When it comes to deciding where to stay at Walt Disney World, there are a wide variety of choices, from the many Disney properties, to off-resort hotels, to a vast supply of vacation homes and condos. How do you choose? And perhaps even more importantly: what is the most affordable choice for your Disney vacation?
The answer, as with many things when it comes to Disney vacation planning is, it depends.
Most people think that it is always cheaper to stay off-property, and that is just not always the case. There are a number of variables that will come into play here: time of the year, size of your family, and need for transportation while there, will all factor in your decision.
The busier times of year will be more expensive, and you may possibly have fewer choices. Disney will not typically offer as many promotions for these times of year as they will for the slower times. So off-site may be your best choice for saving money at Disney World during peak season but not always.
You need to look at the size of your family: if you have a number of children that will require more than one motel room, then a larger “suite”, villa, or rental home may be the most economical as compared to renting multiple rooms. The Walt Disney resort has villas that can accommodate larger groups of people, and Disney does at times offer discounts and packages on this “level” of accommodation. In other cases, some hotels/motels, both on and off property, may offer specials where two rooms could be cheaper than one room in a different location. You will also want to look beyond the traditional hotel/motel option and consider renting a vacation home, condominium, or time-share. If you need the additional space, do the math: it can be a definite cost-saver.
And then you will want to consider how you are going to get around while at Disney World. You can stay with Disney and use their free resort transportation, consisting of buses, monorail, or boats. If you end up off-site then you will need a way to get to the parks: find out if your hotel/motel has a free shuttle. If not, or if you are staying in a private property, then you will need to factor in the cost of renting a car or van.
One of the best things about trying to plan an affordable Disney vacation, is that you have options: there are a number of ways to save money at Disney World. Choosing where you stay is a big part of any vacation budget, so be sure to check out all options, to make sure you are getting the most for the least money!
What have you found to be the most affordable options for where to stay at Disney World…for your family?
Nancy, her husband and college-age daughter live in the Baltimore MD area, but consider Walt Disney World their second “home”. She started her site, The Affordable Mouse, as a way to share ideas about how to plan affordable Disney vacations. Her favorite things at Disney World (in no particular order) are Soarin’, most of the food in World Showcase, Illuminations…and watching children’s faces light up when they see their favorite characters in person.
