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On site or off site...does it really matter?
- Thread starter Joy Peace
- Start date
Ms. Tinkerbell
Member
I like staying on property better. To me and my family, it's just more magical. I don't like leaving the property and the Disneyness 
I like all the extra perks too like others have mentioned. We really use the package delivery to resort, the EMH, and the transportation lots so it makes sense to us.
I like all the extra perks too like others have mentioned. We really use the package delivery to resort, the EMH, and the transportation lots so it makes sense to us.
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IMHO from a simple numbers game the pros and cons of off or on site are about a wash. The 2 big things that keep me on property are the level of service I know I will get from WDW and that intangible feeling of complete separation from reality. When I go through those gate that signal I am in WDW something changes. The outside world can't get to me in here and I completely relax and get into the Disney mindset. When I leave Disney property I feel almost venerable to the real world again.
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eroyee
Active Member
I agree with Master Yoda. We stayed offsite just once cause it was for free and while it was nice, it wasnt the same. It was like going home at nite and coming to disney the next day and starting all over again. we always stay on site even if all we can afford is a value since we love POP anyway. I feel like we are in the disney magic 24/7 that way. I dont mind a little wait for busses, etc. I would take that any day over staying off site. dont care how much cheaper it may be........
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Thank you to all of you for your responses. I can see how both can be good and bad. I think because it is my DH first time to WDW and I dont know when we will ever be abel to go back I am going to try to talk him into on-site. Its just the two of us and our second honeymoon. Why not do it up BIG right?
Joy
Joy
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hrcollectibles
Active Member
When I can afford to I stay on property.. The past few trips I have stayed off property due to money issues.. I'd much rather pay 59 a night off property than 82 on.... The off property hotel I stay at is just a few minutes away from downtown disney. Disney transportation is nice.. But I have founf that it is quicker ( most of the time) to just drive to the parks
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Boray
Member
For us, it's a matter of comparing an on-site HOTEL ROOM versus an off-site VACATION HOME. There is a big difference for our family. We have 2 kids and all of us get better sleep when we don't have to share a tiny room. We usually rent a home or condo (both have been 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, full kitchen, pool, and laundry facility) fully decorated in Disney gear, I might add, for as little as $79 per night (off season, in October). We can afford to go every year (for the last 3 years and probably this year too) because we stay in a off-site home (NOT a typical hotel rooom. If this were the case, then I'd spend the extra cash to stay on-site.)
It depends on your priorities for your vacation. From the front door of our most recent vacation condo to the gates of Magic Kingdom took us less than 20 minutes (that included parking, taking the tram, the monorail and getting through the gates). Is that typical with all other Disney transportation? I don't know, I've never stayed on site, but that seems pretty quick to me. I personally would rather sit in the comfort of my own car after a long, warm day at the parks than on a loud, warm bus, but that's just me. (Perhaps I don't see much benefit to Disney transportation because we go during the off season and spend VERY little time getting to our van and leaving the parks. It's always been very quick, very convenient and we've never encountered any traffic while coming to or from the parks.)
Our priorities are to have personal space for sleeping (kids in one room, my husband and I in another), breakfast in our home (we get better food, quicker and cheaper) and an opportunity to return next year because we haven't spent too much on a room that we won't spend oodles of time in. The house it quieter - I don't have to listen to someone yelling at their kids in the room next door, kids running down the hallway as I'm falling asleep, etc. We just prefer the convenience, quiet and lower cost of a vacation home rental to the Disney hotel resorts.
Because we go in the off season, EMH wouldn't be a necessary benefit for us. We usually make it through the entire park we're in on any given day, so we don't need the extra time to go on the attractions while the "day guests" are not in the park.
It all depends on what makes you happy. Good luck with your decision.
It depends on your priorities for your vacation. From the front door of our most recent vacation condo to the gates of Magic Kingdom took us less than 20 minutes (that included parking, taking the tram, the monorail and getting through the gates). Is that typical with all other Disney transportation? I don't know, I've never stayed on site, but that seems pretty quick to me. I personally would rather sit in the comfort of my own car after a long, warm day at the parks than on a loud, warm bus, but that's just me. (Perhaps I don't see much benefit to Disney transportation because we go during the off season and spend VERY little time getting to our van and leaving the parks. It's always been very quick, very convenient and we've never encountered any traffic while coming to or from the parks.)
Our priorities are to have personal space for sleeping (kids in one room, my husband and I in another), breakfast in our home (we get better food, quicker and cheaper) and an opportunity to return next year because we haven't spent too much on a room that we won't spend oodles of time in. The house it quieter - I don't have to listen to someone yelling at their kids in the room next door, kids running down the hallway as I'm falling asleep, etc. We just prefer the convenience, quiet and lower cost of a vacation home rental to the Disney hotel resorts.
Because we go in the off season, EMH wouldn't be a necessary benefit for us. We usually make it through the entire park we're in on any given day, so we don't need the extra time to go on the attractions while the "day guests" are not in the park.
It all depends on what makes you happy. Good luck with your decision.
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that sums it up.exactly how we felt on property as compared to off.
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Diane Hughess
New Member
Staying on-site is like a box of chocolates. Once you try it, you can't stop. I would never stay off-property again! It really completes the magic.
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disneycouple
New Member
to those who say off site is cheaper. i agree but three letters make me want to pay the extra money E.M.H.:sohappy:
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teej
New Member
We don't stay on sight as we like being on I'Drive..we would spend most evenings on it even if we were to stay at Disney so it would make no sense to us..We also visit Universal a lot so being closer to it is also important.
Also the hotel we stay at on I-Drive has free transportation to all the Parks so we can't complain..that and it's next to a cheap all you can eat buffet..Suits us perfect.
I can see why staying on site is great though and if we only went for Disney I would do it in a heartbeat.
Also the hotel we stay at on I-Drive has free transportation to all the Parks so we can't complain..that and it's next to a cheap all you can eat buffet..Suits us perfect.
I can see why staying on site is great though and if we only went for Disney I would do it in a heartbeat.
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Hrudey3032
Well-Known Member
I prefer staying off property.I stay at my dads house right off of SR 27 and 192 and it is pretty quick drive to WDW.Another reason I prefer it is the quietness of where my dad lives.The drive home to me is soothing after a lobg day at the parks.I also believe that sometimes I just need to be away from Disney so that I will never tire of it.I know some of you will say you can never get enough but for me I just need to re-charge a bit to keep that magic alive for me.I would one day love to take my girlfriend to a resort and spend a roamantic week there but until that day I prefer the ambiance of a lived in house and just relaxing on the couch while watching sports or taking a dip in the pool no matter the hour as there is no one to tell you that you cant.
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bigorangeandy
Well-Known Member
We usually do both. We start the trip off site, then head on site. I travel a lot and get the hotel points so that is a few room nights, then its on to WL for the rest of the trip. When you get a good deal (free room), its hard to turn down.
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aj_steig
Member
What is your opinion on staying on or off WDW proterty? Does it really matter and if so where are your favorite places to stay? I want to know the good the bad and the ugly
Joy Peace
We stayed on-site for the first time in 2006 at Pop Century and we will never stay off-site ever again. We LOVE staying on-site! One of the biggest reasons is Magical Express (I know you might have heard some bad things about it, but I am all for not having to take a taxi or shuttle van from the airport. Disney will get your bags and bring them to your room, that alone was so worth it to me because I hate doing it at the airport!)
The transportation is convenient (although slow and confusing sometimes), the theming of the resorts is wonderful, and you are immensed in the Disney magic 24-7, the extra magic hours, etc....I could go on and on. Yes, it may be a little bit more than staying off-site, but it's totally worth it!!
You might even consider checking some of the downtown Disney hotels too. We stayed at Hotel Royal Plaza for our honeymoon last September and we got a deluxe tower room with free breakfast buffet each morning for approx. $85 a night (thanks to mousesavers.com). The resort is beautiful and SO close to downtown Disney.
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KUNZEWORLD
New Member
We have done both. I will never stay offsite again. I would rather not go than stay outside. We took our friend in 02 and stayed on site. He didn't think much of it. The next year he went back and stayed offsite. He now knows the difference.
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Disneykidder
Well-Known Member
While I always stay on-site, I think there is nothing wrong with staying off property. I have actually thought about the idea of having my own home and pool to relax in. Any one have any suggestions for close ones? I may not stay off site next visit, but it's nice to explore other options. The only downside is having to drive a car to get there and no EMH. I like having no car and "feeling" like I am really living in "the world."
When we stay in WDW, we like to experience a diff resort each time. This just adds to the fun for us.Familiar is good,m but great to have other options.
When we stay in WDW, we like to experience a diff resort each time. This just adds to the fun for us.
Familiar is good,m but great to have other options.
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KaliSplash
Well-Known Member
When we first went, we always stayed offsite. The only on-site locations were the Contemporary, the Polynesian and Fort Wilderness.
We used Holiday Inn Maingate East and Maingate West and a Radison near MainGate West. We were generally pleased with all three of those. (I have no idea if they still exist.)
Once they built the Carribean Beach Resort, we tried it (room less than $90 back then). We've never stayed off-site again.
Since then, we've been at Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, All Star Music and All Star Sports.
The immersion, the transportation, the not paying for parking, the Extra Magic Hours.
I say stay on-site.
Having said that, there IS a significant difference in rooms. If staying off-site is how you afford getting to go to WDW at all, by all means stay off-site and enjoy the Magic.
We used Holiday Inn Maingate East and Maingate West and a Radison near MainGate West. We were generally pleased with all three of those. (I have no idea if they still exist.)
Once they built the Carribean Beach Resort, we tried it (room less than $90 back then). We've never stayed off-site again.
Since then, we've been at Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, All Star Music and All Star Sports.
The immersion, the transportation, the not paying for parking, the Extra Magic Hours.
I say stay on-site.
Having said that, there IS a significant difference in rooms. If staying off-site is how you afford getting to go to WDW at all, by all means stay off-site and enjoy the Magic.
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Wilt Dasney
Well-Known Member
I'm sure the OP has long since made a decision, but for my money, Disney transportation isn't much of a benefit to being on-site. The monorails and boats are charming enough to make up for the extra time they take, but those buses are nothing special at all. Waiting at the stops, packing in with the masses, making extra, time-consuming stops on the way to your destination...nothing magical there.
Unless you're the type of person who just absolutely hates to drive on vacation, you'll typically get where you're going a lot quicker and more comfortably in your own car than by using a Disney bus. It's almost absurdly easy to navigate Disney property, thanks to a wealth of signage, so I wouldn't worry about getting lost either.
Unless you're the type of person who just absolutely hates to drive on vacation, you'll typically get where you're going a lot quicker and more comfortably in your own car than by using a Disney bus. It's almost absurdly easy to navigate Disney property, thanks to a wealth of signage, so I wouldn't worry about getting lost either.
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