How much longer will you stay on-site?

[damien]

Inspired by another thread, I'm curious what the thoughts of the members here are. With rack rates at the Grand Floridian now eclipsing over $500 per night with taxes, close to $500 per night at the Polynesian, and around $450 at the other Deluxe Resorts, I know Disney has just about priced me out. As a family of 5, our options are limited. I never thought I would take a Disney trip and stay off site, but after next year, we're going to. Is anyone else going to start staying off site, or will you continue to pay Disney's prices?

 

[IhrkeFamily]

We're a family of 5 and stay and the POR. Loved it! Rates were around $175 plus tax per night. When the kids get a bit older (and bigger!) we'll probably move to a family suite. I think they are around $225 per night plus tax. We save on transportation to and from the airport and never rent a car. Plus we usually get FD. Much cheaper to stay on-site with the advantages.

We can't afford paying more than $300 per night as much as we would love the amenities of a deluxe. I guess it will just depend on each family if they can stay on-site.

 

[Daisy-J&D]

We've been tempted by Bonnet Creek but now that we have had free dining we're pretty much sold for life on that deal. The Disney company knows how to make us loyal. They're brilliant!

 

[Daisy-J&D]

BTW, if free dining were to no longer exist than yes, we'd move offsite.

 

[bowbat]

We never pay rack rates at Disney, and the discounts plus convenience (plus the whole Disney atmosphere ) make Disney resorts a better value for our family. I don't see that changing anytime soon.

 

[mb187143]

We never pay rack rates at Disney, and the discounts plus convenience (plus the whole Disney atmosphere ) make Disney resorts a better value for our family. I don't see that changing anytime soon.

exactly. I've never paid a rack rate at a deluxe, and don't plan to. We've paid the rack rate to get FD at the mods from time to time, but generally we're able to go when there's a discount. The convenience sells us every time.

 

[wdw4rfam]

We are also a family of 5- POR is still quite reasonable with free dining. Now that they are replacing the trundle beds with a bigger one, I think as long as there is free dining we will stay on site. But if and when they do away with it- we WILL move probably to a downtown Disney hotel, since there are better options for 5, and still close to the magic!!! We too have always stayed on-site, but with a family of 5, there are much bigger and better options off site for us. But free dining with a family of 5? Cant beat that- I've tried. Even when I can get $79 for a suite off site, free dining still saves us money paying $200 at POR, because I know my family of 5 eats more than $120 in food per day (one table service rest. is more than that)

 

[wdw4rfam]

BTW, if free dining were to no longer exist than yes, we'd move offsite.

DITTO !!!!

 

[Missytara]

As long as it is there, I will continue to stay on-site. I love what staying on-site has to offer.

But I am lucky because I mostly travel solo, or with friends who split the cost. Often, I have taken two or three friends, so splitting the cost of a moderate is no problem - whether we get a discount or pay full rate, it is not difference to me.

I just love staying on-site, no matter what.

 

[HM]

I had my first off-site trip this summer, due to the use of a timeshare offered by a relative. We actually had a very good time. I missed not having EMH and disliked paying for parking, but the fact was it was very easy to relax there and the travel to/from the parks was not problem. Since flights have risen in price, driving to WDW is our new reality, so we had a car for transport.

Our next trip is during Free Dining and we're staying Mod instead of Deluxe to keep down costs.

I am open for whatever is the best use of our vacation dollar for any future trips. We always stayed onsite over the past 12 years, but I think it's up in the air for future trips. Not only are the room getting more expensive, the food is too. Timeshares with kitchens are looking pretty good.

 

[autismgoesdisney]

I agree with everyone. I am happy to be on property UNTIL or IF they stop free dining. To feed my family of five and vacation all inclusive is wonderful to us!

 

[Cin]

I love staying on site, so I simply used a value resort the last time. I just can't justify paying what Disney is asking for a fancier room and resort. It's just a spot to retreat and refresh from park and the rest of WDW time. It's not like I am going to spend a lot of time in our room like I would at home as a couch potato or surfing the 'net or here on Disboards. I would have chosen another value resort for my upcoming trip, but I picked a moderate this time since Mom is going too and sharing the cost and I was thinking of her comfort and we will have more access to the rest of WDW and DD with the boat too right at our back door. But no, I will not pay those exorbitant prices for a bed to sleep in some A/C and a hot shower!!!!

 

[dansamy]

Being a family of 5 is one of the reasons we bought into DVC. I know we could stay off-site for less OOP. I don't want to stay off-site.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I would probably never stay off site. We did for 1 night only and it was a big hassle.

But, we never pay rack rates. As long as Disney continues to offer Military discounts, we will stay on site or at least at Shades of Green. We almost always stay at Pop, but occasionally stay at a Moderate or Deluxe

We could stay of site in the Armed Forces Vacation Club resorts for $349 for 7 nights, but the on site priviledges outweigh the price.

 

[RMulieri]

We generally stay at BC or BCV with some sort of discount.At this point we only stay 5-7 nights anyway and that won't change.But I have to agree the prices are getting out of hand.If many many people started staying offsite Disney might re-consider..But I kind of doubt it.They would simply offer discounts .For some people who don't know any better they will still get rack rate

 

[WizardLarz]

The Art of Animation is Opening starting in May of 2012. Over 1000 Family suites at Value level pricing. I belive this more than doubles the number of Family suites. So if you still want to stay at Disney check out this or All Star Music as an option.

I will put out there that I think Disney's next Resort should be a Moderate with Family suites included in the layout.

P.S. If you stay at a Value Resort over a Deluxe just think of all the things you can do with that extra money! 1. Stay longer 2. Eat at a couple more Table Service restaurants.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

The Art of Animation is Opening starting in May of 2012. Over 1000 Family suites at Value level pricing. I belive this more than doubles the number of Family suites. So if you still want to stay at Disney check out this or All Star Music as an option.

I will put out there that I think Disney's next Resort should be a Moderate with Family suites included in the layout.

P.S. If you stay at a Value Resort over a Deluxe just think of all the things you can do with that extra money! 1. Stay longer 2. Eat at a couple more Table Service restaurants.

From the prices I have seen on the family suites at AoA, you could probably stay in a standard room at a Deluxe resort.

I have also just made my first stay with DVC rented points and that was a new and cheaper way to enjoy Deluxe accommodations.

 

[debrapagliasotti]

I stayed offsite my very 1st trip to WDW (pre marriage and kids) and at the time didnt know any difference. When DH and I took the kids we stayed onsite and it was like night and day. We have 2 trips booked for next year staying onsite...just so much more convenient. I would rather pay a little more and have the convenience of being right there and not have to rent a car. Seems like being onsite just gives you more of the Disney feeling.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Since our DVC points don't expire for another 45-ish years I can tell you that we will be staying on-site for at least that long. At that point I will be in my mid-late 70's so I can just retire and work part time at WDW

For those that aren't DVC members and don't want to commit to membership, I highly suggest you consider renting points... much better deals than paying rack rates for rooms

 

[spiceycat]

well it depends upon how much money I have - right now pretty broke - so rented my DVC and staying offsite.

next year hope to stay onsite but so far have not made any reservations.

you might consider buying DVC thru resale not DVC - then you would have more reasonable expenses.