On or off? That is the question

[estein80]

My dh's family is planning a trip to WDW in March. My dh and I agree that there is no comparison to staying on property. My b-i-l wants to stay at the Ginn. I know very little about it, but have looked at the website. It looks nice but... Every time I have stayed off site, I have regretted it.

We will have 10 of us total, with 3 kids under the age of 4 (mine will be 9 months, my s-i-l's will be 2 and 3). I know that mine will definitely need to nap during the day. We are trying to figure out how to house the 3 families in the best manner possible.

I would love some thoughts!

Thanks!

[maryjean]

I would say stay someone where in Disney like the Villas or somewhere with bigger spaces and kitchens.Also staying off Disney means getting to and from the parks on your own as most places off of Disney property only have one shuttle in the morning and one at night which means paying a taxis if your little ones need to come back for naps. We tried it once off Disney property and found it to be a pain.

[WinnipegDisneyFanatic]

On!!!!

*cough* CSR *cough*



Chris

[PetefromRI]

We love staying onsite but one year we stayed with family in a 3 bedroom villa at the Marriott Grande Vista and we absolutley loved it.A three bedroom villa was about the same price as 1 garden room at the Poly.We even did a day at Universal and SeaWorld.We always try to stay onsite but with the economy the way it is,and with the way housekeeping has been at Disney over the last few years,it's starting to be another option.We did find out that there is life outside of Disney and alot of great dining options so I say try it.If it's not your thing you can always stay on property next time.I keep saying that this is why Disney had better start paying closer attention to their room rates and housekeeping.I know that location is important but getting the best bang for your buck is also important especially today.

[mouseketeer mom]

ON SITE!!! Especially with kids, especially with that many people!! The perks are are plenty. No contest, onsite.

[cindchan]

I'd say on, myself. I've never stayed offsite, and have no interest. I fly down, so there's no other way for me to get to the parks or anywhere else(I'm not renting a car).

There's always Pop Century, or All Stars are fairly cheap (per Disney standards), and free buses.

[Tbelle1976]

My whole family will be going down in Feb (about 15 of us), myself, DH and our 2 kids are the only ones staying on property. Everyone else has come up with a clever idea to stay off property to "try to save a little money". I have explained to them that paying a little more per night to not have to drive through all the traffic that early in the morning, paying for parking and being able to jump a quick bus ride back to our resort is well worth it to me!

[Mrs Bus Driver]

As I haven't done this myself, don't know if it is a good idea, but how about looking into renting DVC points. You could go for a grand villa, with 3 families sharing costs this might work.

[WeLuvBuzz]

With that many people here is a vote for offsite. DH and I went last month and stayed at a beautiful two bedroom two bathroom condo with a full kitchen, 1/2 kitchen, two balconies, jacuzzi tub, 4 flat screen High def TVs, and two washers and dryers for under $700 for the week. We were so close to the world that we could sit on our balcony and watch wishes. Driving in in the morning is easy and not having to wait for a bus at night is great. Yes, it can be inconvenient if you want to leave for a nap, but I think leaving to go anywhere to go back for a nap can be inconvenient. Personally I do not feel comfortable not having a car and do not want to feel like cattle at a value. Last summer we spent more in two nights at the Poly than for a whole week in our condo with tons and tons more room. No comparison in my book until I can afford a two bedroom at BLT. Plus you cannot beat having a nice, full kitchen so you do not have to mess with the food courts all the time and a washer and dryer in your unit is priceless.

[DDuck66]

Aas you can see, there are both pros and cons for onsite and offsite. We have done both because we like to have our DD (Darling Dog) with us on short trips....but I have to say that we really enjoy it more when we stay onsight. IMHO, you lose some of the magic when you stay offsite.

[Jasper]

First of all, consider having each family stay where they want and then meet up each morning to explore the parks or whatever you plan to do.

Another option that I always like is to make lists of why each group wants to stay on or off site. Then compare your lists to the amenities offered at each hotel under consideration. Often times you will find a nice compromise facility that allows everyone in the group to get a little something of what they like. By the way, depending on how your family does Christmas, this can be a fun after dinner/after opening gifts project for young and old alike to do at your family Christmas get together.

[KylesMom]

My b-i-l wants to stay at the Ginn.

Out of curiosity, is your b-i-l a big golfer and that is the reason he chose Ginn?

I have heard great things from my sales guys when they've been to Ginn's for business meetings that involve golf. I know that the Ginn Reunion is not the least expensive option in the area if this is about saving money . . .

I'd go with your gut on this one. If you've regretted each time you've stayed offsite, this may not be for you. I like the idea of having each family stay where they want, and meet up each day as planned. There is nothing like the convenience of staying on-site!

[Kairi_7378]

First of all, consider having each family stay where they want and then meet up each morning to explore the parks or whatever you plan to do.

This is what I was going to suggest. Because everyone vacations a little differently, it will be very hard to find something that works for everyone in your group. It will be easier to get a family of 3 to a destination than a group of 10. Plus, staying in different hotels (if that's what people want to do) will give each family some "down time" from each other, which will make everyone happier in the long run during vacation. (Unless you've done multiple trips together and staying in the same place works for your family, then I take that back.)

I'd suggest making a breakfast or dinner ADR for everyone for a few days, and just let people know when to be where.

[buzznwoodysmom]

We've stayed off site in the past, but I don't enjoy it nearly as much as staying on site. After our first trip staying on site everyone in our family decided that it is on site or not at all. I'd even have to think about it really hard even if someone else was paying, that's how much we enjoy staying on site vs. off.

[MarkC]

I don't know your budget, but there are other things to consider. Not having bus service from your motel means that your group will have to leave for the parks and leave for your motel together. If some of the kids get tired or cranky you're either forced to leave, or forced to make them stay. Plus you would have no extra magic hours. We're leaving in 12 days for only our 2nd off-site stay. Due to the late planning for a bowl game and availability we have no choice this time, but count me as one who would never choose to stay off-site unless it's a necessity.

[dteed]

with the kids ages I would stay at Fort Wilderness in a cabin if that is possible. When mine were younger I would stay near the MK since that is where they would most like to visit. Even before we became Vacation Club members offsite was not an option. When you stay offsite you must leave the magic. As far as there being more to Orlando than Disney, I agree, but why not travel from your Disney hotel to the outside world, rather than vice-versa

[JerseyDad]

.....having only stayed On-Site for all of my WDW vacations....my opinion regarding accomodations preference would likely be classified as "one sided". (However....I don't care what others say...so pooh to them! )


...seriously though..if your budget allows for an On-Site stay then by all means I would say "go for it". We've vacationed at WDW in the past as a "group" (3 other families)...and they stayed off site at the Windham near Downtown Disney. They were ALWAYS late for meeting us at whatever park that were going to that day / night....and I mean...really LATE. You can't beat the reliability and convenience of the Disney transportation system. They were also not given the opportunity to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours due to their not being WDW resort guests.

....again...it all adds up to personal preferences and personal finances. As mentioned by cindchan earlier...there are always the resorts like POP (where we always have stayed. It's affordable...and...it's On-Site...with all the WDW benefits.

[megustamex]

Another vote for staying where you want to stay and not with the other family. Trust me, it won't matter. You'll never see each other at the resorts. We just came back from a trip with our aunt and uncle, along with our two toddlers, and we barely were able to hook up for breakfasts on the toddlers' schedules. We never saw each other at the resort the rest of the time and we had changed our hotel in order to stay together. Totally unnecessary.

And I have stayed onsite and offsite. Having traveled to Orlando for business, I often had to stay in a Marriott type of hotel, but I'd sneak out at night and visit the parks with my AP. It is NOT the same as staying onsite, never will compare. You definitely lose the magic. I've also stayed offsite at a very nice Universal hotel once - comparable to a Deluxe in Disney I suppose - and let me just say that there was NO comparison. NO MAGIC. So please do yourself a big favor and stay where you want to stay. And take it from a mom with a 1 and a 3 year old, you do not want to be any further from the hotel than you have to be when the meltdown starts.

One more thing - you mentioned you will be in the room for naps. There is something about staying in a Disney property - even the values - that makes you feel like you are in the park even if you are stuck in the room or on the grounds while the kids are napping. This, to me, is essential when you have toddlers that tie you to a daily afternoon nap. Do you really want to be anywhere but on property when you have to go back to the room for a few hours every day?

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

On site most definitely, contact MJ and see what your options are with your size family

[kemps@wdw]

Definitely ON!!! Just the travel time to and from, alone, would justfy staying on property!
Not to mention, necessary naps, provided transportation, easy access to multiple parks (if you plan to park-hop), need I go on?