On or OFF Property - Which would you pick?

[disney4life2008]

Which would you prefer for my August 2011 trip? 8 full days, 1 adult and 2 teens.

A) Staying at a 5 star off site resort with a 2 bedroom villa (2 baths, jacuzzi in room, full kitchen, free internet, about a 15 drive to WDW property. I would need to rent a car ($350). An off site time share resort will cost me about $400. The benefit a lot of cheaper but would only be able to spend 1 full day at each park.

B) Staying at Disney resort getting all of the amenities of being a WDW resort guest (mainly Extra Magic Hours and 24 hour magic). However, having one room (Values) for 3 people that could run $800? I would still need to rent a car for Universal Orlando and outlet mall shopping. The benefit for me are EMHs and being able to park hop (which of course means a more expensive ticket).

Which would you prefer?? I am so conflicted I do not know what to do???

 

[cowanfamily]

My family of four always stay off site in a beautiful 4 bedroom home in a gated community. We love having our own private pool at the end of a long day in the park and a full kitchen and laundry room. Best thing is ... from our driveway to the Magic Kingdom parking lot is only 6 minutes ... WITH traffic !! To the other parks it is anywhere from 3-5 minutes longer. We also get great deals on car rentals with Alamo, I literally checked the site every day for about 6 months before we left for our last trip and ended up getting a car rental for $435 U.S. for 16 days !

We still feel the Disney magic even though staying off site ... I still feel it here in Prince Edward Island, Canada !!!

Happy planning !!

The key here is 6 minutes to the parking lot. Then the tram to the TTC. Then either boat or monorail to the MK. (another 20 min. if your lucky) Then after Wishes you can count on joining the masses trying to cram their way back to the TTC and back to the parkin g lot. On a good day this will cost you at least 45 min. (all the while I will be enjoying EMH)Staying on site allows you to skip this time consuming process when going to the MK. I've stayed on and off property. I will never stay off property again.

 

[Raven66]

We are on site people. We are at rope drop and we go until close (normal or EMH) so staying off site just wouldn't work for us. We like getting off the plane and getting on Magical Express. And I know it's a silly crazy reason for on site but I just love love love the wake up call.:lol:

 

[trr1]

or you might use this option
if you can swing it stay 4 days onsite at WDW value then transfer to uni for 3 days at their resorts

 

[powlessfamily4]

Onsite!! I stayed offsite years ago when going to "MGM". My onsite experience was just over the top. I will always stay onsite.

 

[amykissangel]

A) Staying at a 5 star off site resort with a 2 bedroom villa (2 baths, jacuzzi in room, full kitchen, free internet, about a 15 drive to WDW property. I would need to rent a car ($350). An off site time share resort will cost me about $400. The benefit a lot of cheaper but would only be able to spend 1 full day at each park.

B) Staying at Disney resort getting all of the amenities of being a WDW resort guest (mainly Extra Magic Hours and 24 hour magic). However, having one room (Values) for 3 people that could run $800? I would still need to rent a car for Universal Orlando and outlet mall shopping. The benefit for me are EMHs and being able to park hop (which of course means a more expensive ticket).

Which would you prefer?? I am so conflicted I do not know what to do???

If you go to the Disney website, it looks like for a 5 day park hopper pass (as you said you're staying 8 full days and 3 will be at Universal) and accomodations at Pop Century, you will be paying $1,791.00. Plus, say $100 for travel to and from Universal for 3 days. That's $1900.00

If you stay at this two bedroom villa, you will be paying $400 + $750 for tickets + $350 for the car = $1,500.

So I guess in the grand scheme of things, what is $400 worth to you? I can't imagine how for $400 you got a two bedroom villa for 9 nights ($45 per night???!!! Crazy deal!) but maybe those extras are worth it. Having a room separate from the kids, having a kitchen to cook in, already having a car for Universal...very nice. VS. Having Disney transportation, being able to take advantage of ME and EMH...

Good luck deciding!

 

[DVCOwner]

Just like buying a house, there are three reason to but location, location, location. This goes for visiting any Disney Park. Stay on park no matter what.

 

[_Scar]

or you might use this option
if you can swing it stay 4 days onsite at WDW value then transfer to uni for 3 days at their resorts

I tried this last trip and stayed at SSR then went to Loews Royal Pacific last 2 days and I completely do not recommend this.

1. I didn't particularly like the hotel theme of polynesian compared to, idk, Disney's wonderful Polynesian hotel. It was like a condo with a few sticks coming out of the side and an overgrown jungle.

2. It cost around what WL or AKL costs with no balcony, cramped rooms, and an unsavory view.

3. You'd think you'd be steps from the parks... WRONG. It takes at least 20 minutes to get to Islands- 30 for Universal Studios (all walking). The "ferry" comes once every 10-20 minutes and takes 10 minutes then you have to walk City Walk for another 5 minutes... annoying.

I would have 150% rather have stayed at SSR another 2 days. I LOVE that place.

The ONLY reason I would come back here is if I needed my dog to join me- otherwise, I'm still on WDW property and never leaving.

 

[disney4life2008]

So I guess in the grand scheme of things, what is $400 worth to you? I can't imagine how for $400 you got a two bedroom villa for 9 nights ($45 per night???!!! Crazy deal!) but maybe those extras are worth it. Having a room separate from the kids, having a kitchen to cook in, already having a car for Universal...very nice. VS. Having Disney transportation, being able to take advantage of ME and EMH...

Good luck deciding!

wow, you came up my exact calculations. :goodnevil lol Yes, through my moms time share most two bedroom villas are running about between $350 and $450 for a full villa for a entire week. For example, they have a sale right now and you can get a one bedroom villa (5 star in orlando)) for $175 for a week. Thats besides the point though, I am leaning towards staying on property. Hopefully we shall have a final decision by January.

 

[TakeMeThere81]

I always prefer to stay on property but because we get such amazing military rates at beautiful, really close-by timeshares, we have never actually stayed on property. So I have no probablem staying off property. But then again, that is coming from someone who never has so...I can't compare. I can say that we still spend every second of every day on Disney property, and we find every imaginable way to explore resorts and such. We even allot one full vacation day to resort hopping around and shopping at DtD and Boardwalk.

 

[trr1]

I always prefer to stay on property but because we get such amazing military rates at beautiful, really close-by timeshares, we have never actually stayed on property. So I have no probablem staying off property. But then again, that is coming from someone who never has so...I can't compare. I can say that we still spend every second of every day on Disney property, and we find every imaginable way to explore resorts and such. We even allot one full vacation day to resort hopping around and shopping at DtD and Boardwalk.

have you tried shades of green?

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

I would never stay offsite again. The value resorts make it possible to have all the perks of being a resort guest at a considerable price and I would never want to be without these privileges again. EMH during our stay where perfect, we did literally dozens of rides and shows without any wait! HM, Splash Mountain, SM, PotC, BTMR, M:S etc. etc. all where mere walk-ons. The only exception was TSM, we would have to wait 60 minutes in standby line even 30 minutes before park closing (during daytime the wait was insane! 120-180 minutes!). I couldn't visit WDW without having the EMH in my trip plan so I would never stay off property again. And the rental car? We used it exactly 3 times in ten days, twice to go to Dennys near DD and once to get to the Florida Mall. Next time we will rent no car at all, a cab would have been less expensive.

 

[EsUoM YeKcIm]

Hi Everyone! I have been reading on this board for a while and thought I would offer my opinion for once! First off I have to say I used to be a on property only person! I thought it was the best because I was afraid of what I would find outside of Mickeys control. This past April my family stayed off property so we could rent a large house and fit extended family for a reunion. We stayed at All Star Vacation Homes and was presently surprised to find such high quality for such a decent price! We had a 5 bedroom 4 bath house for under $379 a night- for lesser accommodations on property would have cost thousands a night and we wouldn't have had our own private pool, hot tub, home theater or massage chair(& more)! They were offering a free rental car with 7 night stay so this also saved us money. As far as having to drive to the parks our selves- this was faster than waiting for busses so we were able to accomplish more. I don't think I ever want to take disney busses again regardless of where I am staying. The monorail is fine, but the busses I could do without. If you don't need a whole house they have nice condo and townhomes that offer access to the clubhouse and pool. They are gated and offer a large area for walks if you wish to explore. Having a kitchen worked well for us too. We had our 2 year old son with us and he was a picky eater so we were able to offer him normal foods he would find at home. The houses were so nice I didn't miss being on property(you can find ones that have disney theming if thats what you need to get your fix! We did). I still felt the magic!

 

[disney4life2008]

I would never stay offsite again. The value resorts make it possible to have all the perks of being a resort guest at a considerable price and I would never want to be without these privileges again. EMH during our stay where perfect, we did literally dozens of rides and shows without any wait! HM, Splash Mountain, SM, PotC, BTMR, M:S etc. etc. all where mere walk-ons. QUOTE]

EMHs are the greatest!! That is my main reason for staying on property. In August, the heat and crowds are ridiculous. If used correctly, EMHs can mean relaxing by the pools during the day time and going to the parks when the non resort guests leave. TSMM is a no go in my family without morning EMHs. And evening EMHs at all 4 parks is like having the entire park to yourself as the night progresses.

With that said, I am staying on property!! If we were going during the off season I would not mind. But there is no way I can sit in the Florida sun from 9am until park closing (which we would be forced to do staying off site).

Thank you all for your help!!!:sohappy:

 

[disney4life2008]

Hi Everyone! I have been reading on this board for a while and thought I would offer my opinion for once! First off I have to say I used to be a on property only person! I thought it was the best because I was afraid of what I would find outside of Mickeys control. This past April my family stayed off property so we could rent a large house and fit extended family for a reunion. We stayed at All Star Vacation Homes and was presently surprised to find such high quality for such a decent price! We had a 5 bedroom 4 bath house for under $379 a night- for lesser accommodations on property would have cost thousands a night and we wouldn't have had our own private pool, hot tub, home theater or massage chair(& more)!

I agree!! When my entire family takes a Disney vacation, we will stay off site because the accomodations at a timeshare is just too good to pass up.