Going to Disney but not staying at a Disney resort?

There are some really nice resorts not on Disney property or owned by them, Are there really any cons to staying in one? We will have our cars so we would drive to the parks, we can't afford staying in a resort on the monorail. Has anyone done this, or does everyone stay at a Disney resort?

Can anyone recommend an off site resort close to the parks?

Message edited 2/11/2012 5:22:36 PM.

Re: Going to Disney but not staying at a Disney resort?

We have been a dozen times, and ONLY just stayed off site this past trip. It was GREAT!! We picked a location that was 2 minutes from the DTD gates. It had free hot breakfast buffet, complete with Mickey waffles. We had a family suite which was spacious and very nice. We ate dinners near our hotel if we weren't in the parks, which saved quite a bit compared to park food prices.

You do lose the extra magic hour (didn't bother us), the ability to charge to your room and have packages sent to your room, but that's really it. I did NOT miss the crowded busses filled with people that had poor manners.

I will say, it was a pain to park at MK though. I would get there at like 8:00 am to avoid having to take the tram to the transportation/ticket center, where you then ride the monorail or boat to the MK.

Message edited 2/11/2012 11:21:22 AM.

Re: Going to Disney but not staying at a Disney resort?

They have the Value Resorts, where you can save on the car rental, because of the Magical Express from the airport right to the Disney resort for free. Then they have buses going to each of the parks. If you are not going anywhere else, besides Disney, staying on World is great!

Have fun!

Re: Going to Disney but not staying at a Disney resort?

I have never stayed on site and honestly have no interest in it. We always stay at our timeshare. I love having a 2 bedroom unit, different pools to choose from, arcades, water sports, and golf right at our fingertips. But in fairness, we are not over the top Dsney people. We usually do one park, one day. The rest of the time we're mostly by the pools.

Re: Going to Disney but not staying at a Disney resort?

We stayed at a timeshare last year. It was nice to have kitchen and be able to make some meals in the room. The washer dryer was the best thing, everything was clean when we got home.

Re: Going to Disney but not staying at a Disney resort?

Re: Going to Disney but not staying at a Disney resort?

Message edited 2/11/2012 7:19:09 PM.

Re: Going to Disney but not staying at a Disney resort?

We have done Disney the last 2 yrs and havent stayed in Disney resort yet.... I have a timeshare on the beach so we stay there it is about 45 to hr drive but it doesnt bother us....to me its a pain to have to pack up the stoller and get on the Disney bus to the parks when its easy to just drive to the parks and have DH drop off at the entrance...we are going back this year and doing the same thing....once the kids are older and dont need the strollers anymore that is when we will stay in Disney....

Re: Going to Disney but not staying at a Disney resort?

We have a timeshare at the Sheraton Vistana Villages and usually stay there and haven't had issues. We like staying in a larger unit.
The only time I stayed onsite was at a value resort and I feel that we get there faster driving than waiting for busses some of the time.

Re: Going to Disney but not staying at a Disney resort?

I don't have any recs but the pros are that you can have a nice hotel off property for less money - in some cases, also more space because you can get suites etc easier off property. You have access to a LOT more restaurants to give you more options etc.

The cons are - you lose EMH (extra magic hours) - with young kids that might not be a big deal for nights - but we found the day ones to be a big help (esp if you have a park hopper and can go to another park if the EMH morning one gets crowded.

You will have to pay I believe it is now $14 a day to park (parking at the parks is free if you stay on site)- you don't pay twice if you park hop as long as you keep your receipt but that is a cost to consider.

The other on site benefits really aren't as important (other than you can't get the dining plan which isn't a big deal).

Re: Going to Disney but not staying at a Disney resort?

Re: Going to Disney but not staying at a Disney resort?

there is the hilton that is accorss the street from down town disney so is double tree.

Re: Going to Disney but not staying at a Disney resort?

i only stay onsite.

have you looked into the Value resorts? They're really well-themed, absolutely clean, and you're immersed in the Disney magic from the moment you arrive.

When you stay offsite you can't take advantage of the Disney Dining Plan, You don't get to enjoy extra magic hours, there are no TV bedtime stories from Duffy, nor wake up calls from Mickey.

Another cost factor to consider is that you have to pay a $14 per day parking fee if you stay offsite.

Disney's resort accommodations are not all expensive, but they keep you in the magic 24/7 which is why I always choose them

Re: Going to Disney but not staying at a Disney resort?

When I went a few years ago, we stayed in a hotel in Lake Buena Vista which wasn't far from Disney. We rented a car and pretty much used the Disney transportation system if we wanted to go to other parks.