Will I regret staying offsite?

[Marionnette]

Help me make a decision please! I am planning a trip for after Christmas (potential dates: Dec. 28- Jan. 6) with my family of 5, my SIL and my two nephews. The five kids will range in age from 5-11. I keep going back and forth between renting DVC and getting an offsite pool house. We have stayed onsite and offsite, and have really enjoyed both, we actually prefer offsite with the kids. What is your experience with staying offsite during super busy times? We are really trying to stay on a budget. We will probably be driving and will have annual passes for some of our party (if that makes a difference). I really want this to be an amazing trip for my SIL and nephews because they will probably never go back.

Any other time of the year, I would say that it is a toss up between larger accommodations offsite vs. being conveniently located within the resort onsite. But since you are tentatively planning to be there over the Christmas holidays, there is no question in my mind that being onsite is a better choice. The reports from the last couple of years say that it isn't just crowded, it is crazy, shoulder-to-shoulder crowded with the parks closing to incoming guests due to capacity. And guess who gets turned away first? Those offsite guests who are arriving by car.

June, July or any other time of the year would be fine for an offsite stay. But if you're going at Christmas, and especially since this will be your SIL and nephews' only visit, I think you really need to stay onsite.

 

[momtosam]

My hunch is that if you are asking the question, you are trying to talk yourself into it. I know because I do the same thing all the time! My guess is that yes, you will regret it, not based on any of the info other here contributed, but because you are probably an on-site person at heart.

 

[erbeaman]

My hunch is that if you are asking the question, you are trying to talk yourself into it. I know because I do the same thing all the time! My guess is that yes, you will regret it, not based on any of the info other here contributed, but because you are probably an on-site person at heart.

I think you are right. I truly believe some of the magic gets lost when you stay offsite. I do think I am an onsite person (especially since this might be the only trip for my nephews). I think I'm just afraid of telling my SIL how much it will cost to stay onsite. It's hard to justify the cost to people who have never been to WDW and have no idea what's there. KWIM?

 

[TnTWalter]

its a lovely Resort w many pools and hot tubs and a warm lazy river.

not someone's house really nice full kitchen great balcony sooo close to parks.


have fun

 

[Planogirl]

Onsite to me is a waste of money but that's just ME. Only you can decide as to what will work best for your group.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

We used to stay onsite, but are official off-site converts. I have 4 kids, ages 5-16, and they ALL say their favorite thing on vacation is the private pool. They can't agree that the sky is blue, but THIS, they agree on.

I think an off-site trip can be magical, just a different kind of magical. Not only is it cheaper, but you can save still mor emoney by cooking a few simple meals, if you wish. My gang actually prefers NOT to eat out all vacation, but that's a personal thing (and my kids may be wierd in this respect).

Since you're looking at Christmas week, you would definitely have to be at the parks at rope drop. I don't know that EMH would be much help, that would just put you up earlier, int he same parks as everyone else trying to beat the crowds.

If you want to up the wow factor for your nephews, make an effort to rent a house with themed bedrooms and/or a game room. Some houses also have things like Playstations and free movie rentals that would appeal to the kids.

You may not have a lot of success renting DVC for this time period, and it's likely to be pricey. I've hed great things about Bonnet Creek, but have never stayed there. That would be good for more of a "resort" feel, versus "home away from home" feel. But, no private pool, so it's a no-go for my gang.

If nothing else, price out both options, make a list of pros and cons, and sit down with just you and SIL, so you can have an honest discussion.

 

[North of Mouse]

I think you are right. I truly believe some of the magic gets lost when you stay offsite. I do think I am an onsite person (especially since this might be the only trip for my nephews). I think I'm just afraid of telling my SIL how much it will cost to stay onsite. It's hard to justify the cost to people who have never been to WDW and have no idea what's there. KWIM?

You actually said in your first post that you actually PREFERRED off site that's why I encouraged you to do what you wanted to do, although I always prefer on site and will not stay off site.

 

[maxiesmom]

Any other time of the year, I would say that it is a toss up between larger accommodations offsite vs. being conveniently located within the resort onsite. But since you are tentatively planning to be there over the Christmas holidays, there is no question in my mind that being onsite is a better choice. The reports from the last couple of years say that it isn't just crowded, it is crazy, shoulder-to-shoulder crowded with the parks closing to incoming guests due to capacity. And guess who gets turned away first? Those offsite guests who are arriving by car.

June, July or any other time of the year would be fine for an offsite stay. But if you're going at Christmas, and especially since this will be your SIL and nephews' only visit, I think you really need to stay onsite.

I couldn't agree more with this post.

I have done both on and off site stays, and enjoyed my time at WDW both ways. However, you are planning on going during THE busiest time of year! The parks will be wall to wall people, and they will get that way fairly quickly. Off site guests are the first to be turned away when the parks start to fill up. Unless you plan on being at the parks every morning for rope-drop I highly recommend you stay on-site. And even then I wouldn't wait too long into the day before hitting the parks. Judging by the pics people posted of this past Christmas, you don't want to be arriving at 10am or later.

 

[leebee]

We've been to Disney about 24 times, mostly offsite. REcently, with just DD and I traveling, it's been more cost effective to stay onsite with free dining, as Magical Express means we don't have to rent a car. However, it does limit us to using the Disney bus system, which in our opinion leaves a LOT to be desired. However, free dining and no rental car makes it affordable for us, and with only two in the room, it's manageable. When we took DH last fall, 3 in a room (DD is 17) at POP was a little... close.

If I were you, going at that time of year, I'd stay offsite. I saw the pictures from last Christmas, and it is literally shoulder-to-shoulder people in the MK up until New Year's. Do you really want to be in the parks for that, anyhow? I would say stay offsite, get to rope drop on the 29th, 30th, 31st, but expect to be leaving by 1pm... the crowds are atrocious, a total nightmare... or prepare to spend the entire day/night in the park. Luckily, if you are offsite you'll have a deluxe home to go to, everyone can spread out and relax, the kids can hang in the pool, etc.

If you stay onsite, you'll want to use your own car as you will be spending QUITE awhile in the bus queues! Also, remember that if you are onsite you will either need two rooms or a pricy, multi-bedroom villa, as you have 8 people. If you have 2 rooms (assuming you put one of your kids on your sil's reservation), there's no guarantee they'll be near one another, even if you ask for it.

 

[andrews_dad]

We will never stay on site again. We rent 4 or 5 BR homes within 10 Min of the parks for less than others are paying for on site single rooms. We cook breakfast, travel home for lunch and naps, and use teh crock pot to have dinner ready when we walk in teh door. We have annual passes for free parking. At the house we have our very own pool, laundry (so pack SO light).. and most improtantly, our own bedrooms. We have a handicap placard, so that impacts this point I'll admit .. but we found that we save tons of time with our own car vs waiting on those Dis busses. I understand why some would want to be on site, but for us there is no debate. vrbo.com or homeaway.com does teh trick for us.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I just don't think you can beat the convenience of staing onsite.

It depends on where you are staying. I would normally agree with this because I am an onsite girl at heart, BUT I have found that as long as you are on Disney resort property either at the hotels by DTD or Bonnet Creek, it's just as good as being onsite. we drive to the parks so I guess this is why it works for us.

In our opinion, off-site is soooo much better.....

No cramped rooms filled with people -- much more space off site. Seperate bedrooms, dining rooms, living room.....

Kitchens you can fill with food / drinks / snacks so you're not eating every meal @ disney

No waiting in longs lines for crowded buses...just take you're own car and you can likely be back to your condo in 15 mins or less.

Assuming the pool is warm (we've never been that time of year), what would be better than your own private pool right out your back door?

This is what I am looking forward to in our first real off site trip. We stayed at Royal Plaza once before and the rooms were bigger, but I wasn't sold on off site. we did that because it was free. POR is our home resort and I love it, but this next time we will be staying at Bonnet Creek. It is conviently located right by CBR.

With a family of 5, I hate being crammed into a small resort room. I think my DH will absolutely love Bonnet Creek, and the price cant be beat. Unless we luck up on free dining like we have on a few trips in the past, I really think this is the way we are going in Nov. Since we drive to the parks ourselves, the bus system is a non issue. EMH's are nice, but we seldom use them anyway.

I will say that for first time travelers to Disney, I would recommend staying onsite due to the fact that driving around can be crazy if you dont know where you are going. That's where the bus system is very helpful.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Any other time of the year, I would say that it is a toss up between larger accommodations offsite vs. being conveniently located within the resort onsite. But since you are tentatively planning to be there over the Christmas holidays, there is no question in my mind that being onsite is a better choice. The reports from the last couple of years say that it isn't just crowded, it is crazy, shoulder-to-shoulder crowded with the parks closing to incoming guests due to capacity. And guess who gets turned away first? Those offsite guests who are arriving by car.

June, July or any other time of the year would be fine for an offsite stay. But if you're going at Christmas, and especially since this will be your SIL and nephews' only visit, I think you really need to stay onsite.

I agree with this post. Staying offsite definitely makes going to WDW that time of year more affordable, but the crowd levels at WDW during that week are definitely something to think about as they are reported to be the highest of the year.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I agree with this post. Staying offsite definitely makes going to WDW that time of year more affordable, but the crowd levels at WDW during that week are definitely something to think about as they are reported to be the highest of the year.

This is very true because sometimes they close due to capacity, but I do believe that they let on site visitors in.

 

[erbeaman]

My biggest concern is the crowds during our first few days there. But, I have found some great deals in Emerald Island that might sway me towards staying offsite. Maybe I can talk my SIL into going Thanksgiving week. I'm a teacher so it is really my schedule that is limiting us. Is TG week any less crowded? We usually go around Easter (my spring break), and it is crowded, but not to the point where we don't enjoy ourselves.

 

[jujube]

My biggest concern is the crowds during our first few days there. But, I have found some great deals in Emerald Island that might sway me towards staying offsite. Maybe I can talk my SIL into going Thanksgiving week. I'm a teacher so it is really my schedule that is limiting us. Is TG week any less crowded? We usually go around Easter (my spring break), and it is crowded, but not to the point where we don't enjoy ourselves.

Emerald Island is very nice and 5 minutes from Animal Kingdom. We rented this house which was very nice and well kept:
http://www.orlando4villas.com/house/18/

Our friends had this house and it too was in great condition:
http://www.orlando4villas.com/house/350/

BTW, Thanksgiving Week is a great time to go and is not as crowded as Spring Break. Most of the Christmas decorations are up. If you're off the entire week, I suggest arriving the Friday night before T week. Each day closer to T day gets more and more crowded. That said, the weather is usually beautiful. As always, arrive before rope drop and you should be good.
To throw another idea out there, because you're a teacher, you qualify for discounted rates at the Swan and Dolphin. These can really save you $$$. If you consider the S/D, join Starwood Preferred Guest program before you book your reservation. Joining can help with pixie dust.

Here's the link to join, if you're interested:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/index.html