On Property vs Off Proerty

[PixieVacations]

I'd love to get some thoughts going about staying on Disney Property vs off property. Which do you like and why?

[Wes1969]

My wife and I stay on property all the time. Not only are you close to any attraction (4ThemeParks, 2WaterParks, Downtown Disney) within WDW with Disney transportation, you have free parking, extra magic hours at all the parks, access to dining at any location within any park. You have concierge service. Each of the hotels have their own theme with a restaurnat and shops, pools, etc. But you can expect Disney quality at all three levels of resort deluxe, moderate, value. The more you are willing to pay, the more ammunities. My wife and I love to stay at Port New Orleans Riverside. It is a aneibellum plantation style resort beautifully landscaped, with a boat connection to Downtown Disney. It has numerous pools, a fishing hole, a horse and buggy path. If you go Deluxe, the Animal Lodge is an attraction in itself with animals roaming outside your room. Value - All Star Music, Sports, Movies and Pop Century are like anything you will find outside Disney property, but you are not going to stay in your room. You could go to a park in the morning, return to your room on property for a rest, then return to the park for the evening. You would never need to leave Disney property. Best of luck and enjoy!

[Wes1969]

HERE IS ANOTHER REASON TO STAY ON PROPERTY. THIS IS FROM THE WALT DISNEY WORLD INFORMATION PAGE.

Disney Dining Plans

Disney Dining Plans are options available exclusively to Guests of Disney Resort hotels with Magic Your Way Vacation Packages.

How Disney Dining Plans Work

•When booking your vacation, purchase one of the Magic Your Way Vacation Packages that includes a Disney Dining Plan.
•While vacationing at Walt Disney World Resort, choose from over 100 select restaurants available.
•Present your Key to the World card to your server or cashier prior to ordering. The Key to the World card electronically monitors your party's allocated meals.
•Track your meals with the easy-to-read receipt your server will provide you, which displays your remaining meal balance.
•Redeem your meals in any order throughout your package stay until each person's meal total is complete.
Available Disney Dining Plans

To take advantage of a Disney Dining Plan, you must purchase one of the following Magic Your Way Vacation Packages that include a Disney Dining Plan.

2010 Vacation Packages

•2010 Magic Your Way Package Plus Quick-Service Dining
•2010 Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining
•2010 Magic Your Way Package Plus Deluxe Dining
•2010 Magic Your Way Premium Package (includes dining)
•2010 Magic Your Way Platinum Package (includes dining)
2011 Vacation Packages

•2011 Magic Your Way Package Plus Quick-Service Dining
•2011 Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining
•2011 Magic Your Way Package Plus Deluxe Dining
•2011 Magic Your Way Premium Package (includes dining)
•2011 Magic Your Way Platinum Package (includes dining)
Additional Disney Dining Plan Details

Gratuities are not included unless otherwise indicated. An automatic 18% gratuity charge will be added to your bill for parties of 6 or more. An automatic gratuity charge may also be added to your bill for items you order that are not included in the Disney Dining Plan (for example, alcoholic beverages).

Merchandise or photo-imaging products that may be offered at Character Dining Experiences are not included, except at Cinderella's Royal Table.

Many Disney table-service restaurants are quite popular and book quickly. Please make dining reservations up to 180 days in advance by calling (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463. Guests under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian's permission to call.

[pixienathan]

We too stay on site. We have done it both ways but we much prefer to stay on site. Staying on site let's us keep the magic all around us during our entire vacation. We like to use Disney transportation, so we don't have to worry about driving to and from our hotel or condo. Plus we use the Disney Dinning plan which is only available to guest that stay on site.

[Robuclafan]

There are 2 perks I like about staying on property. The first is the package delivery to your resort. It saves carrying around all your purchases all day long. The other is when you call to make your Adr 180 days out you can also make Adrs the next 9 days. This gives you an advantage over those off property.

[dlfreak]

I can't imagine doing Florida without Magical Express! Plus we don't mind the shuttles and not having to deal with parking. I hate having to deal with parking, especially on vacation.

[PixieVacations]

There are 2 perks I like about staying on property. The first is the package delivery to your resort. It saves carrying around all your purchases all day long. The other is when you call to make your Adr 180 days out you can also make Adrs the next 9 days. This gives you an advantage over those off property.

We talked about this on our last Disney Podcast and I had forgotten about the package delivery until it came up on the show. A great idea that was discussed is that you can use this to sneak packages back to your resort when you are buying presents for your kids.

- Steve