Disney, so where would I stay?
Some costs are fixed. Tickets for theme parks are a fairly set price. You may be able to vary this slightly, but on the whole ticket prices are set. If you have a set date when you would like to visit Florida flight prices are also one that is tricky to negotiate. You may be able to book connecting flights that will reduce cost slightly, but overall the cost of flights will be dictated by the time of year that you go to Disney.
The main point where budget and choice comes into your holiday is through accommodation – in Orlando the options are endless and deciding where to start really is a mission in itself! Budget will can often dictate where you will stay, but where would I stay if budget were no option? I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I would opt for one of Disney World’s on site hotel options.
Over the years I have stayed in a lot of the Disney hotels and have loved each of them for different reasons. Disney is clever, they have provided accommodation to suit different families circumstances and they have done it well. Their Value accommodation (although not always everyone’s idea of value) gives well appointed rooms in good locations with access to the Walt Disney World transportation network. Their Moderate resorts allow slightly more amenities than Value while their Deluxe resorts really offer something of a wow factor for people who stay there.
I love being in the Disney bubble. Staying on resort means that I really don’t have to worry about anything. I can hop on a bus, skyliner or monorail and be whisked to the park of my choice. I know that my room will be clean and that I will be well cared for while staying on resort. Restaurants are plentiful and varied giving me a huge array of dining options while on holiday. Pools and entertainment are always top tier. When I go on holiday I am looking to be taken care of. To have a resort that feels like it cares for me and my holiday – I have always felt this when I have been staying on Disney property.
With over 20 hotels to choose from on Disney property it is tricky to pick a favourite. For Value my heart always belongs to Pop Century! With skyliner access and good room rates this resort feels a little more special than it’s other Value neighbours. In the Moderate category I would probably choose Port Orleans French Quarter – if only for the Beignets they serve in the Scat Cat Club. When it comes to Deluxe resorts picking my favourite is like asking me to pick my favourite child. I just can’t do it! They all offer something really special and choosing one is such a personal thing. I’ve loved overlooking the Savannah in Animal Kingdom Lodge adored sitting in the opulence of the Grand Floridian or marvelled in the brilliant location of Beach Club. I really can’t pick which is my favourite – I always base my choice on where to stay on priorities for my trip (and also price point!).
When we started visiting Disney World with the children back in 2012 we always managed to access their free dining offer. This was such an amazing offer – free dining plan for the length of your stay. It was always an excessive amount of food, but it allowed us the freedom to visit any restaurant we wanted without having to think about the cost. With young children who wanted to visit the character dining spots this was always a huge bonus! The free dining promotion hasn’t returned following Covid. I’m hopeful that one day we will see it again – when we do I will be ready to book!
