There are a lot of factors that go into deciding your perfect trip. 

 

Onsite vs. Offsite

I am the self-proclaimed queen of DIY, so many of my initial trips involved me doing everything on my own following various money saving ideas.  But sometimes without all of the facts, these tips can actually cost you more do to all of the unforeseen costs or savings that accumulate.

 

 

Onsite Resorts

Disney offers you 4 different levels of accommodations when staying with them.  The different 

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Disney really has created something for everyone, with the old adage being true..." you get what you pay for".  With each additional resort level, there is a myriad of added benefits.  

 

Campgrounds

I want to take our camper to Disney and truly experience the offerings of the campgrounds.  While they have less glamour, they offer a myriad of activities that are unavailable elsewhere at any Disney property.  

 

While this is definitely the cheapest option in Disney Resort, you have to take into account your costs for transporting your camper or tents to the location.  We love our camping life and the idea of having our own space that we can return to every night sounds great.  I think a campground site would afford people more "down days" to just hang out rather than feeling financial pressure to use your park days in succession.  ​

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Options offered:

• Tent or Pop-up Camper Sites

• Full Hook-up Campsites (of varying levels and size)

 

Value

The Value Resorts offer you experiences very similar to your basic hotel rooms...just with Disney flair.  The regular rooms can sleep 4, with the Suites offering locations to sleep 6.  Both rooms offer a Murphy bed that doubles as a table in the room.  This takes a normally cramped hotel-style room and makes it exponentially more usable.  But don't worry, this isn't like the Murphy beds of old...these things are some of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in.  

 

These locations also offer you the most in-character flair.  Getting to swim with Nemo or in Fantasia makes for a pretty epic trip.  While these locations do not offer water slides, they do offer you multiple pools (some with zero entry), activities geared towards your little kids, playgrounds and climbing structures composed out of characters.  To top it off, the food-court style dining offers you a multitude of options for those picky eaters where they can eat chicken fingers or pizza for days. 

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I personally have loved our stays at the Value Resorts and the character experiences that they offer.  There is something extra magical that comes with waking up each day to a 3 story Buzz Lightyear or Lightning McQueen to start your day at Disney.  These truly are the best character immersed places to keep your kids enthralled.  

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Options offered:

• All-Star Music

• All-Star Movies

• All-Star Sports

• Pop Century

• Art of Animation

 

Moderate

When you make the decision to move to one of Disney's Moderate resorts, you get a bit more in regards to amenities.  The grounds are larger, and also add features cush as water sports. Moderate Resort pools add water slides to their themed pool spaces.  While these resorts offer the typical food-court, you will also have access to at least one table service restaurant on property.  

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The theming of the hotels are less cartoon animation focused, and more glamorous.  Rooms in Port Orleans Riverside offer you picturesque murals above each bed, with ornate furnishings.  

 

Options offered:

• Port Orleans Riverside

• French Quarter

• Coronado Springs

• Caribbean Beach

• Cabins at Fort Wilderness 

 

Deluxe

Upgrading to a Deluxe Resort provides you with the largest rooms on the Disney Property.  The rooms are accompanied by the addition of balconies and indoor corridors. These rooms don't only have your typical queen beds, but some offer bunk beds and day beds in these larger spaces. The views offered at these resorts are unbeatable, with views of Cinderellas castle or a wild safari, just out your window. 

 

The feature pools include water slides, and some pools bring private cabana availability.  Water sport rentals are available, including the "surry bikes" at most resorts that everyone raves about.  Dining options include various table service locations and counter service options as well.  The gift shops also offer a variety of grocery items available to you, making your daily needs easier.

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Transportation options are a huge asset of the Deluxe Resorts due to their locations closest to the parks.  With the option to walk, catch a monorail, bus, or ride a boat to the park entrances...this option can pay for itself thanks to the time saved.  Not only is transportation to the parks easier, but the Deluxe resorts are always the closest transportation options when leaving the park as well.   

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Options offered:

• Grand Floridian/Villas (coming soon!)

• Polynesian

• Contemporary Resort/Bay Lake Tower

• Wilderness Lodge/Villas

• Beach Club/Villas

• Yacht Club

• Boardwalk Inn/Villas

• Animal Kingdom Lodge/Villas

• Old Key West

• Saratoga Springs

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Offsite Options

During our families' first trips to Disney, we always stayed offsite.  My assumption was that everything onsite would be too expensive, so we didn't even consider this option.  Some families have vacation rental options that they utilize, severely lowering their trip cost for the value they receive.  When we first started going to Disney, we were able to stay for $30a night, which was unbeatable by the parks.  However, now I have not been able to find a price quite so low recently.

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Many people enjoy staying at an Air BnB, allowing them a larger space for family gatherings for a much smaller price.  This is a great option if you are looking to have a longer trip spent amongst your group. 

 

Staying off-site does not allow you as much freedom to head home in the middle of the day, however, due to the long transport time.  On your park days, this just requires a little more planning so that you can stay at the parks for your day.  

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One of the biggest expenses to consider when staying offsite is the additional parking fees.  Parking at Disney World will add an additional cost to each day.  Once you pay for parking keep your ticket, to allow you re-entry or entry into a different parking lot.  

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The parking rates are:

          $25 for standard parking

          $30 for oversized vehicles such as Shuttle Bus, Limo, Camper Trailer, RV, Bus or Tractor Trailer

          $45-$50 for preferred parking that gets you closer to the park entrances.

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