Why do you choose the resort you do?

[Hypermommy]

Onsite/Offsite? Value/Moderate/Deluxe? Why do you choose the resort you do? I used to swear by staying offsite beucase I couldn't see paying at least twice as much for a room as I could otherwise, especially since I wasn't in it all that much. But then I stayed onsite at a value and experienced the Disney Difference (at the very least, not having to drive and park ... just being able to hop the bus at the end of a long day). If money permits, I never will stay offsite anymore.

I stay in values, though, because I can't see paying extra (especially hundreds of dollars extra) to stay in a room that I'm never going to be in. When I look at how many hundreds of dollars a night something like the Grand Floridian or the Contemporary or (my fave based on the reverse-slumming I've done) the Polynesian is I just can't see paying the extra. But then again, there might be something I'm missing. So I'd ask you guys... where do you stay and why?

[AKLRULZ]

I'll only stay onsite. I grew up with my parents taking us to WDW and we always stayed onsite - but one Spring Break my parents made late reservations (this was before the onsite resort explosion) and we couldn't get into the Poly or the Contemporary or the Disney Inn (now Shades of Green) - we ended up staing at the Hyatt and my dad called every day to see if there was a cancellation b/c we hated it so much.

I've stayed at CBR, POR and most recently in March at CSR (for Disney business ) in the moderate class and at GF, Poly, Contemp, WL, AKL, BC, YC and SS in the deluxe class. I've also stayed at the Shades of Green. We choose deluxe resorts these days as we're a family of 5, we spend a ton of time at the resort, location is key, the deluxe properties have better overall ammenities and restaurant choices(but LOVE that food court at POR), interior hallways, bigger rooms with queen beds, and we love being pampered a bit on vacation. I'd not rule out a moderate, esepcially POFQ which we've not tried yet, but we'd have to get two rooms and that would be as expensive as it would for us at a deluxe. The values, which I've only toured, aren't what we're looking for in a Disney vacation, but they're whimsical and fun and I ate at the Pop food court in March and that tie dye cheesecake was the bomb!

Edited to add - we did stay offsite in Orlando the last time we toured Universal - but just for those days. Universal has amazing resorts and ya gotta love the front of line access for resort guests! Our personal favorite over there is the Hard Rock - but after Universal, it's definitely time to check in at Disney!

[jcodirewolf]

We use to go down for the day, Gainesville isn't that far. But now that I'm in Boston, we've always stayed on site. There is really no reason now to stay off-site, with the bus service to the parks, and the EMHs.

The buses aren't always faster, I like having a car. For things like Resort to Resort transportation. But then buses to MK are almost always faster.

One problem that I find is a lot of people don't really work out the "real" cost of some things. For instance if you work out how much you are spending per hour at Disney, tickets, hotel, food etc. You find that if you lose an hour due to say parking at DtD and taking the bus to SSR then to the park to avoid the $10 parking fee, for 4 people that extra 30-40 minutes is costing about $12-15 (Just in ticket costs.)

As for where we are staying, it's got a lot of factors. Who we are going with, why we are going, when are we going, what the discounts are etc...

If we are paying cash and planning on a lot of time in the parks Normally we stay at a Value. If we are going down to be with family and/or friends moderate or deluxe a lot of times, because they have nicer rooms and pools. We have DVC also which we have to spend every year, and my wife's parents have DVC which we get points from to spend.

johno

[ericpabear]

About 20 years ago, My family and I stayed at the Motel 6. It is maybe just a mile from Walt Disney World's driveway. The next year found we could afford the "All Star Resorts". Staying on property spoiled me. No more late night traffic jams. No more look'n for my car or paying for parking, or waiting for the tram. (Waiting for the bus can be a drag) Also the food court is open for late night snacks. Accouple years later it was time for vacation when I changed jobs. We were unable to take a vaction for a another year. Since we had not seen Walt Disney World in two years, I thought I would treat everyone to a stay at the Contemporary. I think it was that year I started thinking about the Vacation Club. After long and hard consideration, we joined the DVC. Now, because of the Vacation Club, we have stayed at The Old Key West, Wilderness Lodge, Board Walk, Saratoga Springs, and in 2008, we are going to stay at The Animal Kingdom Lodge. We could NEVER, EVER afford to stay at these places without belonging to the Vcation Club. I still love the All Stars. They are so much fun. I surprised my family one year. We went back to the All Star for an un-scheduled vacation. It was great.

[Jacca5660]

My DW can get us the Swan for cheaper then the All Star. So when we go we stay there. It's great to be at the Boardwalk, in walking distance of EPCOT, and a boat ride to MGM (it'll always be MGM to me.). We've stayed off property and it seems you waste a lot of time getting to the parks. It's also nice to have Disney transport. My DW ends up being the designated drive and doesn't get to enjoy herself as much when we stay off property. Another big thing is our 2 DSs are teens now and when we stay on property they can go to the parks by themselves.
Yes, staying on property is worth it!!

[TheGreatGonzo]

I stayed on-site just about every trip I've made. I've stayed off site a couple of times in years past and it's just too much of a hassle. I've never stayed in a Disney hotel, it's always been Fort Wilderness Campground (guess its the Boy Scout in me). Its beautiful, quiet, convenient and low cost, as low as $45 off season which is a great time to go if you can. You still get all the benefits of the Disney hotels, even room service if you want it. For the convenience and piece of mind it gives, it's worth it. I use my camper, so I feel right at home since everthing is mine.

[jbvenn]

Most trips we stay at POR; we just love the landscaping, walking paths and general ambience. We try to get a room near one of the small pools, so we can get a swim early or late in the day. The boat ride to Downtown Disney is wonderful and relaxing. The mill and food court are nice, too. My kids are creatures of habit, so over the years, they've come to think of POR are their resort, and it would be hard to change to something else, although the Yacht/Beach Club resorts are very tempting.

[casrin]

I'd like to say that the ambience of the higher price resorts makes a difference. At least, it does to me. It's all psychological, no doubt, but I think I "feel better" about being at a hotel that has a real restaurant vs. a food court. Maybe I'm just weird.

The last trip we had to WDW, we stayed at Dixie Landings which was great, I'll admit. If I were to go back down though, I'd want to save up a heap of money to either stay at Wilderness Lodge or at Fort Wilderness in a "house."

[js3901]

Staying on-site is so much better as Disney gives out certain benefits for Resort guests, like Extra Magic Hours benefit. You don;t get that staying off-site. So, for those benefits, as well as just the Disney Service, I will always choose to stay on-site.

as far as the resort to pick, that all depends on the funds at the time I make the reservation. It'll usually be a Value resort or the campgrounds (as I have all the things needed for a good camping trip).

[karenj2]

I've stayed at the GF, WL, Poly, Coronado, Pop Century and offsite (once).

Offsite was nice for us at the time, since we were poor college students. We ate breakfast at home, then snacked for lunch and had dinner in the parks. I prefer being on-site though, so I don't have to worry about getting a car. I certainly enjoy the deluxes (WL being my favorite), but if it comes down to going more often and staying at a value, or going less often and staying at a deluxe - I'll take Value any day!

[Croaker]

usually its $$$$$ that dictates my stay...but always on Disney Property. All-Stars have been the choice...but last visit we stayed at Old Key West and it was Awesome!! in 2 weeks i'll be at All Star Sports...so it will be interesting to see what its like. it will be good for me to see the difference so soon, since i'll be going back in 2008 same time of year. although...after listening to WDWtoday, i'm tempted to make Mousefest. (i think they should move it to September....i'm sure they will if i ask nice)

[Hypermommy]

I think they started MF in December becuase it was traditionally a dead time of year. But now it's picking up and September seems to be slower. Wonder if they would ever consider moving it. But nah... September's still too hot.

[Croaker]

but dodging hurricanes is fun.

[spaulo]

I'd say that what makes my decision is tiered like so:

1) has to be onsite. No question. Stayed on I-Drive once... yeah, not happening again

2) Money will dictate moderate or deluxe

3) If moderate, one of the two Port Orleans resorts (the only mods I've stayed at) are great because you don't have to take buses everywhere... you can boat to DTD

4) If deluxe, it's all about location first, price second... and my location preferences are:
a) Epcot area (BWI, YC, BC, Swan/Dolphin)
b) Monorail
c) Anywhere else

So far, I've had the pleasure of staying at BWI, BC, Dolphin, POR, and POFQ... believe we're going back to BC this December (first time for the wife, she's only been to POFQ and offsite)... still haven't done a monorail resort yet. All in due time.

[csquare77]

I would say money is always a factor, but we try to stay at the resort that we always have gone to, so I would say tradition has a lot to do with our choice.