The debate between staying off-site or on-site at Disney resorts is one that rages and will continue to do so. I have my own preferences, but will reveal them later. First, let me break down the pros and cons of each.

Off-Site Accomodation
Staying off-site is just what is sounds like -- staying at a non-Disney resort. There are many 'motel-class' places around the Disney parks that offer very reasonable (some would say cheap) rates. There are also many hotel/resort class places that would rival the cost of Disney deluxe resorts, or in some cases surpass them. Let's look at the Pros.

Pros of Off-Site Accomodation

• Off-site motel style accomodation is often $20 or more cheaper than Disney's value resorts. So if you are on a seriously restricted budget, they might be a good option.
• Many off-site hotels/motels offer transportation to not just the Disney parks, but other amusement parks and attractions in the area.
• Some off-site hotels/motels offer 10-30% discounts to military, teachers, police, firefighters and nurses. This can be great if you fall into one of those professions.
• Many places now offer breakfast as part of the accomodation, ranging from cold breakfast (danishes, cold cereal, bagels, etc...) to full hot breakfast at places like Doubletree Suites.

The key pro for off-site accomodation is...COST. And let's face it, that is a big motivator for many people (me included). The first time I took my now husband to Disney we stayed in Doubletree Suites off-site of Disney World. We paid $89 a night in mid-December, and had free transportation to the parks as well as a yummy hot breakfast each day. I figure any meal you don't have to buy in the parks is a good deal!

Cons of Off-Site Accomodation

• The transportation to parks can be unreliable and infrequent.*
• You don't get access to the 'Extra Magic Hours' at the Disney parks.*
• You don't get that 'Disney vibe' by staying in a non-themed hotel.
• If you drive to the parks you have to pay for parking.
• The cheaper motels might have security and comfort issues (I stayed in a roach riddled motel once just to save a few bucks...not recommended!)

*If you stay at The Swan or The Dolphin near Disney World in Florida, you have access to Disney Transportation and get access to the Extra Magic Hours.

On-Site Accomodation

Pros of On-Site Accomodation

• Free transport running all day, to all parks and Disney property from 1 hour before opening to 2 hours after closing for all resort guests.
• Food courts and in some cases table service restaurants at all Disney resorts.*
• Access to Extra Magic Hours in the morning and evenings at selected parks.
• Free shuttle to and from the airport if you are flying in.
• Specially themed resorts.

Cons of On-Site Accomodation

• Some of the resorts are HUUUUUGE! So you spend alot of time hiking from your room to the pool, the shuttle bus stops and food courts.
• At certain times of the year on-site resorts can be packed...and not every parent actually tries to control their children.
• Cost...Deluxe resorts range from $224 - over $1000 for a night. Value resort from $82-$140 depending on the time of year.

*Note, some Disney Vacation Club properties (like Wilderness Lodge Villas) don't have a restaurant on site, but they are so close (we're talking YARDS) to a Disney resort that guests eat there (Wilderness Lodge proper has 2 table service restaurants and a food court).

So...those are the pros and cons of each. My recommendation...KNOW YOURSELF!

You need to know whether you would rather save money, go cheap with very few perks, or pay a bit more and get the various perks that Disney has to offer.

As for me...The first time I took my husband we stayed off-site because it was a gift from my mother. Now she knows that she could have let us stay on site for less. For our wedding we started out booking a value resort, then worked out that we could stay at deluxe for just a little more (it was the value season at the Deluxe resort).

For us, the added perks of staying on site are worth it. We don't have to worry about driving to the parks or parking. We get access to extra time at the parks which means we feel less rushed. We LOVE the theming (Wilderness Lodge is our favourite). We also take advantage of the Disney Dining Plan -- but that is a discussion for another day!

Despite the things we love about Disney resorts, if all we could afford is a $55 a night Motel 6 or something, then we'd take it and make do. We don't spend that much time at the hotel on an average trip anyway, just sleeping, grooming and the occassional swim if it is summer.

If it is your first trip to Disney and especially if you are going with children, I strongly recommend staying on site. The theming, particularly of the value resorts really seems to appeal to kids (while the pools at many resorts are also very popular with kids too).

However, if you have been before and are just trying to get to the parks and keep your budget under control, then I'd stay off-site. BUT...don't confuse cheap with comfortable.

At the moment I'm planning a trip to Disney World in March 2009 for myself, my mum, my husband and possibly a friend. We are planning to share two rooms. After considering the cost of staying off-site versus on-site, we decided that on-site value rooms are comparable in price to off-site motel rates, with more comfortable rooms and MANY more perks. To me, the higher price is definitely worth it, given the perks I gain.

Next article...Ticket to Ride: Getting your tickets