Disney World: Trade offs of staying on property vs off

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:More good info, thank you! So it is 30 min extra for on property guests per day and then additional time on Mondays and Wednesdays?

We would go Sunday through Thursday so that would align well (going over spring break next year, not during FL's public school spring break). Thinking three park days and then a down day for pools and rest. It will be just me and the kids so rest will be good for all of us! We do not need a suite so a standard room works well.

Since you are going during spring break you definitely need to stay on property for high volume transportation and early lighning lane picks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:More good info, thank you! So it is 30 min extra for on property guests per day and then additional time on Mondays and Wednesdays?

We would go Sunday through Thursday so that would align well (going over spring break next year, not during FL's public school spring break). Thinking three park days and then a down day for pools and rest. It will be just me and the kids so rest will be good for all of us! We do not need a suite so a standard room works well.

Don't go during spring break. Pick a long weekend that is unique to your school district. Like a grading day off or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We stayed at the DoubleTree which is "within" the property and a 'partner' hotel. We had a rental car so that worked well, but I don't think I would've wanted to rely on the shuttle that the hotel provides.

Loved having a huge 1 bedroom suite room with a separate sitting area for everyone to have some space. And mom and dad sleeping in a separate room from kids All for a very reasonable price of about $225/night (but we were able to use Hilton points so only paid for 4 nights). To get the equivalent of that on property would've been like $600/night (or more). And you DO get the early entry with the partner hotels.

That said, we were there for a full week so we were less concerned about maximizing every possible moment like you might be if you're only going to be there for three days? I dunno. If I had an endless budget I would totally stay at the Grand Floridian or Contemporary or somewhere right on the monorail BUT for those of us whose budget is more like...the values or the moderates...I struggle to see the value proposition vs. staying at a place like the DoubleTree.

My experience.

It’s not a Disney property so you don’t get early entry or extended hours. Also can’t book LL until 3 days before. Better to stay at a value hotel on property so you get the perks.

This is NOT true. Partner hotels absolutely get the 30 minute early entry: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/early-entry/

As far as extended evening hours, that perk is only 'extended' (no pun intended) to Deluxe resort guests. Staying at a value hotel, as you suggest, would not get you that perk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We stayed at the DoubleTree which is "within" the property and a 'partner' hotel. We had a rental car so that worked well, but I don't think I would've wanted to rely on the shuttle that the hotel provides.

Loved having a huge 1 bedroom suite room with a separate sitting area for everyone to have some space. And mom and dad sleeping in a separate room from kids All for a very reasonable price of about $225/night (but we were able to use Hilton points so only paid for 4 nights). To get the equivalent of that on property would've been like $600/night (or more). And you DO get the early entry with the partner hotels.

That said, we were there for a full week so we were less concerned about maximizing every possible moment like you might be if you're only going to be there for three days? I dunno. If I had an endless budget I would totally stay at the Grand Floridian or Contemporary or somewhere right on the monorail BUT for those of us whose budget is more like...the values or the moderates...I struggle to see the value proposition vs. staying at a place like the DoubleTree.

My experience.

It’s not a Disney property so you don’t get early entry or extended hours. Also can’t book LL until 3 days before. Better to stay at a value hotel on property so you get the perks.

This is NOT true. Partner hotels absolutely get the 30 minute early entry: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/early-entry/

As far as extended evening hours, that perk is only 'extended' (no pun intended) to Deluxe resort guests. Staying at a value hotel, as you suggest, would not get you that perk.

The big one is the early lightning lane bookings. If you want to do LL only stay at a hotel that lets you book 7 days out, not just 3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We stayed at the DoubleTree which is "within" the property and a 'partner' hotel. We had a rental car so that worked well, but I don't think I would've wanted to rely on the shuttle that the hotel provides.

Loved having a huge 1 bedroom suite room with a separate sitting area for everyone to have some space. And mom and dad sleeping in a separate room from kids All for a very reasonable price of about $225/night (but we were able to use Hilton points so only paid for 4 nights). To get the equivalent of that on property would've been like $600/night (or more). And you DO get the early entry with the partner hotels.

That said, we were there for a full week so we were less concerned about maximizing every possible moment like you might be if you're only going to be there for three days? I dunno. If I had an endless budget I would totally stay at the Grand Floridian or Contemporary or somewhere right on the monorail BUT for those of us whose budget is more like...the values or the moderates...I struggle to see the value proposition vs. staying at a place like the DoubleTree.

My experience.

It’s not a Disney property so you don’t get early entry or extended hours. Also can’t book LL until 3 days before. Better to stay at a value hotel on property so you get the perks.

This is NOT true. Partner hotels absolutely get the 30 minute early entry: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/early-entry/

As far as extended evening hours, that perk is only 'extended' (no pun intended) to Deluxe resort guests. Staying at a value hotel, as you suggest, would not get you that perk.

The 7 day early booking window for lighting lanes is only for hotel guests, though, which is pretty important during peak times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another rec for Art of Animation. The skyline was like a bonus ride

I would do Pop Century over Art
Of Animation unless you need the suite. The Art of Animation Suites are at least $500 a night (can’t say for sure) while Pop Century is sub $200 for a standard hotel room. You still have access to the skyliner, but you don’t get the big theming.

Port Orleans French Quarter for a moderate (much smaller footprint than Port Orleans Riverside.)

If you’re going to splurge for a deluxe, Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge have a bigger wow factor for kids (though the pool for Beach Club is great.)

Finally, Swan and Dolphin are Marriott properties with on site deluxe benefits. The only negative is they don’t use Disney transportation, but you can access it through other means.

Sometimes The Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation are a good deal. Take a look at those too.

The Art of Animation suite was worth it for us because of the second bathroom. It allowed us to get ready twice as fast and having a separate sleeping area meant we all slept well (and got away from each other as needed)

Yep, family suite in Art of Animation is the way to go. Have groceries delivered your first night. Eat breakfast in your room and pack snacks.

[Anonymous]

If you’re only going for 4 nights it’s much, much smarter to take the kids out of school for 2 days or 1 day if you can attach it to some random day off. Spring break season is more than a week.

I swear by the narrative crowd prediction write ups on Disneytouristblog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We stayed at the DoubleTree which is "within" the property and a 'partner' hotel. We had a rental car so that worked well, but I don't think I would've wanted to rely on the shuttle that the hotel provides.

Loved having a huge 1 bedroom suite room with a separate sitting area for everyone to have some space. And mom and dad sleeping in a separate room from kids All for a very reasonable price of about $225/night (but we were able to use Hilton points so only paid for 4 nights). To get the equivalent of that on property would've been like $600/night (or more). And you DO get the early entry with the partner hotels.

That said, we were there for a full week so we were less concerned about maximizing every possible moment like you might be if you're only going to be there for three days? I dunno. If I had an endless budget I would totally stay at the Grand Floridian or Contemporary or somewhere right on the monorail BUT for those of us whose budget is more like...the values or the moderates...I struggle to see the value proposition vs. staying at a place like the DoubleTree.

My experience.

It’s not a Disney property so you don’t get early entry or extended hours. Also can’t book LL until 3 days before. Better to stay at a value hotel on property so you get the perks.

This is NOT true. Partner hotels absolutely get the 30 minute early entry: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/early-entry/

As far as extended evening hours, that perk is only 'extended' (no pun intended) to Deluxe resort guests. Staying at a value hotel, as you suggest, would not get you that perk.

Why would be so emphatically wrong? You completely ignored the LL perk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We stayed at the DoubleTree which is "within" the property and a 'partner' hotel. We had a rental car so that worked well, but I don't think I would've wanted to rely on the shuttle that the hotel provides.

Loved having a huge 1 bedroom suite room with a separate sitting area for everyone to have some space. And mom and dad sleeping in a separate room from kids All for a very reasonable price of about $225/night (but we were able to use Hilton points so only paid for 4 nights). To get the equivalent of that on property would've been like $600/night (or more). And you DO get the early entry with the partner hotels.

That said, we were there for a full week so we were less concerned about maximizing every possible moment like you might be if you're only going to be there for three days? I dunno. If I had an endless budget I would totally stay at the Grand Floridian or Contemporary or somewhere right on the monorail BUT for those of us whose budget is more like...the values or the moderates...I struggle to see the value proposition vs. staying at a place like the DoubleTree.

My experience.

It’s not a Disney property so you don’t get early entry or extended hours. Also can’t book LL until 3 days before. Better to stay at a value hotel on property so you get the perks.

This is NOT true. Partner hotels absolutely get the 30 minute early entry: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/early-entry/

As far as extended evening hours, that perk is only 'extended' (no pun intended) to Deluxe resort guests. Staying at a value hotel, as you suggest, would not get you that perk.

Why would be so emphatically wrong? You completely ignored the LL perk.

I would argue the lightning lane perk is more important than an early park entry if you care about the really popular rides

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you’re only going for 4 nights it’s much, much smarter to take the kids out of school for 2 days or 1 day if you can attach it to some random day off. Spring break season is more than a week.

I swear by the narrative crowd prediction write ups on Disneytouristblog.

+1 hotels will be cheaper too. We added a day onto the grade prep day in January and flew out Wednesday night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We stayed at the DoubleTree which is "within" the property and a 'partner' hotel. We had a rental car so that worked well, but I don't think I would've wanted to rely on the shuttle that the hotel provides.

Loved having a huge 1 bedroom suite room with a separate sitting area for everyone to have some space. And mom and dad sleeping in a separate room from kids All for a very reasonable price of about $225/night (but we were able to use Hilton points so only paid for 4 nights). To get the equivalent of that on property would've been like $600/night (or more). And you DO get the early entry with the partner hotels.

That said, we were there for a full week so we were less concerned about maximizing every possible moment like you might be if you're only going to be there for three days? I dunno. If I had an endless budget I would totally stay at the Grand Floridian or Contemporary or somewhere right on the monorail BUT for those of us whose budget is more like...the values or the moderates...I struggle to see the value proposition vs. staying at a place like the DoubleTree.

My experience.

It’s not a Disney property so you don’t get early entry or extended hours. Also can’t book LL until 3 days before. Better to stay at a value hotel on property so you get the perks.

This is NOT true. Partner hotels absolutely get the 30 minute early entry: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/early-entry/

As far as extended evening hours, that perk is only 'extended' (no pun intended) to Deluxe resort guests. Staying at a value hotel, as you suggest, would not get you that perk.

Why would be so emphatically wrong? You completely ignored the LL perk.

I would argue the lightning lane perk is more important than an early park entry if you care about the really popular rides

Definitely. This is an example of when you shouldn't take advice from someone not up to speed who hasn't been recently.

[Anonymous]

We've done both. Twice on property and twice off. If you stay on property look at the Art of Animation. I think it's classified as a value hotel. We stayed there once and also at the Polynesian, the latter of which was definitely not worth the price. The convenience of being on property is nice but I don't think its worth the added expense. When we stay off we do an instacart order and eat breakfast, pack lunches/snacks, and only buy one meal in the park. This cuts down on costs significantly. We always rent a car and drive because we're a family of 5 so Uber doesn't work well so I don't have that to compare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re only going for 4 nights it’s much, much smarter to take the kids out of school for 2 days or 1 day if you can attach it to some random day off. Spring break season is more than a week.

I swear by the narrative crowd prediction write ups on Disneytouristblog.

+1 hotels will be cheaper too. We added a day onto the grade prep day in January and flew out Wednesday night.

This. I know it’s antithetical to the Type A crowd around here but your best bet is to pull the kids from school for 1-2 days as suggested already. Going during spring break - even with LL - will make you want to claw your face off.

[Anonymous]

The extra hours for deluxe guests on M/W are from 9-11 pm, so that’s not worth it for little kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The extra hours for deluxe guests on M/W are from 9-11 pm, so that’s not worth it for little kids.

8 and 10 year olds can probably hang