How to choose a hotel :

Hotel accommodations are a very big deal when one Disney. Why? Because chances are this will be the place you come to relax when the days are hot and or rainy ( it is Florida y’all), or where your children ( maybe even yourself ) will take a must needed nap after all the walking ( usually about 7 miles is a normal Disney day). Hotel accommodations will encompass things that you want to have close to you. Maybe you want to be close to the Monorail ? Maybe you want to be close to Animal Kingdom? Shopping ? Walking distance Epcot? Close proximity to the new Gondolas ? Or maybe you want to be away from it all and an off-site location is what you prefer . No matter what your choice amenities make the hotel ! So let’s explore a few in ALL categories .

Off Site :

Many choose this route because they are near Disney but don’t have to pay the Disney prices . I fully understand that. Disney can be a place where money burns a hole in your wallet pocket. Staying off site allows for a few advantages but doesn’t always come with Disney perks . One hotel in particular is a nice place to stay located off site yet still allows guests to book fast passes ( 60 days out), and utilize the extra magic hours . It also allows for convenient shopping in the Disney Springs area ( walking distance ) as well as shuttle busses to the parks ( 1/2 hr before park opens ) and shuttle at night to Disney springs ( runs every 30 min or so). We have stayed here and for a family of 4 it was most convenient . This hotel is the Double Tree locates in Disney Springs area.

Now , I will tell you that my family stays on site 99% of the time . That means we stay in a Disney hotel usually in our “ home hotel” since we are DVC members ** see coming post on DVC. So for this article I will be focusing on the hotels on site more since we only stay at the one off site mentioned above if needed .

On site:

What are the different hotels and why are they broken down like they are ?

Where to stay is probably the number 1 question I get. What hotels are the best for my money? And rightfully so! This is a large chunk of change ! But where you stay matters ! Not only for what you like , but for what you want to accomplish from your Disney vacation !

For this Post I will not be breaking down each hotel , however in a future post will be delve much deeper into the accommodations on site . For this post, I will keep it simple and explain the tiers or levels of Disney accommodations.

Disney has their hotels sectioned into different tiers . Starting with the Value Resorts going all the way to the Villas . Each hotel has perks suites for each different family and their unique interests . Just know that the amount of people it states a room can hold is something Disney is very passionate about due to fire code laws.

Disney’s hotel accommodations on site are as follows:

Value: Always impressive and very very kid friendly !

• All Stars Movies
• All Stars Music
• Pop Century
• All Stars Sports
• Art of Animation – the bridge between Value and Moderate

Moderate :

• Caribbean Beach
• Port Orleans – Riverside
• Port Orleans – French Quarter
• Coronado
• Fort Wilderness

Deluxe:

• Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Polynesian
• Grand Floridian
• Beach
• Yacht
• Contemporary
• Wilderness Lodge
• Boardwalk

Villas: these are expensive for a reason . These have 1/2&3 bedroom accommodations which can fit up to 12!

• Saratoga
• Old Key
• Polynesian Villas and Bungalos
• Baylake Tower
• Grand Floridian Villas
• Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani and Jambo
• Boardwalk
• Beach
• Boulder Ridge
• Copper Creek Villas and Cabins
• Brand NEW Riviera

These hotels are grouped as Disney sees fit. Some value resorts can accommodate up to 6, and some Villas can accommodate up to 12. Prices will vary according to the room size, it’s location , and the proximity to the parks . This is something you as a guest will need to think about. How many people will be in your party ( including infants -cribs can be requested at each hotel ) as well as if you prefer to be near a particular location is crucial in this step. You need to think of food , snacks and the parks themselves ( late night snacking with all that walking happens ). You will also need to think of transportation . All Disney hotels have a bus system that will bring you to the parks and Disney Springs , however , some hotels are located on the monorail ( Polynesian /Grand Floridian /Contemporary / Baylake ) So busses to Magic Kingdom dome exist, the Monorail does . Others are within walking distance and or a boat ride to Epcot ( Boardwalk/Beach /Yacht). So those are all transportation that is a bit on the slower side .

It is also important to note ( and this will be talked about in another post), that there is NO direct way to get from Hotel to Hotel . So having other hotels in the same loop as your own opens up dining and shopping . However , it can take time to travel from hotel to hotel. The most direct way can be either through a monorail/ bus/ boat OR the new Minnie Vans by Lift ( usually $20/way). This is also things to keep in mind when planing where to stay.

Hotel accommodations are the foundation of your Disney trip. Lots of information as well as their proximity to things in Disney can make it overwhelming . Stay tuned for the next part of this blog where we go in depth into all of the hotels Disney has to offer !

Let’s talk Disney. There are a few things that one needs to know before booking a Disney Vacation. Let’s look into detail a few of the starter items you need to know before booking your magical vacation .

#1. Price

I know what your thinking . Duh! Who doesn’t think to plan a budget before going to Disney?!? Surprisingly not everyone , OR most for that matter . People often forget to include parking , , tickets , food, snacks , miscellaneous shopping, and tipping On top of their hotel room. Now , in saying this , some of you have already lost interest Because instead of sugar plums dancing around your head they are looking more like dollar signs . But I assure you, Disney CAN be done on a budget!

When planning your Disney vacation it is very important to note your party size as well as age group. This will tell you if you are staying in 1/2 or 3 bedrooms OR are you going to stay in the deluxe bedrooms . Remember , Disney also offers 1/2&3 bedroom villas which also include a full size kitchen . Although the rooms themselves are expensive this amenity could prove to help lessen the food cost associated with your vacation . The bulk of your money will be used in the Hotel, then tickets then food . Dining Plans are usually not a way to “save” money, however do allow you to pay for their convenience up front and thus eliminate the worry for added food costs .

#2. When you Disney

What time you choose to go on your Disney vacation does matter . Believe it or not , Disney does have “ off times” , but they are more like “adventure times”. These times are when Park attendance is a little slower than the big holidays . Do you want to go during the summer ? How about in Jan/Feb? Fall or spring with the kids ? Remember , when your children are off so are everyone else’s and that is when everyone goes to Disney. You also have to know when international travel is the highest, usually in July/Aug for the WDW area. This isn’t to say it’s any less fun , it’s to say to know when you want to go. June/July and Aug run a higher risk of high heat and hurricanes , while Jan/Feb run unpredictable weather and the higher chance of sickness ( it is flu season after all ).

#3. Food

Disney has an insurmountable amount of food . From all areas in Epcot , to character meals , to adult only dining . Each dining experience can be as much or as little as you’d like . Remember that character breakfasts will always be more money since you are paying for the experience . However , don’t think they are just for the young, for most of us are still young at heart and enjoy the character interaction .

For those on a budget, the Dining Plan might be an option for you and your family . Set up for convenience the Dining Plan ( DP) can be purchased only a few days before your Trip, however budgeting for it would be a must. The Dining Plan while not exactly saving you money, will save you time when thinking about what’s on the menu. ** coming soon: see the blog dedicated to Dining Plans **

#4. Tickets

Tickets are one of the top expenses in Disney. The good news is the longer you stay the less money tickets cost ! You will want to take into account park hopper options ( the ability to go to multiple parks in a day), a 1 day pass ( allows you 1 park/ day), and of course if you want to enjoy the Disney Water Parks ( Typhoon lagoon and Blizzard Beach). Ticket prices are set based on the time of year. So expect to pay more in December than in Feb. Also keep in mind that the water parks can shut down due to weather .

Hotels:

Wether you stay on or off site, there is no wrong way to do Disney so long as you understand there are perks to both. Staying off site allows you to eat cheaper , and in restaurants you may be familiar with . Staying on site allows you to choose from an array of foods , but transportation might be limited on how to beat achieve that adventure . Hotel accommodations can fit 2-12 people depending on the hotel and hotel room accommodations . Some on property hotels such as Animal Kingdom Villas , Baylake Tower, and More offer 1/2&3 bedrooms which can hold as much as 12 people for a 3 bedroom . If you have multiple families , these stations accommodations could be what you are looking for . But don’t be fooled , they come with a hefty price tag. BUT there is a secret to enjoying these rooms which will be discussed in another blog with DVC.

For all purposes , I will say that for me and my family we Stay ON premise . So most of the articles I write will be tailored towards on site stays and the perks those come with .

Miscellaneous:

Some things that you might now know are the little extra things that make Disney so special . Ears to express your Disney side ( see my Etsy page for handmade ears for the whole family ), as well as bubble machines , games , extra snacks , trinkets, ornaments , items from all the shops , and Basin (** special blog coming about them as well). All of these things add up! So make sure you are allocating money to this as well.

Another thing is tips . In FL it is customary to tip approximately 28% to waiters and waitresses . If your party consists of 6 or more people ( children included ) a min of 18% will be automatically added to your bill with any and all dining options ( except for quick service ). Most of us here in the Disney community will also tip our Mouse keeping ( the hotel services), valet , bus boys and more , so please keep that all in mind when thinking of your trip .. it’s a personal choice , but from one to another everyone one disney tries so hard to keep up the magic that a little extra doesn’t hurt . But don’t think that you have to break the bank. Do what you can , after all it’s your money and your trip!

Conclusion :

Disney trips are as unique as those who book them . Each one filled with magic and adventure . There will be many more insider scoops on how to best plan your vacation. Keep following and I will have you being a Disney vacation super star in no time , whether your trip is in 6 months or longer you will know how to navigate through like a pro . Have a magical day , and as always , thanks for making today a Disney day.

The first of many Blogs to come . However , before we get into the nitty gritty of all things Disney, I wanted to say that this blog is of my own personal vacations . Information is always subject to change as are any terms of Disney. Make sure to check with Disney to verify for the most current information available. As much as I try to stay current , anything can and will change .

Now, onward to Disney. Disney is my home away from home . I have been going to WDW since I was 5. My very first trip lead me to a magical place of 2 happy mice named Mickey and Minnie and instilled a love that would last a lifetime .

In 2009, my husband and I became DVC members . Baylake Tower became our second home for sure ** There will be a blog on DVC in the near future **

I am blessed to say that my prince Did come , and he proposed to me at what now is Disney springs in front of a playful otter in Oct 2009. After finishing my Masters in Psychology, we married at the Grand Floridians wedding pavilion in WDW. It was indeed a magical wedding !

Within a few years , we where blessed again with a princess and a prince . The true meaning of Disney was born , for O’Hana is surly our family motto!

Disney is my happy place , It gives me solice when times are hard, and I absolutely LOVE helping others plan for their magical vacations . In this Blog I will be discussing the topics most asked about when planning a Disney vacation . These things will include :

Food

Hotels

Tickets

Parks with and without children

Special celebrations

And much much more

Information that will assist you to plan your amazing , magic filled trip and cut back on confusion , frustration and sensory overload .

I understand first hand the overwhelming amount of information that WDW has to offer , and if you have never experienced it then it can seem even more daunting ! So sit back and enjoy the ride , as we discuss ALL things Disney!

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton