Would you rather stay at a mid to upper level Marriott off-site, or a Value?

[mickey2minnie1]

In June we did a split stay at a 3 bed/3 bath condo at Reunion for 6 nights and 5 nights at the Poly. The condo was 5 star, but I had to drive back from MK with all of us exhausted. That was no fun. Yes, I would rather just relax and enjoy the bus ride back holding my daughter and talking to my boys about the day than focusing in the dark trying not to miss my turn being a tourist, haha.

We are 5, so a value is out. As much as I liked the space and kitchen, I would rather do onsite with all of us in the room. My husband would say differently though, but he did not do the parks in the evening.

The kids and I are Disney loyalists. They have us hooked. I would not stay at a value with even the 4 of us-hubby staying home. I would find a way to upgrade to a mod. I need a queen bed when sharing with one of my children.

If just the four of us and the Marriott had bus service, yes I would do it over a value to go to Disney.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

I would stay value...being onsite is extremely important to me.

But for me the room is just a place to sleep...I don't use the pool, hot tubs, etc at the resort.

Onsite for me is more about convenience which is the number one thing that makes Disney my favorite vacation spot.

I am very glad that Disney has so many lodging choices in all price ranges, both on site and off site. Hawaii is my favorite vacation spot. I try to vacation there with my family for 12 days every other year. But I don't want to give up my Disney trips to do it. To fit it all in the budget, we usually drive and stay offsite if all of us are going. This way lodging and food are cheaper and 4 adult sized people are not stuck in one room. I have selecetd a Value with free dining when it was just two of us, and we flew in so ME was a plus. I always do the math to see which choice will be more cost effective for my family.

I'd much rather stay home then have to stay offsite. We have stayed offsite for one evening, if we arrived late or wasn't able to get an onsite room for that late arrival, but not for an entire stay. And we have stayed at every level of resort from Value to Deluxe, to Villa, to Ft Wilderness cabin and even Shades of Green.

I love your soldier too. Please thank him for his service to our country for me. I also appreciate the sacrifices you, his family, make as well!

I currently have a reservation at a Disney value, but I am not wedded to it. But between the Magical Express and Disney's on site bus transport, it truly is a value. Not that I'm looking forward to the on site bus transport...

I love when I read on here so many people who use "I don't want to drive" as the reason they want to stay on property. Really?!? You love riding buses that much? I can ride buses at home. I don't want to ride them on vacation. I would much rather drive at Disney - it's very easy to drive from the airport and around property.

Your post reminded me of what my DD14 said on our trip this June. The trip before this one we stayed at a Value and rode the busses. This June we stayed at Wyndham Bonnet Creek and drove our own car. We were driving home from a park one afternoon and we passed a Disney bus. DD said "Ugggg, those busses!". I asked her if she liked riding the busses and she said no, she hated them. She did not like waiting a long time in long lines for them to arrive, and did not like standing on super crowded busses at the end of the day. And when we last rode the busses, it was the off season!

 

[mickeynut1]

Can you share your thoughts on a very friendly debate I'm having with a family member? Would you rather stay at an off-property Marriott of higher quality than a Disney Value resort, or at a Value?

Does length of stay make a difference? One night vs. 10 nights? This is all hypothetical, so let's assume cost difference is negligible.

Thanks!

VP

Neither. I have no desire to stay at a value and staying offsite is fine for a trip that is more Orlando-centered with a little bit of Disney thrown in (which we have done), but if it's a Disney-centered trip, I won't stay offsite. If the only choices were offsite or value for a Disney trip, I would rather stay home.