Where to stay at Disneyworld?

Question

Our family of 6 is going to Disneyworld in February. Weighing the options of staying in one of the Disney resorts vs. a nearby (within 5 miles) suite-type hotel or "villa". Staying with Disney costs about twice as much - does anyone know if it is worth it? Do the non-Disney hotel shuttle buses run efficiently (quick on/off), or do they have to wait in long lines to get to the gates?

I've heard it argued both ways - looking for input from someone who has done it recently. Hotel recommendations welcomed as well.

Answer 1

Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort is so worth it! First of all, the reason why it's more expensive than the other hotels is because it's an actual Resort and it's right on property. Resorts tend to be larger and have numerous restaurants, shops, and recreational activities. If you stay at a Walt Disney World Resort you don't need to worry about renting a car, getting to and from the Resort or the Parks. There's complimentary transportation to and from Orlando International Airport via Disney's Magical Express. There are numerous forms of transportation to and from the Theme Parks, Water Parks, Downtown Disney, and other Resorts, such as shuttle buses, boats, the famous Monorail, and taxis if you feel like paying or are in a super rush. Also, Guests of the Walt Disney World Resorts get access to the Theme Parks' Extra Magic Hours (times when the parks are open only to Guests of the Resorts - crowds are very limited and you can literally walk onto most rides, or at least have a very little wait.) There are other benefits, too, like child care services on site. If you're buy gifts and souvenirs at any of the shops at any of the parks you may have them delivered directly to your room so you don't have to carry them around all day while you're trying to enjoy some rides. Guests also have the option to add the Disney Dining Plan to their ticket, which is a great deal. You can eat all the fabulous restaurants on property and save 40%.

I'd recommend Disney's Polynesian Resort. It's gorgeous, one of the two original Resorts, and it has the highest return rate of all the Walt Disney World Resorts. It's where I always stay. You could get a perfect suite in the Concierge Longhouse with the most breathtaking, memorable view of the Magic Kingdom and Cinderella Castle across the Seven Seas Lagoon. I also like that all three forms of transportation are available at this particular Resort, so you don't have to rely on just a shuttle bus. Other than that, I'd recommend Disney's Beach Club Resort or Disney's Boardwalk Inn for a great villa.

Hope I could help! Have a great vacation!

Answer 2

Taking into account, if you stay on property, you will not need to rent a car, or pay to park at the parks!! That will save you some money!! It is very conveniennt staying on property. Living in Orlando, we go to Disney a lot and like to try out the different resorts, so we can help people choose a good place for their needs!

You can get into the value resorts fairly cheaply, which I would recommend over staying off property! The value resorts include Pop Century and the All Star Resorts. They are a good value for the price you pay. The next elevel up from that are the moderate resorts, which a nicer but you pay more as well. Those include resorts like the Coronado.

I also like Port Orleans, Riverside, or Saratoge Springs. They all have villa type accomodations and the locations are great!! They also offer transportation to and from all the parks! You can also take boats to Downtown Disney from these!

I can tell you, even staying at a resort very close to the property, the buses are not very convenient or quick. You rarely have to wait long for a Disney bus on property, because if there is a long line, Disney will send another bus immediately so the guests do not have to wait!! I am speaking from experience on both of these! If you do take a shuttle, you will typicaly get dropped off right up front, no wait, unless there is a long line where the buses go into the parks!

You can also look into hotels on 'Hotel Row' or Lake Buena Vista. Technically not on property, but you can walk to downtown Disney from there. The hotels I recommend there are The Hilton, The DoubleTree, The Hyatt, The Best Western (probably the least $$ but they have a GREAT breakfast buffet!!). Really anything around there is ok, but I have experience with those in particular.

You really have to weigh the cost of renting the car and gas compared to just staing on property and using Disney transportation. Plus, Disney will pick you up at the airport for FREE!!! They will take you anywhere in the park and on property!

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Depending on the number of people involved you may want to look at the resorts that are part of their timeshare service. I would suggest the Boardwalk Villas - from what I remember of the timeshare tour I took a few years ago they can easily adjust suite sizes depending on the number of people in your party - if you have more than 4 this is a great way to go. After double checking the Disney website I was able to verify the rooms come with microwave, toaster, fridge, and coffeemaker - your breakfast savings alone for a large party could pay for the difference between the disney hotel and a cheaper one - but here's the biggie - washer and dryer in the room. Not having to spend vacation time in a laundromat or paying the hideously high cost to have someone else do the laundry - for me that's a biggie. I know they also rent the timeshare rooms to the public so it should definitely be an option for you, But seriously, if you have a kitchenette and don't insist on eating at the parks you can save a lot of money. My best suggestion is to get a suite with a kitchenette and either on the way to the room from the airport, or the next morning, go to a grocery store and pick up breakfast items at the least. If you really want to save money you should also get a slow cooker and maybe a rice cooker - both can be had for $20 or less in a grocery store - definitely less if you hit a walmart. For a family of four, to eat dinner at the hotel even once you'll save at least $50 over eating dinner at the park, and that's from counter service. Heck sandwiches in the room for a couple days a week would save a lot of money. Same minimum savings per day for eating breakfast in the room.

Answer 4

If the 6 includes children, especially young ones a Disney hotel is the way to go. The prices do vary but some themes might interest more then others.

Answer 5

If the 6 includes children, especially young ones a Disney hotel is the way to go. The prices do vary but some themes might interest more then others.
There are benefits to staying at an on site hotel, like early entry, discounted tickets, easy transportation, it is easier to get character breakfast/shows reservations. Also a real nice option with little ones is the ability and ease to come and go from the parks to sleep/take naps. Also the restaurants and stores at the hotels treat the kids great
As far as lines, you will encounter them no matter where you stay but at a Disney hotel you have more options so the lines do not seem as bad that way.

Answer 6

Good Afternoon, and I welcome you - in advance - to my favorite place in the world! #1 - Hotel stays. I am a PRO at the "suite" choices....over the years, being HUGE Disney fans who only live 3 hours away, my family and I have tried out several choices. The best one, BY FAR!, is Staybridge Suites located off Apopka Vineland Rd. at the Downtown Disney exit. You can choose between 1 or 2 bedroom suites, and the 2 BR very comfortably sleeps 8. As far as the buses - DON'T do IT - unless you don't mind crowds and waits.
If you have any other questions - feel free to email me! HAVE A GREAT TIME! We are going back up this Sunday for a 2 day visit....as Florida resident passholders, we go up every 6 weeks or so! Enjoy!

Answer 7

I like staying on International Drive, just north of where 528 hits 4, about 20 minutes from the park. You can get decent rates, it's a nice area, plenty of options for walking around, eating, grabbing a beer, or getting some groceries. It's not too far from the airport either, so first and last days are relatively easy. I've never had any particular problem getting into the park from an outside hotel, but I've never stayed on site either, so can't compare.

Answer 8

some resorts -- like animal kingdom -- come with great perks. you can get rooms with views of the animals and extra animal activites for the kids. in addition the restaurants are quite exotic if you aren't used to african food. just avoid the rain forest cafe -- its overpriced pasta isn't that great. the mid-priced ones are actually comparable to most local hotels. i was kind of shocked to find this out when my parents (also locals) got their house fumigated and their hotel was $140 a night. the budget ones are cheaper than most local hotels but not all that nice. if you stay on disney property you do have access to disney shuttles and they are great. you can even take boats around the lagoons from hotel to hotel. that is as much fun as a day in the parks for grown ups. disney hotels are also known to spoil you rotten. if you need anything just pick up the phone. if you want to depend entirely on disney for eating and entertainment i would strongly recommend it. orlando has really bad public transit and in my opinion some of the best restaurants in orlando are at disney. nobody said you couldn't hotel hop either -- try one for a night and move to another one. its like a vacation in a vacation.

Answer 9

I've been to Disney like 8 or 9 times and we have always stayed inside Disney. Their rooms are always clean and pleasant. There are also several perks including extra park hours and free transportation to the parks, between the parks, back to the hotels, to the water parks, also to downtown Disney.

Answer 10

I live in Miami and travel to Orlando quite frequently to Disney, my family and I love renting vacation homes as opposed to hotels, this is the place I book through www.villadirect.com, we usually get the private homes with pool. I will never stay in a hotel again. I love the vacation homes.