Intro
Are you planning a trip to Disney and trying to decide where to stay during your vacation? When traveling to Disney, everyone has to decide if they want to stay at a Disney resort or at a location off of Disney property. There are so many options and factors that this can be a really tough decision for many travelers!
This week on the blog, we are comparing the pros and cons of staying on property versus staying off property. Where you stay while on vacation is such a huge piece of your entire experience, so you definitely want to be informed and make the best decision for your group!
Overview
Are you already overwhelmed thinking of all the options of places to stay while visiting Disney World? Maybe you’re still figuring out what staying on property at Disney World even means! You are not alone! We’re going to start with a brief overview of what it means to stay on or off property, before getting into the details.
To start with the basics, staying “on property” at Disney World, means staying at a Walt Disney World Resort. There are three categories of resorts at Disney World; value, moderate, and deluxe.
Value Resorts
The most budget friendly resort options fall into the Value resort category. This will include all three All Star Resorts as well as Pop Century and Art of Animation. Value Resorts will have fewer options for dining and entertainment, however they will still provide these amenities. Typically, these value resorts will have a main dining hall, an arcade, a gift shop, and potentially a pool bar. Value resorts are a great option for groups on a budget or those who don’t plan to spend much time at the resort. If you plan to only sleep at your resort on your vacation, this is definitely the best option for your money!
Moderate Resorts
If you are looking for a nice resort that will also not completely break the bank, a resort in the Moderate category is for you! Options in this category include Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans (both Riverside and French Quarter), Coronado Springs, and the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. These resorts typically have a few more options for dining and entertainment, often including sit down restaurants or bars.
Deluxe Resorts
The priciest options for resorts are going to be the Deluxe resort category. This category includes the Grand Floridian, the Polynesian, the Contemporary, Yacht & Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, the Riviera, and Wilderness Lodge. Deluxe Resorts will typically each have a signature restaurant, multiple other dining options, shopping, and entertainment. If you are wanting to splurge and plan to add some resort days into your vacation, these resorts will all be great options!
Additionally, did you know that there is a campsite on Disney property? This is perfect for a travel party that wants to stay on property, but at a more affordable cost. You can bring a tent or RV and book a campsite at Disney’s Fort Wilderness. Staying at a campsite at Disney is an extremely unique experience, letting you enjoy nature and the Disney parks that are still close by!
On Property
If you decide to stay on property while visiting Disney World, that means that you will be staying at a Disney Resort Hotel. This can also include hotels such as the Swan and Dolphin (located in the EPCOT resort area).
Additionally, Disney designated some area hotels as “Good Neighbor Hotels”. While these hotels may not be on property, they are approved by Disney and often provide additional services, such as transportation to the parks. Check out those hotels here! Note that “Good Neighbor Hotels” do not always receive all of the same perks as Disney Resort Hotels.
Want to know my favorite resorts on property? Check out this blog post where I share my top five Disney resorts!
Pros
Transportation
All Disney resort guests have access to complimentary transportation to the Disney parks and areas. Your resort will have a main bus stop area, where you can find buses to take you to all four parks, Disney Springs, and the water parks. Some resorts even have additional forms of transportation such as the Monorail, the Skyliner, or boats. When deciding on a Disney resort, be sure to research which transportation options are available and make the most sense for your group. For example, if you plan to visit Hollywood Studios often, look into one of the resorts on the Skyliner route for easy access to that park!
Dining, Shopping, and Entertainment
Each and every Disney resort has great dining options, places for shopping, and entertainment! If dining is especially important on your vacation, think about staying at a deluxe resort and enjoying the multiple dining options they have to offer. Some resorts even have unique entertainment, such as a Starlight Safari at Animal Kingdom Lodge! All resorts will also include multiple pools and family-friendly events put on by cast members throughout the day.
Check-In Process
The check-in process at a Disney resort is easier than any other hotel I have ever stayed at! Currently, you are able to complete your check-in ahead of time using your My Disney Experience account. You can share your arrival information, add your credit card, and place any room requests you may have!
Once you arrive, you will get a notification when your room is ready and can even open your door with your phone (or magic band). This process is so simple and allows you to skip the line at the check-in counter and head straight to your room!
You can even check your luggage at the front of the resort if your room is not ready when you arrive. Your luggage will be delivered to your room later in the day! This is a great option if you want to head to a park or Disney Springs before your room is ready.
Extra Benefits
Lastly, there are a few extra benefits that Disney provides to people staying on property. These include “Early Theme Park Entry”, “Extended Theme Park Hours”, and early access to book dining and Lightning Lanes.
Disney guests staying at any resort can take advantage of “Early Theme Park Entry”. This allows guests to enter the park 30 minutes before it opens to the regular public. This is a great perk if you love to rope drop!
“Extended Theme Park Hours” can be enjoyed by those staying at deluxe resorts on Disney property. On select nights, deluxe resort guests can stay at a select park past closing!
Resort guests also have early access to booking dining reservations and making Lightning Lane selections. While staying on property, guests can make their first lightning lane selection at 7AM each day. This can be really helpful if there is a ride you really don’t want to miss on your trip!
Cons
Price
The most noticeable downfall to staying on property at Disney World, is the cost. There really is no way around it, staying on property is more expensive than most other options. If budget is your main barrier to planning your Disney vacation, it may be helpful to check out options off property. Do some budgeting and research to help you decide if the benefits of staying on property are worth the cost for your travel party.
Less Freedom
While the ease of getting around while staying on property is great, it can also mean you have less freedom. If you are solely relying on Disney transportation, you are really only able to plan around Disney’s schedule. If you have dining reservations at another resort early in the morning or late at night, it could be difficult to get there using Disney transportation.
It can also make it tough to explore anywhere outside of the “Disney bubble” (meaning basically anything not on Disney property in Orlando). Consider your travel plans and if you hope to check out any areas that are not on Disney property while on your trip!
Dining Options and Hours
Most Disney resorts have some amazing dining options, however the value resorts don’t always have the most exciting places to eat. Most will have just one main dining hall and not always provide a ton of variety.
Additionally, some resorts lack late night or early morning dining options, making it difficult if you are on a different schedule. This can be a problem if you have to leave early in the morning for a flight or arrive back at the resort after hours.
Crowds
Everyone knows that Disney World is always crowded, right? Well, the resorts are no different! This can lead to long lines at transportation stops, crowds at the pool, and trouble finding a table in the dining area. Disney resorts are extremely popular and are often fully booked to capacity. If you are looking for a resort that is more intimate or is a little less noisy, you may want to look at options off property!
Off Property
Staying off property while visiting Disney World, means staying somewhere that is not owned by Disney or on its property. This could include staying in a rental home, another resort or hotel, or any other options not on Disney property!
Pros
Different Amenities
Disney resorts have a lot to offer, but they may not have everything you are looking for! A few Disney resorts do have elevated amenities such as golf, a spa, and an option to have “club access”. However, not every resort has these options. If you are wanting a specific experience or amenity that Disney doesn’t offer, there is probably a place to stay off property that can accommodate.
Are you planning a trip for a family reunion or other large group? Disney does have some great options for larger groups, but often renting a vacation home or condo can be more accommodating. Vacation rental websites can be a great way to find something to meet your group’s needs and could be more affordable.
Location
Staying at a Disney resort may not end up being the best option if you plan to spend time at other Orlando theme parks.
When deciding to stay off property, you get the freedom to choose where in Orlando you would like to be! Orlando and the surrounding areas have some cool things to see, so staying off property lets you find a location that is the most enjoyable and accessible for your trip. As hard as it is for me to admit, there are things to do in Orlando outside of Disney and staying off property allows you to explore a bit!
Transportation
Renting a car while staying off property can make it easier to get around Disney and the Orlando area! Many of us know the struggles of waiting forever to get back to the resort at the end of the night. It also makes it easier to get from one resort to another, as that is not always the simplest thing to do using Disney transportation. Sometimes having your own car can be better than always relying on what Disney offers!
I recently traveled to Orlando and rented a car from the airport. I loved having the freedom and flexibility to get around easily! It was so great to be able to simply walk back to my car at the end of the night and be back at my hotel quickly.
Cons
Won’t Have Disney “Feel”
When designing Disney World, the intention was to create a place where you could escape from reality for a bit. The imagineers and designers, specifically wanted the “outside world” to not be visible while you were on vacation at Disney. This mindset led to the multitude of resorts on property, to allow guests to truly feel like they could escape the “real world”.
For some travelers, having that Disney “feel” is really important when deciding on a place to stay! Many do not want to stay off property, because it brings them back to reality once they drive away from the parks and into the city. If you want to feel that Disney magic throughout your entire vacation, including where you stay, finding a resort on property may be your best option!
Comfort and Safety
The “Disney bubble” can also provide guests with a sense of comfort and security. If deciding to stay off property, you could be staying in an area that does not provide that same sense of comfort.
In my recent trip staying off property, I found a very affordable hotel that was in a great location! However, I found that my hotel lacked many amenities and safety measures that I was looking for. As a solo traveler on this trip, safety was extremely important to me and led to me feeling a little uncomfortable while at my hotel.
In the end, it is important that you feel safe and comfortable on your vacation. Now, staying on Disney property does not automatically mean that you are going to be more safe or comfortable. However for me, I definitely feel better knowing that certain measures are in place while I am staying at a Disney resort.
Transportation
Now, I know what you’re thinking! Yes, I do have transportation listed in multiple categories, including a perk to staying off property. For me, off property transportation can be both a pro and a con.
On the one hand, having your own car is great, if you are able to fit that in your budget. Gas is getting expensive, friends! Having your own car also means paying for parking, both at Disney resorts and parks. This can really add up quickly, so do some budgeting to figure out if either bringing your own car or renting is feasible for your group!
If you are relying on a ride share service or public transportation, that can create some additional issues. Ride shares can get pricey, especially if using them every day, multiple times a day. This can also get tricky with larger groups traveling together.
Conclusion
For me personally, I typically prefer to stay on property when I visit. Especially when I am on vacation, I enjoy not worrying about parking, transportation, and navigating myself around. I don’t often venture off property either, so anywhere I need to access, I can do so with Disney transportation.
I also typically only travel with smaller groups of adults, so I can’t speak to the experience of traveling with larger parties or little ones.
All in all, both options definitely have their own advantages and disadvantages. My advice is always to find what works best for your travel party! Some groups benefit from having more freedom, while some prefer to stay in the “Disney bubble”. The good news is, there is an option for everyone. You will definitely be able to find something that works with your needs, budget, and group!
What are your thoughts? Do you usually stay on or off property at Disney? Let us know in the comments!
