Tell me why you will only stay on site?

[tinkerddeedee]

We've only stayed off site. Our first trip on site is coming in May and I am beside myself!!!
Tell me all of the reasons you like to be on site!

[dmosher]

There is something special about being surrounded by the magic 24/7. When you stay on property, regardless of which resort you are staying in, you are constantly immersed in the Disney world. From turning on your TV first thing in the morning as you get ready for the parks to hearing decidedly Disneyesque music as you walk out your room door. Still want more Disney? walk through your hotel and check out the Disney details in the carpet, wall art, etc (see hidden mickies, etc).
From your resort, grab a bus to the park. Listen to the announcements, check out the trip itself. All of these details make you feel more in the in touch with the Magic from wake up to heading back to your resort.
All of the Disney plussing that goes on and if you are luck you don't really notice it and when you do, it just adds to the magic! Add to that the array of amazing restaurants and food options as well as the ease of having all of your ticket options available at reception as well as having all items purchased in the parks shipped to your room for free and there is no way i would every stay of property again!

D

D

[dizne4me]

For me, the moment I step on Magical Express--it whisks me away to a magical world. Everything is so convenient. When we used to stay off property, we'd have to wait for everyone to shower, dress, eat and then the drive to WDW - it just seemed like it ate up a good portion of the time you have in the parks. When we stay on property, the family members who want to sleep in - can - and those of us that want to be a rope drop, are there. We can come and go as we please and there are no arguments.
Plus I enjoy all the theming that the resorts have.

[playdead88]

if i couldn't stay on site i wouldn't go - staying on site is part of the magic - no car, parking, traffic - i leave the real world behind for a week - its magic

[kakn7294]

It is magical being in a Disney resort - the theming at the values is fun, the grounds around the mods and deluxes is beautiful, you are immersed in Disney 24 hrs a day, and if you so choose, you can take Disney transportation everywhere - no driving! My DD recently stayed off-site with her marching band and said that while her room was nice and had queen beds, the bathroom was so small you could barely move (let alone share it among 4 girls!), the pool was just a rectanglar cement hole in the ground, and the daily trudge to their charter buses was worse than waiting for a Disney bus - the only plus was a guaranteed seat when they got to their bus!

[BigRedDad]

For me, it is whether I am going to WDW or going on vacation. If I am going to WDW, I am going to WDW. If I am going on vacation, I will stay elsewhere.

1. WDW is WDW, not some time share outside or home for rent.
2. Convenience - buses, no parking fees, no driving
3. Disney atmosphere is everywhere
4. You don't have to expect good service, it is complementary. You don't know what you will get outside of WDW


Anyone can argue these, but this is why I stay on property.

[KayDee]

The main reason we always stay on site is we feel like were in WDW 24/7(which we are). Once were on site there are no worries. Also of course there is the WDW transportation EMH and the wonderful themeing of the resorts. You can also book ADRs at the front desk or even ask for a print out of your ADRs. Little things about your trip are easier when you stay on site. And yes we have stayed offsite before and we certainly felt like tourerists and if we asked what was a good seafood restraunt we got the restraunt that gave the bellman a kick back, when we asked for a cab we got his buddy sorry not for us.

[mouseketeer mom]

Staying onsite gives you that extra level of being away from it all. There is actually no dealing with the real world at all if you so choose...between DME and the Disney transportation system, and the CM's at the resort and parks...you are completely immersed in the Disney way during your stay. It is

[Dsnygirl]

I'm afraid I can't add much to what the OP's have said, they've pretty much covered it... just to say that we've done both, and totally enjoy staying onsite SO much more! You really feel like you are a part of the magic and a part of Disney from the moment you wake up (to Stich's wake-up call) to when you're going to bed (after hearing "We wish you magical dreams") after you call for your next day's wakeup call.

Nothing is perfect... sometimes you have to wait a bit for a bus, sometimes you have to ask for something in your room to be re-done or brought... but always it is done with a smile, with courtesy (okay, usually -- we haven't been one of the unlucky ones who've been the recipient of a surly CM, thankfully) and it is always worth it, b/c you still have all the little things around you that DIsney does so well to immerse you in their world.

When we stayed offsite, we always felt like we were "leaving" when we had to go wait for hotel transportation... then the drive through unfamiliar areas and all the reminders of the outside world and "real life"... and we just found ourselves waiting for the next day, when we could get back within Disney's walls.

I'm sure one day we will travel to Orlando and stay elsewhere -- but that will only be when we are doing things in Orlando that have nothing to do with Disney!

[yjgirl32]

It just feels right- no traffic to deal with- worrying if you are going the right way- no traffic jams, etc. I don't have to drive to get to the parks. I am emmersed in Disney which is great. The hotel is all about Disney and for the most part most of the cm's go above and beyond. If there's a problem they try to fix it for you and even compensate if your not satisfied. Wonderful experience.

[Mousemates]

1. Convenience (no driving, no parking, etc)

2. The Immersive Effect (i.e. you feel like your dipped in Disney magic with non stop theming)

3. The Customer Service umbrella - folks at your hotel can help with dinner reservations, tickets issues, general quesitons, etc.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

There are tons of reasons:

1) You have that Disney experience even when you aren't at the parks...from the time you enter the property you are seeing signs, buses, decor that just keeps making you think, I'm really at Disney World
2) Transportation to and from parks-I hate driving somewhere I'm not familiar with, not to mention the hassle of finding parking and the time you waste when you can hop a bus and be in a park in minutes
3) Extra Magic Hours
4) Cool-themed pools
5) Excellent dining options just a walk away
6) You can peruse gift shops at your resort instead of wasting park time in the park gift shops/of course I still do
7) The resorts have pamplets/time guides handy
8) The front desk will help with ADRs
9) Disney Character Wake UP Calls
10) Wonderful Mousekeeping with towel animals

So many more reasons, but these are just a few

[mrsgaribaldi]

There is something special about being surrounded by the magic 24/7. When you stay on property, regardless of which resort you are staying in, you are constantly immersed in the Disney world. From turning on your TV first thing in the morning as you get ready for the parks to hearing decidedly Disneyesque music as you walk out your room door. Still want more Disney? walk through your hotel and check out the Disney details in the carpet, wall art, etc (see hidden mickies, etc).
From your resort, grab a bus to the park. Listen to the announcements, check out the trip itself. All of these details make you feel more in the in touch with the Magic from wake up to heading back to your resort.
All of the Disney plussing that goes on and if you are luck you don't really notice it and when you do, it just adds to the magic! Add to that the array of amazing restaurants and food options as well as the ease of having all of your ticket options available at reception as well as having all items purchased in the parks shipped to your room for free and there is no way i would every stay of property again!

D

D

same here

[paragon]

Theres so many little things that make staying on site more enjoyable. As others have said, the theming, the music and all the little details.
Simply being on property makes our vacation that much more enjoyable, we get the feeling of being so far away from the "real world". Even though there are a few signs of the real world, ( McDonalds, Hess, 7/11 etc.) it still feels as if we are in another world.
We always rent a car, so when we are driving around its like we are on an island somewhere.
On site perks like free parking, emh, disney tv and all the rest.

[g8rgirl29]

There are tons of reasons:

1) You have that Disney experience even when you aren't at the parks...from the time you enter the property you are seeing signs, buses, decor that just keeps making you think, I'm really at Disney World
2) Transportation to and from parks-I hate driving somewhere I'm not familiar with, not to mention the hassle of finding parking and the time you waste when you can hop a bus and be in a park in minutes
3) Extra Magic Hours
4) Cool-themed pools
5) Excellent dining options just a walk away
6) You can peruse gift shops at your resort instead of wasting park time in the park gift shops/of course I still do
7) The resorts have pamplets/time guides handy
8) The front desk will help with ADRs
9) Disney Character Wake UP Calls
10) Wonderful Mousekeeping with towel animals

So many more reasons, but these are just a few

Ditto!! Oh and my DD loves the wonderful balloons she gets when we check in!! It is just a special feeling to be there 24/7!!

[GottaLvDisney]

I've only been once, but that was alll it took to be hooked! We were going to stay off site this year and I thought I'd still be just as excited, but as it got closer I was so disappointed when I started thinking about all we'd be missing out on.

We still prefer to drive our own car, but like several PPs said that 24hr Disney magic is wonderful, not to mention all the other benefits (EMH, cool pools, customer service, towel animals, etc.)

Thank goodness for free dining this year b/c DH is strictly a numbers man and we'll be on property after all come September! Hopefully after this trip he'll be hooked too, and all my lobbying for a yearly on property trip will pay off

[CzepielCrew]

It is definitely the magic! I love the idea that once you leave the parks, the Disney magic stays with you all the way to your room. It is great hardly having to use your car. It also makes you feel like you are in a different world altogether. I have stayed in Disney without and with my children. It was great staying on property both times I have gone. I know that I would not enjoy the experience as much if I was forced to stay off property. I would have to be forced!

[brownie]

There are other places to stay?

I like being close to the parks, the theming and service, and access to transportation if I need it.

[TheVBs]

Can't think of anything to add. Just have to jump in on how wonderful it is being immersed in the experience, the convenience of everything, and if the kids get exhausted halfway through the day and we have to go back to the hotel, we're still in Disney and love being in the pool, looking in the gift shop, getting a pizza from the food court, etc.

[Friend of Figment]

In addition to being in the Disney bubble, there are some little perks that make your stay easier. I love being able to charge to my room or use the DP so I don't have to carry a purse. Being able to have bags sent to my resort is also great. We normally stay at the Contemporary (and now we own at BLT) so having the monorail at my door is lovely too.