Offsite stay - can lead to big savings.

I know a lot of people on intercot will not consider staying offsite (I used to be one of those people), but I want everyone to know there are deals to be had out there. Last night I booked a 3 bedroom/ 3 bath townhouse for the week of Thanksgiving. Total cost for the week is $1071.

Just for fun I did a quick search on Disney's website, the best I could do for a party our size, for the same week was $2,370 in a All Star Music family suite.

Incase you are interested I found this deal on Vacation Rentals by Owner.

I hate the thoughts of staying offsite but honestly, paying for parking, lack of things more magical, of late, make me wonder if staying offsite and paying much less is not a bad idea. I wish we could go back to the days of old when staying onsite felt nearly royal !! haha .... I'm sure we will be looking for better deals too ..... sad tho ...

we stay offsite as much as we do onsite. They are some great perks. You get more bang for your buck. If you want to spend premium, you can stay in really luxurious accommodations vs the Disney options. Doesn't have the disney ambiance. If you are willing to part with that, and possible if you like the bus/package transport options, then offsite is really nice in many ways. Except, going to MK and having to do the Tranpo depot stop.

Thanks for sharing - that is an amazing savings.

We've almost always been on-site people, but I think Disney is pricing us out. I see at least a split on/off stay quickly coming in the future.

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Originally Posted by ibelieveindisneymagic

We've almost always been on-site people, but I think Disney is pricing us out. I see at least a split on/off stay quickly coming in the future.

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We use to always stay onsite, then in 2012 we went with some friends who convinced us to split a Condo with them. Our share of the condo $300 less than what a room at POP would have cost us, which more than made up for the cost of parking at the parks. We were also pleasantly surprised by the money we saved on food, and the time we saved on traveling to the parks (we had always used WDW transportation when we stayed onsite). Now I do not see us staying on property again, unless Disney cuts their prices dramatically.

That is a great deal! On our very first trip with our kids I found an amazing deal in our local "want ads". It was someone's timeshare at Sheraton Vistana Resort. We paid $400 for 7 nights in a 2 bedroom/2 bath suite with full kitchen, screened in porch, and washer/dryer. This was back in 2002. My SIL and her mom got a great deal at the same resort this Feb. I believe they paid around $700 for a week.

But once we stayed onsite there was no going back. Beating a dead horse here, lol, but I agree with those who feel the value of staying onsite is quickly slipping away with ever increasing rates, fewer and lower discounts, and added fees. However, when we do Disney we like to be onsite. Our vacation experience includes our resort, not just the parks. Since I am not ready to settle for offsite stays, my solution will be to visit Disney less often.

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Originally Posted by buzznwoodysmom

That is a great deal! On our very first trip with our kids I found an amazing deal in our local "want ads". It was someone's timeshare at Sheraton Vistana Resort. We paid $400 for 7 nights in a 2 bedroom/2 bath suite with full kitchen, screened in porch, and washer/dryer. This was back in 2002. My SIL and her mom got a great deal at the same resort this Feb. I believe they paid around $700 for a week.

But once we stayed onsite there was no going back. Beating a dead horse here, lol, but I agree with those who feel the value of staying onsite is quickly slipping away with ever increasing rates, fewer and lower discounts, and added fees. However, when we do Disney we like to be onsite. Our vacation experience includes our resort, not just the parks. Since I am not ready to settle for offsite stays, my solution will be to visit Disney less often.

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I'm sort of with you on this one. If we went every year, I'd be more open, if not demanding, off-site locations. But as it is, we maybe get down once every 3-5 years, and at that rate I find I want to be in the Disney bubble with that Disney ambiance. Not that I'm in any way shape or form happy with the money grabs, but we'll probably stay on-site if we get down there this year or next.

Not that its a deal breaker, but losing the advance bookings on Fastpass would be disappointing.

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Originally Posted by The Hitchhiking Ghost

I'm sort of with you on this one. If we went every year, I'd be more open, if not demanding, off-site locations. But as it is, we maybe get down once every 3-5 years, and at that rate I find I want to be in the Disney bubble with that Disney ambiance. Not that I'm in any way shape or form happy with the money grabs, but we'll probably stay on-site if we get down there this year or next.

Not that its a deal breaker, but losing the advance bookings on Fastpass would be disappointing.

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We used to be once a year, twice a year visitors. Onsite, every trip. I started becoming "disenchanted" back in 2013, and we started spacing out our trips. For me, its impossible to justify yearly trips at these rates with declining perks/service. So our trips will likely be spaced out even more. After our trip next month the earliest we plan to return is Thanksgiving 2020, maybe.

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Originally Posted by buzznwoodysmom

We used to be once a year, twice a year visitors. Onsite, every trip. I started becoming "disenchanted" back in 2013, and we started spacing out our trips. For me, its impossible to justify yearly trips at these rates with declining perks/service. So our trips will likely be spaced out even more. After our trip next month the earliest we plan to return is Thanksgiving 2020, maybe.

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Plus, next year or so, the park will be like a zoo.

We've done both, many times. I do see your point.

However, I find that the problem with staying offsite is that the moment we drive out of the Disney bubble and get to outside roads, the magic instantly vanishes -- poof! It hits like a sledge hammer.

Yet, because the savings are so huge, we usually live with this. That said, for us, it really doesn't compare to the magical experience of staying onsite.

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Originally Posted by MouseHouser

We've done both, many times. I do see your point.

However, I find that the problem with staying offsite is that the moment we drive out of the Disney bubble and get to outside roads, the magic instantly vanishes -- poof! It hits like a sledge hammer.

Yet, because the savings are so huge, we usually live with this. That said, for us, it really doesn't compare to the magical experience of staying onsite.

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Great points. But you also gain higher quality rooms, room amenities, and so forth. That being said, I do love the ambiance of Dixie Landings and the 2 fishing options. Do enjoy the food court and boatwrights.

I am debating now if we should stay on or off site this October for the Halloween Party. I feel like I am going specifically for the Event so I should stay at Disney. However, they are getting ridiculous with their pricing. There is a resort not to far that I like that is $400 cheaper than what I am getting quoted at Disney. Decisions, decisions.