Staying Onsite For The Magic.

[real mad hatter]

Good Evening Folks. Heres one to ponder.We have friends who go to Florida every year and stay in a villa but this year decided to stay onsite at CBR for the first time.They had a fantastic time but came back with this theory. That WDW is more than a theme park.Its a place of escapism,where CM's tell you to have a magical day,where the skies light up every night with fireworks,where you can walk around the parks late at night and your so safe from the real world.Anyway they have booked two weeks onsite for next year.It made me think.Is staying onsite your escape from the outside world one of the reasons.WDW is more than just another theme park,it's a escape from reality.What are your views on this.?

 

[Jo DeVil]

We stay on site for that reason, I like to be woken by a phone call from Mickey/Stitch and fall asleep with the fireworks still in my mind, Next year so the bubble won't be burst, we have 3 nights at Uni before 14 nights at BWV. We stay on site so we don't have to do the parks Commando style, we can pop back for a swim or a nap, which ever we feel like and then do EMH. and yes when a Cast Member says have a magical day, we believe them because we do. TTFN Jo

 

[dreamscometrue]

Stayed off site once; never will again. The hotel was beautiful, the car rental great, etc., but it's a completely different experience. Perhaps some people who have stayed on and off don't see much difference, but for us it's night and day. We enjoy being completely immersed in the atmosphere 24/7, and want to escape from daily stuff like driving, staying at a regular 'chain' hotel, etc. This starts at MCO with Magical Express and only ends when back at the airport on our way home, except for maybe a taxi offsite for a day.

Along the same lines, we see this comparison extend to our enjoyment of Disney Parks versus Universal, SeaWorld, etc. No matter what is built at Uni, we'll always feel like it's no more than a good place to visit for the day. We arrive, check out attractions and leave...much like visiting any amusement park, but better themed. Although that sounds like what we do at any of the Disney Parks while staying onsite (arrive, do attractions, leave), it's not the same vibe at all for us. We just feel surrounded by the magic. I've learned that people either 'get this' or they don't. It's not a comment meant to be negative or positive, it's simply something emotional you feel or don't. Simple as that.

 

[SAV]

So sorry to hear you don't buy the whole magic thing.My off-site in 2004 on my second week was a nightmare.First week onsite was awesome.But hey! You know what they say.Only those who believe in the magic,will find the magic.

It's a shame that you had a bad second week, but maybe it was because the thrill had worn off by the time you started the off-site portion of your stay? 7 days is a long time. Maybe you had a pre-conceived notion of not enjoying the off-site part, so the attitude of not having "magic" on your side ruined that part of the stay? Especially by the end of the second week.

You know what they say... "Attitude is Everything".

Again, I don't spend much time at the resort/hotel, so I get my good Disney feelings from the parks themselves. I pretty much only go back there to sleep. I like having a rental car and not waiting on transportation and getting on a bus filled with other sweaty vacationers.

I find my "magic" when I look at my credit card statement after having a wonderful trip and see that I saved a bunch of cash and had as much fun as those who paid a lot more.

 

[Wojciehowicz]

It's great if you do stay on site and love it, I don't feel one way or the other as I don't do either, but the majority of visitors to the central Florida area do not stay at a WDW resort.
The average visitor is not a hard core Disney fan and doesn't need to be immersed in Disney 24/7. In fact, there are those people that don't want Mickey in large doses . Even Disney recognizes that and has on site resorts for those people as well.
So on site is great if that's what you like, but at a ratio of about 4 to 1 between off site and on site hotel rooms, you can still have a great time even if you stay at an off site resort. There are a lot of excellent non Disney resorts in all price ranges, just choose wisely.
We also should keep in mind that Disney is only one of five excellent theme park operators in the central Florida area. Some would argue that some of the best attractions are at non Disney parks.

 

[luv]

I think all vacations are an escape from "reality." We leave our jobs, homes, friends and neighbors (and all their troubles) behind and we travel to a new place where we have no hum-drum activities, no problems...just stuff that interests us. I don't think Disney is unique in the whole "escapist" thing. I think all vacations grant that.

But all vacations do NOT have nightly fireworks extravaganzas! They don't have Jafar walking up to and looking down on you. You don't accidentally see the Genie walking down the street. They don't all have rides and shows and wonderful music playing all over the place. And they don't all have Mickeys printed on everything you see (except the napkins, of course.)

I never felt my vacations on site were more magical. I started out by staying in WDW hotels and kept going to them because I was afraid of getting lost offsite and thought it might be less magical...but once I was offsite, I found that my vacations became more pleasurable. I prefer having an entire condo or house to being stuck in a room. And I liked paying the same (or less) than a Disney moderate would cost.

 

[Jillie Fish]

I haven't stayed on-site in quite some time, I will be this coming year. I can say that I love the magic of staying on site, but I reserve it for special occasions because it's more cost effective for my family to stay off site.

I stayed off site this year in March 2012 and my experience was very pleasurable. The room was nice, and the complimentary breakfast was delicious. I honestly feel we saved money because we were able to eat large breakfasts, and eat small lunches in the park.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

I have stayed off site many times when my in laws stay at their time share, and invite us down. We have a wonderful time there, and certainly appreciate the room. But I would agree that my stays on site have had a more magical feeling to them. It might sound crazy, but my favorite part of Disney Vacations is checking into the resort, knowing we have the whole week ahead of us. I love being checked in by the CM, and chit chatting about Disney. We usually reserve our first day to just exploring the resort. So I think the Disney Resorts are a huge part of the enjoyment of Disney for me. =-)

 

[dreamscometrue]

I have stayed off site many times when my in laws stay at their time share, and invite us down. We have a wonderful time there, and certainly appreciate the room. But I would agree that my stays on site have had a more magical feeling to them. It might sound crazy, but my favorite part of Disney Vacations is checking into the resort, knowing we have the whole week ahead of us. I love being checked in by the CM, and chit chatting about Disney. We usually reserve our first day to just exploring the resort. So I think the Disney Resorts are a huge part of the enjoyment of Disney for me. =-)

Doesn't sound crazy to me...I can relate 100%!

 

[ParentsOf4]

I have stayed off site many times when my in laws stay at their time share, and invite us down. We have a wonderful time there, and certainly appreciate the room. But I would agree that my stays on site have had a more magical feeling to them. It might sound crazy, but my favorite part of Disney Vacations is checking into the resort, knowing we have the whole week ahead of us. I love being checked in by the CM, and chit chatting about Disney. We usually reserve our first day to just exploring the resort. So I think the Disney Resorts are a huge part of the enjoyment of Disney for me. =-)

Perfectly said.

My WDW excitement peaks while I'm still outside walking into my resort's main lobby to check-in, knowing the wait is over and I have my entire vacation in front of me.

 

[awoogala]

Absolutely. My husband was not a disney fanatic our first trip. He has an extremely stressful job, and in a few days he actually relaxed being on site. It isn't just "magic", it is amazingly calming to be able to walk in to vacation and just turn off your brain. Meals were booked, transportation was as easy as getting to the bus stop or monorail. We could relax and have a drink at dinner, and not worry about driving, or if we would get lost or stressed in traffic. It was nice to have that feeling.
We are returning on someone else's dvc this time, and were attempting to get an onsite hotel for one or 2 extra days, but the prices are killing me this time. The value hotels are even $160-200 in January. I may just go offsite for the nights. I cannot believe the price increases and lack of discounts for off season. Pacific hotel seems gorgeus at uni, almost comparable to poly, and for HALF, yes, HALF the price. In fact, I can stay at uni's deluxe pacific, for what I can do at art of animation. I would love to give disney all my money, I truly would, but I am fuming right now.

 

[Raven66]

It's why we stay on site. We like to be surrounded. I tried to talk my family into staying off site because it would be cheaper, but they refused. Of course I'm glad because I love being at Disney 24/7!

 

[real mad hatter]

It's a shame that you had a bad second week, but maybe it was because the thrill had worn off by the time you started the off-site portion of your stay? 7 days is a long time. Maybe you had a pre-conceived notion of not enjoying the off-site part, so the attitude of not having "magic" on your side ruined that part of the stay? Especially by the end of the second week.

You know what they say... "Attitude is Everything".

Again, I don't spend much time at the resort/hotel, so I get my good Disney feelings from the parks themselves. I pretty much only go back there to sleep. I like having a rental car and not waiting on transportation and getting on a bus filled with other sweaty vacationers.

I find my "magic" when I look at my credit card statement after having a wonderful trip and see that I saved a bunch of cash and had as much fun as those who paid a lot more.

. Well my friend.It had nothing to do with the thrill wearing off.We stayed on I- Drive at Bates Motel,oops,sorry,the Sheraton World.We have hostels in Scotland that are better.then I was challenged by yobs coming out of a liqueur store,we had food poisoning another night.Honest,I couldn't wait to fly home.But like I say to friends who go to WDW for the first time.You either get it,or you don't.When I shake my Disney bauble on my tree,I can still hear the bell ringing,non believers can't.

 

[real mad hatter]

It's great if you do stay on site and love it, I don't feel one way or the other as I don't do either, but the majority of visitors to the central Florida area do not stay at a WDW resort.
The average visitor is not a hard core Disney fan and doesn't need to be immersed in Disney 24/7. In fact, there are those people that don't want Mickey in large doses . Even Disney recognizes that and has on site resorts for those people as well.
So on site is great if that's what you like, but at a ratio of about 4 to 1 between off site and on site hotel rooms, you can still have a great time even if you stay at an off site resort. There are a lot of excellent non Disney resorts in all price ranges, just choose wisely.
We also should keep in mind that Disney is only one of five excellent theme park operators in the central Florida area. Some would argue that some of the best attractions are at non Disney parks.

. Yes,I agree with what you say.I had friends who went to the poly every year without daddy.I found out that last year he was talked into going,( his daughter 33 was diagnosed with a tumour ) But when I spoke to him he told me," I don't want Mickey in my face 24/7, my USA dream vacation is hiring a Harley and doing my own thing." When I told him that this was possible he was delighted.Well he went to Disney,hired his Harley,and loved the whole vacation with his family,meeting Mickey and the gang.Oh by the way.I attended his daughters funeral three months ago.At the funeral it was requested,as the coffin was being taken out of the church,that everyone to stand and applaud,which everyone did,and the music to "Life is a Highway" from " Cars " was played.There wasn't a dry eye in the church.

 

[jlevis]

We've only stayed "onsite" once at the DTD Hilton. Twice our stays have been at local motels. Other than that our 45+ stays have been at our timeshares at Marriott's Grande Vista. We drive down so there is no rental car hassle. We enjoy the drive and take two days and explore the countryside. We appreciate the room and amenities of our villa, having laundry facilities in the room is nice, a full kitchen and grill outside give us an option. We take advantage of the several pools and spas. Golf and tennis are available as is fishing and boating. We have annual passes so parking costs are not an issue. We use TIW and eat either lunch or dinner at the park at a TS restaurant. Breakfast is at the villa and we will grill or put something in the slow cooker, which we take down,for an evening meal. As often as not we'll eat at a local place. We each have our own idea of "magic", mine comes from within. I feel it everytime I walk into a park and see Main Street or SSE or the Hat or Tree of Life. It doesn't leave me just because I don't sleep there. I agree with the others who shutout the outside world. I rarely turn on the TV and we don't get a newspaper. I appreciate that others prefer onsite and that is fine, we don't. I honestly can't tell you if it is less expensive for us to stay at our timeshare vs a similar villa at Disney. But, I will say our trips are magical.

 

[mr_braver23]

Oh this is absolutely why we always stay on-site. In fact, most trips, once I get into WDW I refuse to leave for any reason until we are leaving to go home. I don't turn on the news in my hotel room (only WDWToday and Stacey for me!) and I don't watch any show that I could get at home, if I watch any TV for lengthy periods at all. I want to go to Disney and be at Disney and ONLY Disney. I like to joke that I can feel the property line like a sixth sense; if I get too close it's like a humming force field I can feel separating me from the "outside world".

Same here.... It's that one week a year when you can completely just forget every single thing going on and just breathe in the magic. Heck we even lose track of time and day!

 

[real mad hatter]

Same here.... It's that one week a year when you can completely just forget every single thing going on and just breathe in the magic. Heck we even lose track of time and day!

Your so right.Oh and I gave your your first like.Did you know every time you give someone their first like,a fairy gets her wings.

 

[Susan Savia]

We have always stayed offsite and wouldn't change a thing. We have a clean, comfortable and secure room. The magic surrounds us each time we pass thru the turnstiles in the morning until we leave late at night. When we're in our room it's to sleep. 3 cheers for Offsite!!!

 

[real mad hatter]

We have always stayed offsite and wouldn't change a thing. We have a clean, comfortable and secure room. The magic surrounds us each time we pass thru the turnstiles in the morning until we leave late at night. When we're in our room it's to sleep. 3 cheers for Offsite!!!

Ever wondered what something tasted like but never have tasted it.Well that's the difference between Onsite & Offsite.

 

[WDW 3]

I don't even want to stay at a Villa on property because I do not want to even see a kitchen or washer and dryer when I'm on vacation. And like someone mentioned earlier, we don't have to pass on a drink or two in the evening because we're driving.
We have friends that have rented homes or condos and loved them because they can cook breakfast (shudder). They also like having a pool but we have pools and who needs a pool when you have water parks.

 

[luvtink]

It's onsite for us! Nothing beats being able to escape the real world and live in your own fantasy world. Just the convenience of the food, transportation or free parking, EMH and theming makes it a no brainer for us. We stayed off-site for the first few times we went but once we tried the resorts we were done! We even stayed offsite at a condo that bordered AK for several nights which hardly costs anything since we traded points. We ended up extending our stay two more nights at ASMo so we could feel the "magic"! It just is not the same...