Will I reget staying offsite?

[tamu91]

We used to always stay off-site before purchasing DVC. Growing up, that never bothered me as long as we were going to WDW
Of course, it takes little longer to get to the parks, little harder to take a mid-day break, no Mickey wake up calls but like somebody mentioned, it's LOT cheaper.
I never understood this on-site / off-site debate. Of course, it's sooooo much easier to stay on-site but it's not for everyone.
I hope you enjoy your trip no matter where you rest your head Believe me, even a bad day at WDW is a better day than most of us are having back here at home

 

[robinb]

I'm replying without reading the rest ...

I happen to love staying on-site. There is nothing like the 24/7 Disney Magic to keep you going. I have stayed off-site many times and the lure of saving money calls to me, but I know I am happier on-site. I would rather stay at a Value resort than any of the fancy resorts around WDW (except for the Marriott Orlando World Center, their pool rocks!).

But ... if you have never stayed off-site, I think that this is the perfect opportunity to see if it's right for you. You already have a couple of trips under your belt and you won't be in total "commando mode". You'll have enough time to drive to the parks, drive back to your condo, etc. Plus, you'll have plenty of room to spread out and relax once you're there.

So ... will you regret staying off-site? Maybe. Maybe not. The only way you'll really know is to try it. I would say to go for it.

 

[cantwait5]

We love staying offsite! The thought of schlepping through the parks and then having to share one small room with my husband and two teenage sons, not to mention one bathroom, gives me the shudders. Plus, I love throwing in a wash and having all clean clothes the entire time - the machine does all the work! And.....not having to eat every meal out! We'll grab breakfast for the car on the way to the parks, pack a lunch, and for a couple of nights have a relaxing dinner in (pasta,pizza, etc). And what's better than a jacuzzi after a day of killing your feet? We always do a timeshare trade, and when the timeshare runs out, will just buy condo weeks which are so readily available. I would love to stay onsite, but to pay for a villa during primetime.....two kids headed to college within a few years ....the tradeoffs are just not worth it! Down the road, when DH and I go alone, then I think we could manage "just" a hotel room, but in the meantime, this works great for our family of 4!

 

[Laurajean1014]

Sorry, but I say yes. There is nothing like staying inside WDW. DH and I did 10 years ago, and will not stay outside the parks again.

Love the fact that my suite is 900 sq. ft., that has a big jaccuzzi that fits 2-3 and a washer and dryer in the room. The large kitchen and agreat room are just what you need when returning from a fun-filled day.

The time you save from schlepping in the car or TTS, is worth a extra pennies.

 

[swincha]

This will be our 3rd trip this year (October). My DS (6) and I both have APs. I was considering an offsite stay to save money. I am considering using skyauction.com for a condo/villa rental and am pretty confident I can get one for 7 days for around $250ish. A good deal. We are going October 14th thru the 23rd or so (dates are a little flexible on either side). In January we did Pop. It was ok. We had a really bad experience there (mousekeeping theft). It was resolved after we got home and we were reimbursed. I won't stay there again (my son would be very upset). In April we stayed @ POR and loved it. Very nice.

WWYD!! I'm having major anxiety about this!!

vrbo.com we got a 4 bedroom late availability with pool,hot tub for 125 a night. 3 miles from disney. we took a break, lunch and swam each day. i loved it. kitchen. great house. all luxury. i wouldn't stay in a hotel again. the transportation at disney is also horrible. i'd rather use my car.

 

[swincha]

Yes.

You will regret not staying on-site. We did it once....NEVER again.

PamNC

just got home. didn't miss the magic of being able to drive to our home in a few minutes. just as quick as staying in one of the disney properties. we ate at many resort hotels. attempted to catch the boat from the wilderness hotel and 2 passed up this resort because they were full so we drove anyway. the only way i would stay at disney is to stay at the contemporary and walk to magic kingdom and not get stuck in the crowds. we left as it was getting busy. i can't imagine going to disney in those crowds the last day was horrible. our villa was wonderful. swam every afternoon and had lunch. hot tub. huge beautiful home. there is no magic being on top of each other.

 

[swincha]

I know I would regret staying off-site. Don't forget that you wouldn't get the EMH's if you stay off-site. JMO, but I think on-site is much better. Could you use an AP code to get a better rate?

i don't understand this. this is a board for orlando hotels but we have the people who never stay off site and say not to stay off site. this portion of the site is for info on OFF site hotels.

 

[swincha]

We stayed off-site before and decided that the TRAFFIC ALONE is enough to make us want to be on-site!!! Luckily we have never had a problem when staying on-site.

no traffic stayed at windsor palms. took sherberth drive. the disney transportation is crowded and slow so unless i walked from mk to contemporary i wouldn't want to stay on site. tried to take a boat from wilderness lodge after dinner there. 2 boats could not pick up anyone from this resort. after the parks close the buses, monorail, boats are packed. we walked to contemporary and waited then took the mono to our car.

 

[swincha]

Sorry, but I say yes. There is nothing like staying inside WDW. DH and I did 10 years ago, and will not stay outside the parks again.

Love the fact that my suite is 900 sq. ft., that has a big jaccuzzi that fits 2-3 and a washer and dryer in the room. The large kitchen and agreat room are just what you need when returning from a fun-filled day.

The time you save from schlepping in the car or TTS, is worth a extra pennies.

?pennies?how much did your suite cost? my 4 bedroom home was 125 a nite. i never thought i would want a pool and spa in my backyard. safety wise. but there are pool alarms and a child fence up. we didn't even lose the clubhouse or pool. it was great to have the pool in our backyard. for the time we stayed there we would have spent thousands staying on site. no pennies

 

[matthewsmom1]

Thanks everyone!! I have to clarify that even w/my onsite trips I ALWAYS rent a car. I'm an anal control-freak, I can't stand relying on someone else for transportation.

I think we'll do the skyauction condo for a week and then maybe onsite somewhere for a couple of nights. Best of both worlds!

 

[MELSMICE]

i don't understand this. this is a board for orlando hotels but we have the people who never stay off site and say not to stay off site. this portion of the site is for info on OFF site hotels.

What's not to get. Someone asked a question & I gave an answer (along with many others). I have stayed off-site numerous times - timeshare condos, budget hotels, deluxe hotels - the only thing we haven't done is rent a house.

The OP asked a question that happened to be on the Orlando hotels board about whether she would reget staying off-site. Why wouldn't people that prefer on-site check those boards out also.

You obviously prefer off-site, & that's fine, no one flamed anyone here for prefering off-site or on-site prior to this. I, on the other hand, prefer on-site, after experiencing both, & gave my opinion as such. No big deal.

 

[BonnieA]

i don't understand this. this is a board for orlando hotels but we have the people who never stay off site and say not to stay off site. this portion of the site is for info on OFF site hotels.

I agree with this also. If we were to make a positive off-site (or heaven forbid, a negative on-site) comment on the resorts board we would be slammed so hard we couldn't move.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Thanks everyone!! I have to clarify that even w/my onsite trips I ALWAYS rent a car. I'm an anal control-freak, I can't stand relying on someone else for transportation.

I think we'll do the skyauction condo for a week and then maybe onsite somewhere for a couple of nights. Best of both worlds!

That is exactly what we do.
The last time we split our stay between Cypress Pointe and Pop Century and had a fabulous time at both.

And from one control freak to another , I ALWAYS rent a car.

 

[robinb]

Originally Posted by swincha
i don't understand this. this is a board for orlando hotels but we have the people who never stay off site and say not to stay off site. this portion of the site is for info on OFF site hotels.

I agree with this also. If we were to make a positive off-site (or heaven forbid, a negative on-site) comment on the resorts board we would be slammed so hard we couldn't move.

Oh, puh-leeze! That is not true and you know it. The question of on-site v/s off-site is a common one on both boards. I have been on the DIS since 1999 and have seen these threads many times. I find the vast majority of supporters of both views are able to express their opinions with respect for the "other side".

IMO, the only people who can directly answer the OPs question are people like MELSMICE, PamNC and me who have stayed both on-site and off-site. However, every poster is entitled to their own opinion, even if they would never dream of staying off-site away from the "magic" or on-site in a "tiny" hotel room.

 

[MELSMICE]

Oh, puh-leeze! That is not true and you know it. The question of on-site v/s off-site is a common one on both boards. I have been on the DIS since 1999 and have seen these threads many times. I find the vast majority of supporters of both views are able to express their opinions with respect for the "other side".

IMO, the only people who can directly answer the OPs question are people like MELSMICE, PamNC and me who have stayed both on-site and off-site. However, every poster is entitled to their own opinion, even if they would never dream of staying off-site away from the "magic" or on-site in a "tiny" hotel room.

Thank you! I agree!

 

[spiceycat]

I have stayed offsite and on - both are GREAT.

now there are some places offsites I would avoid at all costs, times, etc.

but there are some great places offsite that you can get for week for the cost of a room onsite.

the problem is unless you have been it is hard to determine which is which.

Staying at the Sheraton Vistana, HGVC, CP, OL, SL - are all great options.

I have stayed in almost all the WDW resorts.

Disney service is the best. but Celebration world resort gave my family great service!!!

If you need to save money and find a bargin offsite - go with it.

You have stayed onsite so you know what that is like.

lots of people (me included) don't like to drive to the theme parks. If that is you don't even consider staying offsite. I can and do drive to the theme parks when we stay offsite.

if you are going on-season (this summer), I would also consider staying onsite for the early hours of the EMH. these can be a BIG help when trying to do all the parks on one trip.

however you are going during the wine/food festavial. I would consider onsite if you are going to be participating in the wine part. However it would be one of the Epcot resorts. So you don't have to catch a bus.

Now if you aren't going to participate in the wine part - then hey staying offsite is great.

each and every situation is different.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I agree with this also. If we were to make a positive off-site (or heaven forbid, a negative on-site) comment on the resorts board we would be slammed so hard we couldn't move.

its bad you feel this way. I dont agree with you but you are entitled to your opinion. People post negative reviews all the time on the resort board and sometimes people dont agree but its a message board. People relate THEIR specific experience.

 

[Brian Noble]

I've got two younger kids, and their bedtime is hours earlier than mine---even at Disney. We never stay ANYwhere longer than one night unless we have at least one honest-to-goodness wall with an honest-to-goodness door separating the place where DW and I sleep from the place where the kids sleep. At WDW, onsite, that means either two connecting rooms, a Ft. Wilderness cabin, or a 1BR DVC villa. The rock-bottom price for this during value season is something in the neighborhood of $130. During the time we go (Peak) it's more like $190. (both including tax) During that same late-february period, we can get 2br conods (or better) for under $100 per night, including tax, and that has an equipped kitchen for breakfasts in jammies plus the occasional dinner in. If (heaven forbid) either kid gets sick (and both of them had some flu-like thing last year, on different days of course) the kitchen is even more invaluable.

So, we save nearly $100 per day by staying offiste, and that almost pays for our park admission. That's hard to argue.

On the other hand, when it's just DW and I, onsite is worth a spin, because now we only need one room, and don't mind grabbing a quick bite on the way to the parks in the morning. We still rent a car, because we are not waiting-for-the-bus people.

In short, it really depends on personal preferences. I'm not willing to give up $100 a night or my private bedroom, no matter how magical the experience. But, when the price is right, and it fits our needs, I like onsite just fine.

 

[cantwait5]

After reading all these posts I've come to the conclusion, and only for our family, everyone is different, that if you really want the two bedrooms, it's a great bargain to FILL UP ON THE MAGIC at the parks and that as long as the resort you're staying at is super clean, well maintained etc., and that info is available on these great boards, you don't miss much magic while you're sleeping! There are give and takes, but I'd rather spend the money saved on a splurge meal ( this year it's Emeril's Tchoup Chop). On the other hand, we are indeed going with one room for just two nites onsite at Universal; this year. The front of the line access makes two nights of extra cost and sharing a room (just for two nights, after that we move to the condo) a great tradeoff. The other thing to consider is how much time you spend at the resort itself; if you spend lots of time, the great pools and theming onsite - so much more detailed than offsite, even at the more upscale offsite resorts- may be worth the extra expense. We're at the parks all the time - I need a clean bed, kitchen,washer dryer, jacuzzi and clean resort and SPACE.
We are leaving tomorrow and I am beside myself with excitement - it's been 4 years and though we've never traveled high season, I am planning meticulously and hope it pays off - early rising, a break midday, and then doing attractions during parades, or Fantasmic. Wish us luck!!

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Oh, puh-leeze! That is not true and you know it. The question of on-site v/s off-site is a common one on both boards. I have been on the DIS since 1999 and have seen these threads many times. I find the vast majority of supporters of both views are able to express their opinions with respect for the "other side".

IMO, the only people who can directly answer the OPs question are people like MELSMICE, PamNC and me who have stayed both on-site and off-site. However, every poster is entitled to their own opinion, even if they would never dream of staying off-site away from the "magic" or on-site in a "tiny" hotel room.

Ummmm...........Hello..............I think I was qualified to answer. Look at my siggie.......