Hotels Near Walt Disney World: Saving Money by Not Staying With Disney
Planning a trip to Disney World? Hooray for you! Now that you have started researching this family vacation, you are probably also realizing that a Disney vacation can be a budget buster. But it does not have to be. There are a number of ways to save money on a Walt Disney World vacation, and one of the best is to forgo staying on Disney property. Look into one of the many lovely hotels near Walt Disney World and you may be very impressed by what you find!
The benefits to staying off-property are many. To start, expect to get larger and/or better accommodations for the same or less money than you would have spent at a Disney property. If you have a large family, this is especially important, as a typical hotel room is not usually large enough. Plus, if you are traveling during the busy holiday seasons, or peak summer/school vacations, you will find it to be much easier to find rooms in a lower price range.
Many folks would like to visit non-Disney attractions while in the Orlando area. Staying off-site makes this a bit easier and less expensive as well, since a number of hotels provide discounts and coupons to other area theme parks and restaurants. And you will find more options for less expensive meals and shopping.
When staying off-site, you may find that theme park transportation is included, as well as free breakfast. Many properties have pool areas that are the envy of anything on Disney property, as well as offering suites with mini-kitchens, fitness and recreation opportunities and a host of family/children’s activities.
There is no doubt that you will not have a 24/7 Disney experience if you stay off-site…but you may be one who finds that to be advantageous. There are many who find they just need a break from all that pixie dust…and staying off Disney property can provide that much needed dose of reality every day.
Now if you would like a compromise of sorts, then consider one of the “non-Disney” hotels that are located on Disney property. Several are in the Downtown Disney area, and there are also the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin , near Epcot and Hollywood Studios. These properties, although not owned by Disney, provide a number of Disney World benefits, but without the corresponding price tag. It’s a nice way to get the “best of both worlds”.
Are there any disadvantages to staying off Disney property? The greatest potential problem could be transportation, and this is one are that you should investigate carefully if you are planning on using your hotel’s available shuttle service. For example, some hotels share shuttles, or charge for their use. This can become challenging if you want to take afternoon breaks from the parks. You can rent a car, but you should know that there will be a parking fee, and if visiting on peak holidays, the parking lots may be closed to non-Disney guests. Nevertheless, if you do your research, you will find a number of excellent options where transportation will not be an issue.
Staying in one of the hotels near Walt Disney World should definitely be considered as a great way to save money on your next Disney vacation. Lots of great benefits, and a great price tag: it’s a great combination in today’s economy!
