What's the Disney experience like offsite?

[Chime]

For those who have stayed offsite, do you feel like it's maybe "less" of a Disney trip, or do you ever feel like there's something missing?
As far as transportation goes I know many hotels have shuttles that run to the World and back. Do you find the shuttles to run often or is it inconvenient to get back and forth? (we haven't decided yet about renting a car)

We're taking our neices and possibly a nephew this winter, and have figured we'd get two rooms or a suite in a value or mod. I've also been looking at some offsite hotels, and especially like the suites at Seralago.

I've always stayed onsite, and am worried that staying offsite will dim the trip a little. I'm concerned that what I save on the hotel will just go back into a rental car (something that will fit up to 6 people, so probably expensive) and gas.

I guess I just want to know what everyone's offsite experiences are so that I can figure if it would make sense for us.

We're not doing anything but Disney this time, so convenience to places like Universal or Seaworld isn't an issue.

 

[raven69david]

Before DD was born in 2004, we only stayed offsite. Once we stayed onsite in 2005, we could have kicked ourselves for trying to save money and stay offsite. We always thought "we're only using the room to sleep", but nothing could have prepared us for our first stay and the wonderful magic that AKL brought into our lives.

We've learned half of the experience is the hotel and we will never stay offsite again. It's just something you have to experience, as we did, to fully understand how much more magical it seems when you stay onsite and enjoy the extra magic hours and the little extra "magic" the resort experience gives you.

 

[thepwa]

We do a vacation in the summer. We come down and spend of couple of days not at Disney and do Universal, Sea World, or whatever. Then we go to Disney and stay there.

I stayed off site my first year, then stayed on site the 2nd and obviously, I have not gone back.

There have been other various times in the year when I find myself in the Orlando area for business or small vacations, like in the spring and I will go to Disney for a couple of days and be off site. For me, it is not anywhere close to being the same when I do not stay onsite.

I want to be innundated with the Magic when I am on my vacation, and I want to take advantage of all of the perks associated with staying on site.

 

[tasha99]

I did an offsite split stay in 2006 (my first trip to wdw since the early 70's). We stayed at the Sheraton Safari, which for a $35 Priceline bid was an incredible bargain. That said, never again. We moved on to Coronado Springs for the second half of our trip, and wow, what a difference! The shuttle for Sheraton Safari was only a few times a day, and it picked us up out in the middle of a huge (HOT!) parking lot. With CS, we could vacation on our schedule.

I'm planning a possible 2009 trip, and I wouldn't consider offsite. Even though I don't mind driving a little on vacation, I'm afraid of setting myself up as the family shuttle driver for the teens, who will surely never make a rope drop and will want to stay out till midnight. Plus, once you drive that rental car to the park, there are no pina coladas in your future. You can't even decide to take a cab since you can't just leave the car there over night.

 

[cart-mom]

I've done offsite before and don't feel that it was worth the "savings". Sure, there are some "nice" places offsite, but I just feel so much safer staying onsite in addition to the magic you feel. Just the ease of transportation alone makes it worth any cost. There's always a deal to be had on rental cars. The great thing to keep in mind with rental cars is you don't need to make a deposit when you make a reservation and they have plenty of "last minute" deals. Also, DH is kind of a cheap person (he is still trying to talk me into switching to a value for our next trip) but he will never stay offsite ever again. And I'm not giving in to his switch - value resort pool vs. SAB. NO WAY!!

 

[viluvsdisney]

in fact, this Feb trip is the 1st time in 5 years we'll stay on site at WL. We like to stay off site (we usually have a rented car, though). 2 reasons why we prefer to stay off site....in our experience, generally better customer service at the hotels and better food off site.....The only shuttle that makes a big difference, for us, when staying on site, is to the MK (with the property shuttle you get dropped off right at the entrance - otherwise, bringing your own car to the MK adds an additional 20 minutes or more before getting to the entrance). We're hoping with this stay at the WL that it's nice experience....I believe, sometimes, you get what you pay for, so we're "upgrading" to a deluxe resort......

 

[MickeyNicki]

We stayed offsite last month for a long weekend (first time offsite in 6 years) and it wasnt bad but I wouldnt do that for longer than a weekend. We didnt do the free breakfast they offered (blech) or use their bus shuttles (one went back and forth 3 times a day) so we took our own car to the park.

We stayed at the Staybridge Suites off of DTD and it was awesome! Huge rooms and super clean and very friendly staff.

 

[3dogmom]

I guess I am the only one to disagree here..

I have been to WDW at least 7 times, and one year when our son, DIL, GD and GS came we stayed offsite at a beautiful condo. Living room, dining room, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths (the bath in the master bedroom was huge with a sunken whirlpool tub), kitchen and washer and dryer. It had a screened in patio and we could see the fireworks over the castle. It had a great zero entry pool.

Took us appprox 10 min to get to the parks.

And the price was unbeatable!

I honestly did not lose any of the "magic". I feel you make your own magic, and we did.

 

[dburg30]

I've only been to WDW 2x, but if I'm going to WDW, I cant see staying anywhere but on property. I like having busses every 20 minutes, I like being taken from the airport to the resort for free. I like not messing with my bags.. I dunno, I just dont think I'd enjoy it as much if I had to drive myself around or use shuttles that dont run as often etc etc..

 

[mickeystoontown]

Our first 9 trips, we stayed offsite. We stayed on West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kississimmee and it took us between 5 and 10 minutes to reach World Drive. We had our own vehicle and never relied on the hotel shuttle because we heard complaints about how slow they were. We were never unhappy with our stays offsite.

UNTIL................

We stayed onsite. Oh my gosh, it was so nice to: 1) already be on Disney property; 2) have the Disney transportation system do the driving for us; 3) have the Disney atmosphere.......etc. etc.

Now, we won't even consider staying offsite. By the time you add up the rental car, paying the parking fees each day, gas getting to and from your offsite hotel to Disney property, it costs about the same as staying in either a value or moderate resort onsite.

 

[Chime]

Thank you everyone for the input.

I think I've been successfully swayed to keep my original plan and stay onsite.

Since we'll have kids with us this time I want it to be easy to get back and forth to our room. I'd also like the rental car to be an option if we decide we need one, not a 'must have'.

Plus I just love being on property.

 

[Carlyzmom]

I guess I am the only one to disagree here..

I have been to WDW at least 7 times, and one year when our son, DIL, GD and GS came we stayed offsite at a beautiful condo. Living room, dining room, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths (the bath in the master bedroom was huge with a sunken whirlpool tub), kitchen and washer and dryer. It had a screened in patio and we could see the fireworks over the castle. It had a great zero entry pool.

Took us appprox 10 min to get to the parks.

And the price was unbeatable!

I honestly did not lose any of the "magic". I feel you make your own magic, and we did.

I was wondering about all of those homes you could rent. They sounded too good to be true. SO cheap!!

 

[sympatico]

I was wondering about all of those homes you could rent. They sounded too good to be true. SO cheap!!

They are good and they are true and I wouldn't go any other way. I'm not into being cooped up in a hotel room for my vacation and I like having my own transportation and not waiting for buses. Like having a place to keep snacks and make a sandwich or breakfast without going out first thing. I like having a pool on the patio and not having to gather up stuff to take to a hotel pool. Lots of privacy and space is my kind of vacation.

 

[Chelley00]

Your magic is what you make it. If you go into thinking that you'd rather be onsite because you have to be surrounded by Disney 24/7, then you are going to be miserable. We had a fantastic magical vacation staying offsite and are going to do it again. The kids had a Mickey decorated room...you can't get those onsite anywhere. We each had our own room, private pool, 6 person hot tub etc etc. My husband and I were out hanging out in the hot tub at midnight one night with a bottle of wine while the kids slept feet away. We couldn't do that in a hotel. Cooped up in a small hotel room with 4 kids is not my idea of magic

 

[djm99]

I've done more offsite than onsite Disney Vacations and the experience is just different. Onsite you experience Disney 24/7 offsite you feel your on vacation but not necessarily a Disney Vacation.

For example, I don't care how close you are staying to offsite to Disney it will take at least 35 to 45 minutes from the hotel/condo/rental house door to the actual entrance of the park (where you show your ticket). Now yes it can take that long onsite as well, but you engulfed in the Disney experience the whole time. You walk out your hotel and your hearing Disney music, you walk thru food court and or gift shop to get to the bus stop. What do you see and hear? - Disney everywhere. You’re waiting at the bus stop. Families are excited, taking pictures, - all Disney. You get on the bus. Sometimes its quiet but sometimes that bus is live and Disney poppin’. People asking where are you from. How long will you be visiting? People are usually so friendly. You get dropped off at the entrance and your Disney day has begun. All of that verses, packing everything in the car (praying you didn't forget something). Hopefully no one wants to stop at Walgreen’s or Wal-Mart for something. You drive in Florida crazy traffic. Once you finally get on Disney Property you have to find and stay on the path of the theme park of choice for the day. If you have hoppers we used to park at the park we wanted to end the night with, not necessarily the park we will begin the day with. The only fun part of this is watching the signs and the build up of excitement is crazy. So anyway, you pay for parking $10 - I think. Follow everyone to find a parking space. Almost always the golf trolley thingies is waiting so you have to hustle to get everything out the car and on the golf thing. Don't forget where you are parked. You make it, and finally we're dropped off at the gate.

 

[grantclaire]

We always stay offsite, usually close by. In a week we do 3 to 4 days Disney and the rest we visit other attractions i.e. Gatorland, Seaworld,State and city parks. There is so much to do. Renting a car has never been a hassle.. It is a long running debate onsite vs offsite. You will have a great time whatever you choose!

 

[Honor]

With only Disney parks as your focus, onsite is the only way to go. I love being immersed in the magic. Our first visit to WDW was over 20 years ago and we stayed at a $29/night motel on I-Drive. It was all we could afford after lots and lots of scrimping and saving. But now we are all Disney, all the time and own a ton of DVC points at Saratoga Springs and wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[calgarygary]

I have stayed both onsite and offsite. Last year we stayed at a mod for the first time (CBR) and it was a horrible experience. I appreciate that many love the onsite but for us, a larger family of 6, off site is the only way to go for space, dollars and level of service. However, when the new luxury hotel opens I will give that a try as the Disney deluxes just don't deliver for the $ spent.

 

[spiceycat]

with 6 people either will be hard. Disney expensive - would go for 2 value rooms.

offsite there are some great places - but unless you are staying in DTD - then you definitely need a rental car.

the buses to most offsite places come 2 or 3 times in the morning - to go to the parks, the afternoon & evening are 3 to 4 times but only leaving.

so going back to rest and come back to the parks - is impossible. You definitely need a rental car.

the worst - if the last bus going back has left - or is full - guess what you have no choice but to get a taxi (that can get expensive fast)

how old are you niece and nephew - if they are 14 or older - disney will allow to ride the buses without.

now under that age and they still need you on the buses.

really helpful if someone wants to go to the MK, but everyone else wants to go to Epcot.

now if you go with offsite - one night - stay onsite - that night should be your favorite Disney park EMH.

would go with 2-bedroom rented from a DVC member not CRO (disney) before suites. if you are going with Disney.

VWL near the MK (boat or bus)
BCV & BWV - you can walk (or boat) to Epcot and Studios
SSR & OKW - you can park you car close (boat to DTD) (bus everywhere else)
AKV - the newest - near AK - but must bus everywhere.

 

[calgarygary]

with 6 people either will be hard. Disney expensive - would go for 2 value rooms.

offsite there are some great places - but unless you are staying in DTD - then you definitely need a rental car.

the buses to most offsite places come 2 or 3 times in the morning - to go to the parks, the afternoon & evening are 3 to 4 times but only leaving.

so going back to rest and come back to the parks - is impossible. You definitely need a rental car.

the worst - if the last bus going back has left - or is full - guess what you have no choice but to get a taxi (that can get expensive fast)

how long are you niece and nephew - if they are 14 or older - disney will allow to ride the buses without.

now under that age and they still need you on the buses.

really helpful if someone wants to go to the MK, but everyone else wants to go to Epcot.

now if you go with offsite - one night - stay onsite - that night should be your favorite Disney park EMH.

would go with 2-bedroom rented from a DVC member not CRO (disney) before suites. if you are going with Disney.

VWL near the MK (boat or bus)
BCV & BWV - you can walk (or boat) to Epcot and Studios
SSR & OKW - you can park you car close (boat to DTD) (bus everywhere else)
AKV - the newest - near AK - but must bus everywhere.

For us, if 2 mods was horrible I can't imagine how bad it would be in 2 value. When we do stay onsite in the future, it will be back in a deluxe but the deluxe is very poor value compared to what the same $ will get you offsite - for us anyways.