Best Off Site Hotels

[1DisneyNut]

Pretty much all of the Hilton brand hotels in the area are great. There are some across the street from Downtown Disney, some in the Lake Buena Vista area and a number of them on International Drive. I have stayed at several of them and don't have a complaint about any. They have all been far better than staying onsite at a Value and inline or better than Moderates depending on brand and location. Many also include free breakfast and some include free cocktails in the evening.

We stayed at the LaQuinta close to the Convention Center on International drive a couple of years ago because we brought our little dog and they allow pets for free. It was just fine and included breakfast.

I like International Drive locations because you can walk to numerous restaurants as well as other things to do.

[Jillirose]

We stay 'offsite' at the Dolphin which is actually onsite and enjoys all the Disney transportation options and is within walking distance to EPCOT and DHS.

[buckethead501]

But what about many of the perks of staying on property? Do you notice missing out on those?

[BigRedDad]

For the money and the BETTER than Disney Deluxe accommodations, Wyndham Bonnet Creek cannot be beaten. You can get a week in a 2BR suite for about $100-$120 per night. It is literally a 5 minute drive to Boardwalk and DHS, maybe 7 minutes to Epcot, and 10 minutes tops to MK and AK.

[1DisneyNut]

But what about many of the perks of staying on property? Do you notice missing out on those?

We avoid the park that has extra magic hours and go to a different one so that perk has no value to us. We also despise being locked down by dining reservations and never make them so that one is out too. The only one to consider really is the stupid 60 day vs. 30 day window for FP+ but I have made up my mind that if the day comes where I have to reserve ride times two months ahead to be able to have a good time, I will just stop going but it is something that most people will want to take into consideration when making plans to visit.

For the money and the BETTER than Disney Deluxe accommodations, Wyndham Bonnet Creek cannot be beaten. You can get a week in a 2BR suite for about $100-$120 per night. It is literally a 5 minute drive to Boardwalk and DHS, maybe 7 minutes to Epcot, and 10 minutes tops to MK and AK.

I agree. I will also add a comment related to the drive times: When we stay offsite, we honestly drive from our hotel or house into WDW, park in the parking lot and get to the entrance of the park in less time than it often takes to weave through the giant WDW resorts and find the bus stop and then wait for a bus to arrive.

[BigRedDad]

As for the perks you miss, there are only 2 that come to mind.

1. You do not get EMH. More than half the time, it is in the morning which is only a 1 hour benefit. Not worth it because we would avoid that any way.

2. You cannot use Stormalong Bay. That is a perk that is only afforded to people staying at BC/YC.

There is nothing else resort guests get over non-resort guests.