[iluvwdw]

Hi! I love Walt Disney World as much as everyone else, and I have only stayed on Disney property once a few years ago, at the All Star Music. We go to Disney every year with our timeshare my husband (then boyfriend) and I bought the first time we ever went to Orlando together! We loved Disney so much, we bought a timeshare right next to Downtown Disney. We love it so much, that we upgraded to one full week a year, and an additional week every other year. And if that wasn't enough, we upgraded to two full weeks a year! We go to Orlando every year, at least once a year. We stayed at the All Star that year because I planned a last minute Labor Day weekend trip for the two of us...and we had already been to our timeshare earlier that year! Anyway, enough of me babbling. I happen to LOVE my timeshare, but when I read from everyone on this website, it makes me think that no one EVER stays off property! I am interested to know if anyone who is a member of this website goes to Orlando every year, but stays OFF property? Reading everyone's messages, I feel like I may be missing something by staying off-site....but then again, why should I spend $2000 for a week on-site if I have a timeshare that is practically walking distance to Downtown Disney? :dazed

[jbtoursejg]

we go every year and often for 10 days. We do Disney for 2-4 days. Usually at the start. Then rent a house or condo 15 minutes away or a suite in a hotel so our 2 boys, now 6 and 9 can have their own area or rooms.

[Erin]

There is definitely something said for staying on site, esp. when it's comparing it to an offsite HOTEL. But, that being said, if I had a timeshare that close to downtown Disney (Which I absolutely love - and not for pleasure island btw, but for Gheridelli) then I would be perfectly thrilled!! The timeshare sounds too cool, and it gives you the option of doing lots of other things in Orlando, too. Orlando has TONS of cool things. Staying on property can give you tunnel vision (which can be good, too. Depending on the situation)

I Think you are a true Disney fan! I mean, I LOVE Disney, and our timeshare is in Daytona Bch!:dazed

[mickey]

We used to stay off site, but our experience staying on site was so much better, that I won't stay off property again. Since our family is large, we must stay in two rooms on property. While a week would never cost us $2,000, it was expensive. We purchased points in DVC (Disney Vacation Club) which is Disney's version of a timeshare. For the same cost as one of our Marriott timeshare weeks, we can stay about ten nights at one of the DVC resorts. That means for the same price as others are staying at a normal timeshare outside of WDW, we can stay at the Wildernss Lodge, Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn or Old Key West. And of course, membership includes discounts on park passes and other discounts that aren't included for others.

Even if you don't go for DVC, using discounts, you can always stay in a moderate resort for under $100 including tax per night, except for during Spring Break or Christmas.

[trishb]

Originally posted by iluvwdw
We loved Disney so much, we bought a timeshare right next to Downtown Disney. We love it so much, that we upgraded to one full week a year, and an additional week every other year. And if that wasn't enough, we upgraded to two full weeks a year! We go to Orlando every year, at least once a year.

You are so lucky!! While staying on-property is very nice...it can get expensive. Dh and I stay off-propety when we are doing things in Orlando that are not Disney. We like to stay at Downtown Disney. It is so nice to be able to walk to DTD every night.

Don't feel guilty because you don't stay on property. Heck, my grandparents live 30 miles away, and I would stay with them if it ment getting to spend a little more time near the magic!

BTW, welcome! You're going to feel right at home here!

[iluvwdw]

Thank you all so much for your replies! I kind of felt left out of the
"Disney Magic", since everyone ALWAYS talks about their stays on-site! It would cost me about $2000 a week to stay on property, because I would need a villa. I love the convenience of a kitchen and separate living and sleeping areas. We have a 1 1/2 year old, and we also bring along my 16 year old brother. He loves going with us! So I would need a lot of room, and I know the villas are $200-$300 per night...Mickey, can you verify that? If anyone could, I am sure it's you! Also, with Interval International, we could deposit our week and try to get a week at the Boardwalk Villas or Yaght and Beach Club Villas....but THEY ARE NEVER AVAILABLE, so why bother trying? Heck, if I owned at one of those resorts, I would never trade it either! Anyway, THANK YOU ALL again for making me feel welcome here! And yes, my property is so close, that the property actually touches Disney property! (we all know how big Disney property is!!!)

THANKS AGAIN!!!:D

[Cinderellafifi]

Do true Disney fans WANT to stay off site? No way. But it is so expensive on site that now we just can't afford it because we go so often and need so much space. We can get a villa right outside Downtown Disney for about $100 per night versus a suite at a Disney Resort for about $395 a night.

I'd rather "suffer" off site but visit often. :)

[DisneyAnne]

I think there are plenty TRUE Disney fans who stay off-site, but I understand where the idea came from for this post. I think its wonderful for so many folks to have the opportunity to stay onsite, but there are many of us out here that could never afford to go so often if we paid to stay in the resorts. The fine folks at Priceline determine the places we stay, and we have never been disappointed.

I have been to WDW in 1973, 1989, 1990, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and are going next month. I have NEVER stayed onsite and although I DO feel I am missing out sometimes, I know it wouldn't be possible to go at all if we didn't use off-site.

Last year, as we were heading out of town, I bugged my hubby to let us stop at AKL on the way out of town. He grudgingly obliged... Boy was he excited by the time we left. We have decided that we want to make this our first onsite hotel vacation, but are working on saving for it. (Former fav was the Poly)

Hope this helps...I am just ecstatic that we seem to work in a trip as often as we do!:D

[dab]

Once we stayed on property we never went back! We never knew what we were missing. It is so much more convenient and there really is some extra magic there! Plus, we love being able to leave our money at home and charge everything to our room key charge... just another way to ease the hassles of traveling. Now, if I had a really great deal and an opportunity to take an extra trip off property I'd take it in a heartbeat. But, If I'm making the plans, I always stay on property!

[BuzzLightyear]

The only thing I could ad is that we never really became big Disney fans until our first big "on-site" trip last year. We've gone in the past and stayed off site several times. But once we stayed inside I don't think we will ever go back. I personally would go less often and save up for an "on-site" trip.
Now this is not to take anyting away from anyone who does stay off site. I am sure you can still be a BIG Disney fan even if you don't stay inside the world, and I do know how VERY EXPENSIVE Disney can be.
Just my opinion.

[Cinderellafifi]

I agree that if someone is going to go all out once or twice a year to Disney - you MUST stay on-site! The experience is too great to miss. However, someone like me who goes about 5 times a year and in 1998 went every month, staying on property each and every time would make it impossible to do. :)

[goofygal1975]

I used to stay off site too, Grandmas House!!! FREE! But now that she's moved, we've moved too!! To Disney property. Of course it's All Stars, but that is just fine with us. It fits our needs and our budget! We will be staying off site in October when I go w/my sis and her fiance's family. They always stay at HIFS. So that is where we will be. As long as I can get good discounts at the resorts, we'll stay on property. Otherwise, we'll just drive up for the day and drive back home at night. The way I look at it though, as long as you actually make it to WDW, you've got it made!!

[disneyeveryyear]

I don't think any of us need to apologise for where we stay. I have stayed on property approximately 6-8 times and have stayed off property the last three times.

For my money, the HIFS provides a lot of space and comfort for my money.

As for the "magic", we have always stayed at moderate resorts and I don't feel a lot of "magic". After waiting more than 20 minutes for buses that never came, we started driving our rental car and never looked back. The only "magic" I find is a hotel room that is too small for four people to move around in, food that is mediocre and overpriced in the food court and lovely theming.

I find it to be too much money for theming.

I would rather go more often and stay off-site.

[CaribBeachNut]

Every January we talk about timeshares and condos. Every WDW trip, we look around at timeshares and condos. We just haven't found the right one yet.
ps
We never pay full rack rate price for an on site WDW hotel room unless we absolutely have to. There is usually a discount to be found somewhere.

[betsymouse]

Well, I think a few don't go on site.........
:cry: :devil