why stay on site?

[eliza61]

I'm curious- do you ever get tired of just Disney food? I think that if I stayed on site, I would.

I think if it was good I probably would not get tired of it. We're big foodies and I hate eating mediocre food every day and I think disney food is extremely mediocre.

What has been happening to us is after the 3rd day of eating ho-hum food we say "why bother with ADR's and the mark up". So now we go offsite to eat way more.

 

[Marionnette]

I'm curious- do you ever get tired of just Disney food? I think that if I stayed on site, I would.

I guess that if we stayed for more than 5 nights, we probably would. But the same could be said for just about any vacation that I have taken. I get bored with eating every meal out after about 5 days and it no longer holds its appeal for me. I do know that there is no way that I would be happy with counter service meals for more than a few days. The quality of Disney's food has declined with the introduction of the dining plan.

 

[aprilgail2]

I'm curious- do you ever get tired of just Disney food? I think that if I stayed on site, I would.

typically when we are only staying for a week we don't get tired of it but this trip we are staying for 14 days at Disney so I am sure we will be tired of it by then LOL.

 

[Planogirl]

I think the pp is saying that total immersion can get annoying, not the opinions expressed here.

That plus I was responding to the previous poster:

I'm always puzzled when people take offense when other posters express a preference that isn't in line with their own thinking. It's not as if any one choice is correct or better than another. But it does have everything to do with what you want and expect from a vacation.

I think that I used the word "annoyed" too often.

People do sometimes get upset when others have a different opinion. Not here specifically just overall.

 

[TheRatPack]

As far as the food comment.....we usually stay 8 nights and I don't eat the same thing twice....with maybe the exception of snacks or breakfast. There are so many choices, so I know that we don't get tired of the food. Maybe out picky 16 year old....since she chooses chicken at just about every meal LOL

 

[eeyoregon]

Why?

1.) Cheaper than staying off site.
2.) Free airport transportation.
3.) Extra Magic Hours = priceless.
4.) Easier and faster to get to the parks.

 

[IDoDis]

We've done both onsite and an offsite condo. Usually we stay onsite to get the dining plan. This year we opted to stay onsite without the dining plan because we got a good pin code discount. Also, I guess for the overall ambiance of the vacation. We like trying the different resorts, too. Not that I mind staying offsite, either though.

When we stayed at Windsor Hills, it literally took us 5 minutes from the time we pulled out of the condo parking lot until we were in one of the park's parking lots. Then we'd park, hop on one of those parking lot shuttles, and be at the entrance gate in another 5 minutes -- so 10 minutes tops! Staying onsite and taking the buses took WAY longer. When we stayed at WL, we'd often have to wait 15-20 min. for a bus. Then, it stopped at Fort Wilderness, The Poly, and the Grand Flordian before gettting to the parks. It took a LONG time.

One thiing I remember that was a negative of staying off-site was that we didn't take our afternoon breaks like we do when we stay on-site. I don't know why. I guess psychologically we thought it was a hassle to get back to the car and drive, even though it really wasn't. What resulted in that trip was a bunch of cranky people who never got afternoon breaks. We'd end up going back to the room earlier in the evening instead and being too wiped out to return later on when it was not so hot outside.

So this year we are renting a car and driving to the parks ourselves. We won't have to pay for parking which is a bonus. The negative is that we are all in one room whereas at Windsor Hills we had 3 bedrooms and a living/dining room for way less money.

 

[StuckInKS]

We drive and stayed offsite for our first two trips. One trip was exclusively at a DTD hotel. Then we stayed on site last year with the dining plan and I have decided to never stay offsite again. There are sooo many reasons why onsite is better for us, with the first being that offsite never really seemed to save us that much money once ALL of the expenses were totaled. There were always little things like resort fees and parking fees at the hotel, parking at the parks, paying (almost) full price for tickets (we did the Kids Play free deal when we stayed onsite) and OOP dining, etc. We also really, REALLY like the night EMHs and plan our park days around them. And, truthfully, just hopping on the bus was a lot easier for us then loading up in the car and driving to the parks. I liked not having to move the car all week! After doing both, onsite for us is just all around better.

 

[StuckInKS]

If you do choose to stay off site to save money, you will not know what you are missing by not staying off site, so there is no way to be disappointed.

This is soooo true. I was fine staying offsite, until I stayed onsite Now there is no turning back!

 

[StuckInKS]

I don't understand why people think you can't enjoy the parks or the experience if you have to drive and park your car there ?

I don't think anyone is saying that, but it just isn't the same for some people. We really enjoyed our first two vacations offsite or we never would have went back after our first trip. But being onsite and using the DDP and being totally immersed for a week stepped it up a level for us, and we really don't want to step back down. My kids LOVED the over-the-top themeing of AS Movies, even when we weren't at the parks, we still felt like we were at Disney. We liked going to the food court and getting what we wanted, when we wanted, without thinking about the cost thanks to DDP. We liked parking our car for a week and using Disney transportation. It made our vacation that much more enjoyable.

 

[eliza61]

Why?

1.) Cheaper than staying off site.
2.) Free airport transportation.
3.) Extra Magic Hours = priceless.
4.) Easier and faster to get to the parks.

I would call the first and the fourth a "depends". We stayed at the Waldolf and the Bonnet creek and always got back and forth way quicker than staying on site. That's why I never understood the argument about how easy it is to go back to your room for breaks. Sorry, if you are staying at the AKL it takes a long time to get there from MK especially using disney transportation. I could get to the Waldorf and back in the same amount of time. The only exception is when we could walk to the Beach Club from epcot.

As for cheaper, that also depends on where you stay. it may be true if you do values. definitely not true for deluxes. We are thinking of staying at the waldorf for our anniversary 8/23-8/30. We got a deluxe king for $188/nigh. a deluxe king with MK view is only 215. Wilderness lodge (for the same period) came out to $300 It just really depends on a lot of factors.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

We drive and stayed offsite for our first two trips. One trip was exclusively at a DTD hotel. Then we stayed on site last year with the dining plan and I have decided to never stay offsite again. There are sooo many reasons why onsite is better for us, with the first being that offsite never really seemed to save us that much money once ALL of the expenses were totaled. There were always little things like resort fees and parking fees at the hotel, parking at the parks, paying (almost) full price for tickets (we did the Kids Play free deal when we stayed onsite) and OOP dining, etc. We also really, REALLY like the night EMHs and plan our park days around them. And, truthfully, just hopping on the bus was a lot easier for us then loading up in the car and driving to the parks. I liked not having to move the car all week! After doing both, onsite for us is just all around better.

DH and I looked into a "long weekend" at Disney type trip for this year, and we'd fly in. I thought I would use a nice cheap off-site hotel. By the time I got through pricing out anything decent for the two of us and tossed in a rental car, I found I could rent a DVC or get a moderate for about the same price, and could definitely do a value much, much cheaper.

But we're two people. If we had kids, especially more than one or two kids, I think it would work out to be cheaper to stay offsite. (Free breakfasts, cheaper evening meals etc.)

OTOH, we love being immersed in Disney. We usually drive down, so we have our own car if we want to escape the magic for a day.

I think it comes down to your budget, your family, and what you want from your vacation. For some Off-site is best; if DH and I ever convince the extended family to do a long vacation with us, we'll rent a 3 bedroom at Bonnet Crick or even do a house at Windsor Hills. The extra room for what you pay is wonderful! (If we just get the kids, we'll be onsite at the cheapest 2 bedroom DVC we can rent - they're older teenagers. Let them take the bus wherever the heck they want, and I want my own bedroom at night!) But for us, right now, 2 adults in September? On-site is best and doesn't cost anymore than offsite.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

As for cheaper, that also depends on where you stay. it may be true if you do values. definitely not true for deluxes.

We have a cottage off-site for less than $600 (with tax) for 8 nights in June. Looked at every available on-site option & nothing could touch that. Different timeframe may be another story.

 

[TamaraQT]

Again we have another onsite vs offsite debate. I don't know why we continue to argue our points when the answer always comes down to doing what works best for you and/or your family. One of the previous posters stated what I have felt all along, you either go to Orlando for a Disney Vacation or you go to Orlando for an Orlando Vacation. Well I have said all along in my tickers, that my family enjoys an Orlando Vacation.

I stay offsite because besides owning a timeshare week, I want to enjoy all Orlando has to offer. I go to Florida for an ORLANDO VACATION. I go to Orlando to enjoy dining at many different restaurants not available in my area. And sometimes I make quick meals at my condo. No big deal, I am not tied to a stove. My family just likes certain things that I make that is not available for takeout in a lot of places. Besides, I don't know what I want for dinner 6 months in advance, so I would not be a good candidate for ADRs. For me that is a spontaneous decision and I don't want to have to be obligated to ADRs. But I give HUGE props and credits to DISNEY. Because of DISNEY, I do believe that the restaurants in the surrounding areas have to step up their game a little higher to be a Disney competitor. And for that I am grateful. I also go to Orlando to visit AMUSEMENT PARKS, and sometimes DISNEY doesn't always make the list of a must do and must see. I also go to Orlando to SHOP. I love the outlets and the selections that are not available in my area. I also go to Orlando to sightsee. I like driving around in my rental car. Going to the beach to visit the GULF side of the coastline is also on my list of things to do. I am from NJ so all I see is the Atlantic Ocean and to me it is NOT appealing. Orlando being warm and tropical during the summer months I travel have some very picturesque landscaping. But the warm and humid climates appeal to me and my family. To me its as close as I can get to being on a tropical island without needing to cross a huge body of water. I could go on and on. But now I know, I go to Orlando, Florida (Orlando, Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista, Davenport), to enjoy all the area has to offer, and not just Disney. No need to argue onsite and offsite for me. So for those that there for DISNEY and ONLY DISNEY and you have no interests in anything outside those gates. I get it. And I am not knocking it. To each their own. Whether you come to Orlando to enjoy Disney or you come to enjoy other things along with Disney then its all good. Continue to make your own magical memories!!!!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

And sometimes I make quick meals at my condo. No big deal, I am not tied to a stove. My family just likes certain things that I make that is not available for takeout in a lot of places.

Would you be available to cook for my family when we're down there?

 

[mhsjax]

Again we have another onsite vs offsite debate. I don't know why we continue to argue our points when the answer always comes down to doing what works best for you and/or your family. One of the previous posters stated what I have felt all along, you either go to Orlando for a Disney Vacation or you go to Orlando for an Orlando Vacation. Well I have said all along in my tickers, that my family enjoys an Orlando Vacation.

I stay offsite because besides owning a timeshare week, I want to enjoy all Orlando has to offer. I go to Florida for an ORLANDO VACATION. I go to Orlando to enjoy dining at many different restaurants not available in my area. And sometimes I make quick meals at my condo. No big deal, I am not tied to a stove. My family just likes certain things that I make that is not available for takeout in a lot of places. Besides, I don't know what I want for dinner 6 months in advance, so I would not be a good candidate for ADRs. For me that is a spontaneous decision and I don't want to have to be obligated to ADRs. But I give HUGE props and credits to DISNEY. Because of DISNEY, I do believe that the restaurants in the surrounding areas have to step up their game a little higher to be a Disney competitor. And for that I am grateful. I also go to Orlando to visit AMUSEMENT PARKS, and sometimes DISNEY doesn't always make the list of a must do and must see. I also go to Orlando to SHOP. I love the outlets and the selections that are not available in my area. I also go to Orlando to sightsee. I like driving around in my rental car. Going to the beach to visit the GULF side of the coastline is also on my list of things to do. I am from NJ so all I see is the Atlantic Ocean and to me it is NOT appealing. Orlando being warm and tropical during the summer months I travel have some very picturesque landscaping. But the warm and humid climates appeal to me and my family. To me its as close as I can get to being on a tropical island without needing to cross a huge body of water. I could go on and on. But now I know, I go to Orlando, Florida (Orlando, Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista, Davenport), to enjoy all the area has to offer, and not just Disney. No need to argue onsite and offsite for me. So for those that there for DISNEY and ONLY DISNEY and you have no interests in anything outside those gates. I get it. And I am not knocking it. To each their own. Whether you come to Orlando to enjoy Disney or you come to enjoy other things along with Disney then its all good. Continue to make your own magical memories!!!!

This is probably the best explanation I have heard and it makes sense, at least to me. I am from Orlando, still have family there, so for me when we go, I want a WDW vacation. I can and do go too Orlando very often to me that isn't a vacation, but to others it is. And for us, it is on site al the time, when we choose to go to WDW.

 

[North of Mouse]

I just finished reading all (yes, all ) the posts and I feel like everyone is right Each family has a different idea of what's "best" for them and it probably is, and THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS We have only stayed in a motel on site one time and that is because our daughter has a DVC at Boardwalk and it was very nice. Otherwise, we have been going to Disney with said DD and siblings since '72, a year after the park opened, and have ALWAYS stayed at Fort Wilderness because camping is what we love We've stayed in various trailers, but the last 8 years in a Class A MH. We have no desire to stay in any of the onsite hotels, BUT we do want to stay onsite and we go to be at Disney period - don't leave the property for 10-14 days. No, I do not cook, and we do not get tired of Disney food. There's so many different kinds of food, and we don't eat large meals but once a day, so enjoy each thing we eat. The transportation usually doesn't bother us as we're fairly laid back and "go with the flow". But, having said what we enjoy the most, I respect other families, and what matters the most to them. Our needs and wants are very diverse, and we all need to do what makes our vacations the best we can for ourselves - hope everyone else enjoys theirs as much as we always do. We leave in 2 weeks for the F&G show which is our favorite each year. &

 

[DeltaDiamond001]

A few years ago, I would have answered this question with, "why NOT stay on site?!"

However, after many, many stays at the Disney "deluxe" resorts, we finally gave up on trying to justify the cost. For our family of four, a small room with only two queen sized beds and a cramped bathroom just didn't work well. For what we payed at the Wilderness Lodge and Polynesian, we could have rented TWO four bedroom houses minutes from gates of WDW.

I understand that some people only go to Disney once in a great while, and in that case, then yes, I think it is worth staying on site. If you are pinching pennies and clipping coupons to make your vacation work, however, I am of the belief that you can be FAR more comfortable and get FAR more for your money off site.

Along with the astronomical (and ever increasing) price of staying at a Disney owned and operated resort, the lack of all around value (dining, shopping, etc.,) and the severely over stated "deluxe" amenities, the lack of a frequent guest program really puts me off. For the number of nights and price point of the rooms we stay have stayed in at Disney, we would easily be the highest level of rewards program at any other major hotel corporation.

Enough with my ramblings...

 

[TamaraQT]

Would you be available to cook for my family when we're down there?

Nope.

 

[TamaraQT]

A few years ago, I would have answered this question with, "why NOT stay on site?!"

However, after many, many stays at the Disney "deluxe" resorts, we finally gave up on trying to justify the cost. For our family of four, a small room with only two queen sized beds and a cramped bathroom just didn't work well. For what we payed at the Wilderness Lodge and Polynesian, we could have rented TWO four bedroom houses minutes from gates of WDW.

I understand that some people only go to Disney once in a great while, and in that case, then yes, I think it is worth staying on site. If you are pinching pennies and clipping coupons to make your vacation work, however, I am of the belief that you can be FAR more comfortable and get FAR more for your money off site.

Along with the astronomical (and ever increasing) price of staying at a Disney owned and operated resort, the lack of all around value (dining, shopping, etc.,) and the severely over stated "deluxe" amenities, the lack of a frequent guest program really puts me off. For the number of nights and price point of the rooms we stay have stayed in at Disney, we would easily be the highest level of rewards program at any other major hotel corporation.

Enough with my ramblings...

Go ahead and ramble on.....thats what forums are for.

This year, we will be going to Disney. We will be in Orlando for 10 days, and doing Disney for 4 out of the 10. I considered staying at the new Art of Animation Resort since they do give a little more "spread out" room...2 bedrooms/bathrooms. But when I added up the costs(tickets thru YES program), it just wasn't worth it to me. The most important thing to my DD5 is that she is getting to go to Disney. She doesn't care if we stay on or offsite.....at least not YET....that may change one day and I will have to add in a few days of onsite stays to our Orlando Vacation.