Remind me..what are we paying for again?

[star77kc]

Hi guys. So I have already reserved a family suite at the Art of Animation for December. My husband comes home from work today and tells me how a co worker took his family to WDW and stayed at a condo timeshare off site for about $800 less than we will end up paying at AOA. I need help remembering all the reasons AOA is worth that extra dough. I really want to stay at AOA, but is it really worth it? Thanks everyone.

 

[prfctlyximprct]

that wonderful disney bubble. the utopia that is disney world, where everything is clean, people are always happy, and you haven't to worry about a thing. no cleaning, no driving, no real world. immerse yourself in the bubble.

 

[Tiggerfanatic]

If it were me, traveling with 2-year old twins, staying on site would be a must. I'm sure they still take a nap in the afternoon, and it will be so much easier heading back to your room on Disney tranportation rather than having to drive somewhere off-site. That alone would be worth the price of admission. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Unomas]

Disney bubble. That alone is worth the extra cost.

 

[Tomi-Rocket]

If it has to be explained and it's about money then you should make the switch to the cheaper place.

 

[tsaintc]

I did not know that staying off property was an option....

 

[disney4life2008]

This is my Disney/Orlando profile: 1) I have stayed in most value and moderate disney resorts 2) I also have a timeshare. These are my thoughts...

As someone who absolutely loves the 24/7 disney magic - it is not a necessity when it comes to price (I travel to disney on a budget). For me, the biggest advantage to staying on Disney is the EMHs (especially morning at HS). However, that is not enough for me to spend the extra hundreds for a disney resort over my timeshare. And here is why:

1. In my timeshare which is about a 20 minute drive - I have ample space. I can get a 3 bedroom, 2 bath with whirlpool in room for 7 nights/8 days for about $500. That includes resort amenaties, parking, etc. A 7 night stay at Disney in a 3 bedroom (or 2 bedroom) according to the disney site is no less than $350/night. There is no comparison to staying in a timeshare vs disney in terms of space.

2. Magic... For me, I enjoy being able to submerse myself in disney magic for the hours I am on property. However, it is a joy for me to be able to get in my car and leave disney and go to a delicious resturant in Orlando or Kissimmee at much cheaper prices. I understand that beauty of paying $10 for a cheeseburger with a handful of fries and calling that magic but I can go to Chilis and get more food for the price. When I get back to my timeshare I can relax in my whirlpool or take a dip in the pools and be relaxed enough to wake up the next morning and do it all over again.

3. Mid day breaks: It is true that when you stay on property you can take a mid day break and utilize disney transportation and be back at your resort for a pool and lunch break. Ok - lets talk disney transportation. Depending on where you stay, what part, and how many stops the bus makes, as well as time of day - you could be waiting for a bus and sitting on the bus for extended periods of time. I have been able to arrive at the parks early enough for me to leave around 1 and drive my car back to my timeshare and return by 4 with no problems. And after a long day in the parks it is so much better for me to get in my car and be on my way.

Please note: These are my thoughts on the timeshare vs disney. I will say - if you are someone who will miss disney magic 24/7 - then you must stay on their property. I last stayed on disney property in January 2012 and for me a lot of the disney magic had decreased. And it is nothing like having your own car (on proprty or not). The only benefit to staying on proprty is EMHs and even that can be questionable depending on your travel group.

Happy travels

 

[disney4life2008]

We stay off property a lot, and I seriously doubt that we will ever stay on property again, given the outrageous prices. We just came home yesterday from a week in a 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath condo with fully applianced kitchen, laundry room, living room, private hot tub, community pool, in a quiet gated community 10 -12 minutes from WDW for basically the price of 2 or 3 nights in basically a bedroom on property. Just the savings on food alone would cover parking expences (we didn't go to the parks at all however), and having the extra space is soooo worth it. JMHO

You just confirmed my reasonings for the time share In November 2009 - I was able to stay at the Marriott Grande Vista in a studio (but sleeps 3) for 7 nights/8 days - get this $90 for the week!!!! I have also been able to get a one bedroom (sleeps 5) for about $400 for the week and has all the amenaties you listed above. I understand the disney magic POV but sometimes it just lacks. At my timeshare - truly feel like VIP because they know my name and everything I could possibly want is at my resort. Vs - if I stay at a value resort I have to go to the more expensive hotels for spa.

 

[disney4life2008]

IMO, staying on site is worth it:

WDW resorts are better looking, better designed, & more relaxing than staying off site. Will you go back to your resort in the afternoon for a pool break? Would you do that staying off site?

One of the fondest memories I have from my 2011 vacation is having breakfast by the quiet pool at Coronado Springs. The kids had finished their meal and they were taking a pre-park dip. My wife and I got to savor our coffee. OK, minus a few points for Disney coffee, but still. When we were ready, we changed & strolled over to the bus stop to let someone else drive me to a park. My wife refers to the Disney resorts as "vacations within a vacation".

I find the sprawl in the area outside of WDW stress-inducing.

During my most recent vacation to WDW we spent a few days doing non-Disney stuff and stayed off site at the wonderful Caribe Royale. As great as that hotel is, I found staying at Disney to be more relaxing.

--Adam

This is an interesting perspective. I think even with kids I would rather stay off site. I do find myself looking at the disney hotels and wishing I can stay but once I see the prices I immediately get a reality check and log on to my timeshare.

 

[Nemo14]

You just confirmed my reasonings for the time share In November 2009 - I was able to stay at the Marriott Grande Vista in a studio (but sleeps 3) for 7 nights/8 days - get this $90 for the week!!!! I have also been able to get a one bedroom (sleeps 5) for about $400 for the week and has all the amenaties you listed above. I understand the disney magic POV but sometimes it just lacks. At my timeshare - truly feel like VIP because they know my name and everything I could possibly want is at my resort. Vs - if I stay at a value resort I have to go to the more expensive hotels for spa.

and the food court for coffee.

 

[star77kc]

This is my Disney/Orlando profile: 1) I have stayed in most value and moderate disney resorts 2) I also have a timeshare. These are my thoughts...

As someone who absolutely loves the 24/7 disney magic - it is not a necessity when it comes to price (I travel to disney on a budget). For me, the biggest advantage to staying on Disney is the EMHs (especially morning at HS). However, that is not enough for me to spend the extra hundreds for a disney resort over my timeshare. And here is why:

1. In my timeshare which is about a 20 minute drive - I have ample space. I can get a 3 bedroom, 2 bath with whirlpool in room for 7 nights/8 days for about $500. That includes resort amenaties, parking, etc. A 7 night stay at Disney in a 3 bedroom (or 2 bedroom) according to the disney site is no less than $350/night. There is no comparison to staying in a timeshare vs disney in terms of space.

2. Magic... For me, I enjoy being able to submerse myself in disney magic for the hours I am on property. However, it is a joy for me to be able to get in my car and leave disney and go to a delicious resturant in Orlando or Kissimmee at much cheaper prices. I understand that beauty of paying $10 for a cheeseburger with a handful of fries and calling that magic but I can go to Chilis and get more food for the price. When I get back to my timeshare I can relax in my whirlpool or take a dip in the pools and be relaxed enough to wake up the next morning and do it all over again.

3. Mid day breaks: It is true that when you stay on property you can take a mid day break and utilize disney transportation and be back at your resort for a pool and lunch break. Ok - lets talk disney transportation. Depending on where you stay, what part, and how many stops the bus makes, as well as time of day - you could be waiting for a bus and sitting on the bus for extended periods of time. I have been able to arrive at the parks early enough for me to leave around 1 and drive my car back to my timeshare and return by 4 with no problems. And after a long day in the parks it is so much better for me to get in my car and be on my way.

Please note: These are my thoughts on the timeshare vs disney. I will say - if you are someone who will miss disney magic 24/7 - then you must stay on their property. I last stayed on disney property in January 2012 and for me a lot of the disney magic had decreased. And it is nothing like having your own car (on proprty or not). The only benefit to staying on proprty is EMHs and even that can be questionable depending on your travel group.

Happy travels

Wow. Thanks so much for such a great response. You sure did give me a lot to think about. it was great to hear from somebody who had stated at a timeshare.

 

[luv]

Compared to taking the bus, the five to ten extra minute drive to an off-property place will likely save you time.

If you're in the bubble and driving, it will save you five to ten minutes (more compared to the MK and monorail resort) to be in the bubble.

The extra five or ten minutes will save a lot of money and gives you all that lovely space, so it is well worth it, IMO. But it isn't in the bubble!

 

[Disvillain63]

Depending on when in December, you might need to think about crowds. If the parks are overcrowded, then they will close to those not staying on property first...unless you're AP and such.

 

[JillC LI]

Possible free dining promotion depending on when in December you are going???

 

[jencor]

I am one for off property because of cost and we drive down, so I have access to a vehicle. I find that driving off property is just as fast as waiting for a bus, plus the money I save on meals off property is worth it. We do eat some on property, but I am not tied into it every meal. If the whole point is for your twins, I say off property cause they will have an experience they will not forget either way. They will years later remember Disney as fun and positive. If staying on property is more for you, then go for it. It is your vacation as well. If you can save $800 or more with food by staying off, then you have a jump start for your next trip. Either way, enjoy the experience, the twins will either way.

 

[disney4life2008]

I am one for off property because of cost and we drive down, so I have access to a vehicle. I find that driving off property is just as fast as waiting for a bus, plus the money I save on meals off property is worth it. We do eat some on property, but I am not tied into it every meal. If the whole point is for your twins, I say off property cause they will have an experience they will not forget either way. They will years later remember Disney as fun and positive. If staying on property is more for you, then go for it. It is your vacation as well. If you can save $800 or more with food by staying off, then you have a jump start for your next trip. Either way, enjoy the experience, the twins will either way.

Excellent points. I guess I just do not understand the "magic" POV that everyone supports. As mentioned I have been blessed to stay at almost all of the value and moderate resorts and I am just not sure what the extra pixie dust is (outside of EMHs - yet that is not worth the extra hundreds or thousands of dollars). The only sit down resturant I am tied to is Ohana that is a must do for every vacation - I truly can say the ambiance, experience, and good is top notch. However, the other sit down places where a tiny piece of steak costs $40 is not magic. I have tried many of the sit down resturants and they are just overly priced but I strongly encourage people to try ones of interest at least once. The foot courts are disney are not good - my last visit at Sports the workers behind the grill counter were goofing off and one continued to play with his crotch area even after I notified the supervisor.

 

[disney4life2008]

Wow. Thanks so much for such a great response. You sure did give me a lot to think about. it was great to hear from somebody who had stated at a timeshare.

No problem. It is a tough decision that I have been in. I took my nephews to WDW in August 2011 as a surprise trip. During initial planning I wanted to stay at a value resort because of the "magic" but when I thought about it - I realized my nephews (both pre teen at the time) would experience the magic in the parks. And would enjoy having their own space in my timeshare (for that matter my own space). You just have to figure out do you mind not experiencing the magic 24/7. If so, offsite is the way to go. Another suggestion would be to do a pros and cons list of both as well as the pricing.