[mhailey]

the Disney Resorts have many more benefits than simply a nicer place to say. They provide round trip transportation from the airport to the hotel. Will deliver your luggage from the airport, right to your room. You are provided free cab rides (gratuity included) from a disney resort to the Disney golf courses. The parks open earlier, and stay open later for those staying in a disney resort. free round trip transportation from the resort to the park of your choice. Use your room key as your credit card for purchases at the resorts. They will deliver your resort purchases from the resort to your room so you don't have to walk around with all of the bags from your "can't live without" nick nacks. etc... .

Staying in the resort hotels is the only way to go in my opinion.

When you factor in the cost of renting a car, gas, parking fees, and the hassles of not staing in the resort hotels, the cost is almost break even. Plus, staying the disney resorts, you can get on the Disney Meal Plan, which saves a ton of $ on food.