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Off-Site or On-Site?
- Thread starter Wikkler
- Start date
BigRedDad
Well-Known Member
I want go into the benefits of staying on site. However, there are only 2 benefits resort guests get that off site do not get: use of resort pool and extra magic hours (can add DME as well). After that, any activity, shop, or restaurant can be used by any guest. Staying offsite can save you $100s to $1000s. In many cases, you can get a much nicer resort for less staying off property.
For me though, going to Disney means no driving.
For me though, going to Disney means no driving.
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cowanfamily
Well-Known Member
On site in a landslide. It's worth every dime of the extra money you will spend to stay on site. It's like going to baseball game. The upper deck seats are nice. You can still see everything quite well. However, the first time you sit at field level behind your teams dugout, you will never sit in the upper deck again. (unless someone else buys your ticket) Then you spend half the game wishing you were in your usual seats. 
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Lisalyn
Well-Known Member
Can you stay offsite for cheaper? Yes! However staying ONSITE is part of the magic! Part of the whole Disney experience. There is nothing better than waking up and knowing - I'M HERE!! You shower, dress, hop the bus and off to the park...no getting up, getting ready, hopping into your car or taking an offsite hotel shuttle (a couple do it) and then either having to pay for parking or wait on the hotel shuttles....you just hop your resort bus and off to the parks you go! Plus the resorts make the Disney magic real to me. The Disney theming, cast members, pool experiences, gift shops....decor.... that make you "feel" you are part of the whole Disney experience.....ain't nothing like it! I say...stay on property! 
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DisneyDebNJ
Well-Known Member
I have to definately agree. The pluses on staying at a Disney resort, are many!! You may save money staying off site, but miss ALOT of the perks and conveniences! Depending on your budget, price out a moderate resort for your family then go from there. Plus, it would be much easier to visit other resorts so you can decide where you will stay during your next trip!!Find an "off site" Hotel with all that!
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ShookieJones
We need time for things to happen.
I'm not going to sit here and pretend 900 bucks isn't a lot of loot. Because to me it is.
However I would say that if you can afford it (if it means eating out a little less or cut a few luxuries out while you save up before your trip), that the "onsite - magic bubble" thing is definitely worth experiencing at least once. You can see if you like it and if not then you have your answer of "Is it worth it?"
There is a reason why a lot of people around here feel so strongly about staying onsite (myself included) and I think everyone within their budget should at least try it.
BUT....If that 9 bills is going to strap you to the point where you're having to sweat saving it up,or it's going to jam you up for months after your vaca then do what you can within your means - stay off site enjoy yourself and live to fight another day.
However I would say that if you can afford it (if it means eating out a little less or cut a few luxuries out while you save up before your trip), that the "onsite - magic bubble" thing is definitely worth experiencing at least once. You can see if you like it and if not then you have your answer of "Is it worth it?"
There is a reason why a lot of people around here feel so strongly about staying onsite (myself included) and I think everyone within their budget should at least try it.
BUT....If that 9 bills is going to strap you to the point where you're having to sweat saving it up,or it's going to jam you up for months after your vaca then do what you can within your means - stay off site enjoy yourself and live to fight another day.
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I've stayed in a 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo for $700, and the only "fee" I encountered was a cleaning one for $45 (which was included in the total). What other fees are you possibly talking about?
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coilback
Active Member
I'm still curious what resorts you are comparing to in order to get the $900 difference. The value resorts really aren't that far off in pricing to just about any of the reasonably decent hotels in the area. Kissimmee isn't the greatest place in the world (I used to live there, so this is from experience) when you stray too far from Disney. Also, keep in mind there is parking to deal with and MOST of the major highways except for the interstate are toll rolls (in case you are staying further out), so don't forget to figure that (and gas) into the comparisons as well. Disney Transportation alone is worth it to me because it's so much easier to get from place to place that way (I didn't like driving to the parks even when I had a car there - unless when I was working and could park backstage - I'm meaning as a guest). I always stay in the Value Resorts just because I'd rather spend money in other places since we don't spend much time in the room when we are there. If you are going in the summer time or high volume time, the EMH alone adds so much value.
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alissafalco
Well-Known Member
I know many of the off site hotels charge a resort fee and a parking fee for your car. Not all of them, but you have to make sure which ones do and don't. For example the Hilton in downtown Disney charges an extra 22$ a night for their resort fee and 13$ a night for self parking or 20$ a night for valet. That's a lot of extra cost added onto the nightly rate.
http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/hilton-orlando-lake-buena-vista-ORLDWHH/about/policies.html
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That resort fee also includes discounts at the resort restaurants, coffee, and transportation to the parks. Add in the fact that their rooms are much cheaper than a comparable Deluxe resort one at WDW, along with the fact that the Hilton offers shuttle services to the airport as well (for those who don't drive), along with discounts (AAA, AARP) and a points plan for those who stay with them regularly (which could lead to parts of their trip being free in terms of the room cost). All in all you're still saving a considerable amount over the cost of a similar Disney resort.
And again, those fees aren't found when staying at a resort with condo or home options. Certainly not the ones we've stayed in....
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Todd L
Well-Known Member
I also find that being on-site I feel less rushed in the day to day stuff and at the end of a Long day at the parks we usally do something laid back on property. Take the Boat from Hollywood studios over to the Boardwalk for dinner and ice Cream. Head Downtown for the live music and a Nice drink(or three) .
Its just easier for me to relax when we stay on-site.
Its just easier for me to relax when we stay on-site.
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ratherbeinwdw
Well-Known Member
The Hilton on Hotel Plaza Blvd also allows you to use extra magic hours.
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alissafalco
Well-Known Member
I know what it includes, but there are also off site hotels that don't have a resort fee, free parking, free shuttle to parks and free breakfast! Also, have you seen the prices of the Hilton lately? I compared them and they are about the same as a mod/value. So if its the same as a mod/ value and Disney is running their free dining plan special, it works out better to stay on site. It really just depends on which off site you stay at for it to be cheaper and worth it.
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You can pick and choose any hotel chain to find some comparables with a Disney resort. But at the end of the day you will always find cheaper options offsite, regardless of the level of the Disney resort. Also, there's no guarantee you will be offered either free dining or even continued discounts on rooms. And especially where the Deluxe resorts are concerned, the pricing is outrageous compared to what you can comparably find at either an offsite hotel or resort community. Not when I can look right now and find a 3BR, 2BA condo less than two miles from the WDW gates at $650 for a week (and a 2BR, 2BA for $50 less), cleaning fee included. There's not a single comparable room on WDW that would go for a similar amount.
A family doesn't need to stay on site to enjoy the Disney "magic." Especially when the money they end up saving could allow them to enjoy more of their vacation through meals, souvenirs, tours, etc....
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alissafalco
Well-Known Member
Oh definitely,but you can't compare deluxes that is out of the question. That's why I said off site are comparable to mods/value. All I'm saying is it really depends on the off site hotel, and the special WDW is running, because off site isn't always the best deal when comparing mods/value. If you want to compare deluxes than yes off site is always cheaper.
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