GPC0321
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2015
It all depends on what you look for in a Disney vacation. We pay to stay on-property because part of what makes a Disney World vacation unique to us is that immersive experience. I want The Mouse to pick us up at the airport and whisk us off to his World and take care of us until he brings us back to head home (Nooo!!!). I don't want to have to worry about driving anywhere, paying for parking (at parks and possibly resort), or dealing with any other "real world" issues while I'm on a Disney vacation. I like being at the mercy of Mickey for my stay. Somehow, when my biggest problem of the day is that three Animal Kingdom buses have come and I STILL haven't seen an Epcot bus, which is where I want to go....that's sort of a great feeling. I still remember listening to the bus's air brakes and beeping as they opened the accessible back door on the morning we were leaving last spring. I had been nearly asleep and worn out on one of those buses late the night before, hanging onto the handrail with all of my might trying not to bump into the people around me. And I would have given anything that morning to have another exhausting day filled with crowded bus rides. *sigh*
But a lot of people get irritated being held captive by Disney while vacationing there. So, I'm sure to them, the ability to have more independence and save a few bucks on the resort stay is a big deal. We stayed off-site when I was a kid, and we had a blast. I have no idea where we stayed, it was a million years ago, but I'm pretty sure there was Disney stuff in the gift shop, a swimming pool, and some palm trees. To a kid...that's all that matters!
So yeah, you can save some money. I'd look at the Disney Springs hotels, personally. Still technically on Disney property, but not Disney owned and a bit more affordable.
But a lot of people get irritated being held captive by Disney while vacationing there. So, I'm sure to them, the ability to have more independence and save a few bucks on the resort stay is a big deal. We stayed off-site when I was a kid, and we had a blast. I have no idea where we stayed, it was a million years ago, but I'm pretty sure there was Disney stuff in the gift shop, a swimming pool, and some palm trees. To a kid...that's all that matters!
So yeah, you can save some money. I'd look at the Disney Springs hotels, personally. Still technically on Disney property, but not Disney owned and a bit more affordable.