https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 27 May 2026 04:29:29 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2120163 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 14:42:37 +0000 buttermilk 2120163@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you cannot beat the convenience of staying on site at disney! Free transportation to all the parks, they have a very extensive bus service. And it really does continue the magic! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2119567 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 09:55:27 +0000 sunshineandsushi 2119567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did find several off-property hotels that have suite options for a reasonable price (extra discount through mousesavers.com), but I think I sold DH on the Art of Animation resort after he saw the pics. :grin: </p> <p>Since we're only an hour away from Orlando and will have our car, we may still drive each day to the park so that we skip the hassle of breaking down our stroller with two toddlers. But this way parking is still free! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2119544 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 09:43:13 +0000 808love 2119544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll be there in the fall as well! The resort has a ton of advantages. We are staying at a hotel a mile off site for free in points so we will taxi on property everyday and taking the free shuttle back each night. We were seriously considering the resort but my first choice was taken. Heck, I'm still considering booking a resort but most likely I will keep my plans as is. By the way for most people taxi is not an option but we have a little safety vest that takes the place of a car seat so that works for us.</p> <p>Oh a huge resort advantage is that you get free magic bands and you can book your fast passes 30 days before the general public that has regular tickets- at the 60 day mark. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118554 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 14:30:23 +0000 littlebittyhouse 2118554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DEF at a Disney Resort with dedicated bus service. We always stay at pop century and ask for a ground level room - that way while the kiddo sleeps you can sit out on your patio, chat, have drinks etc. and then just go in the room to sleep. It has great theming, dining room is easy to navigate and like I said, dedicated bus service. Makes it so east to get to and from parks without stops inbetween!</p> <p>If you have the option, staying at a monorail resort would be really really great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118524 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 13:58:57 +0000 sunshineandsushi 2118524@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a unique situation for this vacation. DH's company is paying up to $1,000 of it as his 5-year work anniversary gift. We can only apply it toward accommodations and tickets, not other incidentals. So we have an interest in maximizing it! :wink: If we were paying it all out of pocket, I would definitely be more inclined to stay offsite and save some $$$. But it's use it or lose it, so might as well take advantage! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118520 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 13:55:54 +0000 ShootingStar 2118520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're looking into hotel options for Disney for next year. What we're thinking is we'll stay offsite next year because it's cheaper and we can get more space. My parents will be coming with us, so we need a lot of room. DS will be just under 2.5 when we go. I think that after that when we go we'll stay onsite. I think while he's younger he won't really notice the difference, but when he's older we'll go for more of the full experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118296 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 11:40:43 +0000 MrsADS 2118296@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't have kids yet (#1 coming in August) but we go to Disney a lot (also FL residents, live 3 hours away), and we ALWAYS stay on property... whenever we don't, I regret it the whole time! </p> <p>That being said, I can definitely see the appeal of having a much larger space in a condo with kids, and I know there are many that are very close by. </p> <p>BUT, if you're going to spend a lot of time at Magic Kingdom, I think it's really nice to be at Disney resort. If you take the bus from the hotel, they will drop you off right in front of the park. If you drive from offsite, you have to park, then take a tram to the Ticket and Transportation Center, then take a ferryboat or monorail to the park. It takes FOREVER, and especially if you want to take afternoon breaks, catching the bus is so much easier. </p> <p>Also remember to factor in the cost of parking. We do still drive to some of the parks when we stay on property (i.e., Epcot) because it's usually faster than the bus, but parking is FREE if you're staying at a Disney resort. Otherwise it's $17 a day.</p> <p>I also find that generally, the Disney resorts (although overpriced) are always extremely clean and safe - you ALWAYS know what you're going to get and if you have a problem, they are going to fix it ASAP. I have stayed at some crappy off-site places that smelled like smoke, stuff was broken, dirty, staff unresponsive, etc. </p> <p>We spent one night this weekend at All Star Music. It was super overpriced because of Spring Break (I think about $140), but when you factor in 2 days of parking ($34), plus to stay at even a so-so offsite place is probably $70 or $80, and even those places, you don't know what you're getting... well, it made sense for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118285 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 11:31:06 +0000 PawPrints 2118285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Staying at a Disney resort is the best. So easy to get to/from the park and the perks are great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118257 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 11:12:05 +0000 babynumber1 2118257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunshineandsushi: We loved Art of Animation. Great choice! Our toddler especially loved it, so many life sized characters! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118223 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 10:39:26 +0000 artsyfartsy 2118223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like someone mentioned, the art of animation resort has family suites that are affordable. For us, staying at a disney resort is half the trip. There's no comparison! Plus all the perks that come with staying in one is a bonus. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118180 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 10:11:33 +0000 MrsRcCar 2118180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are planning on a trip next fall and we will be staying on the property. I will never do Disney and not stay on the property. Have fun!!!</p> <p>Ps: the dining plan is fantastic if you plan to stay at Disney. :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118117 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 09:28:10 +0000 Chaosmaven 2118117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just booked a trip for September with our DD who will be 2.5 at the time. I'm partial to staying on property, as I prefer to use Disney transport but especially with a small child. We like to stay close to Magic Kingdom so we can get to the parks early, leave for a nap break at the hottest part of the day and then come back in the evenings. Staying off property often adds too much travel time, so there isn't time for naps or rest. We are staying at Wilderness Lodge, which is the cheapest resort that is close to Magic Kingdom. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118114 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 09:24:28 +0000 catlady 2118114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are thinking about this too and I am leaning towards a Disney resort with the monorail. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118110 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 09:20:27 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2118110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I loved staying at the resort. It was so convenient. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118072 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 08:54:14 +0000 Chillybear 2118072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunshineandsushi: haha... I just remembered a post on the blog and filed it away for future reference.</p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2014/09/09/art-of-animation-resort-review/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2014/09/09/art-of-animation-resort-review/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118069 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 08:53:05 +0000 Mamasig 2118069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunshineandsushi: I've been told those family suite rooms book up fast! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118065 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 08:51:49 +0000 sunshineandsushi 2118065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chillybear: They totally have what we want - a separate room for the kiddos to sleep in. Thanks! For whatever reason, I skipped over that resort when I was browsing. </p> <p>We will definitely stay at the Art of Animation resort. Woohoo! Best of both worlds. :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118060 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 08:49:52 +0000 lawbee11 2118060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never been but I looked into it and would want to do a Disney resort for sure. If you stay on property I believe you get priority when booking some of the character meals (if that's something you'd be interested in). And I think it gets you priority with the FastPass as well. Some of the Disney resorts have family suites which would still allow you to have your own space. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118054 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 08:48:52 +0000 Mamasig 2118054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would stay on property for sure. I haven't been with kids yet, but it was so easy. You'll also get to benefit from the perks of extended hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118050 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 08:46:16 +0000 sunshineandsushi 2118050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjyw: I did look at what some of the resorts offer but unless we want to pay $1K/night, it doesn't look like we can do a suite ... I guess I should be more careful in saying that money isn't a factor here, haha! </p> <p>@looch: DH is leaning toward a Disney resort b/c he doesn't want to deal with driving to/from the park and parking. But that's a good point about dealing with the stroller hassle! </p> <p>@Chillybear: I need to check that resort! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118041 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 08:41:08 +0000 blackbird 2118041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I freaking love condos with toddlers. But if I could get a two-room suite type hotel room, I'd do that in a heartbeat! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118036 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 08:38:05 +0000 looch 2118036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The thing for us that made us decide on a condo off property was the travelling to and from the parks. If you have a kid in stroller, unless you're on the monorail, you have to collapse your stroller. So we found it a lot easier to just go from the car seat to the stroller and roll into the park that way, because we had planned on staying at Animal Kingdom and the buses are just too full for me to deal with. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118032 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 08:37:37 +0000 mrsjyw 2118032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never been, but I'd look to see what room options that DW offered. If they had a suite of some sort, I'd go with that option over the condo! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118031 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 08:36:54 +0000 Chillybear 2118031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Something you might want to look into I believe the Art of Animation Resort has suites that also have small kitchenettes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-planning-disney-world-vacation#post-2118027 Mon, 23 Mar 2015 08:34:18 +0000 sunshineandsushi 2118027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are planning a trip to Disney World this fall. Would you rather stay in a Disney resort or rent a condo/house for the weekend? </p> <p>I'm torn because I want to do the Disney "experience" with the boys (they'll be just over 2.5 when we go), but I also kind of want to get a condo/house instead so that we can put them to bed in their own room and not worry about waking them. </p> <p>Details: We live in FL, about an hour away from Disney, so no flights are needed and we can take advantage of FL ticket rates. </p> <p>EDIT - for the most part, the resort rates versus condos/houses seem pretty comparable. We're not willing to spend the big big bucks to get a suite at a Disney resort. </p>