Disney world resorts
Location? Location? Location?

Location for your vacation stay is important, but should it be your #1 priority?

If you really need to be able to walk to see Mickey Mouse then there are only a handful of hotels that will do the trick for you. If you are willing to sacrifice costs, value and size of your vacation accommodations then go for it by all means...

But while being reasonably close to Disney World is important this is not the be all and end all. There are many options for all types of accommodation (Hotel, Vacation Homes, Motels) that are not right inside the gates of Disney but within a 10-15min drive.

In my experience staying right in the park is not worth all that you have to give up. Kissimmee vacation homes and villas let you have your own house, literally a home away from home and still stay close to the action.

Hotels and motel rooms in the Kissimmee and Disney area tend to be small and cramped. I found that with a villa I got more space and additional privacy. Even a private pool and spa. I also did not have to worry about my kids distributing other guests as you would in hotel room with paper thin walls. I let them run around and have fun - when you're in a standalone detached villa no one is going to hear them.

Accommodation outside of the Disney world resorts also have the advantage of being to close to real world stuff. Like Walmart! If that sounds trivial to you then think about what you'll do when we you need to buy something, anything actually. Diapers, a bathing suit, a toothbrush, whatever...

When you are on the Disney World resort prepare to pay through the nose for everything. Cinderella still has to pay off the mortgage on that castle somehow! You end up paying what I like to call the Disney tax. The Disney tax is the mark up on everything in and around the park for being close enough to touch the pixie dust.

Is it worth the 10-15 minute drive? That's a personal question for you to decide. But for my pocket book (and sanity) during these economic times it's not worth staying right inside the Disney World resorts.

From Disney World Resorts to Are hotels for me?

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