The Ultimate Guide To Staying Offsite (Off Property) at Disney World

With the plethora of fun things to do in Orlando, it’s no surprise that millions of people make their way down to the hot and humid city in the heart of Florida each year. Popular tourist spots in Orlando include Icon Park and the abundance of nearby International Drive restaurants, Gatorland, Universal Studios and of course – Walt Disney World! For people all around the world, treating their family to a Disney vacation is a bucket list item that cannot go unfulfilled. A dream is a wish your heart makes, and if your heart is dreaming of Disney you’ve come to the right place! But just how realistic is this dream, budget-wise? It’s no secret to hardcore Disney lovers that the price of admission has skyrocketed since the park first opened to the public. In fact, the rise in Disney ticket prices often far exceeds the rate of inflation. When Magic Kingdom first opened its gates backed in 1971, the price of a general admission adult ticket was just $3.50. If we adjust that price for inflation, a single day would have set you back a little over $20. Today, a standard single-day adult ticket is $109. When Disney introduced the annual pass in 1982, a whole year of Disney magic could be experienced for $100. In 2020, an annual pass set you back a whopping $999. Though if you consider the cost of a single day admission, the steep price tag associated with an annual pass becomes well worth it after only 10 visits to the parks. If visiting Disney World multiple times throughout the year is not a feasible option for you, you’ll need to budget your visit even more closely, noting you’ll likely need to account for hotel accommodations, dining, and park costs for your entire family. Let’s dive into everything you need to know!

Disney World Onsite Vs Offsite

Many families dream of an all-inclusive Disney vacation – which includes accommodations at one of Disney’s many on property hotels and resorts. Disney offers a wide selection of resorts ranging in price, including their Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts, Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villa Resorts and Disney Springs Area Hotels. Disney’s Moderate Resorts, like Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter, can end up costing you big bucks in the long run when you factor in additional costs like the entertainment and dining options that you’ll partake in when staying on Disney property. Plus, the average room night in a Value or Moderate resort can cost you upwards of $250 or more. The time of year that you choose to visit can also drastically affect your room rate. The most cost effective (and least crowded) times to visit Walt Disney World Resort are typically January through early February, late April, and then August through October, as these are the months of the year that most kids are in school and families find it more difficult to schedule vacations. The most expensive (and busiest) times to visit Disney include Spring Break/Easter in late March and early April, Memorial Day weekend, Thanksgiving week and all of December, when locals choose to visit the parks and take advantage of cooler temps, and tourists are escaping the snow from up north. If it’s the only time that works for your family, visiting Disney during peak season is still possible, especially if you consider staying at a resort off property.