Pros and Cons of Transportation When Choosing an Off-Property Hotel for Your Walt Disney World Vacation
Transportation options available from off-property hotels near the Walt Disney World Resort are a crucial factor to consider when planning your vacation. At times, people opt for off-property accommodations due to budgetary reasons, but they may overlook the potential sacrifices involved. During our recent stay at the Wyndham Orlando Resort & Conference Center and through a comment on our YouTube channel, we realized the significance of addressing this topic. Today, we aim to shed light on the pros and cons of transportation options, which can often be easily overlooked during the planning process.
Evaluating Transportation Options
Many off-property hotels near Walt Disney World Resort offer transportation to the theme parks, which can initially seem like a convenient solution. However, it is crucial to understand the details of these transportation options and how they align with your trip plans. Some questions to consider are:
- What is the bus schedule like?
- Does the transportation come at an additional cost?
- How frequently does the transportation run between the hotel and the theme parks?
- What would be the alternative costs if you need to rely on rideshares or taxis during your stay?
It’s not only important to ask these questions prior to booking your hotel, but it’s also vital to understand what the answers mean in terms of your vacation plans as a whole. While there are most definitely ways to enjoy your Disney vacation at a more casual pace, it’s also important to understand that timing is often very important during a Disney vacation. Having these questions answered prior to deciding whether or not a hotel is right for you will ensure you have a better overall experience and prepare yourself for any surprise costs that might pop up due to shortcomings with the complementary transportation available from your off-property hotel.
What These Shortcomings Can Look Like
For an example of what these shortcomings at off-property hotels looks like, we can take a look at the Wyndham Orlando Resort & Conference Center. This is a hotel that we recently reviewed and during our stay we saw that the transportation options left quite a bit to be desired. While there is complementary transportation to some of the Walt Disney World theme parks [as well as other theme parks in the area], of the shuttles and availability leaves quite a bit to be desired.
According to their schedule [as it was provided to us during our stay], the shuttle had only one departure time and return time per day. We also noticed that the departure time for some of the parks, particularly Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, was well after the park opened for the day. This means that even if both your family and the shuttle were perfectly punctual, you’d already be at least 2 hours behind other day guests who were visiting those parks for the day. Something similar can be said for the return shuttle times as well. In some cases, the return shuttle departs at or before the park closes meaning you’ll be cutting the night short to ensure you can make that shuttle back to the hotel. Of course, the shuttle doesn’t run to all of the theme parks either. If you’re planning on visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, you’ll have to find your way there on your own.
Impact on Vacation Experience
Relying on limited or inconvenient transportation can significantly impact your vacation. Just look at some of the examples we outlined above. It can restrict your park activities by having you arrive later or leave early. It also can lead to additional expenses if last-minute changes are required or if you simply want to enjoy everything the park has to offer. Choosing transportation wisely is vital to avoid unnecessary stress and ensure a smoother experience.
Is It Really A Savings
These additional expenses can add up rather quickly, which is one of the reasons we think this conversation is worth having. With so many looking to off-property hotels as a way to cut costs, it can be quite the slap in the face to realize it’s going to cost you more to stay off-property than at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel. Which is actually something that happened to us.
During a trip a couple of years ago, we opted to stay off-property in an attempt to save money. However, we ended up spending more due to additional fees and the cost of renting a car. While staying off-property can have advantages, it is essential to have realistic expectations regarding convenience, especially when comparing it to the benefits offered by Walt Disney World Resort Hotels.
Recognizing Trade-offs and Personal Preferences
We hold no bias against staying off-property and believe there are excellent options around the Walt Disney World Resort that offer better value without straining your budget excessively. However, it is important to acknowledge that such choices may require some sacrifice. Each family's preferences and priorities differ, and it's crucial to weigh the pros and cons based on your unique circumstances.
Choosing an off-property hotel near the Walt Disney World Resort requires careful consideration of transportation options. While cost-saving is appealing, it is vital to assess the drawbacks and potential limitations. Our hotel reviews aim to equip you with the necessary information and help you ask the right questions during the planning process.
We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences regarding on-property versus off-property stays when visiting Walt Disney World. Let us know your preferences and the sacrifices you've had to make while staying off-property, and whether you believe it's worth it in the long run. By sharing your insights, we can collectively help others make informed decisions and enhance their Disney vacation experience.