What will we be missing out on - on vs off

[tinkerbellmichelle]

It's been a few years since staying on or offsite and things have changed at WDW.

I am making a comparison so we can make our decision. I was pushing onsite because of the magic bands and FP+ - but I'm doing more reading and reading perhaps we can buy a band and/or our tickets are FP+ enabled. Can I still make FP+ reservations early? How much is the band at the park?

Not making dining reservations so not worried about that early perk.

Anything else other than the feel/magic of Disney we're missing out on?

 

[Brian Noble]

Your tickets will be FP+ enabled. You can make FP+ reservations 30 days prior. Onsite guests can do 60 days prior. About the only thing that really makes a difference for is Anna & Elsa (and that might change).

The bands are cute, but not at all necessary. We have a set that we will probably bring with us if we are not onsite next time, but I would not spend the money to buy them.

 

[wdwjeffc37]

Magical Express transport from the airport with luggage delivery (if you're flying). Extra Magic Hours, morning and evening. Being in the "Disney bubble." Disney transportation,you don't have to drive at all if you don't want to. If you do, free parking at all of the parks. Earlier access to FP+ and ADRs though you said the ADR thing is not a big deal to you. You will find many different opinions from many different people. Off-site is certainly less expensive. I personally will probably never stay off-site again. I like the convenience and ease of an on-site stay. You can have a great trip either way. Have fun!

 

[JimMIA]

Disney transportation,you don't have to drive at all if you don't want to.

Any WDW guest can use Disney transportation in situations where it works for them -- for example to go from a theme park to a resort for a special lunch, or to DTD. Obviously, the transportation is most valuable to onsite lodging guests, but a lot of others use it as well.

If you do (drive), free parking at all of the parks.

Parking is also free to AP holders.

There are a couple of other perks. You can charge purchases at Disney stores, restaurants, etc, to your room and you can have purchases delivered to your resort so you don't have to lug them around all day...or leave them somewhere inside Space Mountain.

Onsite/offsite is obviously a personal preference thing. Some folks truly would not be happy offsite; others don't care. Others weigh the additional costs involved against the "benefits" of being inside the "bubble.".

There's no one right answer -- different strokes for different folks. And, as far as I know, very few people have ever had absolutely awful trips to WDW no matter where they stay.

 

[kathy884]

Sorry to be facetious here, but the first thing that come to mind to me:
-- mediocre overpriced food
-- overpriced hotel rooms, condos, or campsites
-- Disney marketing (I get irritated by the number of ways that I see Disney trying to get me to spend more money. Maybe I'm just a grouch. But I feel this way when I stay onsite. I love Disney, but not 24/7. I need to escape. This doesn't make any sense, but staying on Disney property gets me into a bad rather than good mood. I'm definitely an offsite girl.)

Actually though:
-- Magical Express
-- Disney transportation to parks and free parking if you are driving your own car
-- Extra magic hours morning and evening
-- FP+ reservations before the general public
-- Option to purchase Disney Dining plan or freebie Disney dining plan offers that come with an onsite stay
-- And Disney does actually have pretty darn good customer service. I have to admit that their cast members are wonderful. CMs are in general friendlier than offsite. There is some great offsite customer service in Orlando too, however.
-- And the Disney Magic so many talk about

 

[tinkerbellmichelle]

Thanks everyone....

I've done a cost analysis and unless there is a screamin' deal, the Dining Plan is not of value for us. Plus, my 10 yo daughter would more than not, want to order off the kids' menu but that wouldn't work with our 'plan'. Unless of course my 8 yo son wanted to order off the adult menu. we've done dining plan before and I love it - - but dollars to dollars, it won't save us money this trip.

My husband would like to stay onsite for the convenience. Our budget will allow for a value. We've only ever stayed deluxe or mod. I'm scared ha ha...

The thought of getting to spread out in a vacation rental sounds awesome. But we love the convenience of staying on site... guess we'll see what happens. We have many months!!!!

 

[sb682]

We drive, so we don't miss Magical Express, although if you are not an AP holder, the parking fee can really add up. We are not interested in EMH and when we want to eat at the resorts or just look around, we just drive over and visit.

I stayed onsite several times as a kid, and yes, it was awesome! But now, as an adult, I like leaving the bubble and going back to a more affordable resort with a larger room and more options for food. DH is nowhere near as big a Disney fan as I am and he would probably be grumbling by day 3 of our trip if we stayed onsite. I think if you have reasonable expectations (e.g. the staff you meet are not Disney CMs and may not be "on" all the time; you will see the suburban sprawl on 192/I-4/in Lake Buena Vista), you'll still have a great time. You're going to Disney World, after all!