Hotel or vacation home? For a Disney-area trip, the answer often comes down to group size, trip length and how you like to travel. Here is a side-by-side look.
Space
A typical hotel room fits four people in one room. A vacation home gives each family its own bedroom plus a living room, kitchen and outdoor space. For groups of six or more, a single home is often simpler and better value than several hotel rooms.
Cost
Compare the total for your whole group. Divided across several bedrooms, a vacation home can cost less per person than multiple hotel rooms, and a kitchen cuts restaurant spending. Remember to compare final prices, including taxes and fees, for both options.
Amenities
- Vacation home: private pool or hot tub, game room, washer and dryer, full kitchen, free parking at the home
- Hotel: daily housekeeping, on-site restaurants, and at some resorts, perks such as transportation to the parks
Privacy and routine
Homes make it easy to keep naps and bedtimes, enjoy quiet evenings and gather everyone around one table. Hotels can feel more convenient for short stays or couples.
Getting to the parks
From a vacation home, you will usually drive and pay for theme park parking. Some hotels offer shuttles. If you plan to rent a car anyway, a home in Kissimmee or Davenport keeps drive times short.
The verdict
- Choose a vacation home for families, multi-generational trips, stays of four nights or more and groups that want to cook and relax together.
- Choose a hotel for short trips, couples or travelers who will not have a car.