What's the "extra magic" when staying onsite?

[Dis2times]

Just curious. We've stayed offsite and won't again. It wasn't terribly convenient. I realize that onsite is MUCH more convenient and we can't wait for our stay.

But as far as "extra magic" 24/7, I'm just curious. Please don't flame me, this is TOTALLY a matter of curiosity because I haven't stayed onsite before. I just can't imagine what extra magic there could be on buses. So what exactly is the extra magic 24/7? I TOTALLY understand how onsite is better than offsite in many ways. Just not sure what that "magic" is yet. I can't wait to find out though!

Lisa

 

[KevinFSU]

It's just knowing ur at Disney. I think you only get that when you visit a park when you are staying offsite. It is just knowing you are at Disney your entire stay, 100% of the time.

 

[princess lovers mom]

I think that extra maic is different for everyone, but for us it is being immersed in disney for the whole trip from the soap to disney music in the elevators and just being "there"...it definately changes your feeling that you are "on Vacation" to you are on a "disney trip"

 

[tikkipoo]

I know for me, part of it definitely the buses. It was so nice in the morning and just walk a bit, and you're at breakfast, then, walk out the door, and you're on the way to the park. You are right at the gate. Same when you come back from the park. Going to take an afternoon break was most WONDERFUL!!! That in itself was worth it!

 

[ptrbryant]

though taking a boat from WL to MK does seem a bit magical! My DH and I felt it was a general sense of excellent service and care from the CMs, the uplifting music everywhere, the cleanliness and quality of the properties...basically, a lot of the magic was that everything is as one hopes it will be on a vacation.

Karla B.

 

[Skroops]

Generally, everyone employed by Disney is known for top-notch service! The "magic" starts when you are welcomed home to your resort. You are surrounded by sights, sounds, and smells, that immerse you into your vacation.
As I write this, it sounds "corny", but it's hard to explain! Magic is definately an attitude experienced and shared by many visitors and CM's alike. There is no place like it in the universe.

 

[bishop1989]

I agree with the fact that u r "there." Just get on the monorail, bus, boat, etc. You are always at the property and the convenience. Just feels "special" for our family.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Its a feeling of immersion - you are always 'at' Disney, you never leave it to go back to your hotel.

Staying offsite, you need to drive or take a shuttle, and you actually leave Disney property, and you see the 'real world'.

We love getting away from the real world and being immersed in the magic 24 x 7. We love the buses too - we love not needed to drive anywhere.

 

[dudspizza]

Generally, everyone employed by Disney is known for top-notch service! The "magic" starts when you are welcomed home to your resort. You are surrounded by sights, sounds, and smells, that immerse you into your vacation.
As I write this, it sounds "corny", but it's hard to explain! Magic is definately an attitude experienced and shared by many visitors and CM's alike. There is no place like it in the universe.

This is not corny at all... I think it is wonderfully said. I get EXACTLY what you mean.

I had never stayed on site until my last trip. We had an offer to stay in a vacation home and my SIL insisted we stay on site. Having never done so, I was not sold on the idea. I knew it would be cool, but I had no idea what it was all about.

Lots of people will not see the magic. Those people are not on these boards talking Disney. People who truely love Disney sense the magic everywhere. The music, the different uniforms of the CM's, the theming, etc.....

One big thing is that you are already there, as has been already stated. Staying off site meant waiting in traffic, parking and taking a tram, then the boat or monorail and finally you get to the park. Staying on site drops you right at the gates.

I will never stay off site again. EVER!

Have fun, you will love your onsite stay, no matter if it is at a value or a deluxe.

duds

 

[Goin4forty]

Another great thing about staying on site are the days when a park opens an hour earlier or stays open later for the on site guests. Certain parks are either open earlier and stay open later. These special hours can be seen on the Disney website. I think I have also seen them posted on this website as well.

 

[PrinceJohn]

there is no way to explain the "magic" - after about 3 hours at a WDW resort, it will be crystal clear.

 

[ccgegg]

It's tough to describe the "magic". We just got back from our 2nd trip. Checked into SSR where everyone was very hospitable, it was nicely decorated, very clean, and they had a small area for kids to watch a movie while parents were checking in/out. Shortly after check-in, I had to return our rental car to the Hilton by Downtown Disney. Nice hotel, but I stood there thinking "no WAY would I ever come to Disney and stay here"..... it just didn't "feel magical"..... felt more like I was staying in downtown Chicago. You'll see.

 

[BevS97]

I think it's because the hotels are like mini themed experiences - sure the actual rooms aren't much different to a Holiday Inn, but they look different, they look special and the grounds of the hotel are beautiful, whereas offsite, ew had a nicer room in terms of space and amenities, but it didn't look like anything special and outside there was a carpark, Hard to explain in words, but it makes me feel like I must be really special to be able to stay in such a wonderful place as this.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

pasmommy - I totally relate to your question. It will my family's first time going to DW in April and I have no idea what to expect. We're staying onsite and I'm excited, but there have been several times when I wonder if the moolah is worth it...but then I have faith in what others on this board have said and I've been reading these boards for a few months now. I love the idea of having Disney 24/7 instead of worrying about traffic getting back to a hotel. I really believe it will be a fantasy world. Have a great time!!!!

 

[shanleal]

We stayed offsite 2 years ago after staying at Port Orleans the year before. I don't know how to describe it but the "feeling" is not the same. We visited some of the resorts on property while we were there and I just remember feeling so sad that we had decided to stay at an offsite resort. Obviously the transportation is better but there is just a certain "magic" that you feel onsite! Hope you decide to do it...you will enjoy it more.

 

[ms.ojo]

staying onsite means there are many disney channels from which to choose to put your children to bed at night too. There's usually a movie, a bedtime story read by a favorite character, and of course toondisney and regular disney channels. Then there is the channel that tours the parks and resorts too! Not that we watch a lot of tv, but that evening bedtime story became a favorite.....and in the morning, we often had the park station on just to get in the mood as we ate bfest in our room.

I had been to Disney 5 times staying offsite....since we went on-site I've never stayed anywhere else!!!! The feeling you have being on property, having the nice easy transportation, friendly CMs, etc. etc etc. It's just THE BEST! At this stage, we occasionally add 1 day at Sea World....but our kids aren't old enough yet to enjoy Universal or Cape Kennedy. When they get older, maybe I'll spend 1 night at Universal...I don't know....but I do know, the majority of our visit will be on Disney property. It's just a magical getaway!!! I can't wait til our trip in April!!

 

[imatoad]

I wouldn't go if I couldn't stay onsite, it's just no the same experience.

 

[andrabell]

When I asked my sister why she loved staying on property so much, she says it's the Mickey wake-up calls. I can't wait until our first onsite stay this November!

 

[pumpkinfish]

Last year was my first time EVER staying at an onsite resort. We checked into POP for only one night before we were scheduled to check into our offsite hotel. I had been to WDW 5 times before also, with all offsite hotels/timeshares. I can see where you are coming from by saying you don't understand the magic. To me, I thought it was stupid to have 60 foot high basketball hoops as themeing objects (AS). But that one night at POP changed my thinking COMPLETELY! I can tell you that I did not think I was going to like it. But after seeing all the objects up close, it was full of whimsy! It really did feel like another theme park. I am big on details! I fancy simple things, like the chairs and table in our room forming a hidden mickey; the shower curtain that tactfully portrayed many hidden mickeys; and even the little soaps and shampoos that had mickey mouse on them. I loved it all!!!

Needless to say, I had been spoiled that night, and the rest of our trip I kept wishing (and dreaming) I was back at POP!

 

[*Fantasia*]

"Extra Magic" for me are those cute soaps/shampoo/lotion bottles. The Stictch/Mickey wake up call. The themeing of the resorts. The Disney bus. The refillable mugs (It is sooo worth it!). The Mickey waffles! The extra hours in the parks. Staying onsite just makes me forget about reality outside the "World".