The magical world of Disney and a trip to Orlando can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. Of course, one of the most important parts of nailing down your trip (other than trying to decide which parks to visit) is making hotel reservations. And that brings us to the “resort fee.” In this post, I share with you our family’s experience with resort fees, and I tell you where we choose to stay when we visit the Orlando area.
We haven’t always been local to Disney. We are from NJ and when we first moved to Florida we were two hours away from Disney. Being a local is what really made me want to dig into resorts with no resort fees. We found ourselves staying 1-2 nights for a quick weekend stay, we would find these great deals on hotels, sometimes $50 a night, and then the resort fee would be $30/night.
I personally like to stretch my dollar but I have high expectations for hotels. I want them first and most importantly, to be clean. Very clean. Sometimes it’s too cold to consider the pool, but cleanliness is always a must. Let’s get into resort fees.
What Exactly Are “Resort Fees” (and Why We Hate Them)
A resort fee is an added charge you pay when you check into a hotel or resort. It is different from the room rate. You might pay a room rate of $200 a night, but you also pay a resort fee of $30 per night. It’s something many resorts have implemented in the last 6 or so years.
You pay the resort fee regardless of how many of the covered services you use. And what exactly do those services cover? Resorts make a big show of listing all the things you get for paying the resort fee. Here’s the sort of thing you see that is covered by the resort fee:
- Free Wi-Fi
- Fitness Center
- $10 Starbucks Credit
- Free Drink from the Bar
- Pool Access
It’s frustrating, no matter your budget, to arrive at a resort and have a few hundred dollars added to your expenditure. We try to avoid resort fees as much as possible.
Why budgeting is vital and why I must avoid unnecessary expenses.
A Disney trip calls for meticulous budgeting, and I already mentioned stretching of the dollar. Theme park tickets, meals, and souvenirs, everything adds up and makes each dollar count.
But you know what can catch you completely off guard and add hundreds of dollars in expense? Resort fees! And the good news is that you can avoid them and, in turn, have that much more to spend on experiences you’ll remember long after your trip is over.
The Mami-Approved List: Top Resorts Near Disney with NO Resort Fees
Here are just a few resorts that I have been to, that have no resort fees, are clean, and would visit again.
All Disney Resorts
Priced on the higher side
Why we adore it: Every Disney Resort delivers an enchanting stay, with not just beautifully themed accommodations, but also a location within close proximity to the parks and some delightful Disney resort exclusive perks, like early access to said parks. You can really dive into the whole Disney thing at a Resort, with character meals and poolside experiences that are just as imaginatively conceived as what you find in the parks themselves.If it is in your budget, I highly recommend.
Toddler Tested Tip: Use the buses to and from the parks to cut down on walking for your toddlers. The buses are a fun way for them to travel, and this helps maximize their energy for playing in the parks! Also, you don’t have to close your stroller on the monorail or boat transportation!
Rosen Inn Pointe Orlando
Price Point: $$
Why we love it: No resort fees, no parking fees, and a gated space with security. This budget hotel is also very clean. There is also a bar and restaurant on property, as well as a small store. It’s really a great deal for the price.
Toddler Tested Tip: The restaurant at the site serves meals that are friendly for kids. This makes it simpler for parents with kids older than infants to eat at the site.
Rosen Centre
Price Point: $$
Why we love it: The Rosen Centre has roomy accommodations and a large pool area, making it a fantastic option for families. Its short distance to the Orange County Convention Center makes it a great choice for both business and leisure travelers.
Toddler Tested Tip: The rooms are spacious enough to let your little one burn some energy so make sure to ring some outlet covers.
Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando
Price Point: $$
Why we love it: This hotel is known for its super service, and that carries right through to breakfast. You can choose from a ton of fabulous options, all of which are free. There’s also a terrific selection of snacks available in the evening, which is almost too good to be true. The indoor-outdoor pool is also a nice feature for families.
Toddler Tested Tip: Free snacks and soda are available in the lobby during the evening—use these to keep children occupied after a day at the parks.
Marriott’s Cypress Harbour Villas
Price Point: $$$
Why we love it: This beautiful resort offers large villas that come with full kitchens, definitely not the norm in search of family resorts. But the kitchen is only the starting point for why we love this place. It is huge. We stayed in the villas with our kid, and they are perfect in size and layout. The grounds are beautiful, and there are quite a few pools; all these factors add up to making this a wonderful resort for families.
Toddler Tested Tip To keep toddlers safe and happy while they enjoy the water, ensure they have their own floaties and that you are using them appropriately in the pool.
Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas
Price Point: $$$
Why we love it: The resort has a villa-style accommodation, which is ideal for families who need more room to spread out. There are plenty of pools and playgrounds that amuse the children, no matter their ages.
Toddler Tested Tip Make use of the crafts and games often scheduled by the resort for young children.
Important Things to Keep in Mind (The Fine Print, Explained)
1. Examine the Details Closely: I have not listed all of the options because I haven’t personally been everywhere. If you are considering another resort, make sure to scrutinize the hotel’s website for any references to resort fees. They can differ significantly among various properties, so it’s vital to understand the terms of your stay. I usually search “hotel name resort fee” to figure it out for sure.
2. Look for other arrangements: Look into alternative lodging possibilities such as vacation rentals that don’t tack on resort fees. There are even some awesome RV parks in the area that you can consider.
3. Budget for Extra Expenses: Don’t think just because a hotel might not charge a resort fee that you’re off the hook for other potential costs. Hotels often smack you with expenses for parking, breakfast, and other considerations that you tend to forget about until you see the prices on your bill. If you see a hotel at a good rate, make sure to call and ask what else is going to be charged. I almost booked a hotel with a $45/night resort fee AND $45/night parking fee, that’s an additional $90/night!
Of course! Here are a few options for a concluding paragraph, ranging from friendly and encouraging to direct and action-oriented. Choose the one that best fits the tone of your post.
Ultimately, an Orlando vacation budget shouldn’t be full of surprises. By choosing one of the many excellent hotels that don’t charge a resort fee, you’re not just saving money but you’re gaining peace of mind. We all much rather use our hard earned money to do what truly matters: creating magical memories at the theme parks, enjoying a fantastic meal, or picking out the perfect souvenir. So go ahead and book with confidence, knowing that the price you see is the price you’ll pay, leaving you free to focus on the fun.