Disney World is a favorite destination for our family. Ben and I first went together when we were in college and have made numerous trips since then. Every year, I try to convince Ben that we need to make a Disney trip, but he is hesitant to prioritize this trip over others, so our trips are often quick weekend trips or tagged onto work trips. Even though the trips are short, they are always packed full of fun.
There are an unlimited number of ways to spend money at Disney. From park tickets to souvenirs to fun extras, the costs can really add up. While some of those can only be paid using “real” money, we like to offset as much as we can with miles and points from credit cards. Read more here on a step by step guide and top picks for credit cards. Full disclaimer as well, a few of our Disney trips have been tagged onto the end of work trips, further reducing our out of pocket costs. Of course, that option is not accessible to everyone, but there are still ways to maximize the time and dollars you have available.
12 hour Road Trip versus Flying
If your time is not as limited as ours, or if cost is a major factor in your considerations, you may find driving to be a better option. I would add 2 hours of stops in the estimated 10-hour drive time, making the total drive 12 hours. You could do this in one day or break up the trip with a stop in Atlanta or Valdosta, GA. See more road trip tips here. Both locations will have lots of hotel options and many that will take points. Hyatt points are our favorite. You can earn Hyatt points from Hyatt stays, the Hyatt credit card and Chase points which can be transferred to Hyatt. Learn more about points here.
Flying to Orlando
Our preferred airline for family travel is Southwest. Round-trip tickets can be purchased for around $180 per person or by using points. Southwest points are a transfer partner of Chase points, and buy-one-get-one-free Companion Passes can make this trip more affordable. You can earn Southwest points from Southwest Credit Cards or by transferring Chase points using the Chase portal. See more tips on using points and miles here.
Also keep an eye on Frontier deals. Sometimes there are round-trip deals for as little as $50 RT for a base fare. This is a low-cost airline which means everything on top of the actual ticket price costs extra, so keep in mind that you will have to pay additional fees for seat selection and for each carry-on bag.
If you’re a frequent airline traveler, consider getting the Chase Sapphire Reserve card for additional benefits such as free lounge access and PreCheck. The Priority Pass website will let you know what included lounges may be available at the airport. In Orlando, there is a Club that will give you a quiet place to wait for your plane along with free food and drinks (including free booze). For more on line-skipping using PreCheck and how to use a credit card to receive it for free, see here.
Transportation to and from the Parks
You will need to compare costs and consider whether a car rental or Lyft usage makes sense for you and your family. We like to use Costco Travel to get good deals on rentals. Don’t forget to consider if you will need to pay parking fees at the hotel and parks.
It truly depends on your situation, and there isn’t one recommendation that fits all. Because our kids are still in car seats and we usually stay off-site, we generally prefer to rent a car. On one trip with extended family, we rented a minivan at the airport because we also needed to drive to other destinations outside of the park. There are also additional options for cheaper food and shopping that are more accessible if you have a car. If, however, you are only there to visit the parks and are staying nearby, you can rely on Lyft and shuttles to save some money.
Favorite Hotels Near Disney World
We’ve stayed in numerous off-site hotels near Disney World. There are a group of hotels that are designated Good Neighbor hotels that have some Disney related perks, but not all of the perks that are on-site such as early admission and special transportation.
On our most recent trip in January 2020, we spent a few days at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. This is a Hyatt hotel and eligible for using points (15k) or Free nights that are a perk of having the Hyatt credit card. Hyatt points are our favorite. You can earn Hyatt points from Hyatt stays, the Hyatt credit card, and Chase points which can be transferred to Hyatt. Learn more about points here. This hotel has great large pools, a small mini-golf area, an excellent seafood restaurant, and offers a shuttle to the parks, although we chose to drive due to timing.
In January 2019, we looked for a larger hotel as we were staying with extended family. We were able to book a large 3-bedroom suite at the Lake Buena Vista hotel. The primary perk of this hotel was the value and being able to spread out. One of my favorite tips for sleeping on vacations with kids is getting a bigger room if possible. The hotel had a chilly pirate-themed pool and a nearby Irish pub.
Finally, a favorite hotel across the street from the Disney Springs shopping area is the Hilton Buena Vista. At the time of our stay several years ago, we had hotel status from our Hilton credit card. This gave us some benefits such as bonus points, space-available upgrades, late check-out and a dining credit. We were able to do a character breakfast for a small upcharge. This is a crazy savings considering character meals can often cost upwards of $40 a person.
Many people swear the magic is greater at a Disney hotel next to the parks. However, a great perk of staying off-site is the ability to use points. There are numerous Marriott, IHG, Hilton, and Hyatt hotels at a variety of distances. We are looking at an upcoming visit to Swan Hotel, a Marriott property which is walking distance to Epcot. And we’ve also stayed farther away at the Hyatt Place near the airport as that location was more central to a college visit to UCF. There are numerous options to save money on your stay and save money for the parks.
