HiYa Pals!
It’s time to plan your trip, there are so many things to think about and consider. One of the most exciting first steps in the planning process is deciding where to stay! And as you can imagine, there are a plethora of options. In my lifetime I have stayed both on and off Disney property. There are pros and cons to both. But whichever you choose for your stay, it will be wonderful and magical. In this blog I wanted to go over a few things to hopefully help make the best decision for you!
Staying off of Disney Property
Ok, so you have decided you’re going to take a trip to Florida and visit Disney. Perhaps staying on Disney property sounds a little overwhelming. Have no fear, there are hundreds of places to stay off site.
In the Orlando area there is no shortage of hotels and resorts all within different price points. Several years ago, my family and I stayed at a resort 1 mile from Disney. The drive was about 5 minutes to the parks, and we loved it.
Something to consider if you are traveling with several people, perhaps consider looking into using VRBO or some kind of home rental service. Often you can find a full home, with a full kitchen and pool for the same price, if not cheaper than a Disney resort room. You can find some off-site properties are themed to Disney or Harry Potter, making staying off property a little more fun. I highly recommend looking into this if you have a large group or a family all traveling together. There are homes on those sites that sleep 20+ people. Thats a lot more room for the same price. Again, something to consider.
Your own transportation
Staying off property means you need to have your own vehicle for of transportation. And when you do you have to pay to park when you head to Magic Kingdom or wherever you are headed for the day. One perk of having your own car/ van is you won’t have to wait on Disney transportation. You are free to leave whenever you want. If you need to run to the store or an urgent care, you have the ability to do so on your own.
Having your own car allows you to have more freedom with dining. Don’t feel like eating dinner in the park, grab some food on the way back to your place. No need to grab an uber, you have your own way to get around, which can be nice.
These are just a few ideas to keep in mind when choosing to stay off property. None of these things are a bad choice. It’s all what works best for you and your trip.
Staying on Disney Property
Ready to stay at a Disney Resort? Take your pick! There are so many to choose from all at varying prices. Check out our blog on picking the right resort for you here!
One important thing to note, Disney has recently brought back free parking for guests staying on site. That in itself can save you a pretty penny! Thank you, Disney, for bring that back!
Disney Transportation
Something I absolutely love about staying on property is utilizing the free transportation Disney offers. There are buses, the monorail, the Skyliner, and boats all to use for free. You can park your car for the entirety of your trip and not turn it on until you head home. Disney transportation is pretty fantastic.
Being on property puts you close to everything; you don’t have to worry about leaving our off-site place early enough to get through parking traffic and everything that comes along with it. It really makes your trip just a hair simpler.
Having your resort so close to the parks makes getting back a lot easier. Especially if you want to take a mid-day break for a nap or a dip in the pool. Having access to a quick ride to the hotel can be very nice. If you have a little one who naps better at the resort compared to a stroller this is definitely something that can make the trip a bit smoother.
Early Park Entry
A big perk to staying on site, Disney resort guests get into parks early. Non-resort guests have to wait till park open. That gives you extra time to get to rides before everyone else. If you are staying at a Disney deluxe resort, on select days, you can get a few extra hours in the parks after regular guests leave! How nice is that!
Another big perk, when it comes to Genie + and lightening lanes, resort guests have first dibs when it’s time to select different rides. I’m not exactly sure how it all works, but I know resort guests get preference. Staying on site makes getting dining reservations a little easier. It doesn’t always work but it helps.
Hopefully this small list will make decision making a little easier. Planning can be stressful but also so much fun. Whatever you choose, on or off property it will be the right decision for you!
When you’re ready to book a trip on property, reach out to Erica to help you with all your planning! Her services are completely free to you. She is wonderful and ready to help you get started!
Let us know down below if you prefer staying on site or off?
