Disney resort or not?

Question

I can't decide whether to stay in one of their resorts or not. I'm traveling with my son, who's 24 and has autism. We want to visit Disney when the least amount of children will be there, so I am looking at February 1 to 3. The difference in price is no more than $200.00. If we stay off-resort we'll have better food options because we can use grocery stores and drive-throughs. (He doesn't like to sit in restaurants) But the drawbacks would be the possibility of too much noise, and maybe not being able to find an adults-only swimming pool. Any opinions?

Answer 1

If you stay on property then you can still go to the grocery store and such and there are many counter service food court style places in WDW. However, since you're renting a car there is no other perk to staying on property.

Also, I don't know if you know but there is a card you can get for someone diagnosed with autism. It's called a guest assistance card of GAC. When you go to the parks the first day go up to guest assistance and tell them about your sons situation, say "austism" and they will give you a card that only you guys can use that allows you shorter waits in line. They will either let you autmatically go through the fastpass entrance or the handicapped entrance. We always use it when we go with my brother and it saves us a lot of stress not to mention gives us more time for rides in the parks. I highly recommend it however I would bring a letter from the doctor stating you're telling the truth but the cards are getting harder and harder to get.  

Answer 2

You need to think about getting to and from the parks. Disney buses are much better. I used the buses on the International Dr. and they were awful!!  Even with a car I would use Disney transportation sometimes. You will have a long walk from the parking lot and a parking fee everyday.

At the Disney resort- Animal Kingdom Lodge- there was a wonderful counter service restaurant. We took the food back to our room to eat.

It had lots of healthy options.

The Polynesian has a boat ride to the MK. And a monorail to EPCOT-much easier than driving.

Answer 3

This is a tough one.  My instincts are on off-property house.  However, there's a great book on Disney World for travelers with extra challenges--Passporter's Open Mouse by Deb WIlls and Debra Martin Koma.  It has extensive material on Disney and autism.  

You can find a link to the book on this page of recommended guidebooks for first time Walt Disney World visitors: http://yourfirstvisit.net/who-this-blog-...

It's the fourth book on the page, or the 2nd book in the second group.

Hope this helps and have a great trip!! Dave

Answer 4

It depends on what disney park your going to.  If your going to Disneyland, you can stay off the resort.  There are lots of hotels/motels that are not crazy expensive, some just a short walk from the main gate. If you are going to Disney World, stay on the resort. The buses and monorails are too convenient.  If you stay off resort in Disney world, you will have a drive no matter where you stay. That can be a hassle.   Disney World has lots of dining options at all price levels.(casual and sit down)  You will probably do better using the disney dining plan than going on your own. Disney World caters to adults, just call the 800-disney and ask about adult only pools.  I would be surprised if the didn't have one!  

Answer 5

I liked the cafeterias in the "Disney Value Resorts". If we were to tired or did not get in a overcrowded restaurant we could always go back to our room and take food from the cafeteria with us.They also have pizza delivery.

Answer 6

Off-resort will indeed be quieter/cheaper and seems like the best option for you & your son.  You will still have very easy access to Disney in 5 min or less.  Enjoy the trip!  Bring him on the upside down rides!

Answer 7

If the price is not an issue I would stay @ the Disney resort. Any special requests that you have would be honored. On the other hand if you want to cook for yourselves and not be in restaurants I'd stay off premesis. As far as swimming the kids will be @ the park in the afternoon and in bed by 10 pm so your son could swim late or in the middle of the day. Good luck and I hope you have a great time.

Answer 8

My son has Down Syndrome, I realize there is a big difference from Autism as I have worked in the special education field for thirty years.

I understand your concerns, for our first trip I was very concerned.  We have always stayed on property and used the dinning plan. But we love the character meals.  

I think it would be a good idea to stay on property, check out the value resorts and ask for a priority room near the transportation center.

Get park hopper tickets so that you can go to the room if he gets over stimulated.  Also as you enter each park go to guest relations. Explain his needs and ask if you can have a special pass to avoid lines.

I have never done this but I know of children who have.  I also suggest you bring him an Ipod or CD player with white noise tapes to drown out some of the noise.

I hope your trip is as great as each of ours has been.

Answer 9

I would check one of the All Star or Pop Century resorts, they average about 80-90 dollars a night. If your son does not like sit down restaurants, they have a cafeteria where you can order food and take back to your room. The big plus about staying at a Disney resort is the free transportation to all theme parks and Downtown Disney, if you stay off grounds you will have to pay for parking at the parks which is about $10. Hope this helps.

Answer 10

There are pros and cons to both options.  Have you considered one of the DVC (Disney Vacation Club) resorts.  You do not need to be a DVC member to stay there.  A studio would give you a kitchenette and a one or two bed room villa would give you a full kitchen.  I believe you could also get a cabin at Fort Wilderness that would have a kitchen.  You might also consider renting a condo or vacation home off property.  I understand many have private pools.

Since you will have a car, you could always run to a grocery store if you are staying on or off property.

What ever you choose, have a great time.

Answer 11

It truly is a personal choice, I prefer to be on property. And your picking a good time to go to avoid crowds full of kids.

On property, you might consider the Wilderness Cabins. There you will be able to be a little closer to the same routine as at home, and they have a full kitchen. The Garden Grocer and WeGoShop, both, deliver groceries (for a fee) to the WDW resorts.If the cabins  are out of your budget, my experience has been that All-Star Movies and All-Star Sports (both value resorts) have smaller crowds at that time of year.

The Regal Sun is a non-Disney owned "Official Disney Hotel". You won't get the perks of staying on property. However, the rooms are similar to the Moderate Disney resorts at less the price of a Value Disney resort.

As someone else mentioned, DVC (Disney Vacation Club) pts are rentable.  A studio at Animal Kingdom Savannah View (see the animals from room)is 26pts.at that time of year (13 pts. per night) x $10 a point(typical point price)=$260.That is a full kitchen. So, definately check out the DIS boards!!

May also want to do an in-depth check on the attractions if your son has sensitivity issues with loud noises, or flashing lights.

Answer 12

Any other year I would commend you on your choice of Superbowl weekend to hit Disney world with your son.  Most people don't even consider it.  But Disney is like a ghost town.  However, this year - the Superbowl is in Tampa.  So most of hotels in central florida could possibly already be booked.  Not kidding - last time, people were bunking with their friends and renting out their houses because there wasn't enough lodging.  Not only that, but potentially - dad comes down to see the game and leaves the wife and kids at Disney World - that way the whole family gets a vacation out of it.  I suggest you look at maybe the first 2 weeks of December - another time the theme parks are very slow.

Now that I have that out of the way:  

Staying on Disney property has many advantages - and you may want to call them to find out what type of accommodations they can offer you before making a decision.

Staying off sight will give you more freedom.  You could probably even find a room with a kitchenette.

The noise and kid factor is a whole different thing though.  Anything close to Disney will probably have kids and noise.  You could go closer to the Convention center though and find more of an adult clientele.  Maybe check out Extended Stay America or Extended Stay Deluxe by the convention center and you'll have much more peace.  However you'll loose the convenience of being right within a short drive.  

I guess it's a matter of priorities - no easy answers here.  But lots of options.  So take your time and look around.  And again, call Disney and see if they can help you out.  If you do go when it's slower, maybe they can put you away from the noise or something.  And maybe they have kitchenettes in some of the rooms (I know our cabin at Ft Wilderness did).