Why should I stay off property?

[DfromATX]

For all of our 4 trips so far we have stayed on Disney property (Saratoga, Boardwalk, Pop, and PO-Riverside). My husband said for our next trip he'd like to try staying off property - main reason obviously to save money - but I'm not too keen on that idea. Don't get me wrong, I would love to spend less, but I fear I wouldn't like being offsite. #1 I really enjoy being in the Disney bubble and not having to worry about anything, #2 I also like doing the dining plan and I truly believe I know how to make the most of it to get my money's worth, #3 I think the free transportation is great, we don't even rent a car. (I guess #3 goes back to being in the bubble.) And there's the Magical Express to and from the airport. And all the other perks you all know about...

I'd like to hear from those of you who have done both and why you prefer staying off property. What are the benefits of doing so? Main reason I'm sure, money, but what else?

 

[Wishes 1971]

The more I think about it, I think staying onsite is better for us. I see a lot of complaints about the buses, but I have never had a bad experience with the service. I think the bus service is a great perk!

We haven't either.....I don't mind driving....but, there is something about being able to climb on the bus, sit back and enjoy the ride, and be dropped off at the gate!

Considering how many people they are moving.....I think they do a great job.

 

[draybook]

If we ever stay off-site again we will absolutely rent one of those rental homes. And off-site without a rental car? That's madness!!

 

[cbettua]

The more I think about it, I think staying onsite is better for us. I see a lot of complaints about the buses, but I have never had a bad experience with the service. I think the bus service is a great perk!

The only time I had issues with transportation was at a value, and it was because there were too many people in there. Otherwise no issues here. I love the bubble, its really carefree for me and allows my husband to not have to worry about driving here or there.

 

[Wishes 1971]

If we ever stay off-site again we will absolutely rent one of those rental homes. And off-site without a rental car? That's madness!!

Agreed....I amended my comment....I meant to say I would not rent a car JUST to stay off-property....

By the time you factor in the car, parking, etc....I don't see the value.

 

[DznyGrlSD]

I am 50/50. I only stay onsite if I get a major discount and my room at the values come out to less than $70 which is comparable to other hotels in the orlando area rated 3 stars with my discount. Otherwise, I have no problem staying off site - the magic bubble is fine but it is also nice to be away from it. My biggest issue with offsite is car rental - the added fees are ridiculous so by the time you pay for car rental you could just stay onsite.

Car rental + no EMH are my biggest 2 reasons I won't say offsite. I USED to rent a car in Orlando when I could get 1 for 10 days for $250

 

[Tomi-Rocket]

You shouldn't. Ever.

 

[Susan Savia]

There is nothing keeping us from staying onsite these past 30 some years that we have been coming to WDW but, we choose not to. We have APs so parking is no problem. We've read the bus horror stories of folks having to stand after long hours in the parks and long waits to get on a bus. No thanks.

 

[disney4life2008]

Car rental + no EMH are my biggest 2 reasons I won't say offsite. I USED to rent a car in Orlando when I could get 1 for 10 days for $250

Agreed. However, if the rumours are true and EMH are eliminated (in the distant future) to place more emphasis on FP+ that for me will be the dealbreaker. EMHs is the primary reason I stay onsite - I am not a fan on the morning hours but the evening hours are amazing.

 

[disney4life2008]

There is nothing keeping us from staying onsite these past 30 some years that we have been coming to WDW but, we choose not to. We have APs so parking is no problem. We've read the bus horror stories of folks having to stand after long hours in the parks and long waits to get on a bus. No thanks.

The bus problems seem to be hit or miss. As recent as 2009 I remember waiting for busses for the parks for what seemed over an hour because of all the people. But in the last few years, I have never waited more than 20 minutes (even during peak) both coming and coming. However, the benefit of a car is that you can come and go as you please and not be limited to bus transportation. As much as everyone raves about the monorail - it is my least favorite mode of transportation.

 

[lostpro9het]

Why? You shouldn't. that's why.

Agreed!

I see a lot of complaints about the buses, but I have never had a bad experience with the service. I think the bus service is a great perk!

I've never understood this either. We've stayed inside the bubble 8 different times over the last 3 years and never had anything close to the bus horrors some describe. And I'm sorry, the bus trip from AKL to MK is not that bad, nor is the wait. You want to know what's bad, waiting 45 minutes in your car car trying to get out of HS parking lot on a non-holiday visit just to deal with the traffic to get back to your offsite room, that is not my idea of a vacation.

 

[DznyGrlSD]

I'm impatient so I used to rent a car. Rental car prices are ridiculous lately so I'll be using both Magical Express & Disney buses for my trip in October...we'll see!

 

[SeanWM48]

I'm impatient so I used to rent a car. Rental car prices are ridiculous lately so I'll be using both Magical Express & Disney buses for my trip in October...we'll see!

you'll love it. Magic Express is the best way to start the trip. Grab a coffee from the Starbucks at the airport, wander over to the Express section, your bags are all taken care of, you hop on a coach bus, they have cartoons and a welcome message playing. i couldn't imagine a DW trip starting any other way

 

[DfromATX]

you'll love it. Magic Express is the best way to start the trip. Grab a coffee from the Starbucks at the airport, wander over to the Express section, your bags are all taken care of, you hop on a coach bus, they have cartoons and a welcome message playing. i couldn't imagine a DW trip starting any other way

I agree, but that trip BACK to the airport sure is somber!

 

[Disneyhead'71]

When we vacation at WDW, we stay at The Grande Lakes Resort. They have a Ritz-Carlton and a JW Marriott that is connected with a pool complex with a lazy river. You can usually find great deals on Priceline and they have very nice park shuttles.
I will take real high end accommodations over "The Disney Bubble" any day.

http://www.grandelakes.com/?m=0

 

[DfromATX]

When we vacation at WDW, we stay at The Grande Lakes Resort. They have a Ritz-Carlton and a JW Marriott that is connected with a pool complex with a lazy river. You can usually find great deals on Priceline and they have very nice park shuttles.
I will take real high end accommodations over "The Disney Bubble" any day.

http://www.grandelakes.com/?m=0

That does sound nice. Do they offer free shuttles to the parks?

P.S. - Just looked at the pics... very nice.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

That does sound nice. Do they offer free shuttles to the parks?

P.S. - Just looked at the pics... very nice.

Yes, complimentary shuttles to all the parks.
We love the place. We usually can get a room for under $250/night. Sometimes as low as $199.

 

[cbettua]

Yes, complimentary shuttles to all the parks.
We love the place. We usually can get a room for under $250/night. Sometimes as low as $199.

You may want to explain the times for the shuttle. It is nowhere near what disney provides. I have stayed off site before and was never able to use the shuttle service as it was very limited.

 

[disney4life2008]

I agree, but that trip BACK to the airport sure is somber!

I love DME on arrival day but on departure day (especially at 5am in the morning its the worst, lol).

 

[DfromATX]

You may want to explain the times for the shuttle. It is nowhere near what disney provides. I have stayed off site before and was never able to use the shuttle service as it was very limited.

There are definitely pros and cons. I did check out the hotel and it looks very nice, could be compared to Bay Lake Towers (whatever it's called, the new one by the Contemporary). I figured the shuttles would be limited compared to the Disney buses. Pricewise, a luxury hotel offsite is more like a moderate onsite - and much nicer. The deluxe Disney hotels are about $500+ which is crazy! Not to mention, we are 6 so we have to get 2 rooms or a suite (at Bay Lake $1,000!!). Who spends that much??

Such dilemmas!

 

[BufordTJustice]

Not to mention, we are 6 so we have to get 2 rooms or a suite (at Bay Lake $1,000!!). Who spends that much??

Such dilemmas!

If you are having to get two rooms, you need to be offsite and even if you have to rent a car, you will save. This is what $189 per night will get you at Wyndham Bonnet Creek.

It is onsite but not owned by Disney and you are literally only 5 to 10 minutes max from each park. Rent from either Vacation Strategies, Farrell's Vacations or Ken Price.