Off site Disney hotels can help make your Walt Disney World vacation a reality. They can save you considerable money, especially if you are traveling with a large family. However, you don't have to stay at some hole in the wall motel! Once you've chosen to stay in one of the off site Disney hotels, use these accommodations in other ways to save you even more money. Check out 5 ways staying off site can help make your Disney dream trip a reality.

Taking your family, no matter the size, to Walt Disney World can be expensive. But there are ways to save money at Disney World — especially important for families larger than four people. One of the biggest ways to save money is to stay at one of the many off site Disney hotels. These hotels work with every budget, every family size, and every amenity wish list. You don't have to box yourself into only staying at a Disney resort during your vacation. The savings by staying off site can perhaps turn a trip of a lifetime into a trip once a year!

5 Ways Staying at Off Site Disney Hotels Can Save You Money

 1. Hotel rooms cost less.

Off-site Disney hotels can be just as comfortable! While there are a lot of reasons why staying at a Walt Disney World resort property can be enticing, this luxury comes with a price. The great thing about Orlando is that there are so many options from the budget sub-$50 per night hotels (which I would not recommend by the way) to the five-star, uber-luxurious hotel chains which regularly have hotel rooms for under $200 per night. Even the value Disney World hotels can be over $200 at times. Check out

Check out Wyndham Lake Buena Vista for a great off-site option. They have an interactive water play area and children's activities and are within walking distance to the newly “re-imagined” Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney).

You can also get more room for your money at off-site hotels.

 2. Food costs less.

Sure you could buy a Disney food plan if you stayed on property, but is that the food you want to eat? Do you want to have every meal in a restaurant or from a quick service counter? Or do you want to go to Publix and include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet? Buying food at the grocery store and storing it in the room refrigerator will save you calories as well as money. You will also have more access to fast food or casual restaurants, likely much more inexpensive than anything you will find on a Disney World property. Some

Buying food at the grocery store and storing it in the room refrigerator will save you calories as well as money. You will also have more access to fast food or casual restaurants, likely much more inexpensive than anything you will find on a Disney World property. Some

Some off-site Disney hotels even have complimentary breakfasts and/or evening receptions. These freebies are especially useful for larger families.

 3. Amenities are often substantial.

The Wyndham Lake Buena Vista offers supervised children's activities complimentary to guests so Mom and Dad can actually relax a bit during their vacation. They may offer upgraded bath products, have lower priced souvenirs, and include things like bike rentals, sports equipment, or movie nights which all help you save you money at Disney World!

 4. There is free transportation.

Most nearby hotels operate shuttle service from the parks directly to the hotel. If you don't want to drive, you really do not have to. The Wyndham Lake Buena Vista is located across the street from Disney Springs so you can actually walk over the bridge and grab regular Disney World transportation to anywhere in the resort. The hotel also operates a hotel shuttle if you don't want to walk over to Disney Springs. Just be sure to ask about times and schedules to limit the waiting times for transportation.

The Wyndham Lake Buena Vista is located across the street from Disney Springs so you can actually walk over the bridge and grab regular Disney World transportation to anywhere in the resort. The hotel also operates a hotel shuttle if you don't want to walk over to Disney Springs. Just be sure to ask about times and schedules to limit the waiting times for transportation.

 5. You can use coupons.

When you stay at a Disney World resort, there are no coupons. You pay for the luxury of staying on property. However, when you stay at one of the off-site Disney hotels, you can use coupons.

Use them at the grocery store. Look for Publix deals during the week you will be there and stock up on their buy-one-get-one-free specials.

Check the online forums to find coupons to local restaurants or even kids eat free promotions. And if you decide to do a dinner show or any other attraction in Orlando (and there are many), google printable coupons before you leave home. Sure it might take you a bit of work to find some coupons that are helpful, but every penny counts when you are on vacation!

Taking a family vacation to Walt Disney World is a costly adventure. When your family is bigger than the average one, the costs can sometimes seem insurmountable. These 5 tips can help you save money at Disney World, without sacrificing luxury or the “pixie dust” magic Walt Disney World encapsulates.

Would you like to share your money-saving tips for staying at off-site Disney hotels?