"Off Property" Offical WDW Resort

[ELG13]

So with Disney getting more expensive and kids aging out of the free ticket we are looking for more affordable options for hotels. We stayed in the cabins at ft.wilderness last year and OMG...it was amazing...but also expensive. We are not in the current state to afford a $4000+ vacation every year...SO....that being said I'm trying to find an option. Ive seen a few official WDW resort hotels on priceline etc that are across from Disney Springs. We are looking at the Best Western Lake Buena Vista and I'm wondering if anyone has tried that one or a similar one? Ive priced I out and it would save us roughly $500 but if it isn't worth the money saved I would truly rather stay at All Star Movies. If it is worth it I may be able to squeeze out an extra park day with the savings (the husband finds that counter productive to saving money but I look at it as a free day lol!!!) Ive noticed they talk about transportation but it sometimes sounds as if the transportation requires us to walk to DS and then catch the bus...again...if its not a huge hassle and it saves us $500 I'm ok with it. Are these hotels the ones you can still get magic bands and fastpass selections etc? I'm just not seeing much Disney related info on the page to make me see why its an official WDW hotel. Thanks!!!

 

[slappy magoo]

Check out www.disneyspringshotels.com

All of those hotels provide their own bus service to the parks, but perhaps they don't run as often or as early or as late as official Disney buses (ARE SUPPOSED TO) run. If you're planning a lot of super early mornings or super late nights, you might want to possibly factor some cabs into your budget. They do not drop you off at Disney Springs in order to catch a Disney bus to parks - I didn't even think Disney ran buses from parks to Disney Springs; at least they stopped doing it for a while to prevent people from parking at then-Downtown Disney for free and catching buses to parks, maybe that's all changed?

One nice thing is at least for this year, all of those DS hotels get vouchers for Extra Magic Hours.

If you opt for Best Western or one of the other nearby hotels, see if you can get a better rate through www.mousesavers.com Sometimes it's a good chunk of change off, upgrades to better views when available, free parking or breakfast options, etc.

 

[ELG13]

Check out www.disneyspringshotels.com

All of those hotels provide their own bus service to the parks, but perhaps they don't run as often or as early or as late as official Disney buses (ARE SUPPOSED TO) run. If you're planning a lot of super early mornings or super late nights, you might want to possibly factor some cabs into your budget. They do not drop you off at Disney Springs in order to catch a Disney bus to parks - I didn't even think Disney ran buses from parks to Disney Springs; at least they stopped doing it for a while to prevent people from parking at then-Downtown Disney for free and catching buses to parks, maybe that's all changed?

One nice thing is at least for this year, all of those DS hotels get vouchers for Extra Magic Hours.

If you opt for Best Western or one of the other nearby hotels, see if you can get a better rate through www.mousesavers.com Sometimes it's a good chunk of change off, upgrades to better views when available, free parking or breakfast options, etc.

Great tips!!! Thank you!!!!
Does anyone know of any great off property options that aren't necessarily in DS? There are so many it's overwhelming trying to compare amenities!!

 

[slappy magoo]

Certain WDW-centric websites, like the aforementioned www.mousesavers.com and www.allears.net , will have lists of area resorts they recommend, usually with promotional codes only available to readers of that site.

Also if you or your S.O. is a a teacher/educator, or a government worker, you might be eligible for some pretty decent discounts for rooms at the Swan and the Dolphin.
You can also consider renting Disney Vacation Club points at a site like David's DVC Rentals. 1BR units don't save you a ton of dough, but studio rooms can often be more than 40% off the same room if you booked it direct from Disney, and it would be onsite.

 

[NiarrNDisney]

The Resorts on Hotel Lane are great though the shared bus transportation to the parks is a joke so unless you have your own vehicle I would not pick these resorts for this benefit.

May I suggest that you check the resorts at Bonnet Creek as well as the Dolphin and Swan.

 

[ELG13]

Certain WDW-centric websites, like the aforementioned www.mousesavers.com and www.allears.net , will have lists of area resorts they recommend, usually with promotional codes only available to readers of that site.

Also if you or your S.O. is a a teacher/educator, or a government worker, you might be eligible for some pretty decent discounts for rooms at the Swan and the Dolphin.
You can also consider renting Disney Vacation Club points at a site like David's DVC Rentals. 1BR units don't save you a ton of dough, but studio rooms can often be more than 40% off the same room if you booked it direct from Disney, and it would be onsite.

The whole renting points thing has been confusing...but I've always considered it.

As far as the swan...where do I find those? They are never available when I see them on the Disney site.

I'll get on those other sites tonight and see what I can find...I should have just asked what everyone's favorite off property hotel was lol!!! I'm sure there are some stellar ones out there I haven't even considered!

 

[ELG13]

I should also mention we are florida residents.

 

[slappy magoo]

The whole renting points thing has been confusing...but I've always considered it.

As far as the swan...where do I find those? They are never available when I see them on the Disney site.

I'll get on those other sites tonight and see what I can find...I should have just asked what everyone's favorite off property hotel was lol!!! I'm sure there are some stellar ones out there I haven't even considered!

Well, one place you might want to look is the forum section designated for offsite hotels, dining and shopping; that might also have a lot of the info you seek

https://forums.wdwmagic.com/forums/wdw-offsite-hotels-dining-shopping.49/

Because the Swan the the Dolphin aren't Disney owned resorts they're not on the Disney site. But aside from a section at allears.net and other indie Disney sites, they also share a webpage at www.swandolphin.com . But I think some of the discounted rates, you might have to call to request.

Also, if you go to David's DVC website ( https://www.dvcrequest.com/ ) they'll explain the whole rental process in a very comprehensive way. They also have a "cost calculator" where you can specify the dates you want and they'll tell you exactly what it will cost you for every resort, every room category, for those dates. They can't immediately tell you what's available, just what your room of choice would cost if it IS available. Then, you can make a request for them to try to book for you if you choose.

 

[ELG13]

Well, one place you might want to look is the forum section designated for offsite hotels, dining and shopping; that might also have a lot of the info you seek

https://forums.wdwmagic.com/forums/wdw-offsite-hotels-dining-shopping.49/

Because the Swan the the Dolphin aren't Disney owned resorts they're not on the Disney site. But aside from a section at allears.net and other indie Disney sites, they also share a webpage at www.swandolphin.com . But I think some of the discounted rates, you might have to call to request.

Also, if you go to David's DVC website ( https://www.dvcrequest.com/ ) they'll explain the whole rental process in a very comprehensive way. They also have a "cost calculator" where you can specify the dates you want and they'll tell you exactly what it will cost you for every resort, every room category, for those dates. They can't immediately tell you what's available, just what your room of choice would cost if it IS available. Then, you can make a request for them to try to book for you if you choose.

Awesome! I figured there must be a section on the forums but I hadn't had the chance to look around.

 

[ELG13]

The Resorts on Hotel Lane are great though the shared bus transportation to the parks is a joke so unless you have your own vehicle I would not pick these resorts for this benefit.

May I suggest that you check the resorts at Bonnet Creek as well as the Dolphin and Swan.

Where would I find BC? When I googled it, the rooms were going for $700...

 

[DisneyJoe]

Are these hotels the ones you can still get magic bands and fastpass selections etc? I'm just not seeing much Disney related info on the page to make me see why its an official WDW hotel. Thanks!!!

- No Magicbands at any Disney Springs hotels; only Disney-owned resorts get Magicbands
- The "official" Disney Springs hotels give vouchers to all guests for Extra Magic Hours no matter how you book your room
- Regarding FP+, you will be able to book them at 30 days, unless you book through Disney, then you will be able to book at 60 days.

*Caution* - Many of these resorts charge resort fees and parking fees, and you will also have the parking fee at the park to pay.

 

[ELG13]

- No Magicbands at any Disney Springs hotels; only Disney-owned resorts get Magicbands
- The "official" Disney Springs hotels give vouchers to all guests for Extra Magic Hours no matter how you book your room
- Regarding FP+, you will be able to book them at 30 days, unless you book through Disney, then you will be able to book at 60 days.

*Caution* - Many of these resorts charge resort fees and parking fees, and you will also have the parking fee at the park to pay.

The resort fees!!!!!! Geeze! And the only way I'm seeing anything about parking on most of these is by reading the reviews....

 

[BoarderPhreak]

I might point out that Swan/Dolphin guests do get MagicBands, Disney Transportation, EMH and 60-day FP.

 

[DarthVader]

Not for nothing, but I think the value resorts are very affordable. The benefits of staying on property include advanced fastpass reservations, ADRs are 180+10 days and using your magic band for purchases.

YMMV, but I still prefer to stay on property.

 

[ELG13]

Not for nothing, but I think the value resorts are very affordable. The benefits of staying on property include advanced fastpass reservations, ADRs are 180+10 days and using your magic band for purchases.

YMMV, but I still prefer to stay on property.

Yes we love the value resorts... especially the toy story section in all star movies!! I'm trying to find a cheaper option that's worth it...but we are people that love the on property perks so I'm trying to find the best of both worlds.

 

[DarthVader]

so I'm trying to find the best of both worlds.

No question, we do the same thing. I was working the numbers for our latest trip last year and we seriously looked at staying off property.

 

[ELG13]

No question, we do the same thing. I was working the numbers for our latest trip last year and we seriously looked at staying off property.

It's pretty overwhelming since there are so many options! I think we will end up off property this time. Usually we have a little longer to save but we had some unexpected things pop up so we weren't planning on going this year.

 

[DisneyDreamer08]

Just to piggyback a little, are there any off property resorts that have a decent bus/shuttle system? From my little research on the 7 DS resorts, 4 share one bus and 3 share the other. Reviews are decent (set schedule & run on the 1/2 hour) but the biggest complaint is that it’s hard to make it to the parks prior to rope drop (which is a huge factor for us).

 

[ELG13]

Just to piggyback a little, are there any off property resorts that have a decent bus/shuttle system? From my little research on the 7 DS resorts, 4 share one bus and 3 share the other. Reviews are decent (set schedule & run on the 1/2 hour) but the biggest complaint is that it’s hard to make it to the parks prior to rope drop (which is a huge factor for us).

Yes this is definitely one factor for us. We have a car but would like to avoid paying the parking fees....everything adds up I'm finding out and we are slowly edging closer to value resorts on property....

 

[DisneyDreamer08]

Yes this is definitely one factor for us. We have a car but would like to avoid paying the parking fees....everything adds up I'm finding out and we are slowly edging closer to value resorts on property....

Yes, we would have to rent a car. So factoring in that, gas, parking etc, it gets tricky adding it all up. Plus my husband drives a lot for work so he likes the added bonus of not having to drive all week. People always complain about the bus system but we’ve never had any major issues. It’s a huge bonus of staying on site. I actually think they do a pretty amazing job when you think of the number of buses they have going at any given time. However, we are always looking to save money