Why do you stay off-site?

[asmit4]

So I asked this question to those who stay "onsite" this afternoon and figured I would get the flip side.

Why do you stay off site vs. on site? On-site allows for the DDP, charging to your room, that "disney magic" that everyone talks about, no parking/car issues and magical express among other benefits like the extra hours....

So why is it that you like to stay off-site? Is it a cost issue? A space issue? Do you feel like you are giving up something by staying off site, like that "disney magic"?

 

[momof2n2]

just talking to a friend today who got home last night from 8 days in Disney. She stayed at one of the value resorts. She went with a large group of family members and they had a wonderful time...

Me - I have four kids [so does she, but two of hers slept in with her parents] and Disney doesn't do much to accomodate large families.

I am not one to enjoy eating out 3 times a day every day. I like kitchen facilities [not a fridge and stove-top only] for daily breakfasts.

It sure does save money, too.

Plus - [no flames] Disney isn't the only thing to do in that area. I like having a car and feel free to go anywhere I want. Sure you can buy "less days" for Disney, but you save only pennies.

 

[Mickeys_n_me]

A variety of reasons:

- We rent homes or timeshares with 2 or more bedrooms when traveling anywhere, not just WDW

- Space. I love having the option of putting the kids to bed and staying up and doing my own thing at night.

- A private pool area to just relax and not worry about getting there early to find a good spot. Keeping an eye on the kids. Etc.

- Price. Price and Price. You get so much more for a whole lot less. This home I am getting for this trip was $800 per couple for 10 days king beds, private bath with spa, private game room - can't get that from Disney.

- I never had issues with parking my car. I go early enough that I am always close to the gate or for MK the monorail. Chances are, while you and 1000s of other people are waiting for your bus I am close to "home"

- I stay 10 minutes away. Try getting to your resort using the bus system (which have you senced that I hate it) in under 15 minutes. 3 steps later I am in my house, not drudging the child a mile away to the room.

- Most area homes near the WDW really carry out the Disney theming well. The kids love having their "princess" or "Mickey" rooms. Mickey kitchens. Even a Mickey head pool in some places. Pop in a Disney CD and there you have it - instant "Disney Magic". Sometimes I find the homes have more "disney magic" then the resorts do.

- My own laundry room

- My own kitchen and fridge. Nothing like a $2 bag of bagels and fresh home brewed coffee for breakfast.

- As I said before the transportation system is less to be desired. Sometimes you have your fill of people and there is nothing better then a 10-15 minute drive "home" while the kids are falling asleep in the car. No carrying strollers on the packed bus or waiting 15 minutes to get on one.

- Peaceful and quite. A dip in your private pool or spa to wind out the night.

I never thought there was anything better then staying on property until I stayed off. Now, I don't think I will go back unless I find myself going for free dining.

 

[Detailor]

We are timeshare owners who occaisonally trade into Orlando locations when we're not renting from another timeshare owner. We've been somewhat spoiled by the amenties and size of two and three bedroom timeshares in the area. And, of course, that isn't limited to off-site as the DVCs are just outstanding!
Like others, I prefer to have a rental car for a variety of reasons so staying on-site isn't a requirement for us.

Dick Taylor

 

[FayeW]

We stay offsite for all of the reasons you mentioned. The perks of staying onsite hold absolutely no appeal to us, with the possible exception of Magical Express. Not having to drive to and from the airport is appealing, but I would want a car for the rest of my stay anyway.

I always say that there is no magic in stuffing 4 people in 2 double beds, in a 350 sq ft room, for a week or more. The most I can do in a hotel room is 2-3 nights.

 

[chessie]

I've done both but I really like staying in a time share villa. I most often have a time share week that I can use.

I'm not a person that likes eating out at restaurants much so I like having my own kitchen. I'm not saying I cook on vacation. It's usually like a bag of salad and a Boston chicken. I also like my coffee before I get dressed in the morning.

It's also a question of room. Some of those time share villas have as much square footage as the main floor of my house. We can all go to our own separate corners. I usually vacation with friends and family I don't live with. I can't get that amount of space on Disney property for anywhere near the price I pay for the time share.

I usually drive down. if not I rent a car. Having a car makes afternoon breaks just as convenient as using Disney transportation. The only time it makes a real difference is going to and from Magic Kingdom.

I don't feel like I sacrifice any of the magic. Once I see the first Disney sign on the road the magic begins to build. (Oh shoot who am I kidding, It starts way before I leave home) Leaving Disney property doesn't make it go away one bit.

 

[mom0104]

When I read posts from people who only stay onsite and how magical it is I start to wonder if I made a mistake and should change from offsite to onsite. Then I start pricing onsite accommodations and I can not bring myself to pay that much money for a one bedroom hotel room, when I know I can have a suite in a hotel or Town Home or Villa for less than Disney moderate.

I also think staying onsite is a DW thing not a DL thing. Growing up in CA we went to DL and always stayed offsite. Very few people ever stayed onsite until the DW culture spilled over to DL with the addition of themed hotels.

One day, when I am not traveling with my DS, I may stay onsite but until then coming back to a place with more than one bedroom and tv is magic.

 

[rosiep]

I have stayed both on-site and off and I just can't justify on-site pricing. I usually stay in DTD so that's a compromise..technically on-site..but not Disney owned. The rooms are larger, transportation is easy and often (enough) and a late night stroll into DTD is a gas....but my main reason is this: I love Room Service! It just isn't a vacation for me without at least one breakfast in bed and one dinner in my PJ's.
I only just learned that Coronado Springs offers room service..the only Moderate Resort to do so..but even still, I hate paying $175 a night for such a privilege. ... So, a DTD resort at a more reasonable $120 a night it is. Heck the $55 a night I save pays for the Room Service! It's like getting a meal free!

 

[Brian Noble]

I can't imagine spending a week with my kids in a single hotel room. Can't. Imagine. We require separate sleeping spaces.

The cheapest way to do that onsite at Disney for my week is two Value rooms with a AAA discount. During Peak season (when I go) that's $1800. That's for a total of 520 square feet, four double beds, two bathrooms, and four chairs.

Instead, I can stay in a 2BR 2BA timeshare, with equipped kitchen and a living room. One king and two twin beds. About 1200 square feet. This year, that's costing me a whopping $300. (I got a great exchange).

Add a rental car plus a couple of gas stops: another $250. Plus parking for the week: another $88. We normally avoid EMH like the plague even when we stay onsite---too crowded. But, even if I wanted to visit one or two I could book a couple of throwaway nights at the Ft. Wilderness campground. $75 each, or $150 total. DDP would save me a total of about $150.

So, the total out of pocket I'm spending for MUCH better lodging, including making up all the missing perks and "discounts", is $938. Or, about $860 LESS than staying in two small boxes with "magic" would cost.

That $860 more than pays for our tickets for the week.

The much more comparable alternative is a 2BR OKW Villa. A points rental for such a unit at $11/pt would cost me $3,250. My offsite total costs are less than 1/3 of that. The $2,300 I save pays for my tickets. And my airfare. And more than half of our restaurant bills.

For a family of four.

That magic had better be worth a heck of a lot to justify that cost. And, for me personally, it just doesn't.

 

[EBONYPRINCESS]

We stay offsite for all of the reasons you mentioned. The perks of staying onsite hold absolutely no appeal to us, with the possible exception of Magical Express. Not having to drive to and from the airport is appealing, but I would want a car for the rest of my stay anyway.

I always say that there is no magic in stuffing 4 people in 2 double beds, in a 350 sq ft room, for a week or more. The most I can do in a hotel room is 2-3 nights.

OKay, I so agree with you. I almost fell out of my chair on the "no magic" comment.
Might I add, that (I prefer my freedom to prison. ) No seriously, though, I love my kids, but I cannot be confined to that small space with my two ADHD/ASPBERGER sons for a whole week at a time.

 

[Lisa P.]

I agree with everything that's been written. While we like the themes of most of the Disney properties, we are able to enjoy them as day visitors, for a meal or boat rentals. My DH also prefers to leave Disney's heavy "marketing machine" when we return to our lovely timeshare resorts offsite.

 

[rosiep]

I've notice that almost everyone that responds to this question stays at a timeshare. I think I was the only one who stayed at another hotel. Anymore like me out there???? I can see why people love time shares..if it were my whole family going that's what I'd do too...but then again I'd have that sticky problem of room service....and while my husband always brings me coffee in bed (yup! married 24 years!!!) he doesn't do Disney!!!

 

[magicmouse2]

A variety of reasons:

- We rent homes or timeshares with 2 or more bedrooms when traveling anywhere, not just WDW

- Space. I love having the option of putting the kids to bed and staying up and doing my own thing at night.

- A private pool area to just relax and not worry about getting there early to find a good spot. Keeping an eye on the kids. Etc.

- Price. Price and Price. You get so much more for a whole lot less. This home I am getting for this trip was $800 per couple for 10 days king beds, private bath with spa, private game room - can't get that from Disney.

- I never had issues with parking my car. I go early enough that I am always close to the gate or for MK the monorail. Chances are, while you and 1000s of other people are waiting for your bus I am close to "home"

- I stay 10 minutes away. Try getting to your resort using the bus system (which have you senced that I hate it) in under 15 minutes. 3 steps later I am in my house, not drudging the child a mile away to the room.

- Most area homes near the WDW really carry out the Disney theming well. The kids love having their "princess" or "Mickey" rooms. Mickey kitchens. Even a Mickey head pool in some places. Pop in a Disney CD and there you have it - instant "Disney Magic". Sometimes I find the homes have more "disney magic" then the resorts do.

- My own laundry room

- My own kitchen and fridge. Nothing like a $2 bag of bagels and fresh home brewed coffee for breakfast.

- As I said before the transportation system is less to be desired. Sometimes you have your fill of people and there is nothing better then a 10-15 minute drive "home" while the kids are falling asleep in the car. No carrying strollers on the packed bus or waiting 15 minutes to get on one.

- Peaceful and quite. A dip in your private pool or spa to wind out the night.

I never thought there was anything better then staying on property until I stayed off. Now, I don't think I will go back unless I find myself going for free dining.

What she says : )
We just stayed in a 4 bed pool home and the privacy of our own pool was fantastic. Also stayed at POR and kept missing having our own pool, and hated having to walk to the food court for breakfast every morning. Didnt like only having one shower and bathroom. Hated Laundry too. Loved POR resort theming and it does seem to surround you in magic, being away from it all. but it can also be magical staying offsite in your own private home.

 

[chessie]

I always say that there is no magic in stuffing 4 people in 2 double beds, in a 350 sq ft room, for a week or more. The most I can do in a hotel room is 2-3 nights.

kind a think that the "I paid all this money and you're going to have fun weather you want to or not" mentality comes about mid week from this situation.

 

[Kay1]

It's a matter of value. We don't value the Disney buses and don't think it's a problem to park at the parks. They guide you to a spot and transport you to the entrance. We have APs and don't have to pay.

I don't see the attraction of charging to my room vs. charging to a credit card.

Having to eat in restaurants three times a day sounds like a chore vs. having a kitchen.

And then the price. For a fraction of the price of a Disney room we can get a suite that includes breakfast, or a nice big condo or a house, etc. I love, love, love the freedom of having a nice, well-equiped kitchen with a fridge stocked with food leftover from take-out and frozen things we can heat and eat whenever we want, dressed however we want.

 

[Bearvet]

We always stay off-site and we're a family of 5. We usually get a timeshare (either exchange or use one of DFILs) with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, full kitchen, washer & dryer IN UNIT(!) that sleeps 6 (sleep sofa in living room). I LOVE the space and we typically have a 10 min or less drive to the parks.

With the kitchen we have coffee and breakfast every morning, maybe 1 or 2 lunches and 1 or 2 dinners. It's nice to have plenty of snacks in the pantry and cold beverages in the fridge. We also go to the other parks in Orlando (gasp) and enjoy many of the off-site restaurants which tend to be less expensive.

My boys enjoy the resort activities which include basketball court, mini golf and nice pools. The resort also offers children's programs (arts & crafts) but my boys are too old now.

Considering this is our vacation too (Mom and Dad) we have our own (lockable ) room at night to enjoy some time to ourselves. Someday I'd like to stay on-site but it will be a long time before I can justify the expense!

 

[PrincessDadx2]

We do both. My only addition to the comments so far is that I would seriously consider on-site if you are going during Christmas or Easter week. We did both and there was huge difference.

EMH hours make a huge difference during peak time. We were at the MK at 7 am and done by noon when the park was just filling up. Also, it is very difficult to drive to MK during peak times. The two step process makes it very difficult to get in and out of that park. The other parks are easier, but it was so much better to hop a bus to the MK.

We stay during Christmas at the Dolphin using Starwood points and for this Easter we traded into DVC, so it can still be economical

 

[HopperFan]

So I asked this question to those who stay "onsite" this afternoon and figured I would get the flip side.

Why do you stay off site vs. on site? On-site allows for the DDP, charging to your room, that "disney magic" that everyone talks about, no parking/car issues and magical express among other benefits like the extra hours....

So why is it that you like to stay off-site? Is it a cost issue? A space issue? Do you feel like you are giving up something by staying off site, like that "disney magic"?

If it is a trip where all five of us are going, and no substantial discount is available at Disney in a resort that holds five - then we move to stay offsite, preferably where we will get points, maybe more space and free breakfast, saving us further money.

We absolutely feel we give up Disney Magic by staying offsite in the real world. The entire atmosphere and feel changes when you go over those property lines.........but we also use those trips to do Universal and other activities. In last 21 months, 6 trips = 1 DTD hotel, 2 offsite hotels, 3 Disney hotels.

 

[bearzabout]

For me, it is about the value. I just booked my 29th week in Orlando using Skyauction. I've paid from $120-200 per week for a 1, 2 or 3 bedroom condos offsite. For $20-30 a night, I get a home away from home with a king bed, washer dryer, full kitchen, balcony, jacuzzi tub and lots of space.

Cheap rental cars through National's Emerald Executive Aisle means I get to test drive great cars for only about $150 week after taxes and don't have to waste a minute waiting for the ******* buses. I also have the flexibility to drive to other places and restaurants in town and live more like a local.

My free annual pass I get with points from the Disney card allows me to park on site for free. I visit for nearly 50 days a year and these low prices have allowed me to use Disney World as my "vacation home" while costing less than any other travel destination.

Before Skyauction, I stayed on site but it was not for me. My total vacations costs including food, car, airfare, park admission and lodging is now under $100 per day. An incredible value in my opinion.

 

[FayeW]

I've notice that almost everyone that responds to this question stays at a timeshare. I think I was the only one who stayed at another hotel. Anymore like me out there???? I can see why people love time shares..if it were my whole family going that's what I'd do too...but then again I'd have that sticky problem of room service....and while my husband always brings me coffee in bed (yup! married 24 years!!!) he doesn't do Disney!!!

On each of the last two trips we stayed at Sheraton Safari for two nights prior to checking in at our timeshare rental. The first time it was because travelzoo had a $59. per night special, and to add on the two additional nights at the condo was $125 each night. Plus, I had heard great things about Safari and I thought the kids would enjoy the Python slide (they did!).

We loved the hotel so much that last trip we purposely changed our plans to do a split stay just so we could stay there again (travelzoo had the same special again). Again, we could have added on the additional days at Orbit One for about $40 more per night, but we had never stayed there before, had never even been to Kissimee, and decided that staying in what we knew was a great hotel in Lake Buena Vista (very comfortable in that area) was worth the trouble of switching hotels. I would consider spending a full week at Sheraton Safari (if we couldn't get a reasonably priced condo) but that's because I would consider that to be a deluxe resort (by Disney standards) with the large, comfortable beds, extra pillows, fridge, coffee maker and balcony. If I could get a deluxe onsite resort for $59 a night, I would stay there for a week, too!

Mostly, we just like the extra space. The 2 bdrm condos we rent have 2 twin beds in the 2nd bedroom. They each get their own bed and we don't have to do the "girls" bed and the "boys" bed like we do in a regular hotel.