Talk to me about staying onsite!

[C4rla]

I know you mentioned the dining plan, but it might be worth considering renting DVC as an option. It might not be worth it for you, but it could work out better. The full size fridge/microwave are helpful for us - plus the balcony to have that bit more space

Somewhere like Dave's DVC is good to put your dates in and get an idea of cost to allow you to consider whether it would be a good option.

[Tamatoa]

I would stay onsite. You will save money by not hiring a car / parking fees. There’s loads to do onsite at some of the resorts too, and Disney transport is fun in itself. You can take it as easy or full on as you like.

If budget allows I would split stay across 2 resorts as it mixes up the holiday a bit and you can get different experiences.

[MinniMouse]

I'm the complete opposite to all others! After years of villa holidays with the kids (couldn't afford to stay onsite as a family of 5), I managed to persuade DH to stay onsite at the Beach club (DVC rental points). We stayed 5 nights there. Never again. Room was mediocre, tiny balcony, we were the farthest from the pool, the drinks machine area (for free refills), no bar open at the pool at the back, view was on to a dirty waterway with overgrown weeds and part car park, farthest from the laundry room (with 2 machines and one out of order the whole time which meant having to sit and wait on machines, there is an app that tells you if machine is busy but doesn't tell you if anyone is waiting to use it, so DH spent some time sitting reading a book in the room waiting for the machines to finish). I swear we walked more than we did in previous trips when we stayed in a villa. We spent next 5 nights at HRH which we found to be much more enjoyable.

Always a villa for us if and when we ever go back. Nothing like sitting out on the deck area first thing when the netting is wet from the rain or sprinklers and the smell in the air with the sun rising. Love it.

[DisneyPete]

Have been staying on site since 2012 and going for our 4th visit in 4 weeks time - again onsite.
Resort quality will vary depending on whether it is moderate or deluxe etc as one might expect.
We started off staying at the Grand Floridian (great experience) and then changed to SSR (which was also great with fantastic views over the golf course) and this year it is POFR - entirely different to our previous resorts. However the ability to stay within the Disney bubble (which we love), easy transportation to and from the resort, Disney Dining Plan etc - we love all these things so would always stay onsite. This time round we are doing 12 nights at Disney and 3 nights at Universal (as opposed to a single night) so slightly different but really looking forward to it!

[kikimouse]

I am on the split stay camp. I absolutely love being onsite and if I have the £££ to stay 14 days onsite (in different deluxe resorts), I would. Alas I don't so it's usually a split stay for us - a week onsite, and then a week offsite to do other parks and beaches.

Besides being so convenient when you have kids, an onsite stay starts your holiday right being in the bubble. It's hard to describe it. I love all the near perfect landscaping and theming. It is just so well done, even if you stay at the Value resorts.

I don't mind not having that outside space very much. By the time you spend a day out in the parks. you just want to chill out in your room in the AC! Usually the moderates have plenty of outside space - I have fond memories of the hammocks at CSR

[Claudette]

Originally Posted by MinniMouse

I'm the complete opposite to all others! After years of villa holidays with the kids (couldn't afford to stay onsite as a family of 5), I managed to persuade DH to stay onsite at the Beach club (DVC rental points). We stayed 5 nights there. Never again. Room was mediocre, tiny balcony, we were the farthest from the pool, the drinks machine area (for free refills), no bar open at the pool at the back, view was on to a dirty waterway with overgrown weeds and part car park, farthest from the laundry room (with 2 machines and one out of order the whole time which meant having to sit and wait on machines, there is an app that tells you if machine is busy but doesn't tell you if anyone is waiting to use it, so DH spent some time sitting reading a book in the room waiting for the machines to finish). I swear we walked more than we did in previous trips when we stayed in a villa. We spent next 5 nights at HRH which we found to be much more enjoyable.

Always a villa for us if and when we ever go back. Nothing like sitting out on the deck area first thing when the netting is wet from the rain or sprinklers and the smell in the air with the sun rising. Love it.

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Oh I would completely agree with you if I were travelling as a family of five. Five people stuck in most hotel rooms would be my idea of hell. I would prioritise space in that case.

But OP is travelling as a couple and a 3 year old, this might be the time to try the onsite experience.

[miked1e]

We stay onsite every time whether it be Disney or Universal. So convenient to pop back to the hotel with young ones!

We stay at Hard Rock Hotel in Universal and last 2 times have stayed at Bay Lake Tower and Polynesian, so on the monorail loop but also within walking distance of MK.

We will use Disney transportation with the exception of Animal Kingdom where we tend to drive!

You can find things in all hotels which you would love from Value, Moderate to Deluxe! Our favorite resort other than Poly (not always feasible) is POFQ and also POP.

But for a small family and especially with younger ones then I would always recommend onsite and being in the bubble!

[GezzasGem]

Always onsite for us with children and also twice before kids as an adult couple 😂 we don’t want to drive, like the proximity to everything and the ease of dipping in and out. Have done moderates and we now stay at AKL as we love the ambience, the surroundings, the balcony, although I totally get why people prefer more space too 😄 I think you really have to try it out once to know what you prefer and what fits your family best x

[Mr Tom Morrow]

There is no right or wrong answer really just preferences.
Having done Disney since 1994 I would always say with a young family stay onsite.

However a Villa is so flexible if you aren’t hankering for the Disney bubble. Only the two of us nowadays as the Children are in their late 30’s and Parks aren’t the draw they were. If we didn’t own DVC it would be a Villa all day long.

It’s a matter of extreme regret to us we never got to stay at Pussycat Dolls Villa as Covid broke and scuppered that plan.

Edit. Can’t beat Disneys Vero Beach though.

[Gary121]

Originally Posted by kikimouse

I am on the split stay camp. I absolutely love being onsite and if I have the £££ to stay 14 days onsite (in different deluxe resorts), I would. Alas I don't so it's usually a split stay for us - a week onsite, and then a week offsite to do other parks and beaches.

Besides being so convenient when you have kids, an onsite stay starts your holiday right being in the bubble. It's hard to describe it. I love all the near perfect landscaping and theming. It is just so well done, even if you stay at the Value resorts.

I don't mind not having that outside space very much. By the time you spend a day out in the parks. you just want to chill out in your room in the AC! Usually the moderates have plenty of outside space - I have fond memories of the hammocks at CSR

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Just out of interest do you ever stay DVC and same money even after adding dining plan etc or what puts you of doing that if you don’t