Frequently Asked Questions
Walt Disney World Vacation - Vacation Home Rentals versus Staying on Property
We frequently get questions about the benefits of staying on property versus renting a vacation home. As long time Walt Disney World fans, we had some of those same reservations prior to buying our home and to this day still own a DVC timeshare (although its days may be numbered!) so we understand when people express concern about losing some of the "magic". We composed this FAQ to help address some of those questions because we have found our vacations to be much more enjoyable in our home. If you have others please feel free to contact us, we are always happy to add more and make this useful as possible.
How convenient is traveling versus Disney transportation?
This is always a hot topic. You will need to rent a car and while it may seem like an added expense, keep in mind that you need to look at your total vacation cost and the convenience of being on your own schedule. Our home is generally 15 minutes from the front door to the turnstiles at Epcot and unlike a bus; our car leaves whenever we decide to walk out the front door. It has taken us longer to walk from some of the Boardwalk Inn rooms to the turnstiles, never mind a bus from Saratoga Springs. There is a lot to be said for being on your own schedule and for the most part we have found transportation to at least be equal and sometimes better from a time spent traveling standpoint. Of course, if you stay at the Contemporary and spend all your time at the Magic Kingdom this won't be true, but putting extremes to the side, it is very comparable.
I can get two hotel rooms at Disney for about the same price, why not stay on property?
In order to get something near a comparable price you will need to stay in no more than a Moderate Disney hotel and the Values can approach a similar price level. Even at a comparable cost, the accommodations are nowhere near as spacious or approach the amenities a home offers. The typical value room is about 300 square feet, roughly the size of one of our master suites. The house has ten times the living space, five bathrooms, a kitchen and your own private pool. If you look at the total value proposition, two hotel rooms can't even approach renting a home. The comparison gets even better when you consider that you can easily accommodate up to 12, something that will take at least three rooms at Disney in all but the largest hotel rooms.
I am on vacation, why would I cook or do laundry?
Why indeed, you certainly don't need to do either but it is great to have the option. Personally, we find it much more convenient to have easy access to a washer and dryer. In the Florida heat you need a bunch of clothes to make it through a week. Now that airlines are charging for bags it can get expensive. We simply travel light and throw the clothes in the laundry at night. As for cooking, sometimes we do, sometimes we don't, it just depends on our mood and our budget! Sometimes it is nice to just BBQ outside and relax after a day in the parks but the best part is having the option, something you won't get in a hotel room.
Will I be able to take an afternoon break?
This is similar to the question about transportation. Putting extreme situations to the side, we feel really strongly that on average it doesn't take any longer for a pool break at our home than it does to hit a hotel room at the park. We also know that it will never be crowded and there will always be a place for us to sit down and relax.
We are concerned the kids won't be happy with it.
We have never found this to be the case with anyone to whom we have rented the home. To the contrary the kids love the game room and the pool and having their own space at night. The best part is that it gives the adults some space as well and a place to relax at night after a long day in the parks. Try that in a 300 square foot hotel room. While WDW may be the happiest place on earth, scorching heat and long lines can make for short tempers and tired kids. We have found the house to be an oasis at night, letting everyone do his or her own thing and get rested for another busy day.
If I have a problem, will it be addressed immediately?
Our home is professionally managed. In the unlikely event you have a problem they are a phone call away, just like the front desk at the hotel. The entire team is focused on guest satisfaction and acts in a prompt and courteous manner. Furthermore, if something should go astray, we are 24 hours a day 7 days a week.