re: Disney Pros, is it worth it to stay on site?

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Where Disney is great at getting you to spend more money, is everything outside of what I mentioned above

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What Disney is good at is getting you to pay for things you normally wouldn't while also getting you to upfront for things you think you'll do knowing full well you will go back to your typical behavior. Either way they win. There are meals you pay a premium for for different reasons and that's not limited to Disney. People are willing to pay extra to eat with characters. That's not a hidden cost. I have no clue who eats 4 meals in disney. That one's new. And it's odd that you put "extra snacks" next to "dining plans you don't use". It's either one or the other, no? Like I said, you can bring snacks in the parks. And I can go very deep into the dining plan about why it's horrible for almost everyone but that isn't this thread. Explain "extra rides" as well. Confused about that one. I love the park hoppers. We certainly use them, especially with a young kid where we often break in the early afternoon. For example, we stay at Bay Lake spending the morning at HS, nap at Bay Lake from 2-4, then walk to MK for the afternoon rather than getting back on a bus/monorail anywhere. Other people do the same depending on how close they are to a park. Something not easily done off site.

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When you stay on Disney and never escape them, you spend a lot more. It happens to everyone.

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If you don't go in with a plan and budget, that will happen no matter where you stay. If you stay on site, you are more likely to spend money at Disney. For most people that's the plan. But in no way are they "locked in" or forced to do anything and many of them can handle that.

This whole time it seems you are looking for a pat on the back. Reassurance that what you do is right. It's not wrong if it works for you. My whole point during all of this is that you are presenting things dishonestly. From how expensive Disney hotels are to the convenience they provide to the meals you think you must eat while staying there. I've been going to Disney World for almost 25 years now and I've done it almost every way possible. From staying offsite and eating sandwiches and wearing fanny packs full of snacks to staying in a Grand Villa on the deluxe dining plan while paying $10 for an e-ticket before extra magic hours where a thing. It can be done a variety of ways and no one way is right. But if we're going to give advice here and help people, it helps to actually paint an accurate picture so people can make the most informed decisions.