We went for the first time in September and had 6 adults and one 11yr child and stayed offsite. For us it was the perks of cost and SPACE! We were their 7 nights and had a pool, movie room, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and plenty of kitchen space and a fraction of the cost!! We were still at the parks every day, but staying off site was super convenient for us!!! If I went with just my son and husband, we would probably stay on site once since we will be a smaller group. But for us personally, the perks aren't THAT much worth it to me. I would rather spend less on a hotel room that I am never at, and spend that money on food, genie, ILL. or items at the park!! But I think it is all about what each family prefers! if they have younger kids vs older kids, what is convenient for them, where they prefer to invest their money. No wrong answer on where to stay!!
After a decade of staying on Disney property, my husband and I started staying at a Margaritaville Resort Cottage we purchased in 2021. Most of the year, we rent it out but stay for our vacations. LOVE it!! We adore the beachy vibe, colorful cottages, proximity to the parks, and SPACE! We miss the skyliner, but not enough to go back. Thanks for the video!!
As always, great advice. I went to WDW once in 1973 but never had time to go back. I finally went back in 2019 but figured since I waited so long, do it in style. For me, the solution the the question in the title was to buy annual passes, and stay onsite for 3 weeks. Obviously this isn't something the casual visitor would do, but my point is that buying that annual pass was a massive benefit. It got me discounts on all hotel rooms, some meals, some gift shop or sundries, etc. If you're only going for a couple of days then good luck on making a decision. The pros and cons mentioned here are quite real, especially in 2023 when some of them are gone. ( Magical Express )
Staying onsite. Split stay 5 nights at Art of Animation 1 night at Dolphin (bucket list). I prefer the bubble. I live in a major city so I don’t need to visit Orlando. Universal doesn’t appeal to me or my family. We don’t like upside roller coasters and I’ll be traveling with a 5 yr old and a 70 yr old. So Disney bubble all the way. We also are driving so now that overnight parking is free that is a huge score.
It really depend on the wallet size of the person. People look down on public transit and budget travelers. But I can attest to saving about $1000+ on almost every trip, sometimes more, and losing only 30 min or so a day. Offsite for me. And if you compare the 4+ star hotels on and off, I’ve said thousandS.
love-love-love-love the deluxe resorts. love-love-love-love falling out of the park at lunch or at park close and into the pool hate the prices. even economy resorts like pop and art are 3x more than staying off property (barely off property), and deluxe can be 5-6x more (excluding swan and dolphin, which are cheap, by comparison, and get you deluxe privileges). the question for me has been: do i want to go multiple times per year or do i want to go once every couple of years.
Coming from New England area I feel like this is a good point! We've been going back and fourth and this sounds like my husband's rational "If we can only afford to go every few years now, maybe we should enjoy the full on site experience." ... I'm still not sure, especially for a large family of 7. We would need a villa to feel comfortable. $$$
@@jordanlowe4083 then consider doing a vrbo. We have had great experiences with some of those. The drawback is that you have to drive in. You could also consider one of the less expensive hotels at Disney springs, and get multiple ajoining rooms. Both the Hilton and Wyndham butt up against the Springs, so bus transportation is close, and they have their own buses, as well. Or, if you really want to stay on property, start your search at Swan and Dolphin. They are treated as deluxe resorts, but the prices are low. The restaurants are maybe the best on property. The pools are great. Walk or Friendship to HS and EPCOT. Boardwalk, Yacht, Beach Club food and activities are right there. Mini golf is right there.
There are many off site accommodations. Our personal favorite is Wyndham Bonnet Creek if you are looking for space and value. It has a resort feel, is within the bounds of Disney property (though is not operated by Disney and does not have Early Theme Park Entry benefits) and with quite a bit of space for an affordable rate.
