We just can't decide!

[Rx819]

First we were going to stay at a hotel outside the resort, then we thought we might get a villa or suite, then we weren't going to rent a car, then we were. Now, we have decided that maybe staying at a disney resort is the best way to go. Can I please get some opinions. Of course, money is a consideration, but, we think if we really restrict ourselves on the extras for the next 4 months, we should be able to get into a moderate resort. Is staying at WDW really the best option? :unsure:

Appreciate any and all help! :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

Paula

[OKWTink]

Do you want to drive? Do you want to visit places other than WDW, like other parks and shopping malls and outlet malls?

Do you want to check into your resort and not ever leave the property? Do you want all your transport just a bus stop away?

Much depends upon what you want to do with your time during your holiday.

I like the value resorts quite much myself. Depending on how many in your party, you may want to check into the cost of one of those and use the savings for oh, souvenirs or something! :D

I've stayed both on and off site. I'll take on site every time. It's just so much easier. Also, if I want a glass of wine with dinner or a sip of beer in the afternoon, I don't have to worry a bit about driving.

It's awfully nice to drag your tired and exhaused, foot weary self out to a bus, climb on and be delivered to your resort at the end of a long, wonderful day. :yes:

Beats the heck out of schlepping to the parking lot, finding that rental (that looks just like every other car on the lot) loading everyone up, dealing with traffic and finding your hotel when you are tired, probably hot, and hungry.

Nope. On site for me! :D

[BigThunder]

I have never stayed off site but I think staying at a WDW resort is the way to go. It is all true what they say about it! It's just never leaving the magic behind, I really believe that. I've not stayed at a Value resort but have visited a couple & think they seem wonderful & much easier on the budget when need be. Another thing to think about is are you needing a kitchen? You mentioned a villa. The best you will get in a value or moderate is a mini-fridge. Can't keep much in that & no room to really prepare even sandwiches.
Also, don't see where you are from. If this is a first trip to Florida & you don't think you will be back for awhile you may want to get a rental car so you can get out & see the other sites. I've been to WDW many times & for the most part could care less about going off property because I've done it so many times before. Sometimes it's just nice to know you're there & don't have to worry about going anywhere else. But we are going to Disneyland in California this summer. I have never been to Cali & don't know when I'll be back so a rental is a definite for us because if I'm going that far then I want to see some of the state other than DL!
Hope this helps some.

[Watchinherskip]

Yup, we tossed around staying off site to get a bigger room but my brother's family and my family are definitely on site only minded. OKWTinks and BTsum it up perfectly.

[psdjmem]

My vote is onsite we have young kids and it is so nice to hop on the boat back to fort wilderness cabins (this has a full kitchen) and have a rest instead of having to go to the parking lot drive back to the hotel then pile back in the car if you want to return to the park. There are deals to be found AAA has discount rates ask about them when you call to book at a disney hotel. I rather do without some dining PS and trinkets and be on site. We do have a car because we drive to WDW but we do not go off site. You can alwasy hire a taxi if you did not want to rent a car but wanted to go offsite to other attractions in the area.

here is a link all about the cabins http://www.wdisneyw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36226&page=1&pp=10&highlight=fort+wilderness+cabins
..... go to page two message #14 it is all about the cabins)

[Marks friend]

I haven't stayed off site, but to me the only way to go is onsite... it is just Disney. Plus there are great perks like the EMH that gives you extra time in the parks. If you are going for just a few days, look at staying in the value resort, you might not spend that much time at the resort. If you are planning on a more relaxing vacation, I would go with the moderate resorts, look up how many rooms are available in each resort, and imagine the crowd. The value resorts typically stay booked up so you need to look at that!
The moderate resorts are not "busy" or they give the feel of not being that way to me! It is relaxing to come back after a whole day and go to one of the quiet pools and have it almost to yourself

[Huntermom]

I've done both and prefer on site for short trips, off site for longer trips. My husband and two boys prefer off site.

There are pro's and con's to both-do a list of both and then decide. We always stay at a villa if we can no matter where we travel. My family does better if we start the morning with a more casual breakfast and we can all eat as we get up. I have one child who prefers not to eat more than one restaurant meal a day ( a health nut-don't want to get him going on the evils of large, fatty meals). My husband and two boys also like to escape the magic and get some very relaxed, down time. They have a better time off site.

I like a washer and dryer in the villa, relaxed meals and snacks, quiet, more than one television (although we always get two rooms), more space so the kids aren't on top of one another and of course the price. Last trip we split a 2bdrm villa ($128-140./night) with two rooms at AKL (total for both rooms $340./night with AP discount)

When my daughter and I go for a quick trip, just the two of us, we stay on site the whole time. It saves time and she likes the all Disney atmosphere.

We have a good time either way. I'd look at your budget and see what works best for you and also what your priorities are. Will you have a good time if you're counting every penny? Or will you feel you've lost something by not staying on site? I know people, especially committed on siters have strong feelings, but I think it's a personal choice. I'd rather my husband and sons relax in a villa that have them stressed out on site (they are not huge Disney fans but love Florida's golf and nature). With 5 of us, we do better if everyone gets breakfast as they wake/feel like it rather than waiting around for the whole crew to be up and about.

Read as much as you can and stay open minded. Ask your family what they want.

As an aside, I'd never go without a car. I personally have not found Disney's transportation to be to my liking. I've waited too long and some busses have been way too crowded for my personal taste.

Diane

[lisaw]

We've stayed off site in a villa and onsite at ASMo, I would definitely go with onsite if you can :) You definitely feel more 'involved' and even though we mainly still drive to the parks the transportation system is great :D

I would look at the value resorts though - we thought of staying at a moderate this time but decided to spend the money on a few more 'special meals' etc

[ukwdwnut]

we've only stayed offsite, but would like to experience onsite one day but i must say i like having a villa and be able to come and go as you please, its nice and quiet, a pool to yourself, if you cook in then you can eat what you like, and not have to put up with hotel food that might not be to your liking, and the drive from most offsite resorts in our experiences have been very easy indeed, hassle free driving and it does not take that long either, its horses for courses really and what you want from the holiday, as already said there are pros and cons of both options, but when we have been pricing it works out way cheaper to stay offsite, but again thats just what we have been looking at and needed to suit us. whatever you decide you will have a great time, so have a fantasmic trip :D

mick

[excitedbunny]

We've just come back and we stayed off site on International Drive. We didn't hire a car and had no problems at all getting to Disney and Universal Studios. The amount it cost us for two weeks staying on International Drive including costing in the price of shuttles to take us to Disney and back, was half the price of staying on site at a Disney resort for one week!

I suppose it depends on what you want to go for. If you just want to see all the Disney parks and not see Universal Studios, Islands or Adventure, Seaworld and the shopping outlets then a Disney property is the way to go. But if you want to see everything, then staying off site is certainly more affordable for accomodation and food.

We took advantage of the Disney transport when we were inside the parks to park hop, and never really felt like we were missing out on the Disney experience by not staying on site.

I think at the end of the day it is all a matter of preference and what will suit you. :D You'll love it where ever you stay.

[mrs t]

We have stayed on and off, off site is definetely cheaper but there is something special about staying on site

[marivigi]

I love staying on site!

Its like you NEVER leave the MAGIC!!

[mickeycrazy]

On site for sure! If you can't afford a moderate, don't worry. We loved POP and got a great rate.