What's Best ... On Property OR Off Property?

[poegirl30]

We went last Dec. 19-22 and stayed at POR for the first time. It was crowded, but it was probably our most favorite trip to Disney. Granted, we left before Christmas Day, but there's just something special about Disney at Christmas time!

 

[2disneyboys]

I hate this answer, but .... "it depends"

I prefer on site for several of the reasons PP's listed, however, the main reason is the immersion in all things disney.

however, if I was going to have to worry about being stressed due to the finances, or not go at all, the offsite is fine also. There are some awesome perks to staying offset (large rooms, cheaper prices, more restaurants etc)

to me the biggest perk about staying onsite at the time you are planning on going is that if the parks close, they close to day guests first... Keep in mind though, you are not GUARANTEED entry no matter where you stay (on or off site) if the park reaches capacity, then you don't get in.. even if you were in it in the morning, left and want to go back...they close in stages...with day guests (off site) being one of the first groups eliminated and the last group added back when they reopen (they also reopen in stages)

 

[Shleedogg]

I've stayed both on and off site. Now that I have a little one (and another on the way), I would never stay off site again, especially while they're little. We took DD at 16 months in March and I can tell you, it's a necessity for us to take an afternoon break. DD naps terribly if she has a nap in the stroller, it's hot, lots of noise, she just doesn't get a quality nap. If we go back to the room, it's cool and quiet and she wakes up in a much better mood. We can also get some swim time in too. It would be great for your LO to nap and your older one to go for a swim. When you're on site it's so much easier. I can't imagine all the time you'd waste going to and from your off-site hotel/condo.

Besides that point, there's also the extra magic hours that you'd miss out on if you were off site. I find the morning EMH to be so valuable. We can get all of Fantasyland (little kid rides) done in that hour.

Also, if you're on-site, you don't have to rent a car, Disney's Magical Express will take you to and from the airport for free. So you can factor in your rental car budget into your room budget.

The other thing to look at is the DVC Rent/Trade forum. DVC is Disney's timeshare program. Many members will rent out their points and that would enable you to stay in a deluxe resort for the price of a value (generally speaking). The other plus to this is that you can get larger accommodations - 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom. Something to look into. It requires a little more footwork on your part, but imo, it's worth it. We rented for our first stay before we bought into DVC and it was a great and smooth transaction.

 

[Shleedogg]

Op, sorry I hated using Disney bus transportation with a stroller especially during a crowded period.

Sorry posters but imo unless you are on a monorail line (which op won't be) when you have a child or children in strollers the buses are hell. I was much happier even when I stayed on site, simply getting in my car, no pushing, no trying to finagel (sp) the stroller because the buses were packed to the gills.

sorry, when you got crowds and strollers, disney transportation is any thing but easy. don't even get me started with the "park closing" mad rush to get to values bus experience.

I do have to second that. I think looking at POR would be a great option for you. The one time we stayed at a value (ASSp), at the end of the night, we usually had to wait for at least 2 buses before they had room for us and they always packed us on like sardines. It's hard with a baby and a diaper bag, not to mention a stroller.

I would also look into a different time of year, it's going to be a madhouse and you won't really be able to fully enjoy it. You'll end up missing out on a lot of stuff. Although you will get to enjoy all the beautiful Christmas decorations. Another thought, you'll probably be missing some evenings at MK due to MVMCP.

 

[mhsjax]

I am an on site person. I have stayed off site, but it just isn't the same for me. On property the magic never leaves. I also hate driving off property, so many people just can't drive and they don't know where they are gong because they don't live there.

ai know that some people like to get a condo so they can eat some meals there and do laundry. My personal thought is this. I am on vacation, idon't want to do laundry,(unless I absolutely have to) I don't want to eat in the room, no way I am even remotely cooking anything and we eat cereal all the time for breakfast, on vacation, I want more. I also like the mouse keeping, some don't. I love the fact that when I return from a day at the park, my room is cleaned and the bed made, and we are neat people.

Someone did say that they would stay off property if they had to stay in a value, I agree. We got the family suites at All Star Music. I hated it. I felt like I was at a motel 6. I know some people love it, but not me.

I also like not paying for parking and getting hte extra magic hours. However, if you do stay on property, b e prepared to never settle for anything less. I grew up in Florida, have probably 30 trips to Disney before we stayed on property, now you can't get me off.

 

[mhsjax]

Look at Buena Vista Suites only 2 miles from Wd .. Not bad but not like disney.. Look at All Star very reasonable..

OMG do not stay at the Buena Vista Suites. It smelled like smoke it wasn't very clean.

 

[pamrob]

We have done both off site and on site trips to WDW. They both have their pros and cons. We have enjoyed each and every trip. I find that many times during busy seasons we spend as much time waiting for a bus then we would getting to our own car and driving. In fact, one year we stayed onsite but still drove several days of the week.

If you want your own space and privacy offsite condos are great. With little ones I enjoy the flexibility of having laundry should I need it. Sure I'm on vacation but throwing a couple of loads of clothes in during some down time isn't that big a deal plus you won't go home with all dirty clothes.

 

[MichelleVW]

You will get opinions on both sides of the fence on this one. I am an onsite person. Love it, have no desire to stay offsite. I know it can be cheaper. I don't like driving in a strange city, I don't like traffic. Both are things you will have to deal with. We also really like the dining plans which you cannot get if you stay offsite. Park hopping may be harder if you have to go get your vehicle and then drive to the other park versus hopping a boat or monorail over. Just some thoughts

.

On site!!! No driving or parking, love the extra magic hours and we also like to go to the room several times during the day.

Even when I stay on site, I drive my own car 99% of the time. I hate Disney transportation, it is way easier/faster to take your own car.

Personally I would rather stay off site. I used to be on site all the way, but I've found that renting a townhouse or house(depending on the number of people) is way cheaper and way easier and way less stressful than staying on site. Everyone has their own room and you're not cramped sitting in a hotel room.

Even with free dining, I don't think I can justify staying on site anymore. I'm getting a 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom townhouse for $553 total for a week in Jan. That much room would cost me a small fortune on site.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I would also chime in by saying that if you are truly choosing to go over Christmas, and I mean Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, that if the parks get to capacity, off-site people will be the first ones to be refused admission. If you stay onsite you are at least guaranteed admission into a park for the day.

I would seriously consider going at a more quiet, less croweded and less expensive time for your first trip.

I was going to say the same thing. There is NO WAY I would ever go to Disney on or just after Christmas day. It's packed and like what was said here, if you stay off site you may not even get in.

There are places to stay on Disney property that are not owned by Disney such as Bonnet Creek Resort. I have been tempted to stay here myself, but I always end up booking onsite, at Port Orleans Riverside.

When you have time, be sure to check themouseforless.com for current discount offers. You may be able to save a good amount off of your room, or maybe even get free dining if you check your dates.

Also, I would go buy the UnOfficial Guide to Walt Disney World. There are so many good tips in there. You have come to the right place though, to ask questions. The people here are very helpful.

 

[abmitch01]

I love staying at Windsor Hills offsite. We rent a 5 BR house with my extended family. We like how close it is, like having a kitchen, the low price and the private pool. The houses are gorgeous

 

[robinb]

I was going to say the same thing. There is NO WAY I would ever go to Disney on or just after Christmas day. It's packed and like what was said here, if you stay off site you may not even get in.

The rule of thumb for off-site guests is once the parking lot is closed in the morning so is the park. WDW resort guests can usually still get in via their resort buses and the monorail, but I have see CMs checking resort IDs at the bottom of the monorail ramp to Epcot in the early afternoon to limit access to the MK.

Honestly, I would not even consider entering the MK any later than rope drop that week no matter where I was staying. The parking lot and the park itself are both open at park opening (although that week is usually EMH mornings all week at the MK) so the warnings of park closures are really not applicable. Even if the MK does close, it usually reopens after the afternoon parade when guests leave for the day. The MK parking lot remains closed so if you were to return to the MK for the evening you will need to park at another theme park and take the bus/monorail to the MK.

One more tip ... I do think that park hoppers are essential for that week and will allow you to hop to other parks to enjoy the evening parades and fireworks.

 

[vllygrrl]

Another option that I haven't seen mentioned is the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. They're close to the MK and the monorail, but still should have space. After much research and debate, we cancelled 2 rooms at AKL (my parents were complaining about cost), and booked a cabin instead. They have a full kitchen (but mousekeeping does the dishes). Our sleeping arrangements will be as follows: my mother and father, along with my adult sister and my DS who will be 7 will share the bedroom. Mom/Dad/DS go to sleep early, so it makes sense for them to be in the room. DH and I will take the murphy bed in the living room (although I'll probably end up squishing on the couch....he's a bed hog).

I grew up staying offsite, but will not do it again...I would take a room at POP over a "nicer" room offsite any day. When I'm at Disney, I like to be in their bubble. If I don't want to drive I don't have to, but if I want to take my car that works too. DH likes to take a break in the middle of the day...so he goes to the room and I go to Downtown Disney or a park...much simpler when I'm onsite.

 

[robinb]

Another option that I haven't seen mentioned is the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. They're close to the MK and the monorail, but still should have space.

The cabins are $450 per night over the 2011 holiday season .