Mickey mouse land...

[Mishka]

For all the Dibbers that have stayed at the Disney Hotels, could you please write a few words (or more lol) WHY and what attracted you mostly to stay on site...
Sorry if this has been asked in the past. I am thinking of staying for one of my weeks but only at the moment out of curiosity lol.

[thinktink]

benefits of staying on site include extra magic hours in the parks - ie being able to go in early and stay later....
transport all over the resort
package delivery to your resort
and being able to book dinner reservations earlier than outside guests

hope this has helped a bit

tinks x x

[Mishka]

benefits of staying on site include extra magic hours in the parks - ie being able to go in early and stay later....
transport all over the resort
package delivery to your resort
and being able to book dinner reservations earlier than outside guests

hope this has helped a bit

tinks x x

I did not know about the earlier dinner booking thanks x

[buddicle]

I went to POP because at the time i got an excellent deal through Virgin!!! (you can rely on me for help!!!)

[Mishka]

I went to POP because at the time i got an excellent deal through Virgin!!! (you can rely on me for help!!!)

Dont your cows need milking lol

Did you feel more magical do you think or was it not as far to nip back and rest. Which is the place you can see the fireworks from. OR is it really busy and dare I say it a bit like butlins....

[thinktink]

no not at all like butlins. it really depends on which resort you choose. also, although you might be able to see the fireworks from your resort, it is worth going into the parks because of the music, atmopshere etc. i would never watch them from the resort.

tinks x x x

[buddicle]

Being truthful now! POP was fantastic had a great magical feel about the place. I did'nt think it was that busy but me and Jan were hardly there. Once we were up and ready we were out the door!! Nip back and rest we did'nt do either!! But had we then it would have been a quick disney bus ride home!!

(*now putting wellies on and heading out to the fields!!*)

[Mishka]

Oh gosh hope I have not upset anyone lol. When we went for kitchen sink that place was lovely but it had loads of folk about and lots seam to be waiting for the tables to eat as we passed the dining area.

[Vabeth]

We love, love, love staying onsite, which is why we became DVC Members!
We love EMH (you can't beat riding BTMRR at 1am), the transportation is fantastic and being able to pop back to your Resort halfway through the day is a real bonus!
For me staying onsite makes the trip feel extra special! :wave:

[Leanne1977]

Dont your cows need milking lol

Did you feel more magical do you think or was it not as far to nip back and rest. Which is the place you can see the fireworks from. OR is it really busy and dare I say it a bit like butlins....

It couldn't be further from Butlins/Pontins!! We stayed at Pontins for New Year and although we had a great time with friends, it was definately chav city!:erm:

On-site at Disney is nothing like that. We love Pop and the All Stars as we love to be at the heart of the action all the time. Its a big bonus being able to pop back to your hotel in 5-10 mins from leaving the park. If you fancy a drink at Epcot you can pop on the bus and not have to drive.
The EMH's are a big bonus and you get free parking at the parks too!:thumbs-up

The only reason we have gone for a villa this year is because we will be going over Christmas and we thought it would be nicer for the boys to wake up in a home on Christmas morning rather than a hotel room.:o: I also think the kids will argue less with the extra room.:thumbs-up

I must say though i would be less inclined to stay at the values during very busy peak seasons as i imagine it would be absolutely packed. We have only stayed onsite in Sept and Oct.:wave:

[buddicle]

Oh i forgot the towel animals!!! If your lucky you'll get these!!!

[Mishka]

Thanks for your replies. I was thinking of doing it half villa and half site. But your right about the kids needing space Leanne. I want to go for DD 16th sept 2009 but at the moment I dont feel like taking her anywhere lol. I may try and convince DH to go for more days and just stay at Disney for 3 or 4 just to see what its like.

[Leanne1977]

Oh i forgot the towel animals!!! If your lucky you'll get these!!!

:D:D;)

Don't forget you need to be extra special to get these!!;):d:

[buddicle]

:D:D;)

Don't forget you need to be extra special to get these!!;):d:

I am and i still did'nt get any!!! :cry: :cry: :cry:

Mishka has no chance of getting any then!!!

[Leanne1977]

I am and i still did'nt get any!!! :cry: :cry: :cry:

Mishka has no chance of getting any then!!!

:D:D
Aww, i don't mind sharing hun.:)

Its the luck of the draw i think, or the $30 a day tip i was leaving!;)

[buddicle]

:D:D
Aww, i don't mind sharing hun.:)

Its the luck of the draw i think, or the $30 a day tip i was leaving!;)

Now i have that in writing i expect a parcel!!!! :grin: :grin:

[Pipic]

OR is it really busy and dare I say it a bit like butlins....

I think this is a good question and point as that is exactly what I was thinking - don't get me wrong we do Butlins and the kids love it but when we are in the apartment I am constantly telling them to stop jumping or to quieten down because of the people below or above us and I don't want to keep on at them when we are in Disney

[Mishka]

Bud you didn't get any incase you took them home to your farm lolx

[peter pan's mum]

I think the service in most Orlando hotels is of a high standard, but when we stayed in the Wilderness lodge it was the little touches that were great like when they would say welcome home as you drive into the car park and have a joke with the kids. Nothing was ever too much trouble and there was an older cast member who would be at the door in the morning and he knew everything about Disney. So I would say the Disney magic, but I know that’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
Other things that we liked were the refillable mugs, they well worth the money and the transport to the parks.

Oh and our View! Lol I’ve posted this photo soooo many times.:D

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b29/PeterPansMum/Disney20071093.jpg

[Petalsoftly]

We stayed At Pop one year then Coronado Springs.. one a value and one a moderate. The moderate had a slightly larger room and a fridge.. the value had no fridge but you can hire one for approx £10 per day. Having also stayed in a villa I prefer them now. But I am glad I tried the Disney resorts because I wouldn't have done so if I'd had the villa experience first. The one hotel room is very cramped if there are 4 of you in it :( You tend to get cabin fever at least in a villa you can spread out and chill if you want to.. no such luck in one cramped room. YES the rooms are lovely and well themed and yes the experience was good to try but you can't beat the space of a villa and all the amenities.

[Leanne1977]

Now i have that in writing i expect a parcel!!!! :grin: :grin:

Ok my love!:)

Let me just check the address i have for you is right. Is it still,

12 Farm Cottage,
Farm Lane,
Farmshire.;):D

[peter pan's mum]

We stayed At Pop one year then Coronado Springs.. one a value and one a moderate. The moderate had a slightly larger room and a fridge.. the value had no fridge but you can hire one for approx £10 per day. Having also stayed in a villa I prefer them now. But I am glad I tried the Disney resorts because I wouldn't have done so if I'd had the villa experience first. The one hotel room is very cramped if there are 4 of you in it :( You tend to get cabin fever at least in a villa you can spread out and chill if you want to.. no such luck in one cramped room. YES the rooms are lovely and well themed and yes the experience was good to try but you can't beat the space of a villa and all the amenities.
I agree Petal we are staying at the POFQ for Christmas, but now that the kids are getting older I like the idea of more space and a slower paced holiday, but I’m glad we have done Disney first.

[buddicle]

Ok my love!:)

Let me just check the address i have for you is right. Is it still,

12 Farm Cottage,
Farm Lane,
Farmshire.;):D

LOL That's my old address!!!

(*Mishka you better hide everyone thinks i live on a farm now!* :pgig: :pgig: )

[Leanne1977]

LOL That's my old address!!!

(*Mishka you better hide everyone thinks i live on a farm now!* :pgig: :pgig: )

I must say i haven't really understood all this farm stuff but its certainly made me chuckle!:d::d:

[Disneybunny]

For us it's being inside the Disney bubble, we don't have to worry about getting home on a night or losing our tickets as Disney sorts it for you. No cooking, cleaning or driving.

[MickeyMadMandy]

We've stayed on site for the last four years (having done many years off-site before that) and for us, the benefit of the EMH's outweighs practically everything else, especially going at such a busy time like Christmas.

You don't worry about wasting your ticket, just come and go as you like - most days we go in for the early EMH and are out of the parks by 11am, then go swimming/shopping/etc and go back to the park with evening EMH later.

If you drive into the parks there's no charge for parking (and that would add up over two weeks!).

As someone else pointed out, if you want to "drink around the world" at Epcot (no, I've never managed it - I'm too light a drinker!), you can just catch the onsite buses.

Ofcourse, sitting on the loo looking for hidden mickeys on the wall is another plus point!!!!! :erm:

[Bozza]

Per some of the replies on this thread, are both of these true about on-site staying?

1. Being able to book dinner (ADRs presumably) earlier than off-site guests.

2. Free parking at the parks.


I'm quite a frequent on-site stayer and don't believe either of those to be true. Or I'm just not aware. (I know there was a proposal for (1) but there was such uproar that Disney backed down)

[Bozza]

Blimey - I've just Googled and 2 is true. I never knew that - I've always paid!

[thinktink]

Per some of the replies on this thread, are both of these true about on-site staying?

1. Being able to book dinner (ADRs presumably) earlier than off-site guests.

2. Free parking at the parks.


I'm quite a frequent on-site stayer and don't believe either of those to be true. Or I'm just not aware. (I know there was a proposal for (1) but there was such uproar that Disney backed down)

yes they are both true - i think onsite guests can book 190 days in advance, as opposed to 180 for offsite guests

tinks x x x

[mainecoon lover]

The transport to resorts
package delivery to rooms
Being able to go back to room for rest and then back to park.
Just knowing you are staying in the magic

[MattF]

Per some of the replies on this thread, are both of these true about on-site staying?

1. Being able to book dinner (ADRs presumably) earlier than off-site guests.

2. Free parking at the parks.


I'm quite a frequent on-site stayer and don't believe either of those to be true. Or I'm just not aware. (I know there was a proposal for (1) but there was such uproar that Disney backed down)

Both are true Darren. You can book at 180 days but you can also book an additional 10 days forward so effectively 190 days before. Also parking is free.

[BevS97]

Bozza,

the parking ticket that gets you into your hotel will also get you into the parks, they normally just wave you through.




For me, it's about being in the Disney bubble. We tried all 3 options, villa, off site hotel, and onsite hotel and I am just happier onsite. I like to be surrounded by Disney 24/7, I don't want the real world to intrude on my holiday. I love being surrounded by Disney themeing, all the CMs we encounter always seem extra nice, and last year being able to walk to the parks was just the icing on the cake!

I've never felt like I was in Butlins, and I've never really noticed the noise from other hotel rooms, although I have occasionally asked my children to be quiet but I am pretty sure I'd be doing that in a villa as well.

We've just bought DVC and I enjoyed the extra space we had on our last trip (we had a 1 bed) but at this time in our lives, we are quite happy to be in each other's company and I don't mind having everyone in the one room, in fact, we always seem to end up with everyone in our room regardless of the size of our accomodation!
When I have 2 teenagers I might feel differently!

I doubt we will ever stay offsite again (although I reserve the right to change my mind when I find myself travelling with an 11 year old and a 16 year old!!)

[Clare]

I love staying onsite at Disney, it's a major part of my holiday :thumbs-up

I feel 'safer' staying onsite than elsewhere, that's not of course saying that offsite isn't safe, it's just the way I feel. I love the theming of the hotels, the cast members always go out of their way to help you, nothing is too much trouble.

My favourite resort hotels are the Epcot resorts, to be able to walk to my 2 favourite parks (Epcot and MGM) is a big plus for me - also with the nightlife and restaurants in the surrounding area I don't feel like I'm 'stuck' in 1 area.

I enjoy the parks but TBH I don't enjoy spending whole days in them. If I'm staying onsite I can get the Disney transport back to the hotel (or walk if at Epcot/MGM), spend some time relaxing or in the pool, then if I want to, I can get the Disney transport to another park or DTD. It's so convenient.

[Mishka]

Oh heck so many things to think about. Tops has to be the magical feeling and then maybe the extra hours. I would like DD to be there for her birthday but I don't think I want to spend the whole 2 weeks there. My kids are older and will be 10 and 16 but I think the magic will sweep them off their feet still. I also think the idea of not driving for a while will give DH a break and me as I am a really bad back seat driver lol. I think I will book it for half the holiday. Then the time after that lol I will have tried all three. Oh I get so giddy when my plans take action roll on May so I can finally book my flights, is it May...lol

[BevS97]

Mishka,

on our first 2 holidays we spent part of the time offsite and part onsite, and that worked quite well. It also gave us a taste for life onsite and helped us decide which we preferred.

[Mishka]

Mishka,

on our first 2 holidays we spent part of the time offsite and part onsite, and that worked quite well. It also gave us a taste for life onsite and helped us decide which we preferred.
This was my idea too as I dont know what suits DD best. She is so hard on holiday and was a nighmare on some of the days last time. I dont think this will change even though she will be 16 lol. I was hoping the change onto site will give her more focus on the holiday. Its when she gets bored she turns into the she devil and I think that changing the surrounds will help this too. I do love her but she will always be the little girl with the curl right in the middle of her forehead lol. There is alot saying that on site they feel safe so DD will be able to walk a round more and I will also feel a bit better about this too. I know its in a hotel and with less space but with only a week there I think we will tend to do more. Having rested the week before in a villa. Do you think it will be hard to just get a wek at a villa.

[BevS97]

At 16, she would be able to have quite a bit of freedom at Disney - the buses will take her around etc, so if she gets fed up of family she can do her own thing.

[Bozza]

That parking thing - I just took away somewhere when out and about which is why I've always happily just paid before!

That said, when onsite, I reckon I must only use the car 1 day in 8 or 10 when just doing to a park. Otherwise I'll use the buses etc.

[BONZO]

Hi,

We've also tried all of the options but onsite wins hands down for us everytime.

Now that the kids are older we've bought into DVC so that we can give them their own space.

Key onsite benefits are: -

Extra Magic Hour One park each day opens 1 hour earlier or 3 hours later for Disney Resort guests.


Travel time to parks - Simply the quickest way to get to any Disney park, offsite doesn't even come close

That Disney feel - Fully themes resorts with service and magic that you only get with Disney.

Advanced Dining Reservations - Disney resort guests can book their advanced dining reservations up to 10 days sooner than offsite guests.

Guaranteed admission - On days when attendance is extremely heavy, the theme parks may be closed, but WDW resort guests are guaranteed admission, handy at peak times.

Free parking - resort guests don't have to pay to park in the theme park parking lots.


Central Billing - The Walt Disney World Resort identification card, which is used to charge food and merchandise, also has guests’ ticketing options encoded on the back. The resort ID card is issued upon check-in, and all purchases are charged to guests’ resort hotel accounts. Kids can have charging privileges if you are brave enough! No need to carry cash and TC's around.

Complimentary Package delivery - Guests can purchase goods throughout WDW & ask for them to be delivered to their resort room, this saves carrying heavy packages around with you all day.

Magical Express - free transport from Orlando International Airport to your Disney Resort.

Wake up calls Wake up calls from Mickey!

Refillable mugs - WDW resort guests can purchase souvenir mugs at their resort, which can then be refilled free, or for a small charge, for the duration of their stay.

Transportation - No need to drive if you don't want to.

Guest Services - "One call can do it all" Each Disney resort hotel offers guest services to arrange park tickets, dining reservations and tee times and to provide helpful hints on setting up other activities.

Preferred Tee Times - Resort guests get preferred tee times at Disney’s six courses that total 81 holes of championship golf.

{still updating my list!}

[BevS97]

Unlimited pass - WDW resort guests are entitled to buy an ultimate hopper pass for the length of their stay, which is usually cheaper than the other passes.

Is this still true? I think they just sell a MYW or Premium/Ultimate ticket with the packages currently

[BONZO]

No - I don't think so, just using some info I posted a while back so I'll edit it out.

Thanks, glad someone is on the ball today!

[kmt]

also there is one less golf course now (81 holes not 99) disney are renting out the land that eagle pines course sits on to the hilton to build a resort