The focus of this collection will be travelling Walt Disney World on a budget. Whether that be a tight or generous budget, I will still go over some different tips for getting the best value for your budget.
The first point to consider is ‘point A – point B’ meaning how you are arriving at and departing from Disney World. If you are flying, then one of the largest assets to a tight budget is staying at a Disney owned resort that is serviced by Disney’s Magical Express. If you are driving then be sure to build in parking prices as resort parking is no longer complimentary.
Parking prices for Resorts & Theme Parks:
- Value Resorts: $15 per night
- Moderate Resorts: $20 per night
- Deluxe Resorts: $25 per night
- Theme Parks: $25 per day – Oversized vehicles (Limo, RV, etc.) $30 per day
- Theme Parks perferred parking: $45-$50 per day
- Theme Parks parking for Guests of Disney Resorts: complimentary
- Water Parks & Disney Springs: complimentary for all guests
Resorts serviced by Disney’s Magical Express:
A general rule is that any Walt Disney World owned property is serviced by Magical Express. All of the Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts will be included. Find the full list of Disney owned properties on their website: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/magical-express/
Side note: Disney’s Magical Express will be discontinued on January 1st, 2022.
After the Magical Express goes out of service, there will be a couple of options. The immediate replacement will come from Mears. They will be offering transport to and from Disney Resort hotels. The two options are Standard Service (large, multi-party vehicles such as a bus or shuttle with monitored wait times) and Premium Service (Direct, single party vehicle with limited wait times). Mears service must be reserved, similar to the Magical Express.
Mears pricing:
- One way: $16 per adult – $13.50 per child
- Round trip: $32 per adult – $27 per child
- Premium Service: $200 (up to 4 passengers) – $55 per additional passenger
Rideshares are another option. Uber and other rideshare companies service MCO (Orlando International Airport). These are about $30 per trip (one way). Very similar pricing to Mears. I have taken rideshares, primarily in Washington D.C. and was not impressed with the drivers, or how smokey/musty their cars were. If this isn’t a concern for you, then by taking a rideshare you will get direct service to your resort for a fraction of the price of Mears Premium Service.
A more permanent replacement: Brightline the high-speed rail company is expanding to Central Florida and their train station at MCO is currently under construction, set to open in 2023. Their expansions will include a station in Disney Springs which is scheduled to start construction in the first quarter of 2024 and is currently set to open in 2026. This will be the true replacement for Disney’s Magical Express though we will have a few years of Mears and rideshares as the only transport to and from Disney World.
The next and major part of any budget is lodgings and accommodations. There are a huge variety of options, and all of them have their merits. The first option is staying at a Disney Resort, and there are several categories.
Disney Value Resorts:
- Colourful/cartoony themes.
- External entrance (except for Art of Animation family suites).
- No guest rooms in the main building.
- Most rooms approximate 260 sq ft.
- One bathroom with one sink. Tub/toilet closed off by a door, sink in the open. Family suites will have two bathrooms.
- Two queen beds (one pull out table bed) or one king bed.
- Views: wooded area, parking lot, pool or resort elements.
- Dining options: Food court and poolside bar.
- Transport options: Bus. (Pop Century and Art of Animation now have Skyliner service to Epcot and Hollywood Studios theme parks.)
- Pools: Themed pool.
- Entertainment: Pool, playground and Movies Under the Stars.
- All Star Movies
- All Star Music
- All Star Sports
- Art of Animation
- Pop Century
Disney Moderate Resorts:
- Themed rooms available such as pirate/princess motifs
- External entrance
- Most rooms approximate 314 sq ft.
- One bathroom with two sinks. Tub/toilet closed off by a door, sinks separated by sliding partition.
- Two queen beds or one king bed.
- Views: value views and/or natural lake/river.
- Dining options: Food court, poolside bar, one table service restaurant and one indoor bar/lounge.
- Transport options: Bus, Skyliner or boat
- Pools: Themed pool and “quiet pools”.
- Entertainment: Pool, playground, Movies Under the Stars, water recreation and/or bike rental.
- Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter
- Coronando Springs
- Caribbean Beach Resort
- Fort Wilderness Cabins
Disney Deluxe Resorts:
- Internal entrance
- Most rooms have a patio or balcony
- Large lobbies
- Most rooms approximate 344-440 sq ft
- One bathroom, two sinks. Toilet may be further separated from sinks and tub/shower.
- Two queen beds or one king bed. May have additional twin size daybed.
- Views: value views and/or natural lake/river and/or a theme park. Fireworks may be seen from rooms
- Dining options: Food court, poolside bar, multiple table service options, full room service menu throughout the day and character dining.
- Transport options: Multiple depending on destination. Theme Park may be within walking distance, and transport to theme parks may be available by bus, boat, monorail or skyliner.
- Pools: Themed pools, “quiet pools” and hot tubs.
- Entertainment: Pool, playground, Movies Under the Stars, water recreation and/or bike rental, health club and spa services.
- Grand Floridian
- Contemporary
- Polynesian
- Wilderness Lodge
- Beach Club
- Yacht Club
- Boardwalk Inn
- Animal Kingdom Lodge House
Disney Villa Resorts:
- Can range from 316-2500 sq ft
- 1-4 bathrooms depending on the Resort
- Combination of tradiotional beds and Murphy/pull out styles
- Views: See Deluxe Resort options
- Dining options: Deluxe Resort options plus a kitchenette or full kitchen
- Transport options: See Deluxe Resort options
- Pools: See Deluxe Resort options
- Entertainment: See Deluxe Resort options
The Disney Resorts can be further categorised by Theme Park proximity. Transport to Disney Springs is available by bus for most resorts, except for a few that are accessible by boat.
Disney’s Magic Kingdom Resorts:
- Contemporary
- Grand Floridian
- Polynesian
- Wilderness Lodge
- Fort Wilderness
Disney’s Epcot Resorts:
- Boardwalk Inn and Villas
- Beach Club
- Yacht Club
- Caribbean Beach
- Swan & Dolphin
(See my adventures around the Epcot Resort Collection here: Epcot Resort Collection – Exploring Disney World in Two Days)
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Resorts:
- Pop Century
- Art of Animation
- Caribbean Beach
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resorts:
- All Star Sports
- All Star Music
- All Star Movies
- Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas
- Coronando Springs
Disney Springs:
- Port Orleans Riverside & French Quarter
- Saratoga Springs
- Old Key West
Overall, one of the key elements that I prioritise for any Disney trip is location. For me staying at Value Resorts where busses are the only form of transport is out of the question. Don’t get me wrong-the bus drivers are all extremely friendly! However, I would rather spend my day in resorts and/or parks instead of waiting for the bus. Particularly in the Animal Kingdom area, which is far removed from everything else and the bus rides are typically 30+ minutes to any park that is not Animal Kingdom or Blizzard Beach Water Park.
Join me next time for my tips and tricks on getting the best price for resort features and location!
