Why stay on property?

[Malestrom Troll]

For a trip in 2022 if Disney doesn't offer affordable transportation from MCO and we decide to rent a car, and aren't staying on our DVC points, we will be staying off property. I don't see the benefit of Disney transportation when you have your own car. I'm sure they will still be doing social distancing in '22 and the bus stops and skyliner station queues are a mess especially during peak times. It's not Disney's fault just a logistics issue with the increased amount of guests and limited infrastructure. The only Disney resorts I would stay at with a car rental would be CR/BLT and GF so I don't have to deal with getting to the TTC from MK.

 

[Cheburashka]

Sure you won’t stay at the Four Seasons for significantly less money (well most of the time), but it’s usually similarly priced to the Deluxes and there’s no comparison between the two in terms of quality. The Four Seasons is far nicer than any of the Deluxes in almost every way but location.

The Four Seasons is awesome, but it's typically much more expensive than a Disney deluxe.

 

[chasgeese]

The Four Seasons is awesome, but it's typically much more expensive than a Disney deluxe.

OK fair, I assumed prices at the FS were in the $500-700 range, which is what they typically are in my experience (and is inline with rack rates at many Deluxes). Didn’t realize they could charge that much in Orlando.

That said, from a financial perspective, even if the Deluxes come in around $400/night that’s a lot for a hotel that is not much nicer than your average Hilton/Marriott/Hyatt (and yes I’m including perks like location and DME and transportation). The “Disney bubble/experience” regardless of perks is still part of why people are willing to pay as much as they do for Deluxes. That, and the fact that, with the exception of GDT, the moderates are all motel style hotels. Many people, especially those who don’t go to WDW a lot, are used to staying in a non-motel style hotel if they are paying more than $150-200 a night and might not like paying what moderates charge but are willing to pay deluxe prices if it’s a one-time trip to WDW.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

That said, from a financial perspective, even if the Deluxes come in around $400/night that’s a lot for a hotel that is not much nicer than your average Hilton/Marriott/Hyatt (and yes I’m including perks like location and DME and transportation). The “Disney bubble/experience” regardless of perks is still part of why people are willing to pay as much as they do for Deluxes.

Exactly. I don't think anyone would argue that, in a vacuum, the deluxe resorts would be overpriced for what they offer. But that's the point...they aren't "your average Hilton/Marriott/Hyatt". They are very nice resorts on WDW property within walking distance to WDW parks. Their location, theming, and being in the WDW bubble are why they are priced how they are. People are willing to pay what they do for the deluxe resorts because of those things. That's the entire core of "Why stay on property" discussion. Some people just look at brick, mortar, and price. Those people don't seem to care about the "magic" of being in the WDW bubble. And that's totally fine, to each his own.

But so many others do care about the "magic" and are willing to pay for it. Those people see beyond just the brick and mortar and really enjoy the theming and all that comes with staying on property. They are willing to pay a little more for it. They love everything about staying on WDW property and will probably never entertain staying off property. That also is totally fine.

Neither "side" is right or wrong. Only concerned about feeling like you got a good deal or value? Stay off property. More concerned about being immersed in the WDW experience? Stay on property. But the question posed in this thread ("Why stay on property") has many valid answers that justify why to stay on property. Just my $0.02. As a side note, that's why we bought into DVC...the ability to stay in a deluxe room for around $260 per night. DVC makes staying on property a no brainer.

 

[chasgeese]

Exactly. I don't think anyone would argue that, in a vacuum, the deluxe resorts would be overpriced for what they offer. But that's the point...they aren't "your average Hilton/Marriott/Hyatt". They are very nice resorts on WDW property within walking distance to WDW parks. Their location, theming, and being in the WDW bubble are why they are priced how they are. People are willing to pay what they do for the deluxe resorts because of those things. That's the entire core of "Why stay on property" discussion. Some people just look at brick, mortar, and price. Those people don't seem to care about the "magic" of being in the WDW bubble. And that's totally fine, to each his own.

But so many others do care about the "magic" and are willing to pay for it. Those people see beyond just the brick and mortar and really enjoy the theming and all that comes with staying on property. They are willing to pay a little more for it. They love everything about staying on WDW property and will probably never entertain staying off property. That also is totally fine.

Neither "side" is right or wrong. Only concerned about feeling like you got a good deal or value? Stay off property. More concerned about being immersed in the WDW experience? Stay on property. But the question posed in this thread ("Why stay on property") has many valid answers that justify why to stay on property. Just my $0.02. As a side note, that's why we bought into DVC...the ability to stay in a deluxe room for around $260 per night. DVC makes staying on property a no brainer.

I should have clarified that I am an on-site person. My main issue is people complaining about how taking the “perks” like MDE away somehow changes the calculus. Either you want to stay on property for all of the intangibles or you don’t. There’s rarely a way the financials are going to work in favor of an on-site stay vs. off-site. Even with DVC, that only makes sense if you go once a year or maybe every other year.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

I should have clarified that I am an on-site person. My main issue is people complaining about how taking the “perks” like MDE away somehow changes the calculus. Either you want to stay on property for all of the intangibles or you don’t. There’s rarely a way the financials are going to work in favor of an on-site stay vs. off-site. Even with DVC, that only makes sense if you go once a year or maybe every other year.

Oh, 10-4. I agree! There is nothing better than getting done at a park and walking to your room.

 

[Donna M]

When we were younger, many, many, many years ago, the only way we could afford Disney was to stay with family, drive a few hours and spend one night off site so we could spend the whole day at a park. Move on a few years and we could spend that one night at a moderate. Then in 2004 we bought into DVC and love it. As our finances changed so did our trips. Now our week long trips still only include one day in a park, but the resorts are the vacation. We stay on property because we like the atmosphere of the resorts with the Disney vibe. When we check in, it feels like we have checked into the ¨World¨, not just a single resort.

 

[Timandalicia]

Yes but there was also a time when there weren't a million people at WDW.

Well you’re welcome to make it 999,999. jk

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I have debated this same thing in my mind lately too. Over the years we switched back and forth between onsite and offsite with the different ages/stages of our kids, and as we get older we appreciate the luggage handling that Disney offered with an onsite stay. They made it so easy to stick a yellow tag on and not have to cram bags into a rental car trunk. It was easy again to check our bags in the lobby and head off for some last-minute enjoyment before having to go to the airport. We haven't stayed offsite in probably 15 years.

So now we're planning our first covid-era visit. (Now that I've had the vaccine, the hospital I work at doesn't make us quarantine for 14 days after travelling out of state. yay!) I immediately booked BCV just to be able to stay at BC/YC area, our fav. It's $2000 for a studio for 4 nights with the 35% off promo. After seeing how much has been cut due to covid, I started considering staying offsite. Another thing that made me rethink spending so much is that all throughout this pandemic, we couldn't travel so over the summer I started really paying down our mortgage. Like a crazy person. Literally every penny went to either food, utilities, or the mortgage. There is nothing else I need. I paid off 1/3 of our mortgage off from August to the end of December. After all of these months of being thrifty, I am having a hard time spending this amount that we used to think nothing of before covid. $500/nt after tax is typical for a deluxe in the BW/BC/YC area. If it weren't for all the snow and freezing rain, I probably wouldn't feel so desperate for a vacation. Working in a hospital I can't work from home and we can't call out for snow days.

Several years ago we spent a non-Disney weekend without kids at the Hilton Grand Vacation Club Tuscany and it was a beautiful resort. So I looked it up again last week. A 1BR suite with soaking tub, full kitchen, balcony, etc. would be only around $500 after tax for the same dates. Wow! I was so ready to book it. What turned me off was the rental car prices. omg! That would be another $500+ and then we'd have to pay for gas, tolls, and parking in the parks so another $150. Still is cheaper than BCV but there's nothing like walking out our door and being in Epcot in a 10 min walk. Maybe once I get some vacations in and I take them for granted again, I will be more open to going the thrifty route but right now I haven't have a vacation in 1.5 years and I just need a good vacation. I need one that makes me say, "This is just what I needed..."

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Unless you are a DVC member. Then the rooms are cheaper than those Universal rooms.

I've never crunched the numbers but considering you have to shell out $20,000+ just to become a member, I'm not too sure of that.
Add up your buy-in amount plus annual fees each year then divide by the number of days you've spent and see what it comes to per night. You might not like it too much.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I've never crunched the numbers but considering you have to shell out $20,000+ just to become a member, I'm not too sure of that.
Add up your buy-in amount plus annual fees each year then divide by the number of days you've spent and see what it comes to per night. You might not like it too much.

I am starting to feel that . I think the new 7 season charts + the increase in yearly dues is becoming a negative vacation by one night in comparison to previous ways I used my points. Instead of 5 it is 4 nights... In general I think most members have a stockpile of points from cancellations in the last year....perhaps they are not feeling the squeeze yet .

 

[DVCSunDevil]

I've never crunched the numbers but considering you have to shell out $20,000+ just to become a member, I'm not too sure of that.
Add up your buy-in amount plus annual fees each year then divide by the number of days you've spent and see what it comes to per night. You might not like it too much.

I have crunched the numbers and can go into detail if you want me to. But taking the $28,000 purchase cost (resale, divide by all the points in the life of the contract) and yearly MFs into consideration, my BCV stay over Easter week this year (we can’t wait!!) is costing us $260 per night. Yeah, I like that A LOT!

 

[sagosto]

Excellent thread. My wife is against staying off-property but I am interested in Disney Spring area hotels since we stay in the park from open to close. I have 2 small kids so transportation is key/easy is key which is why I never really pushed for off-property. Are the Disney Spring area hotels handle their own transportation? Is one better than the other?

 

[maxiesmom]

Excellent thread. My wife is against staying off-property but I am interested in Disney Spring area hotels since we stay in the park from open to close. I have 2 small kids so transportation is key/easy is key which is why I never really pushed for off-property. Are the Disney Spring area hotels handle their own transportation? Is one better than the other?

The Disney Springs hotels are sort of cut in half, and each half share a bus.

My only real dislike of how their transportation is set up is that you get dropped off away from the Disney park gates. You are not left as up close as you are with a Disney resort.

 

[sagosto]

The Disney Springs hotels are sort of cut in half, and each half share a bus.

My only real dislike of how their transportation is set up is that you get dropped off away from the Disney park gates. You are not left as up close as you are with a Disney resort.

Disney doesn’t manage the transportation like on property right? Is it the same 10 to 15 min intervals from open to close ? If so, only real concern is drop off but one could argue that for hotels like CB with its 4873833737 stops

 

[kylenne]

Excellent thread. My wife is against staying off-property but I am interested in Disney Spring area hotels since we stay in the park from open to close. I have 2 small kids so transportation is key/easy is key which is why I never really pushed for off-property. Are the Disney Spring area hotels handle their own transportation? Is one better than the other?

Honestly I would look at the Swan or Dolphin before a DS hotel if I was looking to stay off property. DS hotels may look cheaper at first glance but by the time you factor in all the dang fees you’re looking at S/D prices, which are still usually cheaper or comparable to Disney Moderates but with much nicer accommodations. No matter where you stay non-Disney owned you’re going to be paying resort fees and whatnot but S/D have prime location going for them that the DS hotels don’t. You can’t get easier for transportation than walking to 2 parks. The only thing that sucks is they don’t use Disney buses anymore, which means you have to deal with the TTC situation for MK unless you want to try to walk over to YC and get the bus there (I have seen mixed reports about this lately).

But another point in S/D’s favor is you can get solid deals through Costco and affinity group discounts (they run teacher, nurse, mil, government etc rates a lot). That’s why the Dolphin was my family’s home “resort” growing up. It’s a great compromise too because you still get some “bubble” feeling being right on the Boardwalk.

 

[ryman471]

Great thread. Debating right now to stay at a value resort (Pop) for about 210 a night or a nice one offsite for 100 a night. I looked at most of this thread and online and having hard time finding it but How much is parking if offsite per day? No fastpass advantage correct? Financially there are no additional costs besides parking if offsite correct? Just my 11 year old daughter and I and renting a car anyway i think, 5 day stay, her first time, Thanks.

 

[maxiesmom]

Disney doesn’t manage the transportation like on property right? Is it the same 10 to 15 min intervals from open to close ? If so, only real concern is drop off but one could argue that for hotels like CB with its 4873833737 stops

No the Disney Springs resorts have buses that run every half an hour. And 3 resorts each share a bus, and the bus will go to more than one park.

 

[maxiesmom]

Great thread. Debating right now to stay at a value resort (Pop) for about 210 a night or a nice one offsite for 100 a night. I looked at most of this thread and online and having hard time finding it but How much is parking if offsite per day? No fastpass advantage correct? Financially there are no additional costs besides parking if offsite correct? Just my 11 year old daughter and I and renting a car anyway i think, 5 day stay, her first time, Thanks.

I believe parking is $25 a day, unless you want to pay for preferred parking which is $45 a day.

 

[kylenne]

Great thread. Debating right now to stay at a value resort (Pop) for about 210 a night or a nice one offsite for 100 a night. I looked at most of this thread and online and having hard time finding it but How much is parking if offsite per day? No fastpass advantage correct? Financially there are no additional costs besides parking if offsite correct? Just my 11 year old daughter and I and renting a car anyway i think, 5 day stay, her first time, Thanks.

Parking at the parks is the only extra expense if you’re offsite from the Disney POV. If you plan to hop at all or leave and come back make sure you keep your receipt. Iirc you only have to pay once a day, but I haven’t had a car down there since 2016.

BTW make absolutely certain that “100 a night” hotel really is 100 a night. Offsite properties love to be sneaky with fees and taxes.