[alicefan]

I am torn as to what to do for our October trip. I work for a Timeshare company and can stay at any TS in Interval International or RCI for free. We have Orange Lake booked but now I am having second thoughts. We have never stayed off-site before and I fear losing EMH's and all of the perks that go with staying on-site. Forget about getting a DVC resort through Interval because they only come up last minute and I am not a last minute kind of gal. What should we do? All of you that own TS and stay off-site.....do you like it? Do you feel the difference? I hate to pass up free accomodations but I also live for EMH. Help!

[tonyksl]

The Disney feel doesn't begin when you get to the parks and end when you leave the parks when you stay on the grounds. It is hard to explain, but, when you read the reviews of hotels like the Dolphin and Swan not having the "Disney Feel", this is what I am talking about. For those of us who want to be fully immersed in the experience, we stay on site if possible. Of course, there are others who would sacrifice that part for the word "Free".

[Erin]

I have conflicting points of view. I will share both with you, since you can't stop me from typing both in this nifty little box.


1. Sometimes it's all about perspective. Yes, you'll lose perks. But free accomidations means more bank to buy more merchandise and/or save more, which could relieve any associated stress that may (or may not) accompany such a trip to a place such as Walt Disney World.

As for "Disney Feel" - I don't think there is anything better than staying on site. Ever. But, that doesn't mean timeshares are the devil. My personal opinion is that the Disney Spirit lives on inside of us after we leave the park for at least 12-36 hours depending on how much a person believes. Just sayin.


BUT

If you really plan on splitting your day up alot, I would sorta be concerned about losing the bus system. That's really going to eat up alot of time and be incredibly inconvenient. Not to mention the TTC. I really hate the TTC.

[MissDisney]

Alicefan --
We have done a lot of both. We really enjoy the savings of being able to stay in a luxurious and spacious 2-bedroom villa (being able to spread out keeps the peace at the end of the day!!!) and only paying about $180 a night for the privilege. We do it so we can spend all sorts of money on WDW stuff.

But honestly, when we stay offsite, there are many times a day when I have to remind myself "Well, it's OK because we are saving money!" Like at EMH, or when I walk through the lobby of a WDW hotel and I just wnt to stay! Or when the end of the night comes and we are looking for our car in a huge lot so we can drive off property to our condo.

Don't get me wrong -- a budget is a budget and most of the condo properties are absolutely fantastic! And obviously we have done it enough that we are willing to live with the hardship of not having Mickey soap and towel critters.

One of the main reasons we love WDW as a family is because everyone can go do their own thing -- DH woud happily golf every day, DD loves a good manicure, and DS is just plain coaster-happy. Staying on-property means DH can got to the golf course in the rental car and the rest of us can go wherever we want on WDW transportation.

So the answer is yes, being on property has a zillion advantages and that lovely Disney magic. But sometimes staying offsite makes so much sense financially that you can really cram a lot of magic into your day and still stay on budget... like shopping, dining and splurging on special activities!

[jk8]

Well, I know you will get some excellent advice from those who stay offsite in timeshares all the time. I have only stayed offsite once.

The only thing I have to add since I have not done it much is that you probably need to try it at least once. Free is Free - you can't be that. It may not be perfect but it will still be a good trip I am sure!

[MissDisney]

Julie's right. Free is pretty impressive, and you could always just use every opportunity to be onsite -- eat the WDW hotels and parks, go to the WDW spas and golf courses, park your car onsite first thing in the morning and use WDW transportation the rest of the day... just do everything you can all day long to wrap yourself int he magic, and just use your condo to sleep and shower!

And p.s. Orange Lake is supposed to be terrific!

[llama]

We own Interval too and have stayed off-site. Usually it's when we go down for two weeks - we'll stay off-site for one week, and then at WDW for a week. It IS a different vibe. But "free" is hard to beat. Our favourite off-site are the Marriotts which rival WDW in accomodations and pools, etc.

It's a hard call.

[alicefan]

Thank you for all of your input. You all make some great points. I think we will at least try it once, as Julie suggested.

Keep your comments coming - I want to hear them all.

[cinderbella]

Hey Fanny!!!!!!

Can you split your stay somehow? For example, spend half of your trip in your free timeshare and the other half on site? That way you are still saving a lot that you would be spending if you stayed on-site AND you won't get the "But we're not on property blues". If you split it up and had the first part of your stay off site then it would sort of feel like you were starting your vacation all over again once you moved.

[alicefan]

Originally Posted by cinderbella

Hey Fanny!!!!!!

Can you split your stay somehow? For example, spend half of your trip in your free timeshare and the other half on site? That way you are still saving a lot that you would be spending if you stayed on-site AND you won't get the "But we're not on property blues". If you split it up and had the first part of your stay off site then it would sort of feel like you were starting your vacation all over again once you moved.

Bella, that is a great idea! Actually, maybe we can extend our stay and add on 2 or 3 nights onsite at a deluxe!


For the record, it's not so much the "free" part of it (that is nice, but I have never been too much of a penny pincher, especially when it comes to Disney ). I just feel like I am almost "wasting" it if we don't take the offer that my company gives to us. I don't know if I am coming across correctly. Quite a few people that I work with have been to Orange Lake in the past year or so and keep raving about the "lazy river", etc. and since my son would rather swim than go to the parks , we figured that might be a great idea........of course now I am having second thoughts..............

[cinderbella]

I think you should split your stay! I know Joey loves the pool and maybe you could even have one of your Orange Lake days just be a hang out day..if they're offering and you're willing you may as well. I think Iluvwdw Kim usually splits her stays while shes down there so that's what made me think of that.

[alicefan]

Originally Posted by cinderbella

I think you should split your stay! I know Joey loves the pool and maybe you could even have one of your Orange Lake days just be a hang out day..if they're offering and you're willing you may as well. I think Iluvwdw Kim usually splits her stays while shes down there so that's what made me think of that.

We were thinking of having a "hang-out" day as well....and maybe even going to Universal .

I was hoping Kim would see this and give me some of her expert advice.

[cinderbella]

Isn't Orange Lake even closer to Universal? Or am I just making stuff up now in order to make things better? How's my baby boyfriend Joey?!?

[alicefan]

Originally Posted by cinderbella

Isn't Orange Lake even closer to Universal? Or am I just making stuff up now in order to make things better? How's my baby boyfriend Joey?!?

I think it is closer to Universal. Joey is getting so big! He started playing T-ball and now he thinks he is so cool. His first year of kindergarten is almost over. He is like a little man.

How are you, theDave and your new beautiful home?

[nitaworm]

I have stayed at Orange Lake and its a beautiful resort with lots to do. I have stayed onsite and off, and truth be told I try to get 2 days onsite then use my TS if possible.

However, when I stayed at Orange Lake I didn't leave the resort for 3 days and I was not at all bored.

They have great pools, tons of entertainment, the onsite beach was a hit with me and the kids, they had live bands, putt putt, and Houlihans (a great restaurant) walking distance (if your in West Village). They have restaurants and starbucks onsite and much much more. It was a pleasant surprise.

So if it was me, I would stay at the TS most of my trip and do a 2 day stay onsite. If a 2 day trip onsite is not possible, I'd go with the cheaper option and fill up the non park days with a Disney resort restaurant meal.