I used to be a Disney resort guy. In those days, we could have stayed off-property and be further away from the attractions, but the experience plus the benefits of staying on-property were too much to ignore.
But, circumstances changed. And after Disney raised their rates, the value of the extra money at a Disney resort just wasn’t there.
So, we looked at other hotels, but ultimately found our salvation at VRBO.
With a VRBO rental, there was plenty of room and for our large family. And multiple bathrooms meant we never ran out of hot water despite all of us taking showers each day.
Also, our condo also provided multiple amenities including a private swimming pool, which my son insisted on getting in every single night.
Overall, it was perfect. I will certainly consider it again for any upcoming trips.
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What are the best VRBO options for a Disney vacation?
With a family of four, I think your margins for savings are a little slimmer than they were with our typically massive traveling party.
But price will not be the only factor in these selections. Here, I will also consider ratings and any special amenities like themed rooms or a game room with a pool table or air hockey.
For the purposes of this article, I priced a random week in September – one of the least expensive times of the year for a family of four. But note that your pricing will vary.
17. Solara Resort Condo
Sleeps 16 people
Listed at $173 per night, this condo – located in the same Solara Resort in which my family stayed – is $1,822 with taxes and fees for my example trip.
But it sleeps 16 people, has four baths and two half baths. Two bedrooms have king beds, two have two double beds and one has a twin bunk bed and twin bed.
Split between three families, you’re looking at an all-in cost of about $600 per family. Technically, you could have four families and cut that price down to about $450 each, but that might be stretching things a tad.
Themed rooms include a “punch-it Chewie” Star Wars room and an underwater-themed room. Check current rates on VRBO.
16. Hub at Westside Reserve Rental
Sleeps 6 people
This rental – located in The Hub at Westside Reserve – has three bedrooms and three baths and is a six-minute drive from Disney. The rental features a contemporary design but doesn’t feature a ton of amenities.
It’s $116 per night and $1,175 with taxes and fees on my example stay. Check current rates with VRBO.
15. Fully Equipped Villa
Sleeps 4 people
This villa is located a 10-minute drive from Disney and has one bedroom with a king bed and a pullout sleeper sofa in the living room. It sleeps four.
At the clubhouse, there are computers and printers for guests to use. Other amenities include a gym, laundry room, heated pool, kids pool, hot tub, BBQ area and also a basketball court.
The nightly cost is $94 with an all-in cost of $810 on my example stay. Check current rates with VRBO.
14. Bahama Bay Resort Apartment
Sleeps 6 people
This three-bedroom apartment in the Bahama Bay resort sleeps six on two queen and two twin beds.
The complex offers superior facilities in a Caribbean-style setting, a recreation center and Club House, the use of four outdoor heated pools with heated Jacuzzis, a children’s pool and play area, a sandy beach and also a variety of sports facilities.
At $70 per night, the all-in cost for an example trip is $681. Check current rates on VRBO.
13. Waterfront Lake Access Condo
Sleeps 6 people
This waterfront condo is about a five-minute drive from Disney Springs. The unit sleeps six. It comes with a master bedroom, a queen size pullout couch in the living room and a large bunk area just off of the master bedroom.
Outdoors, enjoy full access to Lake Bryan, where you can jet ski or just relax by the pool. There is a fitness center and video game room just off the pool area, as well as the Hawaiian Rumble miniature golf course right next door.
At $99 per night, the all-in cost on my example trip is $860. Check current rates on VRBO.
12. Solara Resort Family-friendy Villa
Sleeps 10 people
This 5-bed pool townhome in the Solara Resort sleeps 10, has access to all the Solara amenities – discussed above – and has a private screened pool and lanai.
At $150 per night, the example all-in cost is $1,458. Check current rates on VRBO.
11. Prague Village House
Sleeps 12 people
This monster home located in Prague Village has six bedrooms, four and a half baths and sleeps a whopping 12 people.
It’s a four-minute drive from Disney and features all the amenities of Prague Village. For instance, it has a large resort pool and cabanas, a lazy river and water slide, tiki bar, a fitness center, sports courts and also an on-site cinema and arcade games.
At $202 per night, the all-in cost of our example stay is $1,932. Check current rates with VRBO.
10. Ft. Wilderness Camper
Sleeps 8 people
This novel approach allows you to rent a camper at Ft. Wilderness. The camper has a queen bed in a private room, 2 double-size bunk beds, a fold-out couch and a dinette. It sleeps up to six adults and up to eight if you’ve got some kids in the mix.
I’ve both camped and stayed in a cabin at Ft. Wilderness and believe it’s one of the best ways to stay at Disney. However, the cost and effort to get the camper on site and set up can be difficult.
These folks will bring the camper in, set it up and show you the lay of the land. Additionally, you must book and pay for the camper location with Disney – so figure on adding $600 or so to the final cost.
It will be more if you want a premium campsite. Check current rates for your trip on VRBO.
Still, with an all-in cost of $981 for a total right around $1,600, you can save more than $600 versus booking a Ft. Wilderness cabin.
9. Townhome at Reunion Resort
This Reunion Resort townhome has two bedrooms and sleeps 7. It’s also conveniently located near the Swan & Dolphin on the Disney property.
It’s also state-of-the-art modern and convenient. For instance, in addition to themed rooms, guests have access to complimentary shuttle service to Disney parks, access to three signature PGA golf courses and a practice area.
There is an on-location waterpark which is free for guests. It includes a lazy river, slides, jets, pools and cabanas.
Listed at $96 per night, our all-in cost would be $1,544 due to an additional $680 in host fees. Check VRBO for current rates.
8. Gated Condo near Disney
Sleeps 6 people
This two-bedroom, two-bath condo in a gated resort is a six-minute drive from Disney. The price of $90 per night is listed as a “last minute” deal.
Certainly, be aware – as with any of these properties – the price can and will change based on season, demand and capriciousness. Still, the all-in cost for the week I checked was $790.57.
The amenities of the resort include a beautiful, heated community pool with zero entry (perfect for little kids), a fitness center, a 4,000 sq feet clubhouse with a tiki bar, tennis court, playground and spray pad. Check current rates on VRBO.
7. Three-bedroom Private Home
Sleeps 6 people
This three-bedroom, three-bath private home is located five miles from Disney World. The home includes a private heated swimming pool with a spa, and it will easily accommodate up to 6 people.
At $127 per night, our all-in cost would be $973 for the week. Check current rates with VRBO.
6. Terra Verde Resort Rental
Sleeps 8 people
This four-bedroom, three-bath rental is a six-minute drive from Disney.
It’s listed at $128 per night with a total cost of $1,291 on our example trip including taxes and fees. The rental sleeps up to eight people and has a private screened-in pool plus a child safety pool fence.
Other resort amenities include a jacuzzi, lounge, fishing lake and also a cinema screening room with nightly movies. Check current rates with VRBO.
5. Condo near Disney Springs
Sleeps 4 people
Located a 16-minute walk from Disney Springs – where you can catch transportation all over the Disney system – this rental has one bedroom with a king and two twin beds, sleeping four.
Guests have access to an onsite game room, tennis courts, restaurants and a pool. At $143 per night, our all-in cost with taxes and fees would be $1,087.96. Check current rates on VRBO.
4. Family-friendly Condo
Sleeps 4 people
This one bedroom – with a king bed futon and a sleeper sofa – also has one bath. The resort has outdoor swimming pools and a heated pool, a children’s pool and a jacuzzi.
There are also tennis, basketball and shuffleboard courts and other equipment.
At $107 per night, the all-in cost on our example trip would be $822. It’s listed as an 11-minute drive from Disney World. Check current rates on VRBO.
3. Solara Resort Rental
Sleeps 9 people
We’re back in the Solara Resort where we stayed previously, but again not in this same room.
This condo – which sleeps nine – is listed at $179 per night and – with taxes and fees would be $1,561 for our example trip. It’s ideal if you can split it with another family or possibly two. Check current rates on VRBO.
2. Bahama Bay Resort & Spa Rental
Sleeps 8 people
Boasting more than 1,200 square feet of space, this ground-floor remodeled three-bedroom condo at Bahama Bay Resort & Spa has three bedrooms, two baths and sleeps eight.
The Bahama Bay Resort & Spa also has plenty of amenities such as shared pools, hot tubs, pool tables, beach volleyball and more.
Located on the shores of Old Lake Davenport, you can enjoy the sand beach, view wildlife from the pier or relax in a hammock.
The resort is located 10 miles from Walt Disney World. At $89 per night, the all-in cost is $801.08. Check current rates on VRBO.
1. Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Rental
Sleeps 4 people
This unit is part of the Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista – located near Disney Springs and so the accommodation is more of a hotel room than what you might expect from VRBO. You have access to a pool, restaurant and bar as well as housekeeping services – which you normally won’t have in a VRBO.
Also, because it’s a hotel, you don’t have as many fees. Your nightly cost is $124 and you’re all-in cost is $942.
This is a Disney affiliate hotel, so you get early entry to the parks and access to early booking for Lightning Lanes and more. There’s also a shuttle service to the theme parks as well as a Disney character breakfast several days a week. Check current rates on VRBO.
How much does it cost to stay at a Disney World Resort for a week?
Again, I priced a random week in September.
If you’re staying at a Disney World Resort and if you have a larger family, as I do, know that you can’t stay in the value resorts unless you upgrade to a suite.
The increase in Disney hotel pricing for having a third kid is substantial.
For our random September getaway – using a promotion – the cheapest resorts were the All-Star Sports and Music at $144 per night. The All-Star Movies came in at $167.
The cheapest moderate resort was the Port Orleans Resort Riverside at $239 per night.
How far out should I book a Disney Resort stay?
I recommend booking far as you can but don’t pay for it until you must.
You’ll have to put some down to hold the room. But you’ll be given a date in the future that you must pay the full amount.
Sometimes, Disney runs a 25% off promotion each quarter and you can only get it so far in advance. My advice? Book the room you want but keep tracking the price. If there’s a deal or offer that comes up, call Disney guest services and request a lower price.
They will usually honor it, in my experience.
Do I save a lot of money if I book through VRBO?
We did. I would say it’s easier to save money if you can divide the rentals between families and get a bigger condo.
Just keep in mind you’re going to be spending a week with these folks so make sure they’re somebody you can get along with.
Also, before finalizing your booking, check the small print. Make sure you’re aware of your cancellation policies, house rules, extra fees and check-in times.
The good news is many of the properties on VRBO in Orlando because of the proximity to the magic were purchased to be vacation rentals and are managed by premier hosts who know what they’re doing.
You can miss the person-to-person contact, especially if anything goes wrong. But in our experience, the hosts are very responsive to our questions.
Last but not least, be sure to read the reviews. People’s expectations vary wildly on vacation.
Going through the reviews – especially if the property is less than 5/5 – is a good idea as you’ll likely be able to identify people whose expectations match yours.
Read Also: 5 Best Disney Resorts for Adults, a Guide With Pricing and Tips
Where do you like to stay on a Disney Florida vacation? Let us know in the comments.
