Why stay on property when...

[minnie61650]

Removed post because apparently the OP has his mind made up. It seems like he just wants to make fun those who enjoy staying on site.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[kimsuenew]

You can rent some VERY nice homes with all the amenities for some great rates?! I've never understood why so many people think it's a must to stay on Disney property. Now granted we tend to go in the slow season (usually January) so it is off season but what's the draw? I got a beautiful 4 bedroom home with pool for 10 days for $999 and that inlcudes all taxes, cleaning and pool heat. I personally get sick of eating out every day so a nice quick spaghetti dinner at home vegging out in front of the TV is a great break. We don't have to deal with the "loud" couple in the next room and getting to and from the parks is a breeze. I always chuckle when I see the resort people standing in line for the bus when I'm out of the park, in my car and on my way home in 10 minutes. We swim when we want without a bunch of unsupervised kids running around and the pool never closes. Do they spike the water with something in the resorts to make it worth the hassle?

What gives?

I like being on property! We can get to anywhere using Disney transportation (they will even take you to the golf course). I like the "feel" of WDW... the special touches, the hidden Mickey's, and so on... Also, the 2007 free dining and bounce back free dining in 2008 helped to sweeten the pot! But even without the free dining, we will stay on site! We like the WDW transportation, the ease of the KTTW card, EEH, EMH, and so on! We also like the free parking when we do drive our own car to the parks and the ability to easily get into other WDW resorts! I like the DDP! We also like being able to go to other resorts for special activities. Overall... it is just a very magical feeling! I cannot wait for the day that we can afford to buy into DVC!

 

[dingoballs]

IMHO, cost is the ONLY reason to stay offsite. You can get spacious villas with private laundry and a kitchen onsite AND get all of the Disney benefits if that is what you are looking for.

We have done it both ways and have been quite happy in the past staying offsite, however, over time I can honestly say I would NEVER stay offsite again...but that is just my opinion. It certainly isn't the only one nor do I judge others, but for me and my family that is the only option.

Disney is an experience like no other and the resorts are not simply a place to sleep, but an extension of the experience. To me, Disney is one of the few (if not the only place) where you can truly escape from the reality of daily life. Driving by tacky tourist shops, 7-11s, strip malls and Walmarts dimishes the vacation experience for me. I like to be absorbed in a world where everything is colorful and happy and not at all in touch with the reality of life.

Also, if I am being honest...the "rental home" concept creeps me out. Having lived in Florida I know what goes into maintaining a Florida property in terms of mold, cockroaches, snakes, etc. as well as what needs to be done to properly maintain a pool. There are lots of great rental properties out there, but I'm not comfortable gambling with my vacation. I like to know that if I am unhappy for any reason there is a front desk that will make it right.

Like someone else said, there is no right or wrong way to vacation...just ways that are right for each family. Have a great vacation.

May I ask...Have you ever stayed onsite? Just curious.

Well said! I totally agree. We have only stayed on-site & I would not trade that experience just to save a few dollars...

 

[jimmiej]

Why do we stay on-site only? To escape reality! As a previous poster said, we like being under the Disney bubble. Plus, I'm directionally challenged & I don't want to drive on my vacation. I will gladly pay more to stay on Disney property. I work hard for my $$$ & I like spending it on Disney.

Disney is an experience like no other and the resorts are not simply a place to sleep, but an extension of the experience.

Well said!!!

 

[Tara]

You can rent some VERY nice homes with all the amenities for some great rates?! I've never understood why so many people think it's a must to stay on Disney property. Now granted we tend to go in the slow season (usually January) so it is off season but what's the draw? I got a beautiful 4 bedroom home with pool for 10 days for $999 and that inlcudes all taxes, cleaning and pool heat. I personally get sick of eating out every day so a nice quick spaghetti dinner at home vegging out in front of the TV is a great break. We don't have to deal with the "loud" couple in the next room and getting to and from the parks is a breeze. I always chuckle when I see the resort people standing in line for the bus when I'm out of the park, in my car and on my way home in 10 minutes. We swim when we want without a bunch of unsupervised kids running around and the pool never closes. Do they spike the water with something in the resorts to make it worth the hassle?

What gives?

To me, dealing with I-4 or other Orlando traffic and being in the "real world" aren't what I want out of my WDW vacation. Heck, I don't even want a WDW villa cause I barely like having a kitchen in my house, let alone one in the middle of my vacation! I get a lot of convenience in terms of room charge, room delivery and extra magic hours. I also get some great recreation -- no rental home I know of comes with speedboat rentals, amazing pools, etc. We always rent a car, so there's no difference in terms of getting around, IMO, but we also have the option of taking WDW transportation if we want. I realize that I pay a premium price for all this, and I'm A-OK with that.

Hassle is in the eye of the beholder, right?

 

[earthfaries]

1.If you've never stayed on property, I can see why you ask. However, until you stay on property, you won't fully understand.

2.If you have stayed on property and you still ask (I know no one that would), then there's nothing anyone can say that would make sense to you.

I have stayed on property 4 times, last year was our first time off property in a wonderful 2 bedroom condo at Summer Bay Resort. It was our most enjoyable vacation by far.
We have tried Value, Moderate and Deluxe. We prefer off site homes and condos. I have no desire to stay on site again!
After having my own kitchen, pools, big bedrooms, laundry room, etc. I couldn't go without it. We do a park and stay open to close and don't eat at Disney because we don't like that kind of food~not organic or natural full of hydrogenated oils, msg, artificial blah blah blah so staying off site works great for us
Like other poster said, everyone has their own preferences, lots of people love the resorts and the food the EMH, etc. but we don't. We love the parks and the magic but we love going "home" at the end of a long fun day and having our space and ammenities

 

[DonnaDuck]

I love that Disney Kool-Aid!!

Stayed Off-Site once, never again. For us, that off-site trip was the most expensive Disney Vacation we have taken. AAA & codes save us a lot.

The magic that you experience while on property is what keeps us coming back. We do not use Disney Transportation, my dh prefers to drive. So...for us, it's all about "just being there"!

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

We only stay onsite and we love the escape. THAT is why we go in the first place. Traffic? PSHAW!! Let the bus driver worry about that!

We wanted to maximize our dollars too, so we bought DVC! We leave for our 3rd trip this year tomorrow (my 4th, I went down to visit my cousin in June, and if you count the cruise in January, it is my 5th!) and next year, we will spend a total of 22 days in WDW with all 4 kids and my mom, 3 days on the Wonder, and probably another short trip to use up our extra points. We have no lack of trips because we stay onsite.

And with ME and Disney transport...we do not have to press a gas pedal once (unless we ride the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway!).

Everyone has their own preference. Offsite may be swell for you. But don't knock onsite til you've tried it.

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

You guys crack me up! The only thing missing from the responses is being asked to buy a Watch Tower subscription - it sounds like a cult.

Yes, I've stayed on site and it's OK but my life would still have been complete with out it.

I guess I'll keep being the oddball who likes paying less and going more often. Let me know when the next intervention happens.

 

[newcomer52]

OK, here's what I see so far:

1. EMH - I stay long enough so I don't need an extra hour to make a difference.

2. ADRs - I've never had a problem getting the ADRs I want - you just need to plan.

3. Transportation - It takes me no more than 15 minutes to get from park to house and I don't have to make multiple stops. Plus, with a car I can make a trip to the beach or to the corner store if I need something.

4. Resorts - I can and have gone to many resorts and done most of the same activities that the on-property people can do except maybe use the pool (but then again I have my own private heated pool).

5. DDP - I can eat at all the same restaurants and more often since I'm not paying the extra price for the on property "magic". You're still paying for your meals - they're just covered in your package price.

6. Afternoon breaks - We don't do marathon days so breaks aren't really a necessity - we just stay more days. Beside, most feedback I've seen on here leads me to believe that many don't do breaks because of the hassle.

7. Boomhauer - you must not know that many people. LOTS of people don't stay on property.

8. "Free parking" - NEWSFLASH...it's not free - you're still paying for it!

So from what I've seen so far, the only thing I'm missing is the 24x7 in-your-face magic. I guess I've never drank the same Disney Kool-Aid that you guys have. I'll stick with pocketing the cost difference and just make that many more trips to the world.

Obviously, you prefer your off-site digs. I prefer to be in the magic 24/7 when I'm there. As others have said, to each his own. Enjoy your 'home away from home' and I'll enjoy mine. No reason for either of us to try and change the other's mind on what is the best vacation.

js

 

[bouncy54]

We've only been to WDW once. We stayed at a villa and loved the extra space, however...driving the Kissimmee/Orlando area was a nightmare!

The freeway markers are completely different than here in the Seattle area and we got lost every single time we left the parks. And no...we couldn't just go back to the villa the way we had the night before because we went a different way every night. We absolutely hated driving!

That being said...we're going back to WDW next fall and we'll probably rent a villa again but this time we'll make sure we have GPS in our rental car.

If we could afford the extra $1000 bucks or so, we'd probably stay onsite...but we're not rich and just going to WDW takes us a full year of saving.

 

[eliza61]

You can rent some VERY nice homes with all the amenities for some great rates?! I've never understood why so many people think it's a must to stay on Disney property. Now granted we tend to go in the slow season (usually January) so it is off season but what's the draw? I got a beautiful 4 bedroom home with pool for 10 days for $999 and that inlcudes all taxes, cleaning and pool heat. I personally get sick of eating out every day so a nice quick spaghetti dinner at home vegging out in front of the TV is a great break. We don't have to deal with the "loud" couple in the next room and getting to and from the parks is a breeze. I always chuckle when I see the resort people standing in line for the bus when I'm out of the park, in my car and on my way home in 10 minutes. We swim when we want without a bunch of unsupervised kids running around and the pool never closes. Do they spike the water with something in the resorts to make it worth the hassle?

What gives?

Depends on what you call a hassle. You like a nice spaghetti dinner at home and vegging out in front of a tv, I think if I want to do that I'll stay in NJ for free. Your description sounds like what I have at home so why would I want that? Maybe they do spike the water but I this is one drug I'm happy to be taking.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

You guys crack me up! The only thing missing from the responses is being asked to buy a Watch Tower subscription - it sounds like a cult.

Yes, I've stayed on site and it's OK but my life would still have been complete with out it.

I guess I'll keep being the oddball who likes paying less and going more often. Let me know when the next intervention happens.

Your sarcasm is a little sickening. Why are you so interested in why others want to stay on site if all you are going to do is BASH them. No thanks, I don't think I will waste my time explaining to you the benefits of staying on site, because you really don't care!!!

 

[melomouse]

ODD -

We seem to respect and honor YOUR choice of offsite accomodations.

We have all pretty much agreed on the savings of offsite.

We all know that "value" and "worth" have different meanings to different people.

What is it you were looking for when you posted?

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

Your sarcasm is a little sickening. Why are you so interested in why others want to stay on site if all you are going to do is BASH them. No thanks, I don't think I will waste my time explaining to you the benefits of staying on site, because you really don't care!!!

Based on this response, I guess it really is like an addiction. Admitting you have a problem is the first step! I didn't realize I was bashing anybody. Thank you for the snippy reply to point out that you have nothing worthwhile to add to the conversation. Now you can move on to step two.

 

[eliza61]

You guys crack me up! The only thing missing from the responses is being asked to buy a Watch Tower subscription - it sounds like a cult.

Yes, I've stayed on site and it's OK but my life would still have been complete with out it.

I guess I'll keep being the oddball who likes paying less and going more often. Let me know when the next intervention happens.

That's cool but I don't base my vacations on getting the cheapest price. If I go to Disney I want to see the castle out my window. If I go to Paris I want to see the eiffel tower out my balcony so I pay the price. When I'm in NY I stay on broadway. Why are you assuming you go more or are happier cause you pay less? No intervention necessary, me and my other "cult members" are very happy- thank you

 

[CEDmom]

OK, here's what I see so far:

1. EMH - I stay long enough so I don't need an extra hour to make a difference.

2. ADRs - I've never had a problem getting the ADRs I want - you just need to plan.

3. Transportation - It takes me no more than 15 minutes to get from park to house and I don't have to make multiple stops. Plus, with a car I can make a trip to the beach or to the corner store if I need something.

4. Resorts - I can and have gone to many resorts and done most of the same activities that the on-property people can do except maybe use the pool (but then again I have my own private heated pool).

5. DDP - I can eat at all the same restaurants and more often since I'm not paying the extra price for the on property "magic". You're still paying for your meals - they're just covered in your package price.

6. Afternoon breaks - We don't do marathon days so breaks aren't really a necessity - we just stay more days. Beside, most feedback I've seen on here leads me to believe that many don't do breaks because of the hassle.

7. Boomhauer - you must not know that many people. LOTS of people don't stay on property.

8. "Free parking" - NEWSFLASH...it's not free - you're still paying for it!

So from what I've seen so far, the only thing I'm missing is the 24x7 in-your-face magic. I guess I've never drank the same Disney Kool-Aid that you guys have. I'll stick with pocketing the cost difference and just make that many more trips to the world.

Do whatever you want but why knock people who want to stay onsight? Personally we like to be pampered on vacation and have easy access to things.

If we wanted to rent a house we'd do a beach vacation. When we go to WDW we stay in deluxe resorts. That's just what we like and how we choose to spend our money. We'd rather go less often and stay high end.

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

What is it you were looking for when you posted?

I was looking for some reasons to change my mind about staying onsite vs. offsite. Little did I know this was such touchy topic that would reduce people to childish remarks. Sorry I bothered.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

Based on this response, I guess it really is like an addiction. Admitting you have a problem is the first step! I didn't realize I was bashing anybody. Thank you for the snippy reply to point out that you have nothing worthwhile to add to the conversation. Now you can move on to step two.

You know, you really shouldn't knock the people who stay on site. All the money we all spend staying on site? Keeps your ticket prices and on property food costs lower.

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

You know, you really shouldn't knock the people who stay on site. All the money we all spend staying on site? Keeps your ticket prices and on property food costs lower.

Now I've heard it all!