Disney on site 1 room with preschoolers or off site?

[AngelicCurls]

Looking at our first Disney trip in Feb and pricing it all up. We can't really afford a Disney villa so are looking at on site value resort BUT that would mean 1 room and sharing with a 5yo and 2yo. So bed or at least quiet reading in a dark hotel room for the evening. But would we be staying out later anyway, fireworks etc. Or we could stay off site in a villa, have our own living space etc etc BUT have to drive back after a day, couldn't stay too late at Disney as grumpy in a car after a day out. What shall we do?!

Purely personal preference but I'd go for a villa every time. It's great being able to spread out, have your own space, and sit on the balcony or patio with a cold beer at night.

Having to tiptoe around two children when they are sleeping would just be no fun.

Go for the villa. When on holiday children generally don't follow their usual patterns and so you might have a bit of flexibility.

Villa

I would go for a Villa - there are some places pretty close eg. Rolling Hills (do beware people seem to choose the scale of the map for their villa to make it seem close, even if it isn't that close).
Advantage of a Villa is that you can spread out, and just flop. Also adults can stay up later and read/watch TV/have a drink - not by the light of the bathroom. We stayed in that area "Indian Springs" I think last time we went and were close enough to pop back for a break during the day for a nap and a swim, then back for the evening if we wanted. (Once you've paid for parking once it covers the whole day.)

I would suggest reading the Dibbs site and the Unofficial guides - even an out of date one will help you prepare for: not overdoing it, not forcing kids onto things they don't want, accepting that sometimes its best to just get back for a rest etc.
I also would think having your own car is easier than having to wait with cranky kids for Disney transport. And the walk through some hotels is pretty long - they are massive. With little ones I wouldn't recommend doing a park all day and then staying for fireworks without a break for a nap.

Will they really want to do this at their age? Can't think of anything worse personally. Is the holiday really for you? I feel sorry for the children!

Definitely get on Dibb. We did Paris with our two in Feb and thought we'd definitely want a villa and did Davey Crockett, turns out we went straight to bed with the kids each night, we were so shattered! We are doing WDW next summer and doing Old Key West, not quite a villa but we get a balcony and kitchenette. Taking advantage of free Disney dining and liking the idea of not having to drive for the week. We did a villa in Orlando last Easter and it was lovely too, lots of options near wdw and fairly easy driving. You have to factor in cost of parking and car hire if you're off site.

Feeling sorry for children that go to Disney World is surely misplaced sorrow @bubblesbuddy

Bubbles have you been to Disney? Talk about coming along to rain on someone's parade!

Just see this, thanks for everyone's advice, bar bubbles who clearly has a case of sour grapes (or has never met a princess obsessed 4yo)

Plumped for hotel room in the end as thought the same as aPP, that we'd all be pretty knackered at the end of the day, not worth paying the extra for an hour of chill time at the end of the day-am happy to get my kindle out in bed, plus the kids will prob bed hop anyway

Oh and I do feel so sorry for the 4yo, having lunch in Cinderella's castle on her birthday-such a hard life, maybe she'd prefer a wet weekend in Wales instead

If you can OP consider booking your 4yo into the Bippity Boppity Boutique for an updo before Cinderella's Royal Table. On her birthday they'll make a huge fuss, she will be in heaven!

That's a great idea, will look at that, thank you