We've done both and it really depends on how long you stay, how much time you spend at the resort(swimming, dining, etc.), and your budget. When we visit Orlando, we have a tendency to make a long trip and we do many parks, not just Disney. It may be a good idea to do both on-site and off; so, you can experience the difference. One move is not too bad in a trip. This can be a good compromise.

 

[jmarie]

Besides the transporation aspect (we rented a car for our stay at CBR and never used it except to run to 7-11) , the best reason is the ambience. You feel much more "Disney" on-site, and it really seems like you are being transported to a different, wonderful place far from the rest of the world. It's hard to explain, except that you feel more special.
You may get more for your $ off-site(bigger room, etc.), but it's not worth it, IMO.

 

[macpost82]

Short and sweet!

Transportation-no need to rent a car.

Afternoon return to hotel for a dip in the pool or a nap

You are always in the Disney "mood", it is wonderful!

These are just the top three for our family.

 

[DNSDisney]

It was our 4 stay onsite my husbands 1st. We had decided to stay until closing at Mk .With my husband moaning about the crowds at closing I just kept telling him don't worry about it.
As we walked out of the MK the line for the Monorail to the TTC was backed up all the way to the entrance of MK. He said "See I told you the crowds were going to be impossible getting out of here, we should of left 30mins ago" I said "But honey this isn't our monorail that is (pointing to the resort side of the Monorail).
A smile appeared on his face . There wasn't even a line over on the resort monorail. He says that is what sold him to never staying off property again!
I agree!!
Other than that , going back anytime you want to your room and it doesn't take a half hour either way. Being able to charge things to your room so you don't have to tote a lot of cash on you. This from a person who has had their pocket picked at WDW.
The view, The view, The view!!!

Sharon

 

[eeyore0062]

Theming and travel... There is NOTHING like staying in a Disney resort to fulling immerse yourself in the Disney experience. Some favorites include, Mickey wake up calls, fantastic transportation that doesn't stop at 8 pm regardless, proximity to the parks, great pools, and plenty of them, E ticket nights (if offered while you are there), theming (did I mention that?)

Now that I have stayed onsite, I wouldn't stay anywhere else... and with so many price ranges to choose from now, there really isn't a reason not to!

 

[elemusing]

Another great perk that we take advantage of is when you buy stuff while shopping at any of the Disney shops at any of the parks or DTD, they will ship it right back to your room if you request for free! This way you don't have to carry it with you or rent a locker for it.

Angie

 

[Steffi]

Another little perk would be the Disney Resort's various little extras...like the savannah storytelling at AKL, the ladybug release at (where is that???), the campfire at FW...and don't they have some kind of animal presentation for kids at WL? I'm sure there are more...I just can't think of them offhand. I agree with Eeyore...
having stayed onsite, I'm sold! I'll never stay offsite again

 

[yesdisneyfool]

Once on site never did off site again (1985).

Wouldn't seem like Disney if stayed off site.
Themeing (as mentioned)
Transportation to parks, other resorts, shopping and back to your room for the needed break.
Ability to charge all purchases to your room.
Lower resort cost (since 9/11)

And finally that special Disney feeling from arrival of your stay to departure.