Unlocking the Magic: Three Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Disney Resort
Planning a trip to Disney can be daunting. Once you’ve made the decision to go and picked your dates, it’s time to talk about accommodations. This could be the make or break piece of your trip. And I think that sometimes people tend to focus more on the cost of the accommodations, rather than the overall value of their choice of resort. So, I am of the opinion that there are a few more factors aside from price that you should be considering when making this choice for your trip!
My first factor is the proximity to the parks. This is something to really think on for several reasons. And I am not even entertaining the debate of staying off Disney property, because that is a sword I will fall on, (especially because of the Genie+ and ILL restrictions), but for a whole other hosts of just our inconvenience that is not worth the overall savings of a couple hundred bucks….or is it! Ok, stepping off that topic. If you are traveling with littles or adults for that matter, like a good midday break or nap, the proximity of the resort to parks is vital. Being able to get back to the room and get settled quickly can be a game changer for resetting the rest of your day. My next reason here is nighttime entertainment. I know you are thinking I’m off my rocker here, but I know, myself, I don't really like to watch fireworks inside the park with 75,000 of my closest friends. Being able to catch a glimpse of this nighttime entertainment from the comfort of your room is a priceless perk! For folks that don’t enjoy crowds or little ones that don’t like the noise, being at a resort where you can catch that view can make for a much better experience. I have other reasons for my proximity factor, but I'll leave you with your thoughts on that from here!
Next factor is amenities. Pools, access to certain types of meals, types of play areas for children, splash pads, etc. Choosing a resort and considering what is stacked up for you at your resort can make your vacation both a more enjoyable and more convenient experience. If you or your travel party value pool time and outdoor entertainment, then something like the Yacht or Beach Club with the king of pools at your disposal may be right for you. Or if your kiddos like to make crafts or play outdoor games or video games during downtime, the fun tie dye activities and gamer vibes at POP cCentury might be your answer. Either way, staying somewhere that combines things that your family enjoys can just add another level of those vacay vibes and give you more bang for your overall experience bucks!
Last factor I’ll mention today, in my opinion, is the most important. Access to Disney transportation. And I know you are thinking, duh Carie, all the Disney resort hotels have complimentary transportation. And yes, you are right BUT are they all equal? Absolutely not a chance! A resort's ability to provide transportation to its guests in a timely and convenient manner is one of the most vital things that can affect the overall experience of the trip. Yes, All Star resorts may be the cheapest cost wise, but all three of these massive resorts share ONE BUS LINE. Let me say that again…..they SHARE ONE BUS LINE. This means that you and thousands of your friends are ALL waiting on buses to Magic Kingdom in the mornings and you may see 4-5 buses and 30-45 minutes of time in line before you get headed out to the park. So I ask you, it’s that $40 per night that you are saving by staying here over, for example, POP really worth all the time you are wasting waiting in line for a bus? Same at the end of a long park day. Trust and believe that the bus stops for certain resorts are the furthest from park exit. So, I”ll leave you to ponder that. And think about this, hating on standing in security lines? Me too, but if you are staying in a monorail resort, you will pass thru security before boarding the monorail and be able to scan directly into the park when you arrive. Talk about that VIP feeling! And I won’t do a full soliloquy on my love and devotion to the Disney Skyliner, but trust and believe if your resort has it, you are literally magically flying to your destination with some much convenience and ease. Transportation is the make or break to the overall experience!
Now like I mentioned before, I have more factors that you could consider when choosing a resort like the vibe, size of rooms, bedding configurations, etc etc. But I think if you start by thinking on these 3 top factors, it can really help you get a headway for your decision. Oh, and you can alway get those specific from your favorite resident travel advisor! So there are lots of ways we can help you find the perfect “HOME” for your Disney stay!
