Worth staying offsite?

[antpec]

Hi guys. I'm new here but frequent WDW, at least 2-3 times per year. I've only stayed onsite twice and absolutely love it. It gives the vacation a little extra bit of fun. But, because we go so often we have to stay offsite. What is everyone's preference and when you choose offsite stays, where do you go and why?

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

If I'm only doing WDW I stay onsite.
Easier to get around. Parking and transportation is included.
Less stress.

I'd only consider offsite if I had a car and I'm doing more than Disney.

My location for offsite is based on where my parents always stayed and these days most people would find it less than ideal at a cheap motel in Davenport.

 

[kylenne]

The most offsite I will ever get anymore is Swan & Dolphin tbh. Obviously it depends on your priorities. I'm religious about midday breaks, and I go enough that the resorts are as important to me as park time if not more. I enjoy the theming, pools, food, amenities, etc of the Disney resorts.

But I'm at the point where if I was forced to stay truly offsite I would honestly rather stay home. Transportation is honestly the biggest reason why, besides just being in the bubble being important to me. My last true offsite stay was at the Sheraton Vistana in 2016 (it was not up to me since I wasn't paying) and the stress of driving home at night from MK ruined my whole day and made me vow never again. Yes rideshare exists and I use it at times even staying at Disney resorts but the drop off points are not always ideal and surge pricing can get crazy after park close. Disney transportation isn't perfect but I'm used to the quirks of public transit at home and it's a fantastic system for as much volume they get.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

The most offsite I will ever get anymore is Swan & Dolphin tbh. Obviously it depends on your priorities. I'm religious about midday breaks, and I go enough that the resorts are as important to me as park time if not more. I enjoy the theming, pools, food, amenities, etc of the Disney resorts.

But I'm at the point where if I was forced to stay truly offsite I would honestly rather stay home. Transportation is honestly the biggest reason why, besides just being in the bubble being important to me. My last true offsite stay was at the Sheraton Vistana in 2016 (it was not up to me since I wasn't paying) and the stress of driving home at night from MK ruined my whole day and made me vow never again. Yes rideshare exists and I use it at times even staying at Disney resorts but the drop off points are not always ideal and surge pricing can get crazy after park close. Disney transportation isn't perfect but I'm used to the quirks of public transit at home and it's a fantastic system for as much volume they get.

Yeah for where we have stayed offsite its a good 30 minute drive each way so the stress of being ready in the morning and then being so tired from a full day in the parks that drive is a bummer.
Even my parents have said onsite is the way to go and they were always the type that thought it was completely unnecessary.

 

[kylenne]

Yeah for where we have stayed offsite its a good 30 minute drive each way so the stress of being ready in the morning and then being so tired from a full day in the parks that drive is a bummer.
Even my parents have said onsite is the way to go and they were always the type that thought it was completely unnecessary.

Midday breaks are really not feasible if you're staying offsite, especially on MK days, and that's a massive dealbreaker for us. Staying in that park all day is a recipe for meltdowns. I just need to go lay down in the AC or go in the pool in the middle of the day after a morning of rope dropping to decompress.

Swan and Dolphin are where I go when I want to save compared to the Disney deluxes I like to stay at. I love those hotels and despite the lack of overt theming they "feel" Disney to me and not like regular Marriotts. Being right on Crescent Lake helps.

 

[_19disnA]

Over the years we have stayed both at Disney as well as off-site locations and enjoyed all of them for different reasons. Eating outside of Disney is quite a bit cheaper and there are lots of options along that main road leading to/from Disney. Staying on-site is much more expensive since you are also paying for the 'convenience' of being near one of the parks. However, Disney property is huge and no resort is the closest to every park.

Mostly, it depends on your budget, which park(s) you plan to visit and what you think of the subjective topic of Disney theming at the various resorts. Some people like the various forms of Disney transportation, while others do not. Many older threads on that topic as well.

 

[firefly_ris]

I'm cool with off site. I last stayed on site at CBR in 2019 and it was nice, but what the rooms cost these days is unreal, and we are a family of 5 so we cannot stay at certain properties. One day I would like to stay at a place like the Poly, but can't come to terms with the spending on top of 5 park tickets, plus food, airfare.... gets crazy fast.

I really like condo type places with separate bedrooms, in-room laundry and kitchen so I can cook some meals, pack less and go home with clean laundry, and I much prefer driving over taking a Disney bus. So off site doesn't bother me at all. They are both nice but I would prefer to be able to go to WDW once a year or two and stay offsite than not be able to affford to go at all because I can't pay so much for a room.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

[hardcorestitch]

It’s nice to stay offsite, but the knock is the transportation. Those contracted bus companies are a mixed bag-in the case of some hotels… they aren’t as reliable as if you stayed with a Disney hotel and Disney transport. As long as you’re flexible enough with your script of attractions or other activities after the parks (save give at least 1 3/4 hrs extra time to accommodate for late bus/transportation), you should be ok.

I always try to sneak in at least one or two non-Disney things when I visit a Disney park… keeps everyone (especially my not-so-excited brothers) a little spirited. Then again… even if I do end up at the nearby outlets, I still end up at the Character Warehouse.

Most of the time I’ve been at an IHG hotel (except for the Jekyll Island leg when I left Disney this year… Days Inn) but next year I may consider using a Drury since I have seen them run their own buses direct to the parks. Looks a bit more consistent in terms of operations. I would recommend you do the same if you considered a non-Disney hotel. I do hear the Drury Inn does have FREE Mickey waffles that are actual Mickey waffles as it looks like they use Golden Waffle mix (the official Disney waffle mix). Plus, the rooms do seem nice for the price.

 

[Genie+]

I’ve looked into offsite options many times over the years, and it always ends up the same conclusion - can’t find anything cheap enough to offset the extra expenses offsite. Things like resort fee, theme park parking $, rental cars or uber, shuttles and convenience…

Onsite the whole family can come and go as they please using the onsite transportation.

So when I create a total budget for the cheapest onsite and offsite options, the costs end up so close that it comes down to comparing experience. WDW wins.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Midday breaks are really not feasible if you're staying offsite, especially on MK days, and that's a massive dealbreaker for us. Staying in that park all day is a recipe for meltdowns. I just need to go lay down in the AC or go in the pool in the middle of the day after a morning of rope dropping to decompress.

Swan and Dolphin are where I go when I want to save compared to the Disney deluxes I like to stay at. I love those hotels and despite the lack of overt theming they "feel" Disney to me and not like regular Marriotts. Being right on Crescent Lake helps.

We are kind of the opposite.
If we go back for a break you can count on us being cranky and not wanting to leave the bed.
We go on pretty short trips so lounging isn't really an option after arrival day.

 

[Mle8308]

The most offsite I will ever get anymore is Swan & Dolphin tbh. Obviously it depends on your priorities. I'm religious about midday breaks, and I go enough that the resorts are as important to me as park time if not more. I enjoy the theming, pools, food, amenities, etc of the Disney resorts.

But I'm at the point where if I was forced to stay truly offsite I would honestly rather stay home. Transportation is honestly the biggest reason why, besides just being in the bubble being important to me. My last true offsite stay was at the Sheraton Vistana in 2016 (it was not up to me since I wasn't paying) and the stress of driving home at night from MK ruined my whole day and made me vow never again. Yes rideshare exists and I use it at times even staying at Disney resorts but the drop off points are not always ideal and surge pricing can get crazy after park close. Disney transportation isn't perfect but I'm used to the quirks of public transit at home and it's a fantastic system for as much volume they get.

I couldn't have said it better myself! I've never done Swan or Dolphin, but would consider them if absolutely necessary. Been going to Disney for over 30 years and I have never stayed off property. I do have family who live in Orlando and I've stayed there the night before I check in (usually book the last flight of the day to Orlando so I can work). And I take full advantage of my family there, my bother's "man cave" closet has become my "Disney Storage Unit" - I leave all sorts of stuff there so I don't have to carry it all back and forth, especially now that I am attempting to travel without checking bags. Next week won't count, but my September trip will be carry on only!

 

[disney-inspired]

I have DVC so that pretty much gives my answer LOL
But before I had DVC, I only stayed onsite. I'm flying in and don't want the extra expense and hassle of renting a car so Disney transportation is a must for me.
I love the Disney bubble too, it makes it feel like a real vacation for me.

 

[antpec]

If I'm only doing WDW I stay onsite.
Easier to get around. Parking and transportation is included.
Less stress.

I'd only consider offsite if I had a car and I'm doing more than Disney.

My location for offsite is based on where my parents always stayed and these days most people would find it less than ideal at a cheap motel in Davenport.

Totally agree. Disney transportation can be such a treat. When my in laws come with us we rent a house but, that is such a pain because it's typically 20-30 minutes away.

 

[antpec]

The most offsite I will ever get anymore is Swan & Dolphin tbh. Obviously it depends on your priorities. I'm religious about midday breaks, and I go enough that the resorts are as important to me as park time if not more. I enjoy the theming, pools, food, amenities, etc of the Disney resorts.

But I'm at the point where if I was forced to stay truly offsite I would honestly rather stay home. Transportation is honestly the biggest reason why, besides just being in the bubble being important to me. My last true offsite stay was at the Sheraton Vistana in 2016 (it was not up to me since I wasn't paying) and the stress of driving home at night from MK ruined my whole day and made me vow never again. Yes rideshare exists and I use it at times even staying at Disney resorts but the drop off points are not always ideal and surge pricing can get crazy after park close. Disney transportation isn't perfect but I'm used to the quirks of public transit at home and it's a fantastic system for as much volume they get.

I have 2 little ones so midday breaks are much needed. It's the worst when we are offsite and have to leave. It eats up so much of the day. Staying onsite is the way for sure.

 

[antpec]

I have DVC so that pretty much gives my answer LOL
But before I had DVC, I only stayed onsite. I'm flying in and don't want the extra expense and hassle of renting a car so Disney transportation is a must for me.
I love the Disney bubble too, it makes it feel like a real vacation for me.

We are strongly considering DVC at the moment. Nothing beats staying onsite. I've only stayed at the Grand Californian as far as deluxe goes. The resort was phenomenal but I enjoy the theming more at moderates and values. I'm nervous to commit while my kids are still young because they like when the hotel is heavily themed.

 

[antpec]

I’ve looked into offsite options many times over the years, and it always ends up the same conclusion - can’t find anything cheap enough to offset the extra expenses offsite. Things like resort fee, theme park parking $, rental cars or uber, shuttles and convenience…

Onsite the whole family can come and go as they please using the onsite transportation.

So when I create a total budget for the cheapest onsite and offsite options, the costs end up so close that it comes down to comparing experience. WDW wins.

Yes. I overlooked all of that stuff my first few trips. Now

 

[antpec]

Yes. I overlooked all of that stuff my first few trips. Now

It seems like we save money staying onsite even though Disney resorts are a more up front cost but, more is included.

 

[Rory607]

Staying off-site appeals to me for the extra space, kitchen, etc. But I loathe traffic and that’s basically what it comes down to for us. We also typically fly, so then we would have to spend money on a rental car and parking. I want to wake up at Disney, get on a bus, boat or the monorail and be at the parks.

 

[CarolynFH]

We’ve owned DVC for over 25 years and prefer to stay onsite. But if we’re out of points, we’ll use our other timeshare to stay offsite. We love the three Marriott Palms just across the interstate at the Marriott World Center complex as well as Silver Lake which is around the corner from AK. Staying offsite is better than staying home!

 

[antpec]

That's a perfect way to put it!!