Onsite/OffSite

[Tracey]

Our first trip to Disney and I am clueless!! We plan on giving our kids a week long trip for their Christmas gift this year..but I have no idea if we should stay at Disney or rent a condo for a week.
I know if we go the condo route we can;t get a meal plan but we would save a lot of money.
Any suggestions?

[faline]

Welcome to Intercot!!

This is a debate that has raged for years. In the end, it comes down to personal preference and your pocketbook.

When you stay on Disney property, you are immersed in Disney 24/7. I have to confess this is my preference. I have stayed off--site a couple of times but greatly prefer on-site. Advantages of on--site include not having to drive yourselves around; being eligible for extra magic hours; being able to book fastpassd+ reservations 60 days in advance of your arrival; and dining (for your entire stay of 10 days or less) 180 days in advance of your arrival. You won't need a rental car and can get free transportation from the airport to your resort.

When you stay off-site, you will need to drive yourself back and forth to your accommodations. If you stay someplace with shuttle service, the shuttle service may not be frequent enough or may require you to arrive at the parks late and leave early. If you drive yourselves, you would need to pay for parking on a daily basis. On the plus side, as you noted, you can likely get accommodations that are much larger for quite a bit less than you would spend on-site.

You don't say when you are going but I'm guessing you might be going during the Christmas break? If so, I'd strongly suggest an on-site stay since the parks are so crowded during that time, it's possible you could be locked out of the park you want by closures. Off-site guests are the first to be turned away when parks begin to reach capacity.

[Katzateer]

If you have other interests in Orlando besides WDW I would stay offsite. If WDW is the entire focus of your trip, stay on property.

We have rented houses, condos and stayed onsite. If you do stay onsite and are big Disney fans, I highly suggest Art of Animation. The rooms are a little more than my second choice POP but it is my favorite resort there. I love the theming and the suite is the perfect size for me.

Hope you have a great time whatever you decide!!

[mechanic]

How many people in your party?
Are you driving in or flying?

[mickeyman42]

first off,

Here is my thought, you only get 1 first trip. maybe to some people the resort is just that, a resort, no different from staying at the local Holiday Inn, but to me its an extension of the parks. I remember our first trip, back in 2007, and I can honestly say that staying onsite was the best decision we could have made. right from the airport with the Magical Express, to pulling up to the hotel (All-Star Movies, which was changed to music, but thats another story) to our first morning standing outside the MK at rope drop with my daughter in my arms watching the train pull up, I mean it was just magical. It's what made me a crazy Disney fan. for us, that trip would not have seemed as magical if we had stayed off-site.

Now do we stay onsite everytime? no, we have stayed offsite at least a few days on almost every trip since because our kids love to have a large pool to themselves when we rent a house and the extra space is really nice, but for our first trip, nothing beats staying onsite, at least to me.

[DizneyRox]

And depending on where you stay, the shuttle service will often be in large third-party tour buses, which drop off in the parking area (which can be a good hike), rather than the onsite commuter-bus stops nearest the gate.
But if you're planning condo, you'd probably considered your own driving/parking in the first place.

Yes, which means you should add the cost of a rental car (if applicable) and parking (what $17 a day now?) to the cost of staying off site. Also the new fast pass fiasco should weight in to you decision. Losing 30 days of planning will mean no chance at some of the more popular attractions. Just something to consider...

[1DisneyNut]

I would suggest giving us some more details on when you are planning on going and what your approximate budget.

Here at Intercot, you will find that many of us have done just about every combination of WDW vacation imaginable. I have stayed onsite in everything from the onsite values to the top end deluxes from a day or two all the way to over a week. I have done the same offsite: everything from a Days Inn to the Waldorf Astoria.

[TSLtrek]

I've done both. My preference is on-site for the full immersion experience. Turns out that for our family of 5 PORS is the best value.

[VacationDisney]

Our very first trip to WDW was 1984. That was the first and last time that we have stayed off property.

We love the resorts on property, from value to deluxe. We love not having to rent a car that will, for sure, just be sitting in the parking lot of the resort as we always use the Disney transportation. We like being able to get our ADR's all done ahead of time. Will be using the FP+ system for the first time and hope all goes well (our December 2013 the bands were not working properly).

I just feel like a kid being on property and having all the perks that come with staying on property.

I am sure off site works for those people picking that option as well. Guess it depends on what you would like to do on your trip to WDW

Have a great trip

[MrPeetrie]

First, Tracey, I hope you truly enjoy your first visit.

I think staying on or off property depends solely on you "Disney-phile" rating. Are you a one- or two-star casual Disney fan, who just enjoys theme parks in general, vacations and family time, and get-aways altogether? Or are you a full-fledge, five-star Disney fanatic? Unfortunately, you may not know the answer until you visit Walt Disney World at least once.

Back in 1999, my wife booked us on an all-inclusive vacation, which included three days in Orlando. (Unbeknownst to us, it was a time-sharing scam. Thankfully, I paid extra and was excused from the "pitch.")

Prior to that trip, I had no feelings toward Disney at all. When my DW would shop in the Disney Store at our local mall, I would wait outside the store because "Disney is for children." I was curious about WDW, but not overly excited. We stayed off property on 192 in Kissimmee and commuted to WDW on three consecutive days.

Upon our first entrance into the Magic Kingdom, we were blown away. I have this amazing video where I'm doing a continuous panoramic recording of Town Square. I didn't realize it at the time, but I inadvertently recorded my wife's reaction. When we viewed the tape at home, you can see the look of awe and amazement on her face. She's moved to near tears. We were both hooked. Five-stars hooked!

Since then, staying off property is not an option. She calls it being "Inside the Disney Bubble." From the moment we hit the Magical Express terminal until the moment we return back to MCO, we are in full Disney mode.

I have suggested many times, "Why don't we fly down to Orlando, stay off-site, see some of the other parks (because believe it or not, there are other great attractions in Orlando besides Disney,) and spend just a few days at Disney." They (DW & DD11) always reply, "Because when we're at Disney, we'll realize we could have been here the whole time instead of in those other parks. No thanks"

So, Tracey, you'll have to gauge for yourself, which will be best. Either way, I'm sure you'll have a Magical trip.

[PlutoPlanet]

I know a budget is a budget, but we love staying on property.

[LVT]

Welcome and happy planning.
I am another convert since the first trip, it was an on-site package and I fell in love with POP.

[SBETigg]

I stayed off site for half of my first trip, and I wouldn't stay off site again. It makes such a difference to be immersed in a fantasy world, removed from harsh reality, for vacation. You really get to experience Disney staying onsite. It might be a bit more expensive, but your tradeoff is saving time. Time is money. Going back and forth to off site accommodations takes some time away from parks, especially if you're going back for meals. And is it really a vacation for you if you're cooking and cleaning?

If you can swing it, I think you would get more out of your vacation staying onsite. Also, the meal plan might not be the way to go for you. Depending on how you eat, it doesn't always save you money. If it's included as part of your vacation deal, maybe. Otherwise, you might be better off paying for dining as you go instead of having the plan.

[Tigerinvestigator]

Not to beat a dead horse, but I would highly recommend staying on property. The Swan/Dolphin are great resorts for that time of year and have really great discounts, especially if you are military, nurse, teacher, gov't employee. They also have deals for the general public. It is easy walking distance to Epcot and DHS or boats to both. We've stayed in almost every Disney resort and the Dolphin is now our favorite!

[Tracey]

There are going to be 6 of us. 3 adults and 3 kids. (13, 7, 3) We are planning on going next summer (end of may early june). We are giving the trip to the kids for Christmas.
We are driving down, so no rental. But I like the idea of not having to drive.

And I LOVE everything Disney. My lil one is really into the old Diseny movies (snow white,, alice..etc) and I am loving watching the with her.

I think that was all the questions!! Yall are so nice! thank you!

[Tracey]

I'm really leaning to staying on-site because my mom is coming with us and if she got tired she would be able to go back to the room easily.

We were planning on the meal plan? Yes or no?
We "have" to eat at the royal table so I was thinking it would save us money there. Any suggestions?

One more question...whats your "I must..." every Disney trip?

[Janmac]

Tracey, if I may, I suggest you ask at the dining thread about the dining plan. You'll get a lot of info over there.

And ask at theme parks about what are must do attractions (Disney speak for rides and shows).

And use the search engine. You'll find lots of answers you didn't even know you had questions about. I know I do and I've been to Disney a lot, since 1974.

Did you send away for the Disney planning dvd?

Have fun planning!

Jan

[steamboat willy]

One More To Intercot! You've found the best place in the World to easily get answers and suggestions about YOUR DISNEY VACATION!

One More To Suggest Staying Onsite Because:

• From the time you drive through that Welcome To Walt Disney World, Your Staying In The Magic.
• You can find a Resort to fit anyone's budget. From Value (Us) to Deluxe (stayed there too) but we like to use our money for other than where we sleep.
• Free Parking or $17 Bucks a day.
• Themed Pool just minutes from the Parks.
• Free Transportation when you want it.
• Great Food Courts or Specialty Dinning without starting your car.
• Relax with Free Movies by your pool each evening.
• Free DINING...Maybe!
• Extra Magic Hours
• Get FastPass+ and reserve your "Have To" rides and meals.
• I could go on & on & on.
  
  One last BIG suggestion, check out the Magical Journeys link on this site. For Free they will do ALL the planning, calling so your not STUCK on hold and will get you the best deal possible, EVEN if Discounts come out later, You Get Them. Discounts on You Resort or Free Dining. All you have to do then is email your MJ Specialist with any changes or questions you may have. They will price the trip, check availability and all you have to do is start planning and keep checking this site.
  Oh.....We leave in 39 Days and you see where I am!
  Keep those question coming!

[SBETigg]

With 6 or 7 people on a budget, two rooms in a value resort or suite accommodations would probably work best. Art of Animation suites or Pop Century resorts might be good ones to check out.

Do review the dining plan and think if it makes sense for you to add it or not. You will find more information on that in the Dining forum, and plenty of help weighing the pros and cons of having or not having the plan. Lots of helpful people and great advice on the INTERCOT boards. Welcome!

[dvcmember83]

My personal preference has always been to stay on property, just to simply immerse myself in all things Disney. It could not be for everyone, but we really enjoy it that much. It is magical from the get go. I also am not a fan of paying $17 a day for parking. I think it is a rip off. We are finding that as a family of 6 that it is hard to find a room that fits all of us. You do have the options of paying cash for a Disney Vacation Club Villa. They come equipped with a kitchen to make meals if you would like. This always comes in handy for breakfast, even if you have the dining plan. HTH!