Hey there, Matthew, and welcome back to planDisney!
I’m so happy to hear that you will be ringing in the New Year with a Walt Disney World vacation. Honestly, there isn’t anything better than that. Does that mean starting the year at Disney will lead to a year full of Disney vacations? If so, count me in!
A few military moves ago, we were also west coasters who frequently visited Walt Disney World Resort. And while we always considered staying local to the airport, our overall plans outweighed those decisions. I’m going to share a few of those with you. The first is, what are your plans for January 2, 2026? If you are rope-dropping, it might be better to drive from the airport to a Disney Resort the day you arrive. That way, you can take advantage of the luggage transfer
benefit. Plus, it can help catch up on the time difference by giving you just a few more minutes or hours to sleep in, since you will already be at Walt Disney World Resort.
If you go with this plan, a
Disney Value Resort is the perfect option. Again, you get to enjoy all the benefits that come with staying at a Disney Resort. And you are already in the magic! Another option you have is to take a look at the other
nearby accommodations. This puts you closer to Disney so that you are refreshed and ready to enjoy the theme parks the next day. Since you don’t plan on renting a car, you have the chance to book a ride with Mears Connect. This shuttle bus will take you from the airport to your Disney Resort. So the transfer from the airport to the resort is rather easy, and one less thing to do the next morning.
I’m not sure if you can tell, but staying at a Disney Resort from the start is my recommendation. It’s been the easiest option for my family, no matter what time we arrive. It also helps with our little ones because they cannot wait to enter Walt Disney World Resort. We save on all the questions of “are we there yet?” by heading there first.
Matthew, you may also want to call the
Disney Reservations line and see if adding another night to your existing reservation is possible. That way you won’t have to transfer at all! Of course, staying by the airport is also a good option. Depending on your preferences, I recommend doing a quick search on what is available nearby before confirming your stay. Another factor to consider is the time you arrive. If you arrive earlier in the day, arrival day is the best time to experience Disney Springs, and staying on property allows you to enjoy the
transportation options to get there!
I hope this helps you decide where the best place for you to stay is. Depending on what you would like to experience and when you arrive, can help narrow down the best option. I’m sure I left you with so many other things to think about when planning. So if you have more questions, be sure to visit us again.
Magical Memories,
Shantel