whats cheaper when doing a disney vacation?

Question

is it cheaper to stay off property and pay less for the hotel but not be able to take advantage of the meal plans, or to stay with disney and use the meal plans? i understand alot of hotels in the area offer free transportation to the parks, but disney will get you at the airport for free right?, when the others wont pick you up. which is less hassel?

Answer 1

Disney is actually offering a deal right now... $64/night at the value resorts (Music, Sports, Pop Century, etc.) They're a pretty good deal, considering they are on property and provide transportation to and from ALL parks. The rooms aren't too bad either (they are called the 'value' resorts). I would recommend staying at Music or Sports because the busses don't get as crowded as the Pop Century busses. Check their website!

There are other alternatives. You can stay 'off property' on Lake Buena Vista (Hotel Row). It all depends on how much you want to pay for a room. The Hilton, Doubletree, Hyatt are very nice. The Best Western is ok, they have an awesome breakfast buffet (and a really good price)!! These hotels also run on the 'Disney' line, but the busses come less frequently, and are more crowded (not sure if they pick you up at the airport, they may charge). The Holiday Inn is under construction, but I think it will be ultra nice and affordable when they are finished with it.

Other hotels that are not so close, or on Hotel Row may or may not provide transportation, something to consider inthe cost. I would definitely stay on property because Disney makes it sooo easy! They give you your room key, which can also be used to purchase meals and other goodies when you are in the parks, so you don't have to carry cash. Plus you can buy your tickets when you check in!!

One more thing, then I will stop my ranting! Right now, Disney is having a GREAT deal for a family of 4.... pay $1500 for 6 nights at ANY resort (including the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, etc.) plus park tickets! Not positive of all else it includes, but definitely worth checking out.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/landing/mediaSplash?id=MYW06LandingPage

Link to that offer!

As far as meal plans, it isn't a bad deal, but there are sooo many great places to eat at Disney, wouldn't want you to miss out. It is neat when you are in the parks because if you have DD, you can buy a soda and a popcorn on your meal plan, but like I said, you can use your room key to purchase anything anywhere (so long as you sign up for that option when they ask you at check in).

Answer 2

I went last year in Sept and stayed at disney because they offered the free dining plan. I am doing the same this year. (yes I am very cheap) If you do stay on-site, the dining plan is well worth the money if you make the right choices. If you aren't a big eater, it might not be worth it. If you like things like the character meals, then by all means go with the dining plan. Character meals can cost $25 or more, as do many of the table service restaurants.

Yes they pick you up at the airport, and they have a great transportation system to all of their parks from all of their resorts. No need to rent a car. (told you- I am cheap)

However, if you plan to visit more than the disney parks you might want to stay elsewhere. I am going back in Dec. but will be visiting Disney, Universal, and more, so I will be staying off-site and renting a car.

Answer 3

NEVER stay off property. The free transportation offered by other hotels is transportation to the Ticket and transportation area at DW and then you have to board a Disney bus anyway... The area hotels are not as close as they describe. Their sites will say only 1.5 miles to DW entrance. The DW entrance is several miles away from the parks... Disney is VAST. The All stars or Pop Century are very modest in price, only 110 prime summer and cheaper on off season. You can't beat the fact that you get early entrance and late stay in the parks if you are a Disney guest. The meal plan is good if you want to plan on eating more elaborate meals other than hamburgers. It will all depend on what you like to do. We avoid meal plans. We don't like to stop the fun of shows/riding to eat meals, so we like to grab something quick. I say it would take at least an hour to 1 and half hours for dinner at one of the fancier places. Friends of mine just went and loved the meal plan. They are more into the relaxing part and didn't mind stopping their schedule to take part in the returants. You do get a lot for the money. You get drinks, character dining and do get to enjoy more fancy places for little price. So you have to decide what you would like best. We just got back from Disney. We booked the Pop Century for 10 days, which was 1000. We bought our tickets seperate for almost 900. We got the 8 day park hoppers with water parks. So we used three of our flex passes for the water parks and Disney Quest and visited the other parks 8 times. LOVED it. People will tell you to avoid the early openings, but don't. Get there when the gates open. Get to a big ride, whether it be Everest, Space Mountain, Rocknroller coaster... whatever, ride it till your heart is content because there will be no lines at that time and around 9:30, it will start to get busy and you can move on to less popular rides. Trust me. We have been to Disney 13 times and most people are so busy avoiding the early opening, that they miss that opportunity.

Answer 4

I always stay onsite, it is just easier and more convienent. Plus, you know what you are getting yourself into. Some of the offsite properties that run less, are less than desirable. You will also spend a lot more time getting to and from the parks. The transportation offsite it not nearly as good as Disney's and often stops running mid-day until later in the evening.

The Disney dining plan is a great deal and will save you a lot of money. But, you can spend less on food. With the dining plan you get to eat at nicer restaurants and enjoy the experience. When I am on vacation I want to relax and have a good time, I don't want to have to worry about cooking my meals or going offsite to eat them. I want to sit down to a nice meal and have fun. If you use the dining plan right, it will save you about 40% You can spend less, but you would have to cook your own meals, bring food, eat at counter-service places, etc. If you want nice meals, there is no better way than the dining plan.

Disney does offer Magical Express. I've never used it, from what I have heard it can be a little annoying, long rides, losing luggage, etc.

I don't even question staying onsite, I've never been dissapointed onsite. If there is a problem, Disney will take care of it and do more than what they have to do to take care of it. That doesn't always happen offsite. There is a reason that the onsite hotels run a little more, but you definitely get what you are paying for.

Answer 5

It all depends on your budget. The best value for a Disney Resort would be to stay at any of the Disney All Star Resorts (Disney's economy hotels). You still get the great Disney Resort experience, but it costs much less.
You can stay off property, but a rental car is recommended in this case.
If you choose not to stay in a Disney Resort, check into Mears Transportation to get you to your hotel. They are much cheaper than a taxi or other bus service.

If you'd like help planning your trip or would like other tips and advice, check out my Disney Vacation Blog, I'm All Ears at:

http://im-all-ears-disney-vacation-services.blogspot.com/

Answer 6

i go yearly AND stay on property. If you are an annual passholder, you can get great rates on hotel rooms. Or, visit during the off season and there are packags which are affordable.

If this is your first time going to WDW, my suggestion, check out http://www.mousesavers.com. There are great tips on the pros and cons of staying on /off property.

SInce you are on vacation I would splurge a bit and stay at the value resort. It isn't much more than any other property (rack rate is generally $79 a night) and you do get the magical express as well as all the WDW resort transportation, the merchandise delivery service to your hotel, and more.

Also the dining plan is a great value too if you plan to eat in the nicer restaurants.

For $37 per day per adult, it covers your lunch and dinner and a snack.

Lunch you get the entree, dessert and a drink. Dinner is the appetizer, entree, dessert and soft drink. When I went to the Japanese teppan for dinner, i ordered a full size sushi ($9), the shrimp and steak ($22), dessert ($4) and a coke ($3). That's 38 just for dinner!

Answer 7

We got the free dinning pass for Aug/Sept for staying at a DIsney hotel, it makes a big difference if you get something extra. Try the book Disney on a Dime, www.mousesavers.com, and www.allears.net for amazing savings and information on Disney hotels, and outside hotels. Mousesavers just sent an email about 15 bucks off the price of a DIsney cheap resort room. Good luck

Answer 8

Definitely stay at a Walt Disney World Resort... there's almost 25 different Resort options on site, from campgrounds to cabins, to villas, or just normal rooms. WDW can easily accomodate you, whether you're planning on being at the parks a lot, and just want a room, or are planning on staying in your room a lot, and need a villa with kitchen and multiple rooms. All of the Resorts are special in there own way, beautiful, and well-themed. There's the Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Polynesian Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort, Beach Club Resort, Contemporary Resort, and many more. There's value Resorts, moderate, and deluxe, depending on what you can afford. All Resorts have their own pools, health clubs, dining and recreation options, etc. There's obviously transportation to any of the parks and other Resorts, as well as transportation to and from the Orlando Airport via Disney's Magical Express (which I love.) And as for the dining plan, it's so worth it! We saved quite a bit of money with it.

I definitely suggest staying on site. Once at the Walt Disney World Resort, you won't even want to bother wasting your money on other parks, like Universal. There's so much to do at Walt Disney World, but if you stay off site you won't have access to any of the great Resorts, restaurants, recreation, etc.

As for prices, check out the websites. The Disney Value Resorts aren't expensive at all, and even the least expensive Deluxe Resort, the Animal Kingdom Lodge, isn't that much.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/resorts/resortOverview?id=ResortOverviewPage

* I always stay on site, too. Disney's Polynesian Resort is my favorite. My boyfriend and I always stay there.

Answer 9

Stay at one of the All Star hotels on the property... they are the cheapest and have all the free transportation. But it is better to use your "points" on nice restaurants in the parks, not at the hotel. Pay for those meals, they are not too bad.

Answer 10

Great question. We (wife and two kids) stayed "on campus" at the All Star Resorts twice. The rooms were reasonable, especially in off season. I think we paid $59 each night in January.

It's also cool to be there 24 hours. A little corny, sure, but the magic is great. Man, I love that place.

Be sure to pick up the "Unofficial guide to Walt Disney World" before you go. Lots of good tips.Check out the link below, too.

Good luck!