So, you’ve got the time off and got your family on board with your next vacation idea— Disney World! It doesn’t take much research to realize you’ve got a TON of options for your trip, especially when it comes to lodging. In this guide, we’ll break down some of these options and delve into all the fun that you and your family could have both in the park and outside of it!
Planning Your Stay at Disney World
Video source: Disney Parks
Decision #1: Staying in a Hotel vs. RVing at Disney World
First off, here’s a lesson on some Disney lingo. Staying in housing on-site at Disney World itself is referred to as “on-property”. Staying off-site is “off-property”, sometimes also referred to as “outside the World”. There are pros and cons to both, of course. Disney World has a variety of wonderful on-property options, from value resorts that are comparable to an inexpensive motels to deluxe resorts with elaborate suites. On-property hotels are often within an easy walk or monorail ride to some of the parks. Additionally, there are many less expensive off-property options, such as condo or home rentals or cheaper motel and hotels.
The Benefits of an RV
There are great benefits when you stay in an RV. For one, you control the comfort of your home away from home. RVers enjoy the simplicity of a full home on wheels and can do things like cook up tasty meals with ease. If your Orlando vacation includes multiple destinations, RVing is particularly awesome because you don’t need to keep dragging your belongings in and out of motels.
If you’re staying at a campground, your family has easy access to the outdoors, which is especially great for younger families who need space to run around. This option is equally good for pets, who will probably be more comfortable in the family RV. No need to seek out a pet-friendly hotel; just find a pet-friendly campground (which are very easy to come by unless you have an “aggressive” breed) for your furry friend.
Whether you’re staying in a hotel or an RV, you can take advantage of Best Friends Pet Care, Disney’s on-site resort for pets. Whether they need to stay overnight or just need some daytime interaction while you’re off in the parks, this is a great option to keep in mind.
Read on for the logistics of planning an RV Disney World vacation!
Decision #2: Should we stay on-site or off-site for our Disney World vacation?
Deciding which option is right for your family can be a challenge, especially if you haven’t made a family trip to Disney World before.
Since you’ve already decided you’re staying in an RV, your only “on-property” option is to stay at Fort Wilderness. Great choice! If you’re bringing your pet, this is an exciting option, because it’s also the only pet-friendly housing option on-property at Disney World. Fort Wilderness offers some beautiful cabins, but most people who stay here bring their RVs. Be sure to request a “pet-friendly loop” during booking if you’ve got a pet with you; this will add a $5 charge to your rate per night. Unfortunately, pets cannot stay in pop-up campers or tents.
Why Stay On-Property?
Staying on-property means you can take advantage of all of the perks Disney offers for guests who stay on-site, all while also taking advantage of the convenience and affordability of RVing. By staying at Fort Wilderness, you’ll be able to experience the fun of Magic Hours.
Magic Hours mean that on every day of your stay, Disney will open up a park early and leave one open late just for Disney hotel and housing guests. That means you can beat the crowds onto those hard to get rides like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Frozen Ever After that you’d struggle to get on otherwise.
Perks of Staying On-property at Fort Wilderness
The following are some of the amenities and advantages that you’ll find at Fort Wilderness:
- Early/Late Magic Hours
- Early access to Fastpasses, which makes it easier to reserve your place at the most coveted rides & restaurants
- Free MagicBand – no need for cash or a hard park ticket with this!
- Complimentary parking for 1 vehicle (in addition to the RV) at the campground and the parks themselves, if desired
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Laundry on site
- Watch the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach
- Bus transportation inside this very large campground to dinner shows, groceries, the beach, arcade, and more
- Water transportation to the Magic Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge and the Contemporary Resort
- Bus transportation to Disney parks and Disney Springs
- Free transportation to and from the airport, if desired
- Excellent variety of dining options at the campground & lots of fun activities for kids & adults alike. From pools to archery, carriage rides to movies, outdoor trails to campfire sing-alongs, there’s so much to do here that you might want to take a day or two off from the parks to enjoy it all!
Cons of Staying On-property at Fort Wilderness
As you can see, there are a lot of great reasons to consider a stay at Fort Wilderness, but there are some negatives too that some campers aren’t prepared for. One frequent complaint is that the campground is so large that you’ll need to take the internal bus to get from place to place, especially if you don’t bring or rent your own transportation, like a golf cart or bike.
So while there are tons of things to do at the campground, if your plan is to just sleep in your RV and then hit the parks all day, you’ll need to wake up extra early to catch the bus or walk and then perhaps transfer to another form of transportation (like a boat, another bus, or your car) to reach your final destination. Check the hours of operation for transportation carefully to avoid disappointment, and don’t hesitate to consult with a Disney rep with your questions.
There must be another reason to skip Fort Wilderness…
The other major reason to skip Fort Wilderness on your Disney RV vacation? It’s just expensive! You can expect to pay $60-$183 per night for your RV site once you’ve added in tax. Add in fees for pets or a golf cart rental and your cost will increase further.
Of course, if you were paying to stay at the other resorts, you could expect to spend anywhere from $100-$200 per night for a value resort or more than $900 for a deluxe resort, and that wouldn’t even include the fees for additional people. Compared to paying $20-$50/night for campsites in most parts of the United States, your budget might not be ready for Fort Wilderness, so plan accordingly. Also keep in mind that some of the extra activities will require additional fees.
Perks of Staying Off-property
Camping off-property has several unique advantages too, including:
- Can sometimes be faster to get to the parks than from Fort Wilderness (You can park your RV in the far lots at Walt Disney World parks)
- Less expensive sites than Fort Wilderness, particularly in peak season
- Could be more convenient than Disney World if you’re planning to visit other attractions like Universal Studios and SeaWorld during your visit
- May be easier/less expensive to get groceries & other essentials
- Option to find roomier sites in a more natural setting
When you’re researching other campgrounds in the area, be sure to do your homework about how close or far away they actually are from Disney World. Keep in mind that Disney World has four parks, plus water parks and Disney Springs. You’ll want to be near to all of these if you plan to visit them. I recommend staying a half hour or less from the parks if Disney World is the focus of your vacation. Stay within a fifteen minute drive if you will be taking a midday break everyday.
Planning to mix it up and visit other Florida attractions, perhaps with some time in nature? Expand that range up to an hour. Don’t forget to consider the distance you’ll travel visiting other Orlando-area destinations like Universal Studios and Kennedy Space Center.
Other Personal Suggestions For Lodging on Your Vacation
My husband and I have stayed at Mouse Mountain. This is the cheapest option I’d consider if you’re looking at private RV parks. They’re fairly affordable and have an excellent monthly rate, and they’re less than a 20 minute drive to all of the parks. They don’t cater to children, but there’s a nice pool open during daylight hours, and it’s an easy drive to the local supermarket or pharmacy. The main downside? Their bathrooms aren’t cleaned regularly, and it shows. Rates start at $38-$48/night, with weekly rates of $240/$280.
Tropical Palms is another park in the area to consider. It’s very close to the parks (only about a 10 minute drive!) and prices range from $32/night to $63 and up. It looks very nice, with lots of activities, including dive-in movies, dance classes and a kid’s camp.
Consider a City or State Park
My top choice, personally, would be to book far enough ahead to stay at one of the nearby state parks. These are affordable and give you what’s perhaps the best of both worlds — proximity to Disney and a beautiful naturalistic setting as your home base.
Moss Park is only $23/night and Lake Louisa State Park is $24/night, according to their websites. It looks like they don’t provide sewer, so make sure your tanks are empty before you set up camp. However, they do provide nice bathrooms on site so you may not even need to use yours. Moss Park is more than an hour’s drive to the parks, whereas Lake Louisa State Park is only about a half hour’s drive. Follow their guidelines for booking ahead of time, especially if you’re visiting in the winter months.
So What’s the Bottom Line on Lodging?
If you plan on camping in the area for an extended period of time, off-property is probably your best bet. But for the average person who is vacationing exclusively at Disney World for a week or two, I definitely suggest booking Fort Wilderness if it’s in your budget.
With limited funds, it is possible to save a lot of money by staying off-property. But don’t forget to factor in the costs of parking at the parks or of Uber/Lyft from your RV park. Disney parking can be expensive if you’re not staying on property. Current rates to park are $20/car, $22/RV, or $40 for “preferred parking”, which everyone has acknowledged isn’t worth paying extra.
Also, be sure you’ve factored in the campground fees for extra people, pets, visitors or anything else that might be relevant as you plan your vacation. Believe it or not, you’re much more likely to incur those extra rates off-property since Disney allows up to 10 people on one site. So if you can swing for the Disney rates, you’ll save in other ways and enjoy the experience and the perks of staying on-property.
How to Budget for Your Trip to Disney World
As it is with any vacation, one of the most important parts of planning your Disney World RV vacation is budgeting. But many people can really suffer from sticker shock when they plan their Disney vacation, so it bears emphasis here. Here are some of the areas to include in your budget.
Transportation
If you own an RV, you’ve probably got that covered! Just budget for gas for your RV and for your car if you plan to drive to the parks. Renting a car? Be sure to budget for that too, including any extra fees for car seats/extra drivers/extra mileage.
If you plan to rent an RV for your Disney vacation, there are lots of great rentals available. Be sure to check the latest from Outdoorsy. The rental owners can even throw in linens and kitchenware if you need it! And again, depending on where you’re staying, consider how you’ll be getting around day to day. Disney’s free transportation at Fort Wilderness is convenient, but can be a slower option. Need a break from the parks midday for naps, pool time, or rest? That’s an especially good reason to rent a car — but be prepared for traffic. Need a ride from the airport? Disney’s Magical Express is free from the Orlando airport, if you’re staying at Fort Wilderness. Otherwise, be sure to budget for a shuttle or taxi. Disney World is almost an hour away from the airport.
Food
Oh yes, food is so important on our vacations! Having an RV is amazing, because you can cook in the RV, on a campfire, or a grill! I highly recommend bringing your favorite cast iron skillet if you’re driving. They’re perfect for the stove and the campfire. Most RVs include a stove top and a microwave, and the one you’re using may also include an oven, toaster, grill or other extras. I make almost all of my meals on the stove top. Preparing meals in your own dedicated space is a huge benefit of your RV vacation. This is also extremely helpful if you have family members with food allergies or dietary concerns.
Also, consider what you’ll be eating at the parks! If you’re vacationing at Disney World, chances are you’ll need to eat while you’re in the parks. If you haven’t been for a while, you may not be familiar with some of the amazing restaurants (both counter service and sit down) available now at Disney World. I’m a big fan of Skipper Canteen in the Magic Kingdom, as well almost anything at Animal Kingdom and the World Showcase at Epcot. Unless it’s important to you to do a character breakfast, I recommend packing an on-the-go breakfast and lots of snacks. Plan to eat at least one meal in the parks, if you can afford it.
Can I Bring a Cooler?
Stretch your budget even further by bringing a soft cooler into the parks (hard coolers aren’t allowed). You can pack your lunch or dinner this way and can even rent a locker to store it in if you aren’t pushing a stroller or carrying a backpack around. But if you’re like me, you can keep meals simple enough to store in your purse or backpack, if desired. Peanut butter sandwiches, meat/fruit/granola type bars, apples, and nuts work really well for on-the-go meals that can take the heat of Orlando. (Check the list of what you’re allowed to bring into the parks here.)
Have any food allergies or dietary concerns? Disney restaurants are excellent at accommodating! Just let them know during booking, and when possible, schedule your meals for slower times when the chef won’t be as overwhelmed. Even counter service will have allergy-free menus and will talk to you about your options when requested.
Yes, You’ll Need Some Groceries at Disney World
Make sure you budget for groceries and figure out how you’ll get them. Garden Grocer and Amazon Prime are two of the companies that deliver to your hotel or campground, but you may prefer to save money and shop for them on your own before you arrive. Don’t bother purchasing Prime specifically for your trip, but if you have it already, it’s worth considering using it. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
Note: Water bottles, while convenient, aren’t technically necessary for your grocery list. Bring a reusable one and you can refill it for free at the counter service restaurants.
Lodging
Make sure to factor in the cost of your campground, in full. Any fees for extra people? Pets? Do they allow campfires? Is there a curfew? Be sure to learn the rules of the campground before you commit to spending your vacation there. Transportation factors in here as well. How will you get from your campground to the parks? Car? Disney water or bus transportation? Uber/Lyft? Disney’s new “Minnie Vans”, run by Lyft? Learn the start and end times of your chosen transportation and plan an alternative if you might need it.
One additional thought about lodging; some RVers enjoy boondocking, or staying (often for free) without hookups. In many parts of the country, especially out West, you can stay for free easily this way. But in the Orlando area, Walmarts and other common boondocking locations won’t let you stay overnight. So unless you want to befriend Cracker Barrel and drive a fairly long distance into the parks, I’d recommend a campground!
Parking
Staying at Fort Wilderness? You can park everywhere for free! Otherwise you’ll be paying for parking, unless you purchase an annual pass. Be prepared! It is, however, free to park at Disney Springs, the wonderful outdoor shopping area formerly known as Downtown Disney.
Souvenirs/Experiences/Excursions
How much do you have to spend on fun stuff? Disney will try to upsell you whenever they can, so be prepared with a budget. Those t-shirts, pins, and Mickey ears start to add up. You may prefer to save up for a nice piece of artwork, jewelry, or a special experience like the Wild Africa Trek, a behind the scenes tour, or Fort Wilderness’ popular dinner show Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue. All of these add up!
Park Tickets
This probably goes without saying, but you’ll need a ticket to get into the park, and it won’t be cheap! The rate will vary depending on the season and day of the week, and the cost goes down as you add days to your ticket. It will also cost more to visit multiple parks in a day — that requires a Park Hopper pass.
This is another place where budget-minded people can get away with one park per day, particularly if you visit Disney Springs or the Boardwalk in the evening, and that’s probably perfect if you have young kids. If you like being spontaneous and want to return to your favorites easily, consider adding a park hopper pass for the extra convenience.
Tolls
If you’re like me, you’ll want to set your GPS or phone to “avoid tolls” and even consider “avoid highways” while you’re in the Orlando area. The interstate is one of the most deadly in the country and not for the faint of heart. And tolls can easily cost you $5-$10/day if you’re driving to the parks!
The Best Time of Year to Visit Disney World
Although some people will visit Disney World at any time of year, there certain times of the year that are much busier than others and others that are more desirable weather-wise than others. If you’d like to avoid the famous daily afternoon rain showers (always have a poncho or coat with you!), you might consider visiting in winter or early spring (think January – May), when they are much less frequent. You can also avoid hurricane season that way. Summer heat is brutal, particularly in August. So while the crowds will thin out late in the summer, you’ll need to take frequent breaks and consider exiting the parks midday to rest and relax.
Crowd calendars like TouringPlans.com can be found online to assist you in choosing the best time of year. Certain weeks in January and September, for instance, are extremely quiet, and weekdays are lighter crowds than weekends. In addition, most holidays and school vacation weeks will get very busy. Christmas and the time around it generally fill to capacity, so you could risk being turned away! Overall, I’ve enjoyed January — March, but the crowds do vary significantly from day to day and week to week. And of course if you want to attend a special event, like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or the Flower and Garden Festival, it will affect your time frame.
Consider the Budget Implications
Keep in mind that the time of year affects your budget too. Off-season pricing can make both your campsite and your park tickets more affordable.
How to Cater to Different Ages When Planning
Who do you plan to travel with? Consider your audience when you plan your Disney trip. Although rides are designed for families, there are height requirements that will keep some young children from riding, and some of them may be too frightening for others. Likewise, some adults may want to avoid certain roller coasters and other rides that can cause motion sickness. Be sure to read the warnings on the rides you’d like to go on in advance of finalizing your itinerary.
Please Give Me a Tour Guide To Follow
The new standard for tour planning is TouringPlans.com. I used them for my first trip and it was well worth it. You tell it what activities you’d like to do, breaks you’d like for meals, etc. and it helps you figure out the most efficient way to visit everything. It even suggests when and what rides you should try to book Fastpasses for. ALWAYS book your Fastpasses. You can book them 60 days ahead of your vacation if you stay on property, or 30 days ahead if you’re staying off property and have your tickets purchased.
If you’re taking a larger group, consider splitting up during your day. Perhaps only some of you want to ride certain rides, or even visit different parks. Maybe newer adults want an easygoing, sit-down lunch and youngsters need a nap. You want everyone to have a great time, so I strongly recommend considering ways to split up so that everyone can do what interests them as much as possible.
Make the Most of Your Day at Disney World
I’ve mentioned the idea of heading back to your RV to relax midday. Especially with younger children or in the heat of summer, this is truly the best way to visit. You can sleep, swim and relax for a few hours while the parks are at their fullest and hottest. When you’re ready to return, you’ll have renewed energy and be able to take advantage of how much quieter the park gets later in the evening. Be sure to check the park hours in advance of your trip.
I also highly recommend you arrive before the park opens, if at all possible. Being in the park when it opens means you’ll be able to get 2-3 times as much done as you otherwise would. No lines for rides is a truly beautiful thing, especially because you can run to things like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train that you’d otherwise have to wait an hour or two to experience without a Fastpass.
If your family aren’t early risers, do consider doing this at least once or twice during the trip. It makes all the difference. If it just isn’t an option for you, it’s that much more important that you choose your Fastpasses as early as you can.
Be sure to make your dining reservations in advance too. You can always cancel them if your plans change, but the popular restaurants book out far ahead, and even less popular restaurants will be full during the holiday season. You don’t want to be the sad visitors without a place to eat on Christmas!
Special Extras to Consider
Likewise, consider adding a special addition to your trip. Have a daughter who’d enjoy a makeover at the Bibbity Boppity Boutique? Have kids who want to dress up as a princess or a pirate? Want a backstage tour at the Magic Kingdom? There are tons of options, and while first-timers already have plenty to do, returning guests should definitely consider it. I’d especially consider the add-ons available right at Fort Wilderness, if that’s where you’re staying.
As you can see, there are tons of options to consider when planning your Disney World vacation. These trips take a lot of work if done right, but they are what make your trip memorable and even something you’ll want to repeat again. Without planning, Disney can be very stressful and disappointing. Of course, if you plan like I did on my first trip with my husband, you may like it as much as we did and find a way to get an annual pass!
Is a Disney Authorized Vacation Planner Worth It?
Do consider working with a certified Disney planner. They can make sure you book your meals & experiences right when your window opens (and can even do it for you), make sure you’re getting the best deals, and update you if the pricing changes so that you can save even more money. Best of all? It’s completely free to work with one. And if you prefer to speak to Disney directly, their customer service is excellent, so don’t hesitate to give them a call.
Hit the Road
Best of luck in your planning! Start here if you’ll need to rent an RV in the Orlando area. And congratulations — you’re going to Disney World!
