What are the pro/cons of staying on/offsite?

[sheila rose]

I'm having a hard time deciding on where to stay! I would like to stay @ WL but HIFS sounds like a good place also. We (me, dh,ds-9,ds3,dd15mos) will probably go sometime in 2004-late feb to early april. Money is a factor since we will be on a tight budget. I feel that I could get a better deal at HIFS and have plenty of room. I just feel that if we don't stay onsite we will miss the "magic". Can anyone reassure me that if I do decide on HIFS that it will be the right choice?! I know we won't be able to do and see all there is while we are there. We also would like to spend a couple of days at Universal. We will have at least 7 nights, and our own vehicle. What are your pros and cons about this?
Sheila

 

[BrianD]

Originally posted by sheila rose
I just feel that if we don't stay onsite we will miss the "magic".

That is the reason we prefer to stay on-site, because it does make for a more magical vacation - being immersed in Disney 24 hours a day. It's also a heck of a lot more convenient. You're much closer to the parks, you get to take advantage of Extra Magic Hour, you have access to E-ride nights at the Magic Kingdom. But most of all, the theming of the Disney resorts (especially the case with Wilderness Lodge) is incredible and so much more than you will get with any offsite hotel. This is the very reason that you can get a much better deal offsite.

So it's a trade off. I guess it depends on which is more important to you. If you truly can't afford onsite, then, from what I hear, HIFS is an excellent choice for families.

 

[pennylynn]

As the person who usually does all the driving I would have to say that for me staying onsite is the only way to go. The Disney Transportation is great. I like the idea of being able to sit down and let someone else do the driving. And I think that the Disney buses run on a much more frequent cycle than the buses from offsite resorts. If you want to go back to your room in the afternoon it's easier on site. And if you park hop during the day it's easier to catch a bus back to the resort at the end of the day than having to return to a certain parking lot to retrieve your car. And if you want to tour the resorts it's much easier on Disney Transportation. Just my opinion.

 

[beattyfamily]

Pros: The "Magic", Convenience, and Early Entry Days, great transportation.

Cons: more expensive and smaller rooms than some offsite places.

We love onsite and even though things were tight for our first trip, we somehow came up with the extra money for Dixie Landing...but it's a very personal decision and everyone has different priorities.

 

[tar heel]

I think the only real advantages to staying off-site are financial -- room costs less, breakfast may be included, easier to get to less expensive places for dinner, etc. The benefits of staying on-site far outweigh the drawbacks if you can swing it financially. Why does it have to be WL lodge, though? The Disney moderates are very nice and usually a good bit less expensive, All Stars are even less. Often, with codes and specials, you can get Disney value and moderate resorts for the same general price range as HIFS.

 

[tmli]

I've done both, I like each option for different reasons. On-site for all the reasons listed.....off site because of the space and ability to see other things.

When off site, however we always rent a condo. Last January we rented a condo only 10 mins from wdw, 3bdrm for only $65/nt. It has full kitchen facilities, in suite washer/dryer there's a community pool, etc.

We choose to stay off site and drive because it makes it possible for us to stay longer. I like my shorter on site trips as well so I get best of both worlds.

You could also look at mixing the stay and doing some nights in a condo and some on site, you'd get the best of both worlds in one trip.

 

[daannzzz]

I agree that the only good things (which can be a big factor for a lot of people) are that you can get a decent place for less money or a lot more ammenities for a similar price. We spent $1400.00 for 3 nights in a deluxe savannah view room at AKL vs my Aunt and Uncle and cousins who spen $900 for a 3 bedroom pool home for a whole week. For the same as the All Stars you could get a decent suite off property that includes breakfast. The other good thing is the proximity to less expensive food.
I almost always stay on sight though because the feeling and look and sounds and all is what I am looking for.

 

[sheila rose]

tar heel- It doesn't necessarily have to be WL I was just wanting something that had some space. I know that my 2 little ones will definately need to take a nap and just thought that if I had the extra room they could sleep while the rest of us watched tv or something. I don't want a small room where they will not have room to play if they wanted to also.

I'm going to try my best to get something onsite if at all possible but might have to settle for offsite.

 

[Trinity721]

DH, DD and I just stayed onsite at the CR for our first time ever. When we went to WDW for my husband's first time in 2001, we stayed offsite and it was quite a hassle. We didn't have a rental car so we had to take the bus the hotel provided which we just hated. It only came at certain times, and then when we got on it would have to make other stops at other hotels. So it got quite full sometimes. However we did save quite a bit of money, and if that's what you're looking to do then I would stay offsite and have a rental car.

DH and I loved staying onsite, and now he says he will never stay offsite again! We'd like to stay at the Poly next time. The convenience of the monorail resort is just so great. Especially if you have kids.

You can find great deals on offsite properties. When I went with my parents and relatives we stayed at a townhouse, can't remember what the property was called. But we had rental cars, and it was very roomy and convenient. It was 2 bedrooms, 2 bath and a nice kitchen.

Don't worry if you can't stay onsite. Just have a great vacation!

 

[WDWorBUST]

If money is the reason your looking at staying offsite and more room - the All-Stars do have nice play areas unless you are just wanting to stay in the room. Also depending when you are going you could possibly get two rooms at the all-stars for not much more than a place offsite.

 

[grinningghost]

On-site is the way to go if you don't want to lose the Disney magic. The theming, even at the All-Stars is so Disney. You can't beat it, and we love the transportation. Lots of people have complaints about it, but we haven't had any trouble.

Off-site was nice for a couple reasons - cheaper restaurant options (those buffets at Ponderosa are a steal) and the chance to "decompress" a little from the Disney thing. It does make it all the more exciting when you drive onto the Disney property. Like wow - now we're HERE!

 

[*Fantasia*]

Staying off-sight doesn't mean that you will not feel the "magic". You will get all the disney "magic" when you're at the parks.

The only reason why me and my kids stay on-sight is that we don't rent a car and I rely solely on disney transportation.

Check check out the other board and you will find a lot of positive words on HIFS. A lot of people are happy staying there. A lot of positive experiences.

Remember...whether on-sight or off-sight...as long as you're in disney...you will have a magical time.

 

[mkcp91]

We decided to stay at HIFS this year when we take DS3 for his first trip. He goes to bed at 8pm - in a regular hotel room, that means me and DH would basically have to go to bed at 8pm, too. We are going in December and will spend about $110 a night for a suite that has three rooms. And that price includes breakfast!

The kid's room is a must for us - DS is not a good sleeper and needs to be in a quiet, dark room to fall asleep at naptime and bedtime.

My neighbor stayed at HIFS this January (she paid $99 per night)and said the theming of the kid's room was a huge hit with her kids, the breakfast was pretty good and it's very close to the parks. She said the rooms are small, but there is a king size bed in the master bedroom. They rented a car to get back and forth from the parks, but bus service is free from HIFS.

Disney magic is everywhere - you just need to let it find you. We'll experience a LOT more magic with a well-rested 3 year old than we would crammed into a single room on-site.

Remember...whether on-sight or off-sight...as long as you're in disney...you will have a magical time.

*Fantasia* is sooo right about that!

Of course, we'll be at AKL with the extended family in Sept 2004!

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Personally, while I like the pampering of a Resort, we are now staying almost exclusively off site. Our reason: We're imersed in the "Magic" all day, so I don't really feel the need to sleep surrounded by it. Some make it sound like there's little price advantage to off-site. But it's a big difference. I don't care for the Allstars (too noisy, too crowded, too small, and the parking lot is half a mile from your room most of the time), therefore I'm looking at over a hundred bucks for a room.

Taking that into account, we get up at the crack of dawn. We have coffee and a light breakfast in the room. We then go to the parks, leaving the hotel by 8:15. We're usually in the parks until after dark, finishing most days at Epcot at 9:30, or 8:30 if we don't watch Illuminations. We then proceed to PI or Margarittaville for the evening. By the time we head back at midnight to 1 AM, I really don't care if there's a waterslide in the pool. Whether it be for evening sleep, or a brief afternoon nap during the summer, to me the hotel is a bed and shower.

Therefore, we started going the Priceline route about three years ago. I can, for $35 most times, get an above average, clean motel with an acceptable pool, a quick ten minute jaunt to the parks.

When I go on business and get put up in the Swan or the BCV, there's not doubt I enjoy it. But when I'm footing the bill, I enjoy having another $100+ a day to spend on food and hooch!

Pat

 

[allshookup]

DH and I have done day trips from my DM's house (appx. 1 hour from WDW), stayed off-site and stayed on-site. DH and I both agree that staying on-site is the only way to go. The transportation is convenient, the service has always been better for us and most WDW resorts have a pool open 24 hrs...a big plus for us in August.

You might want to check out the DVC rent/trade board here on the DIS. You can save a lot of money by renting points from a DVC member and whether you rent a studio, 1 bedroom or 2 you will have a kitchen or kitchenette which allows you to save money by preparing some of your own meals. Any question you might have can be answered there.

However, like Fantasia said, if you check out the Orlando Hotels/Attractions board you will find many that think staying on-site just isn't worth the extra money, but either way....you ARE going to Disney so hope you have a ball!

 

[suevee]

You might also want to rethink your dates. I believe that President's Weekend starts Peak season, so you might want to check that out. It may be cheaper to go early in February instead of late Feb-early April. During value season the hotels are cheaper and you may be able to get 2 adjoining rooms at the All-stars for a reasonable price.

 

[momof2inPA]

I prefer offsite for a number of reasons:

1. Bigger, much bigger rooms
2. Cheaper
3. Pools are just as nice, my kids liked the HIFS pool the best of anywhere so far
4. Staff is just as courteous (if not more so) offsite
5. I prefer to drive than wait in lo-o-o-ong lines for packed (with people standing) buses
6. Can get washer and dryer in room so we pack less
7. Can have own kitchen

We have stayed at POR and Boardwalk, but Vistana Villages was our favorite offsite so far.

I have found the Disney resorts to be cleaner than most offsites.

 

[Planogirl]

We've stayed both onsite and offsite with a young child and offsite worked real well if we had a car and used it. I'm not sure where HIFS is but we found it easy to stay in Kissimmee while I wouldn't deal with the traffic on International Drive for anything. The extra space was wonderful particularly when DS napped and we wanted to talk or watch TV. I don't mind driving and I even took off for some shopping while DH stayed with DS.

As for the magic, to me it's really what you feel yourself. Staying onsite is great but I personally prefer the deluxes. Of course WL is a deluxe but with a smaller room so make sure it's as big as you'd like it to be. WL is a truly spectacular resort and nice and close to Fort Wilderness which is a very fun place to visit.

It's a hard decision I know. I would let your budget and needs decide. HIFS does come highly recommended I've noticed.

 

[Steve P]

if you are going to be in Orlando for, say, 5 days and spending all 5 at theme parks and not renting a car, you're only looking for a hotel room. I'd definitely stay onsite. If however you're in town for a more extended period, including non-theme park days or partial days at parks, I'd go offsite in a self-contained condo/vacation rental. The eat-in capability, $$$ savings and in-unit amenities will be welcomed more than the 'magic' will be missed.

 

[zcomic]

We did 2 visits onsite (CBR & DL) then my wife won a trip with accomodations at Caribe Royale. If you stay offsite you will still have a fantastic time at WDW. Staying onsite has three advantages. One is you're close when it comes to driving or using Disney transportation. Second is Early Entry - You can get on some of the main attractions very easily. The last is there is something very special about Disney service. It's top quality but the things we love the best are the 'little' things - Mickey making your wake-up call, the maids putting your Disney stuffed animals in the window to great you, etc....

If you can afford it, stay onsite because there is something special, but if you can't, don't worry about it. You're still going to the happiest place on earth