Disney in December

[Neda]

looking to go to Disney in December, however, i have never been there. Question is i want to stay at disney but my husband thinks that it would be cheaper to stay off of the resort. Any comments or concerns?

 

[vicceja]

IMO - It will probably be less costly if you stayed off site (unless you book Value)but, staying on site just makes it that much special. My husband works at the Marriott and basically we can book with them for basically nothing but I cannot do it. Every time we visit the World (about 3x per year) we have always stayed on Disney property. I think you will have such a magical experience staying on site during December. Good Luck!

 

[ppony]

My first visit I thought I'd save a few bucks and stay off site a few nights. After our very first night off site I called in the morning and booked the other nights I had arranged off site to be on property. I just knew I wasn't going to want to leave the magic and IMO, that's exactly what staying off site entails. Staying at a WDW resort is like staying in the magic 24/7 and well worth it. There are plenty of options for less costly places to stay at WDW and the perks of staying at one of their resorts to ME and my family far outweighs any savings of staying of site. I'm a proponent of staying IN the magic!

 

[buzz5985]

It probably would be cheaper to stay offsite. But it won't be as magical. I have traveled to Disney in early December only once. It is so beautiful with all it's Christmas decorations up.

Then the little things add up - time to and from the parks, paying to park. But - no matter where you stay - your on vacation - Enjoy!!!

 

[Babyboo]

It probably would be cheaper to stay off site and if that is the only way you can get there go for it.

We always stayed off site and had great holidays. That was untill last year we had 2 nights at the AKL as we couldn't get those nights at our off site hotel. Well we did the same as a PP and changed the rest of our dates to onsite.

We have been back 3 time now and have been caught by the magic.

I can't explain the difference it just "makes" the experience.

 

[blue_eyes5212]

I'm sure its cheaper to stay off site. At least that is what I hear! I wouldn't know, because I stay on site every time. I love booking a tickets/room/dining package and staying onsite. It's where the magic is!! If I couldn't afford to stay on property, I would wait and save until I could. However, we stay at the values, so we don't spend as much as some. Some say that if they couldn't afford to stay deluxe they would postpone their trip until they could. As long as I am on property, I don't care!!

Edited to add:To me, there is also nothing like parking my car when I first arrive, and letting Disney do the driving until I must go back home. I guess I like the all-inclusive feel that the packages and Disney transportation give me! And DH agrees, so that is what we do!

 

[Hopefully]

First of all Welcome to the DIS You will find lots of information and advice here.
Early December is a very nice time to visit WDW. They have wonderful Christmas decorations everywhere. The closer you get to the Holiday, the more crowded it becomes, so keep that in mind. Right around the Holidays is VERY Crowded.
Staying off site would be cheaper, but I am like the others, I want to be in the Magic 224/7. I will delay my trip and save up until I can afford it. We now use Magical Express (ME) to get from the airport to the resort and that saves on rental car or town car costs. We like to let Disney do the driving and we do not get a car. That saves costs. There is a cost to park each day if you are off site, and that adds up.
With their Value, Moderate and Deluxe category hotels on site, Disney has something for just about everyone.
Good Luck on your decision and Happy Planning!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

If you can stay onsite, do. We usually stay the first 10 days of December at WLV and have a great, relaxing time. The decorations are beautiful and the crowds are not too bad.

Good Luck!

 

[Rylee]

looking to go to Disney in December, however, i have never been there. Question is i want to stay at disney but my husband thinks that it would be cheaper to stay off of the resort. Any comments or concerns?

Nov. 30 - Dec. 18, is considered "value" season at Disney. Rates start at $82 a night at the Value resorts, (weekends may be higher). Beginning Dec. 19TH, it is Holiday season at Disney and rates start at $129 (value Resorts).

Staying at a Disney Resort has its advantages... no need for a rental car - free transportation around the world, and to and from the airport, (no traffic or directions stress) or no parking fees if you drive your own car. You can take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours, (EMH) when attractions are only open to resort guest. Also, you can book a package with the Dining Plan (DP) if you feel it's a value for your family. Plus... you are surrounded by Disney Magic for your entire stay, truly leaving behind the real world... if only for a few days.

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

I don't agree! Personally, I think it is more costly to stay off site. Think about it...If you stay on site, you can use FREE Magical Express and not have to rent a car or take a taxi. You don't have to pay for parking, which is $11 A DAY! PLUS, all of your transportation to the parks is taken care of if you stay on property.

We went in Dec. 07 and stayed at the Polynesian. It was really special during the Christmas season to stay on property.

 

[Tinkgrl33]

My family and I stayed "off site" December '06 and I will never do it again!! We stayed at a downtown disney area hotel which I guess it technically on disney property (I think??) but not at an official Disney resort. They offered a bus service to bring us to and from the parks but their transportation is nothing compared to Disney's. We waited forever each night waiting for a bus to get back to our hotel at night and in late December if you don't have enough layering on it can get quite chilly (and I'm from Michigan!!). By the end of our trip we figured out it was quicker to take a bus to Downtown Disney and walk back to our hotel which was kind of annoying but at least we weren't sitting out in the cold for an hour.

Long story short, I will never stay off property again!!! Just not worth it.

 

[livie1205]

I think it costs more to stay off property...when you add up parking,rental car,gas ect... i would not stay off property again, it is not worth the trouble of bad service and driving back and forth....

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Sure, lodging might be more off site, but what is your time worth? For us it is worth it just to avoid the masses in the parking lots etc. While WDW buses may have their flaws, it sure beats having to deal with traffic!
Also, not sure if you are traveling with little ones, but it will be very difficult and extremely time consuming to leave midday for a nap and come back.
Then there are the wonderful extra magic hours... if you go in early December when the parks have shorter hours than later in the month, those extra hours ar night (and in the am) can really help you get a lot more done on the trip.
You will receive a lot of advice on this subject here, but ultlimately the decision is yours. Have a terrific trip and welcome to the Dis!

 

[Maria395712]

stay onsite
maria

 

[DisneyChristmas]

If you're thinking about Christmas week, it's very crowded. Onsite guests get priority entrance as parks approach the "full" point.

 

[tessie28]

How are you getting there?

I have been to disney-usually thanksgiving week or first week of december. We always drive. our first few times we were onsite Port orleans...but then one year someone offered us thier timeshare right outside of downtown disney.

Honestly, the only thing missing from the off site experience was towel animals and Mickey soaps! LOL

Another important consideration is if you are not a resprt guest you can't do the dining plan, or extra magic hours if those things interest you.

Granted you can go real cheap with a regular hotel, but with the time share, we were able to get a condo with 3 bedrooms, a kitchen and our own laundry...VERY cool, to eat breakfast every morning in your room. And do laundry....I guess you can find very good deals on these online....

As far as transportation goes...it was quick 5 minutes to the parks...I don't remember much issue with parking at all, yes you pay to park, but small price for what I felt was actually a convenience.....and there was no waiting for the crowded bus to show up either...We used the bus once or twice when we couldn't monorail...and honestly I am glad we bring our car! Its very convenient.

Definitely a personal preference.

 

[G8r4evr]

IMO, you will get more hotel for your money offsite, but much more magic onsite. Its all up to what you value most. We have had wonderful stays both on and offsite =)

 

[blue_eyes5212]

It really is just a matter of personal preference! Personally, I don't want to have to touch my car until time to go home! Fighting traffic would make me mad before I ever got to the park! Then I bet I would be lots of fun to be around. In my opinion, staying onsite gives me the total Disney experience. If I want to fight traffic, do laundry (i bring enough for the whole trip), or
cook, I might as well be at home. We don't have kids, just DH and I, so I know our experience is different than someone who has kids to tend to.

 

[dishm12/08]

DFI and I haven't been to the world before, so our honeymoon will be our first time. Initially when we started to plan we were trying to stay on-site but at a Disney owned hotel. Up until I actually called Disney we were all set on the idea of staying at the Royal Plaza. Then I called Disney and started crunching the numbers. DFI is a chef and I'm sort of a foodie. We love amusement/theme parks and love to eat. So when I started looking at restaurants menus, I realized that our food budget wouldn't be enough. Plus we were going to rent a car too. For what we budgeted under our old plan we were able to get a savanna view at AKL and the DxDDP. Plus with Magical Express we don't have to worry about getting to and from the airport. Keep in mind that we already bought out tickets early last year, so we're just getting a one day base ticket so we can get on the meal plan. So if your looking at a value or moderate, staying off site and all of the time and additional costs that come with it might be more expensive.