What would you do: value hotel or off site suite?

[carol9999]

Hi... i have a chance to stay at the pop century (2 rooms because i have 3 kids and only 4 fit in room) for about $1000 for 9 nights OR i can stay at the Residence Inn(Marriott) in a suite for about $650 for 9 nights. The RI includes a hot really nice complementary breakfast every morning and has full kitchen (it is a well recommended hotel). I am not interested in the early magic hour and i'm not sure what other benefits there are to staying on disney property..... is there so much of a benefit to staying in disney that would make sense to give up the breakfast and the fridge and all as well as costing more $ for the room? I would imagine that eating breakfasts for a family would add up to lots of $. At first i thought that i wouldn't need to rent a car if i stayed in disney, but then i realize i need to get from orlando airport to the resorts, so i would need to rent the car anyway....Please let me know what you think i should do..what are the biggest reasons for staying on site...maybe i'm not looking at this the right angles...thanks (we are going in october)

 

[disneyfreakk]

with 3 kids, i would stay off site. IMO, you go on vacation to be with your whole family, not in the room next door. if you are going for 9 nights, then you wont need to rush everywhere... take your time and enjoy it!!

goodluck with whatever you decide


kellie

 

[skiwee1]

I'd stay at the value. I can stay at a suite anywhere but only the Allstars is at WDW. I have always though the hot breakfasts offered were less then wonderful and would take the kids some better place to eat anyway. If I can't stay onsite then I would just wait until I could!

 

[bubba's mom]

my $.02...... you are talking $350 here...that's a chunk of change! both places have pros and cons.....if you are REALLY torn, why not try both?? are you only renting a car to get to the resort? if you decide to stay onsite, you can get a roundtrip transfer (shuttle or towncar or limo) which is cheaper than renting a car and letting it sit there. what my dh and i thought was by the time you rent the car, pay parking, deal with the traffic of driving there and the lines to get into the parking lot, tolls and gas, it's the same amount of money in the long run to stay onsite (and more convenient). it's really a matter of money and whether it's worth the money for the kitchen!? IMHO......ps--we're staying ASMo.....even tho you'd need two rooms, that's just for sleeping!! you'll be together during the day and have an extra bathroom to use!!

 

[jl3614]

PC would provide you with that intangable "disney magic" (each person would put a different value to this "amenity". Onsite allows you to easily return to your room to rest mid-day (what are the age of your children - do they still nap)? This can have significant value to families with younger children. From PC you will take a bus to each resort - no hassle with driving while exhuasted, no long walk back to the car in the parking lot, no parking fees ($6-$7 ???? I"m not sure on the cost). EMH - you all-ready mentioned that this is something you would not use. Their are other pluses for staying on-site, but those are the major ones I can think of right now.

Off-site. $350 less - that could buy several nice meals or character breakfasts. Larger, more comfortable room. Most likely a larger pool - maybe "nicer" - i.e. have a slide, but probably will not have the extensive theming. Free hot breakfast - could save you $40 - $50 day.

If you have been to disney before, or plan on returning in the next few years, I'd suggest staying off-site. Use the money for meals. On the other hand if this is a once in the life time trip, or you have small kids that need mid-day naps - I'd say bite the bullet pay the extra to stay on-site. For me, the convenience and magic have significant value.

Which ever you choose, I hope you have a great trip.

 

[Jasminesmommy]

I would stay onsite. I like the atmosphere. Beneifits is extra hour, Buses every 10 minutes. As for the getting to and from airport its cheaper to rent a van or limo. Check the transportation board.If you rent a car staying onsite gives you free parking at the parks.

 

[ranokid]

in three trips i had never been on site. this past july I stayed in ASMo for the first time and Ill never be off site again. its wonderful. transportation, magic 24 hours, etc...

 

[Tigger&Belle]

How old are your kids? If they are fairly young I would check out Port Oreans Riverside. Some of those rooms have a trundle bed which can sleep a young (under 9yo they say) child. That would bring the cost down somewhat.

I've only stayed offsite once. It wasn't terrible, by any means. We avoided the early entry park each day, which worked fine. In December my 81yo mother is making her first trip to WDW and is getting a timeshare for a week. I think I will adjust just fine to staying offsite--I will be at WDW, afterall. I do enjoy be surrounded in the magic, but can't beat the free price of the timeshare.

The other couple of times I go this year I plan to stay onsite.

T&B

 

[cyansmom]

Aloha!

I'm in the same situation...decided to split our stay. We're doing 10 days off site at Staybridge Suites in a 2 bdr for less than $100 per night and 4 days at the AKL concierge level. DH finally agreed to it!!! He said if we can save some money staying off site for most of our vacation, we could end our 2 week stay at the AKL!!! I considered staying at the Residence Inn but found a better rate at the Staybridge Suites. I've stayed at Staybridge Suites in San Fran and loved it! I heard from others that the LBV location is great too.

I think that you'll have a great vacation with either choice.

cyansmom

 

[mickeymousefan]

I have done off site and on site before kids and only onsite with kids. I much prefer to be on site. To me, at the offsite, I could have been in Anywhere, USA. Onsite, you know you are in Disney!! It is sooo magical , especially with kids. ASMo has great kid theming, and I have to admit, I was in awe by it too.

If it was between staying offsite or not being able to afford the trip, I would stay offsite. It all depends on your priorities. My family of four was fine in ASMo room, although it is a little small. We only used the room to sleep anyway. Plus I grew up "no frills" so I dont need to be pampered on vacation (like deluxe resort services).
Pick the hotel that best suits your needs and you will have a great time.

 

[swilphil]

In October offsite might not be too bad. We have stayed on site at the Swan/Dolphin, but that is during the summer. We used a town car service for about $90/round trip that included a free grocery stop. I stayed offsite at Christmas, and that was a big mistake because of the traffic and crowds. I would not stay offsite during peak times, and I would probably go for a Downtown Disney hotel. It sounds like offsite might work for since you don't use EE. You might want to check out the Orlando hotel board to see what people have to say. This board is pretty biased to staying onsite. I also agree with Tigger & Belle. It does depend on the ages of your kids. Mine still nap, especially when we go in the hot summer, but when they can go all day without a break we will probably do offsite instead of doing a value onsite.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Another vote for staying onsite, it is definitely worth it - we also don't want to drive while on vacation.

 

[karemore]

You will have a fantastic time staying offsite.

The extra space, the breakfast, and the full kitchen are all very good reasons to stay at the Marriott.

With a family of 5, breakfast alone will be expensive.

Staying in the suite, you can also stock the fridge with drinks, fruit, cold cuts etc to save you a small fortune on food.

We packed a sandwich, fruit and drinks each day we went to the parks, and still had plenty of opportunities to enjoy WDW snacks and meals without breaking the bank.

The traffic shouldn't be bad in October. That would be the only reason I would say to stay onsite in a situation like yours.

Disney resorts can be wonderful, but you can also encounter noise, rowdy neighbors, poor service, and all the other things people complain about wherever they vacation.

Millions of people have wonderful WDW vacations....staying offsite.

I honeymooned at the GF in April, so I do know how wonderful it can be to stay onsite.
Karen

 

[Terry S]

I would stay on-site. With 2 connecting rooms it is just like having a 2 bedroom and you will also have 2 bathrooms. The convienance of being on-site so out weighs the extra cost. i.e. after a long day at Magic Kingdom, you don't have to wait for the monorail or boat over to the Ticket and Transportation Center and then walk to your car and wait in a line to get out of the park and drive back to your hotel. You just wait in a bus line that is convienantly located right outside the exit from the MK and it takes you back to your resort. As far as extra cost goes, some of that price can be eliminated by not renting a car. If you stay off site, you will have to rent a car. If you stay on-site you get a Van to pick you up and take you to your hotel. It will cost you about $120.00 round Trip. The really nice thing is they are standing at the bottom of the escalator when you arrive at luggage pick up with a sign with your families name on it and they take your family only, right to your hotel. There is a site sponsor here on the DIS, I think it is FL Tours that you can have pick you up or we use Tiffany Town Car.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

If you were to stay at the RI for 5 nights, and then POP for the last 4 nights, it would run you about $805.

You would still be saving money (around $200....makes for two really nice character breakfasts while you are at POP) and you get to enjoy both.

It would be hard to say no to saving some money.

We have split our stay twice in the past and it was shorter than 9 nights and we LOVED doing it. For some, their whole vacation is for 5 nights!

This way you get to experience both worlds.

 

[Kimberle]

on-site.

If your kids are older, they'd be able to come & go safely & easily. If your kids are younger, and 1 gets "whiny", Mom or Dad can easily hop a bus back to Pop for some "chill out" time while the other parent can stay in the park with the other kids. Off-site, you'd all have to hop in a car and leave together.

 

[yecats]

This is a harder one to answer as I think it depends on your children's ages.

Pro's to staying onsite:
Disney transportation - takes you directly to the front gate of the theme park and makes it easy to move all around Disney property.
Hotel theming - cute for children who truly love the AS and PC and pool areas cute as well
Early magic hour - enter parks an hour earlier than those staying offsite (even though you may not use, still a benefit).
Two rooms - two bathrooms and a bedroom just for the parents.

Con's to staying onsite:
Hotel theming - adults may get a bit tired of looking at theming for value resorts. Also these hotels fill up quicker (even in offseason) with families so lots of kids running around all the time.
Disney transportation - as the values get a lot of families, buses can be very full often.
No cooking facility - means you spend more money on food even though you won't have to pay for rental vehicle.

Pro's to staying at Residence Inn:
Free Breakfast. Cuts cost of meal down for many people for entire length of stay.
Kitchen - can make an occasional lunch/snack or dinner (hot dogs/pizza) cutting additional cost.
Car rental - can come and go exactly as you please (bit more walking when going to theme park) and can save money buying souvenirs off property.
Multiple rooms - so kids can have there own room and parents can have their privacy.
Fewer children - general offsite hotels are smaller and don't attact as many families so you won't be swimming in a pool that has 50 other kids in it.

Con's staying at Residence Inn:
Must rent car - in order to get to and from park, you'll have the added expense of the car rental.
Parking fees - you'll have the additional $$ to come up with parking fees unless one in the party is an AP holder which then gets rid of the parking fees.
Drive time - takes a few more minutes to get to Disney property, park, take shuttle to entrance of park, take ferry/monorail, etc.
Suite - may only have one bathroom eventhough it may have two bedrooms.

There is both good and bad and only you can decide which is best. BTW, I have stayed at Residence Inn but not the one in Orlando (spent 3 weeks at one in Houston, Texas). I liked staying there as I did have a suite and it worked out well for me for work for 3 weeks. I also had the continental breakfast everyday which was a nice benefit and I also cooked a few meals in the room. I was also lucky enough to be able to bring my dogs which made me feel a bit like I was home. Either way, you'll have a great vacation.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I forgot to ask.....................How are you getting POP for $55 a night, and does that include tax or not??

 

[Lovetherodent]

We were in a similar position--stay off site at the conference hotel for about $90/night or stay at the AKL, with code, for $124/night. We went AKL. For me, the service, cleanliness, and theming were worth the extra $300. We had to rent a car no matter what as if dh wasn't driving from Disney to the conference, I'd have been driving from the conference hotel to the parks. Had the change increased the price of our trip by more than $500, I probably wouldn't have done it. Guess, like so many have said before, it's up to you to decide where your cut-off is.

 

[outahere]

If you're considering the new RI on International Drive, it looks very nice.

However.......... my DW and DS stayed at a RI across the golf course from the Marriott World Center (Lake Buena Vista maybe?)and it was horrible!!! Extremely noisey, paper thin walls, not terribly clean, etc. Found out later that it was a converted older motel. Complaining to the manager did absolutely no good and they ended up moving to one of the Cypress Harbour timeshare condos.