Is it worth the extra money to stay inside Disney World?

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Gordon Str

We're trying to decide whether it's worth the extra money to stay in a Disney "Hotel" (specifically the Fort Wilderness Cabins) versus a nearby non-Disney hotel outside the park. From what I can tell, the Disney hotel seems to be about twice as expensive ($300 a night for the family versus $150 for the non-Disney location). Do folks think it is worth the extra money to stay in the Park? We have kids who are 5, 3, and 1 years old.

Answer
I am planning my vacation for May '09 and will be staying in the Cabins. I have stayed in them before once when I was younger, but my family owns a motorhome so we have always camped since then. This will be my hubby's first time in the cabins and I know he will enjoy it, though we've camped 2x since we were married and knows what to expect with the campground.

Now, because I have always stayed on property, I of course think it is better, but I will try and give you a few reasons.
-- travelling back and forth to the parks will be time consuming and unless there is a free shutttle, or you are driving your own vehicle will quickly add up
-- after a long day traipsing through the parks you will still have to get your bone tired children back to their hotel, juggling packages, strollers, diaper/bookbags etc
-- you do not get the benefits of staying on WDW property

BENEFITS OF STAYING ON WDW PROPERTY
-- free WDW transportation to all theme parks (from Ft. Wilderness hop a boat for about a 15 min ride to Magic Kingdom, or bus to any of the other parks or waterparks).
-- You only have about a 20 min ride at most from any given park back to your hotel/cabin
-- Anything you buy can be delivered (free) back to your hotel (trading post at Ft. Wilderness) so you do not have to lug purchases around all day with you.
-- On site guests get to participate in Extra Magic Hours which are extended hours either early in the morning or after the park closes, so only guests staying on WDW property are allowed in the park, all others must exit. They check this by distributing wristbands... no wristband, no riding.

CABIN/FORT WILDERNESS BENEFITS
-- Cabins have a full kitchen, so if you are driving or are interested in renting a cab/rental car you can run to an off-site store and do grocery shopping
-- Because of the close proximity and free WDW transportation you can return back to the cabin for lunch, a nap and dinner, eat the food you bought at the store and drastically save $$ by not having to eat in the parks
-- The campground has 2 pools, pony rides, a petting zoo, free nightly Disney movie with campfire and a great view of the Electric Lights Parade (which can also be seen from Polynesian, Lodge and Contemporary, and we've caught it while waiting for a boat to return back from Magic Kingdom).


So, I agree with you about the cabins, for a slightly cheaper but still outdoorsy feel consider the Wilderness Lodge. It is slightly cheaper, still utilizes the boat to the Magic Kingdom and bus to others. If you solely intend to just sleep there, then go with a Value Resort (All-Star Movies, Music, Sports or Pop Century).

I would check out www.allears.net This site will give you more information than you can possibly need regarding rides, resorts, and restaurants. The restaurant section will have menus, prices and kids menus if available with prices. You will probably not want to commute all the way back to your off-site hotel for lunch and dinner. The campground is a quick trip, and with the full kitchen you can have some sandwiches, the little ones can nap and then you are back to it.

Another great reference is Birnbaum's Guide to WDW. The '09 edition comes out the end of Sept.

edit- on-site Disney guests get to use the free Disney shuttle from the airport to their hotel. You can find more info about that on-line it is called "Magical Express."

If you have any other questions please feel free to e-mail.

What environmentally friendly habits have you started since you had children?

Q. This question has everything to do with newborns and babies, doesn't it? I mean.. now that we have children.. we should all be more conscious of what we are doing to save the planet in preparation for our children growing up. I have several things going.. such as using canvas bags for grocery shopping, recycling, etc. What are you doing to be more "green" .. I'd love more ideas. ;-)

Answer
I am guilty as charged for using disposable diapers. So, I feel like a hypocrite for answering this question, but...

I'm not a total pig. I use the canvas bags. I walk as often as possible, which isn't always a choice since I don't have my own car. I've always separated my trash and recycled.

I keep my consumption waaaaay down- water, electric, heating etc.. I don't buy things I don't need, and I buy a lot of things used. Cuts way down on trash. I don't bathe my kids constantly, or myself...every other day for me; every 3-4 days for kids. Overbathing wastes a TON of water.

Two summers ago, my 6-year old and I started a compost pile, and use it to fertilize our garden. The most important contribution I feel we can make is to teach these earth-friendly habits to our children, by example set in our own actions.

EDIT- forgot to add, breastfeeding : )

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Title Post: Is it worth the extra money to stay inside Disney World?
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