The Walt Disney World Resort is HUGE and there are so many options for places to stay that it can make one's head spin! There are offsite resorts nearby that promise free breakfast and shuttles to the parks, which seem like a great value, and there are those that offer attractive rates and discounted theme park tickets- if you take a tour of their timeshare offerings. There are also the resorts that are owned by Disney, which offer their own set of amenities and price ranges. So how do you know which option offers you the best value for your money? We're going to look at transportation, location/convenience, as well as Extras- including MagicBands and the Disney Dining Plan.
The first amenity that we will discuss is available at nearly every resort in the area, both on and off site- free transportation.
Walt Disney World as a whole is quite large and walking from place to place really isn't an option, as it is at Disneyland in California. Because of this, there are many different options on and off property for getting from Point A to Point B.
Off property, many of the hotels offer a shuttle that will take you to and from the parks. The nice thing about these shuttles is that they are normally free and you don't have to pay for parking. Unfortunately, the convenience ends there, because many times, they only drop off in the mornings and pick up when the parks close, and they don't offer the option of going anywhere else during the day. It can definitely put a damper on things when you'd like to see another place or go back to your hotel for a mid-afternoon break.
On property, and included with your stay at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, Walt Disney World's Transportation System offers buses to/from all of the resorts, parks, water parks, recreational areas and Downtown Disney, that run every 20 minutes or so. Boat service to/from select locations, and the famous Walt Disney World Monorail System are also there to take you where you need to go. In choosing a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, you are bound to make it to your destination in a timely manner, and you have the freedom to decide when and where you'd like to go!
There's also Disney's Magical Express service, which is a complimentary shuttle which picks you up from the airport and allows you to skip the baggage claim (Yes, they get your luggage for you!), so all you have to do is board your bus and let your vacation begin!
For those who prefer to rent a vehicle, there is a fantastic benefit for you as well! If staying on Disney Property, you get complimentary parking at the parks on each day of your stay. That saves you 17 dollars a day, which really adds up!
As you can see, transportation is a big reason that the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels can't be beat!
For more information on parking and transportation, click the links below!
Disney's Magical Express Service
Walt Disney World Bus Transportation
Walt Disney World Monorail
Walt Disney World Water Transportation
Parking Information
Next on our list of amenities is the ever important determining factor of location!