Choosing Accommodations for Your Orlando Vacation
Copyright 2005 Karyn Kudrna
You've finally decided to take the family on the long awaited
trip to DisneyWOrld. Now you have to decide where to stay while
you're there. The options may seem limited, but there really are
more choices than you might think.
Important Points to Consider When Choosing Accommodations
Before you make your final decision regarding your
accommodations, there are a few factors that should be taken
into consideration. First and formost is your budget. Obviously,
the larger your budget the more options that are available to
you.
You also need to consider number of people in your party. A
family of 4 can usually fit into an average room at one of the
many Disney Resort properties or an off-site hotel quite
comfortably. However, if your party is larger than 4, or
includes several families or a large group travelling together
you will need more space and you may want to consider an
off-site vacation home or resort condo. Another option for large
families is to book 2 or more adjoining rooms at a hotel.
What type of amenities are important to you and your family? Is
privacy and seclusion a high priority for you? Or are you more
concerned with the type of amenities available to you during
your stay? Will you have a car, either your own or a rental? Or
will you need transportation to and from the parks? Do you plan
on spending the majority of your vacation on Disney property, or
are you interested in spending some time away from the theme
parks and exploring the many other attractions central Florida
has to offer?
The answers to all of these questions will help to make your
choice of accommodations much easier.
The Pros and Cons of On-Site Accommodations
Most first time visitors to the Orlando area choose to stay at
one of the many Walt Disney World Resort Properties. These
properties have long had a reputation for being clean, well
maintained, and very family friendly. The excellent service
provided by the Disney staff is also a big plus. Other
advantages of staying on-site at one of the resort properties is
the use of the resort's transportation system. There is no need
to rent a car if you plan on spending your entire stay at the
Disney theme parks. There is an extensive transportation system
available to guests that will take you anywhere you want to go
within the resort. However, if you think you may want to venture
off-site to some of the other attractions, restaurants, or shows
in the Orlando area then you will need to find your own
transportation.
Your vacation budget should also be carefully considered if you
are planning on staying on-site. The resort accommodations tend
to be more expensive than off-site alternatives, and rooms are
limited. It may be difficult to find availability if you are
planning your trip at the last minute.
The Pros and Cons of Off-Site Accommodations
Many visitors to the Orlando area, especially first time
visitors, are not aware of the many off-site accommodation
options available to them. There are hotels, motels, resorts,
and privately owned condos and vacation pool homes all within a
10 - 15 minute drive of the parks. All of these are viable
alternatives to staying within the Walt Disney World Resort.
Choosing an off-site hotel or motel can be a good alternative to
on-site accoommodations. Many offer free shuttles to and from
the theme parks and other popular area attractions. This can be
very convenient and can also save you from paying daily parking
fees. However, shuttle times can be limiting and may not fit
your party's schedule. On the plus side, many guests enjoy being
able to "escape" the Disney atmosphere at the end of a long day.
On the other hand, the quality of off-site hotels and motels can
vary greatly and is often inconsistant, unlike the resort
properties with their high standards of excellence.
Another accommodation option that has been growing steadily in
popularity, especially among U.S. visitors to the Orlando area
are privately owned vacation homes. These homes can be booked
through one of the many management companies in the Orlando
area, or even through a travel agent.
A vacation home offers guests comfort, convenience, and privacy.
Often, large families or groups find it more cost effective to
rent a larger vacation home rather than book 2 or more hotels
rooms. Vacation homes also offer the opportunity to save money
on dining out, as each home comes with a fully equipped kitchen
that allows guests to prepare some, or all of their own meals
during their stay. Many guests also appreciate the privacy that
a vacation home provides.
Some vacation homes are located in resort communities and offer
guests the use of all the resort amenities such as swimming
pools, fitness centers, tennis courts, and game rooms. If these
amenities are important to you, be sure to confirm that the home
you are reserving is located in one of these resort communities.
If it is not, you will still have the use of your own private
swimming pool but will miss out on the other amenities.