I've been to WDW 7 times since 1990; stayed on site 3 and off site 4. I enjoy off site. Not that on site is bad, but for what I paid to stay per night at POFQ last fall, I can get a much nicer room elsewhere for the same price -- POFQ is nice thematically and I do enjoy Disney's attention to themeing, that's what makes their parks special - but it's basically a glorified motel (the rooms were old and tired as well, but fortunately getting a refurb now), as are all the moderates and values.
Whereas for the same price or even $20 or $30 cheaper per night I can get a full on condo with multiple beds, baths, full kitchen, laundry (so I can pack less crap and also go home with a suitcase full of clean clothes that I only need to just put away) and an actual balcony (another reason I don't understand paying $$ for a certain "view" room at a Disney value or mod -- are you really hanging out in the open air walkway? Or peering out your window to the hallway?). And if I don't care about a balcony, I can even stay at a hotel that has suites -- Embassy is plenty roomy for 5 and has free breakfast to boot, and I can grab some Hilton points while I'm at it. The premium to be on site is not worth what we trade off,
for my family personally. Everyone is different and things that I like having access to don't matter at all for other families or aren't a big deal. If we return to Disney while my kids are all teenagers, I might think about doing an on-site splurge for the convenience of being able to let them split up and do their own thing and return to the room when they want, but that is still several years away.
I did not care for using the Disney buses (not my concept of a $$$ vacation to wait in line for a bus to come then cram onto it with a bunch of other people and possibly not get a seat on top of it, when I could simply walk to my own quiet vehicle and sit in that), so we would rent a vehicle large enough for a family of 5, so after that and parking expenses it might not always be totally
CHEAPER than staying onsite at say a value or a mod with no car, BUT for me the
EXPERIENCE is more quality because of the amenities and convenience I get for a similar price. And if it ends up being cheaper? Great, then I have a few bucks to buy the kids some ice cream or get myself some Starbucks or something. 30 day FPs don't bother me none.
Now, if I hit it big with the lottery, I'd definitely do a big crazy on site stay at one of those insanely expensive 2 bedroom villas and ride the Minnie Van everywhere and do all the upcharge events, no question -- but while I'm still living in reality that will just have to remain a dream for now.
