We Stayed Off Property...And Lived to Tell

Over the past several years, I’ve gladly offered up my Disney planning advice to lots of different people. But no matter the person, the *one thing* I had driven home with intensity was the importance of ‘on property’ accommodations. Budget be damned!

And now, I am eating some seriously humble pie.

Recently, the toddler and I joined family members at rental house about 20 minutes from Disney. Everyone had their own bedroom and bathroom, there was PLENTY of room for us to spread out, a kid-friendly pool and numerous amenities.

We did laundry every day, we packed PB&J lunches to eat in the parks, ate dinner as a family out by the pool, the kids swam together…I took some time to sit in the hot tub. Blissfully ALONE.

Many people say that they don’t want to do laundry or cook/pack meals on vacation. Good for them. It was MUCH less stressful to have more options, and a full-size washer-dryer, at the disposal of two mommies and three kiddos under age 8.

I would not necessarily recommend off-property to a first-timer or those with very young children (read: infants). However, if you’re a veteran/pro and don’t mind early mornings for the best parking, GO FOR IT.

Good reasons to stay off property

You’re a ‘Disney veteran’ in search of a relaxing trip that combines time in the parks with family/pool time
You’re OK with paying to park each day ($20.00/vehicle unless you’re an Annual Passholder)
You’re OK with slogging a tired toddler/spouse from the park to the car to the rental house each afternoon
You’re planning a long trip and multiple days at other Central Florida attractions
You’re OK with doing cooking, dishes and laundry on vacation

Bad reasons to stay off-property

You want to save money on your first Disney trip
Your uncle’s friend, Bernice, owns the place and is giving you a good rate (you could put this one in the gray area…Bernice could be a nice lady)

Everyone else is telling you to stay in a Disney hotel and you don't like to be told what to do