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    Should You Stay on Disney Property when Traveling to Disney World?

    By Jason Gallagher | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Wed, Jul 6, 2011
    This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.
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    COMMENTARY | A vacation at the Disney World Resort in Florida can be a rewarding vacation for just about everybody. Families, couples, and even singles can have a great time taking in the seemingly endless amounts of rides, restaurants and activities. However, one of the biggest questions on any potential Disney visitor's mind is: Should I stay on Disney property? Unfortunately, like many vacation options the answer is not as simple as it might seem.

    Is it cheaper to stay at a Disney hotel?The quick answer is no, probably not. Even the cheaper value resort properties like All Star Music & Pop Century are a bit more expensive than cheaper hotel brands outside the Disney gate. However, just like any other vacation, room rate is not the only measure of the cost of a hotel. Items like transportation to the parks and from the airport are included at Disney resorts, and Disney's Magical Express allows travelers of certain airlines to bypass baggage claim and have luggage delivered right to the room. Once the extras that Disney offers are factored in, staying on Disney property is probably a much better value.

    What are the extras offered when staying on Disney property?

    Magical Express is a service that stands above itself as far as convenience, but guests of Disney hotels also receive "Extra Magic Hours." These are times when only Disney resort guests are admitted to a certain park for an hour or two before or after the park is not available to general admission guests. In addition, bus transportation or ferry transportation is easily attainable from any Disney resort to any Disney theme park.

    Why stay off Disney property?

    Vacationers who have booked a Disney vacation have probably noticed a financial commitment to Mickey Mouse that usually rings up in the thousands of dollars range. Anyone looking to visit other area attractions or explore outside of the Disney umbrella, which goes for restaurants as well, should probably consider staying off property. Also, non-Disney hotels tend to be a touch smaller as far as number of rooms, which means less people at the hotel pool.

    What about transportation at non-Disney Resorts?

    Many hotels in the Disney area provide shuttles to the theme parks; however, not with the frequency that official Disney hotels offer. Sometimes the off property shuttles are free, and sometimes they are not. Anyone traveling with younger children that might like an afternoon break from the parks will find Disney transportation a bit more reliable than off property shuttles.

    I'm thoroughly confused what's the verdict?

    To maximize value and minimize waiting times for shuttles, staying on Disney property is probably the best bet. If you plan on visiting attractions outside of Disney or only spending one or two days at Disney Parks, staying off property will likely provide the better value.

    Jason Gallagher is a former travel professional and long time Pennsylvania resident. These experiences give him a first-hand look at developing situations in the state and everything included in the travel industry from technology to trends.
     

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