What magic we missed staying off-site.

[djkeenan]

We’ve stayed on-site and off, most recently (last week) in a pool home. I’ve seen the discussions on what magic is missed by staying off site and my DW and I spoke of it often and came up with the following list when comparing several on-site stays to the pool home.
We missed:
Waiting in the check-in line, only to find you room isn’t ready yet.
Hiking to and from the parking lot.
Long hallways from the elevator to your room.
Kids running the long hallways from the elevator to your room.
The noisy folks next door and above us.
Worrying that we might be too noisy for the folks next door or below us.
Living out of your suitcase and/or too small a closet and dresser.
Only one bathroom.
Sitting on beds when there are too few chairs.
Having to get dressed for breakfast.
Food Courts.
$2 cold soda machines.
Crowded pool.
Wet bathing suits hanging in the shower.
Walking to the bus stop (to and from the parks).
Waiting at the bus stop (to and from the parks).
Riding a smelly bus (to and from the parks).
Standing on the bus (to and from the parks) since I’ll always give up my seat for a lady.
Listening to crying kids and rude, stupid adults on the bus (to and from the parks).
Styrofoam coffee cups.
Limited TV channels.
Paying for internet access.
Paying more for one small room that we did for a large, beautiful pool home.
Little soaps shaped like Mickey (next year we’ll bring with us the ones we got years ago).

Can you think of any other magic we might have missed?

 

[isla bonita]

Sounds like you had a great time, and really dislike the busses. Got to second that. Glad you enjoyed!

 

[djkeenan]

We stayed in a neighborhood very close to yours and I'm absolutely convinced that we could get to the parks and return in less time than if we were onsite using Disney transportation.

We had our BEST VACATION EVER!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Everyone has different preferences when it comes to on-site v. off-site.

We much prefer the extra room and flexibility a villa provides.
Having a private pool plus the freedom to relax when away from the parks is a big plus for us.

The only downside we find is having to drive everywhere, but otherwise it suits our needs best.

 

[isla bonita]

We have discovered some great things to both see and do having the rental car. We know the whole area and we discover new things every time we go down.
I stayed in Disney and for me I would never do it again without a rental car. I hate the busses. The extra we pay for the rental car more then makes up for the minimal cost.

 

[kilee]

I completely agree .

 

[mbb]

Our second night in our beautiful villa last year, I commmented (while sitting around the pool watching the kids have the time of their lives! ), that I missed:
hearing that "disney music" that's everywhere at the resorts...
And the flowers and gardens of the resort...

Next day, my mom and dad bought me a beautiful bouquet...
and pressed play on the CDplayer with our Disney radio remixes!!..

Life's good

So glad you had a great trip, djkeenan!!

 

[spiceycat]

i am more spoiled than you - I brought DVC back in 93.

So I can get everything that you mentioned onsite....

that say, I definitely understand staying offsite. I am doing it myself - Spicey can stay in the room with me offsite but onsite forget it.....

He is 19 years old so I won't have him much longer - the time I do have him I want him to enjoy it as much as I do.

On I stay in a studio (at OKW) with one other person - more than that and I go to a 1-bedroom if not a 2-bedroom....see I am spoiled....

but I still love EMH!!!!

oh you forgot one - taking DME (disney's magical express) getting at your resort at 10:15 am that morning - getting your luggage at 10:45PM that night..... oh well it is free.

 

[DHM]

This is so great to hear that you like the pool homes. I think it will be a good fit for my family - 17 year old and 21 year old daughters, DH and me. The ones I have looked at all have twin beds in one of the bedrooms. Ideally, we would like a king master and two bedrooms with either a queen or double in each and at least two bathrooms. Is that a possibility? If so, do you have any recommendations? Thanks in advance!

 

[Vivianne]

We have discovered some great things to both see and do having the rental car. We know the whole area and we discover new things every time we go down.
I stayed in Disney and for me I would never do it again without a rental car. I hate the busses. The extra we pay for the rental car more then makes up for the minimal cost.

I totally agree. I've only ridden the bus once for a quick trip back to the hotel (POFQ) from AK. We didn't want to lose our parking spot. It was a mistake. We should have driven the car.

Also, we visited the Audubon Center (got to see birds of prey up close) and really enjoyed visting Fantasy of Flight. Both places were practically empty . As much as I enjoy Disney we also like to explore and visit other attractions, museums, beaches, etc. We even stayed one night in a log cabin at Myakka River State Park and saw alligators in their natural habitat.

 

[The House of Mouse]

We are staying off site this year since once again there will be more than just the 4 of us. I was hesitant to read your post, bc I didn't want to hear what I will be missing.

This is our first time staying in a villa and you've convinced me that a "Villa Magic" exists! We'll get our fill of Disney Magic when we drive there ourselves (no busses!) and be able to relax on our own on our days off and in the evenings.

I appreciate all the points you made, especially kids running past the room!

Thanks for the gentle reminders!

 

[JANNYANS]

It good to read all the positive things about staying in a pool home as I always think the magic is of your own making and staying off site can be just as exciting .

 

[maps]

My favorite part of the pool home is when the kids are in bed and hubby and I enjoy a bottle of wine while sitting in the spa with the stars up above. Now that's magic!

 

[minnie29uk]

Obviously I love my pool home.But I dont drive,so Ill be using buses to get from AK to a couple of hotels for character meals...I have a double buggy - do you have to collapse these?.Ive not been on them for 6 years now,but never had problems before.,but then never had children or the buggy before.

Thanks,
Lynn

 

[MELSMICE]

I think the best part about going to Orlando is having choices. We've stayed on-site & off-site & I prefer on-site, although I can understand why others prefer off-site.

I just love being immersed in the Disney magic. Plus, I think the best perk is the EMH. My DD's are all teens so we don't do early mornings, but each day when they wake up they ask what park has the EMH in the evening & we venture over there after dinner when the crowds are thinning out.

I would definitely miss that if I stayed off-site.

 

[mbb]

This is so great to hear that you like the pool homes. I think it will be a good fit for my family - 17 year old and 21 year old daughters, DH and me. The ones I have looked at all have twin beds in one of the bedrooms. Ideally, we would like a king master and two bedrooms with either a queen or double in each and at least two bathrooms. Is that a possibility? If so, do you have any recommendations? Thanks in advance!

Hi DHM..and welcome to the Dis!
You can search sites like www.orlandovillas.com or www.vrbo.com . Through the orlando villas sites, you can do a "wishlist" for the home amenities you want - and I really mean anything!!

And maps (Lynn ) you have to collapse the strollers anytime you get on a bus or parking lot tram

....and back on topic we go!

 

[disneymom3]

Well, you forgot to mention how much you missed all being crammed into one little room for a week instead of all having your own bedrooms!

For me, as someone mentioned, sitting in the living room having a margarita and watching a movie with DH is the tops of my vacation and I can't do that if the kids are sleeping in the next bed cause then they won't go to sleep. I don't want to go to bed at the same time as my 4 yo!

 

[jcanary]

I am looking forward to doing this one day but for now with an 18 year old and her friends it is important for me to make sure they have transportation. Staying offsite I don't know of any car rental places that would let an 18 year drive. When it is my DH and myself I am really looking forward to trying an offsite pool house. We also am spoiled with the DVC accomodations and teenagers having own room with transportation when and where they want to go.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

thanks to your links in the above post, I am considering a big family trip with several family members and renting a pool house!!!

they look great and the prices!! split between two families for a week??? OMG!!!

Same price as we paid for ONE night at the POLY!!!!

***disclaimer***
I would stay at the POLY again in a heartbeat if and when my bank account allows me!!!!

 

[WaltD4Me]

I've considered pool homes a couple times, but honestly one of the best things to me about staying on-site is not having to drive. Obviously if you don't like the busses this isn't really a bonus. But I just hate driving, I hate getting stuck in traffic jams, I hate looking for parking spaces, I hate driving in an unknown city (I could lost in a paper bag, I have NO sense of direction)
I hate getting gas, ect, ect...so even though the pool home sounds wonderful, I guess it's on-site for me.

- Also no matter where I go on vacation, I love not having to make the beds! and I like coming back from a day at the parks to find the room
"magically" cleaned!