Stay on site or off?

FantasiaBish

FantasiaBish

Member
I'm going to WDW in October and am dead set on staying at ASMu. We have friends who are planning on going also and they're trying to convince me to go the cheaper way and stay at a "maingate" hotel. I have tried to convince them that staying on site is worth the extra money but they won't hear it. Any suggestions?
 
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tinkrbel

tinkrbel

New Member
never stayed off site

never stayed off site I guess I am an on-site snob because to me staying on site is really the only way to go. I agree with Beauty ..if you stay on-site you will never be happy off.. unless your one of those that like to do other things in Orlando.. we are one of those few families that only go to the World and no where else. If you want suggestions on how to convince them to stay on site ..I dont have any ..because if they are only looking at the cost and not the exta's then they wont change thier minds. We sorta have the same problem because of friends that have to stay off property this trip ..( in laws are paying this time and arranged everything much to her disappointment) so ..we all plan to get together evenings at the resort where we are staying (CB) she wants her in laws to see the difference too! so if you cant get them to stay ..at least invite them for an evening at the resort, they may want to change up after the see the magic.
 
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bearboysnc

bearboysnc

Well-Known Member
I have had stayed both onsite, and off site.

Unless you are staying in one of the upscale resorts, Poly, Cont, & GF. there isn't that big a difference in the quality of room, and the "magic" associated with it.

HOWEVER,

Getting around the resort will cost you time and money. If you taxi to the parks, there is an additional fee at the toll gate that will be reflected in your fare. If you take a hotel shuttle to the park, then you have to live by their schedule, not yours.

If you drive yourself, you have to pay for parking. (which really adds up) Getting to and from your car is addtional time, then, you'll get on a Disney shuttle anyways to get to the gate. Traffic on property can be really bad, costing you time and frustration. Besides, at the end of the day wouldn't you rather just jump on a shuttle near the park exit and be chaufered to your hotel?

If you're looking to relax. Staying on property is the way to go. You don't have to worry about traffic, parking, or getting lost and you can just enjoy the scenery.

Ultimately staying off property will cost you the same as on, in time and money.
 
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E

EnSkywalker

Member
My wife was one of those people who had never stayed on site before she went with my family. Now she won't ever stay anywhere else unless the room is some perk.

I've not stayed in the All Stars so I cannot comment on their magic. I have heard numerous reports on kids absolutely loving them but since we have none we tend to avoid that area.

If you aren't going anywhere but the World then you cut down on the costs by not renting a car nor paying for parking. We have taken Mears motorshuttle and Tiffany's Towncars and saved at least 100 off of renting a vehicle. Plus no aggravation of driving, paying for parking, etc.

Have fun. 8 months and counting until the 4th annual trip.
 
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2much2do

2much2do

New Member
Guess I'm a snob too.........

I just shudder at the thought of staying OFF property! We stayed off property the first time we went and ever since we have stayed onsite.
And bearboysnc, I don't know what you are talking about there being no difference between the other non-deluxe resorts and staying off site. You must be flippin'!
There are tons of advantages, even if you can't stay at a deluxe.
Transportation is one. Not every hotel has shuttles to the parks that are free. Also, as someone mentioned you will be at the mercy of the hotel's shuttle schedule which can sometimes be up to an hour! This wastes money because you will still have to pay the same addmission for less than a whole day at the parks. On site guests can charge purchases to their rooms and have them delivered there directly from the parks. That means you won't have to lug around (and risk losing) your stuffed Mickey, your t-shirt and your souvenier mugs. They will just be in your room when you get there in the evenings. Off site hotels cannot do this for you!
Then there is the subject of magic. Much of this magic can be attributed to the fabulous Disney Cast Members! Bearboysnc, off site hotels do not employ cast members!!! You will be treated like royalty even at the value All Stars!!
Also, Resort guests can make priority seeatings before the off site guests are able to. I called to make a PS for a relative not staying on site once, and the CM asked which resort they were staying at. When I said they were off site, she said she could not make the PS for them until 30 days before instead of the 120 I was calling.
Stay on site. It is easy, convienent, fun, and magical. No matter what resort you choose!!!!
 
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Camelot

Camelot

Active Member
I have never stayed on-site...for various reasons, money being one and the other because one of the friends I went to WDW with, works for a hotel and we stayed at one he works for (for a great discount).

I can know how great it would be to stay on-site, but some folks just gotta make do with something "lesser" (sniffle, sniffle):(
 
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ToTBellHop

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
I would NEVER stay off-site! NEVER. I can assure you that the Disney Magic extends to the All-Star Resort with its themed pools and the beautiful look of the resorts. I personally love the fifty-foot dalmatians, baseball bats, etc. And the food courts offer an extremely large selection. The food tastes great (but you pay Disney prices) and you get the benefit of the refillable mugs, where for $10, you can get any soda, coffee, or hot cocoa you want for the length of your stay! It's so nice being able to get back to your hotel from the parks within minutes, head to the food court and get a hot chocolate...stroll to your room...~day dreaming~ It is SO worth the extra money! Just show em the Disney Vacation Planner video! That should be more than enough to show them how awesome Disney Resorts are!!!
 
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ToTBellHop

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
Animal Kingdom Lodge...I ENVY YOU! We just got back from Animal Kingdom Lodge...GORGEOUS resort...and the animals...simply AMAZING. If we could afford to go there every time, we would...it is hands-down my favorite resort on the planet...BY FAR.
 
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tinkrbel

tinkrbel

New Member
dogsrule pleassssseeee

Originally posted by DogsRule!
Animal Kingdom Lodge...I ENVY YOU! We just got back from Animal Kingdom Lodge...GORGEOUS resort...and the animals...simply AMAZING. If we could afford to go there every time, we would...it is hands-down my favorite resort on the planet...BY FAR.
Click to expand...

please I am looking for all the info and pictures I can find on it .. what can you tell me about the savanah rooms????? pleasessss if you know of links or have pictures pleaseeeee I gotta tell you we are just dancing around so happy about this !!!!!! I still love the CB ..but ...the AKL and a savanah room!!!!!!!!!
 
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Maria

Maria

New Member
FantasiaBish,
Listen to all of them.... they are right!
Let´s not exagerate though... good service could be anywhere, at any hotel, doesn´t have to be a Disney one... BUT, the main difference, at least for me, would be the huge advantage of transportation. If you are not familiar with the streets, driving in Orlando is a hazzle. Full of tourists who don´t know their way around... go figure! hehehe... ;) Besides, what if part of the group wants to take a nap, or go to another show, etc.? You can do it without moving the whole group´s schedule and meet later somewhere else. Easy. Btw, you can consider a pair of radios... hehe
I would suggest you to stay on site and rent a car only for the days you want to get out of property and enjoy the rest of Orlando! Do not miss going to International Drive! hehe.. psst psst.. "Bahama Breeze".. :slurp:
The All Star are the cheapest option. Check for deals at www.mousesavers.com Many people have post here that they found great rates there. Good Luck!

In case the majority goes for the other option, let me suggest you to stay around SR.535, or Hotel Plaza Blvd. which in my opinion are the closest ones to Downtown Disney and the parks.
 
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Main Street USA

Main Street USA

Well-Known Member
I've stayed at All Star Music and it is extremey magical. Little things like the maids putting all of your disney souvenirs in the window nice and neat, like a work of art. All of the little things you would not expect or get from a normal hotel. And by the way, 80 bucks a night to stay on property is not expensive, and you wont pay much less elsewhere and get anythognclose to the cleanliness. Just my opinion...
 
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Chas&Company

Chas&Company

New Member
Too much $$$$ on-site.I've stayed both on and off site. Only perk on site is that u dont have to pay for parking!Stay at the Wynham Resort & Spa.U have almost the exact perks as if stayin on-on site. U can get rooms @ $130.00 per night during WDW busiest seasons. Also u can enjoy E-nights just like the other resorts and make PS reservations through the hotel for shows/dinners at other disney resorts.check out their site at www.wyndham.com . Why stay at All-Star when for less u can stay at a luxury resort.
 
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C

Claire L

New Member
I've always stayed at The Grosvenor, which is technically on Disney but not run by them and have always found it to be a pleasant stay. What with that you do get the perks of PS and EE (If Disney run it again!). But this year with a little extra cash flow we decided to go on site as it has unlimited entry. So WL here we come.:sohappy:
Claire L
 
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