Hotels Near Walt Disney World: Benefits to Staying Off Disney Property
July 13, 2009 Filed under Destinations
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!
You will find several advantages to staying in a non-Disney property. First, you will be pleasantly surprised to find more spacious, and possibly nicer rooms for the same, and possibly less money than at a Disney property. This is especially nice if you have a larger family, where a standard size hotel room is not large enough, necessitating the added cost of more than one room. And if you are traveling during peak holiday or school vacation times, you are likely to find it easier to find room availability in a lower price range.
And if you are planning to visit other non-Disney attractions on your trip, you are likely to find this option to be cost-saving as well. Many off-site hotels offer a number of discounts to restaurants and attractions, and it will certainly be easier to have access to less expensive options for restaurants and shopping.
Other benefits may include shuttle transportation to the theme parks, and the ever-popular free breakfast. Many hotels also have lavishly-designed pool areas, spa and workout rooms, as well as children’s activities. And a number of properties have options for suite accommodations with mini-kitchens as well.
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.
Many folks do not realize that there are several “non-Disney” hotels that are actually on Disney property. You will find a few in Downtown Disney, and then there are the lovely Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resorts, located within easy distance of both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. In any of these hotels, you will get many of the Disney resort guest benefits, but without the cost that goes along with those benefits. It’s a great compromise for those who want a more Disney experience but with a lower price tag.
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.
If you are looking to save money on your upcoming Disney vacation, you will find that there are many hotels near Walt Disney World that offer lots of great advantages, and few real disadvantages. Going to Disney World and saving money: it’s a winning combination!



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