Whether to remain in an on-site or off-site lodge is an enormous, necessary choice when planning your Walt Disney World trip. This weighs the professionals & cons, with an unbiased take a look at third get together lodging, Universal v. Disney resorts, and different choices close to the parks round Orlando, Florida. (Updated October 30, 2022.)
We stress the “unbiased” facet as a result of it looks as if there’s a stigma round off-site motels for a lot of Disney followers. The psychological image of non-Disney motels is shady dives which are unclean and even unsafe. While there are definitely some sketchy locations in Orlando the place we’d by no means think about staying, there are additionally some distinctive, 5-star motels. In reality, it’s controversial that the highest 5 motels in Central Florida wouldn’t have “Disney” within the title.
To that finish, we’ll attempt to pretty handle the advantages and disadvantages to every choice. Walt Disney World resort motels have numerous nice advantages and are a compelling selection for a lot of company, however the lots of of native off-site motels supply many equally compelling causes as to why company ought to keep off-site. If you already know whether or not you need to keep on-site or off-site, it is best to skip this text and go on to our Walt Disney World Hotel Reviews index web page to find out which lodge is best for you.
For many individuals contemplating the place to remain at Walt Disney World, value would be the figuring out issue, as it may be cheaper to do a Walt Disney World on a tighter price range whereas staying off-site. However, this isn’t all the time the case, and there are different components to think about earlier than reserving. Those with small trip budgets is likely to be shocked to seek out that, in some circumstances, it’s higher to remain on-site, and people with giant trip budgets is likely to be higher served by staying off-site.
We’ve stayed at quite a few off-site and third get together motels close to Walt Disney World, together with each single Bonnet Creek, Disney Springs, and Universal Orlando Resorts–amongst many others. We’ve revised this submit a number of occasions to replicate how these off-site stays have modified our perspective. In the method, we’ve additionally added some particular off-site lodge suggestions.
When it involves this subject, a lot has modified within the final 3 years and, much more so, within the final 12 months. As such, it in all probability makes probably the most sense to start out with irrelevant issues–issues that used to issue into the off-site versus on-site calculus, however are not advantages or drawbacks…
“Extinct” Benefits & Drawbacks
Airport Transportation – One of Walt Disney World’s many controversial selections within the final two years was ending Disney’s Magical Express, the shuttle service between MCO and Walt Disney World resorts that was an included perk for company saying on-site. Guests now want to seek out their very own floor transportation from the airport to their lodge–we cowl the vary of choices in our Guide to Airport Transportation for Walt Disney World.
We have used Uber and Lyft on quite a lot of events in 2022 for getting between Walt Disney World and MCO. These providers are our suggestion for anybody who values their time and doesn’t need to break the financial institution with a personal switch. The different upside is that you should use them to get from MCO to any lodge in Central Florida. Alternatively, the Sunshine Flyer and Mears Connect are our prime suggestions for shared shuttle providers. Mears Connect additionally gives service to pick off-site motels along with on-site ones.
QuickPass Booking Windows – There has been numerous outrage concerning the paid Genie+ line-skipping service, which is Walt Disney World’s paid alternative to free QuickPass+. (See our Guide to Genie+ at Walt Disney World & Lightning Lane FAQ for every part you should know.) This is especially comprehensible amongst Deluxe Resort company and Disney Vacation Club members, who now could also be questioning what, precisely, they’re getting for the exorbitant quantities of cash they’re spending to remain at Walt Disney World.
However, one key factor that’s steadily neglected is the optimistic influence for off-site company. Previously, the on-site reserving window for QuickPass+ meant that anybody not reserving ~60 days prematurely obtained shut out of the most well-liked trip reservations until they devoted important time to continuously refreshing in quest of cancellations. By the 30 day mark when off-site company might guide, the entire finest choices have been gone that will save appreciable time, leaving principally the “consolation prize” QuickPasses that have been usually pointless.
Genie+ and Lightning Lanes make it simpler to justify spending much less cash to remain off-site. There isn’t any on-site benefit in reserving Lightning Lane reservations by way of Genie+ (a colossal oversight, for those who ask us). You can thus guide off-site and reallocate the financial savings in direction of spending $16 to $30 per individual on Genie+ every day–or on simply Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios days, which is absolutely the place it’s most important and helpful.
Free Resort Parking – One method Walt Disney World used to distinguish its motels from actual world alternate options in Orlando was by not charging parking or resort charges. Thankfully, Disney hasn’t embraced the consumer-unfriendly and deceiving apply of charging resort charges, nevertheless it does now cost for parking at its motels.
This will not be a hidden or necessary payment (since anybody who doesn’t lease a automobile avoids it), however we nonetheless aren’t followers of it. Walt Disney World has ample parking zone area, and for the costs charged at its motels, that is nickel and diming. Unfortunately, that’s par for the course with Disney in recent times, as nickel and diming has develop into an more and more frequent enterprise apply to extend per visitor spending.
Disney Dining Plan – Along with every part else that was “temporarily suspended” when the parks and resorts reopened was the Disney Dining Plan, which is the extremely fashionable and money-saving meal plan. Around half of the opposite “temporary” suspensions have since changed into everlasting cuts.
While we don’t anticipate the identical to occur with the Disney Dining Plan (so it’s not technically “extinct”), the very fact stays that it’s nonetheless not again over two years later. Accordingly, don’t guide an on-site stick with the expectation of benefiting from the DDP. While we totally anticipate the Disney Dining Plan to return again in 2023, we additionally anticipated the identical this 12 months. (See When Will the Disney Dining Plan Return? for our ideas and predictions on when that’ll be again!)
Now let’s cowl the present professionals and cons of staying off-site versus on-site at Walt Disney World…
Benefits of Staying On-Site
Location & Convenience – The greatest good thing about staying at an on-site Walt Disney World resort lodge is comfort. To one diploma or one other, nearly each “pro” radiates out from right here. The motels are usually nearer to the parks, which in some circumstances can imply it’s so simple as strolling or taking a monorail or boat from the lodge to the park.
This brief and easy commute can allow events to separate up extra simply or return to the lodge for a noon nap with out killing a big chunk of the day. This comfort could make the day extra environment friendly and allow your get together to perform extra. This is primarily a profit if Walt Disney World is the highest or sole precedence on trip–as different non-Disney parks proceed so as to add extra compelling sights, that is changing into much less necessary to many company.
Park Transportation – Once on property at Walt Disney World, company can use a offered transportation between motels, theme parks, and different places on property. All of this transportation is complimentary (or constructed into the value of their room).
The effectivity of the transportation offered to Walt Disney World resort lodge company is hotly disputed, however it’s a good perk. Our perspective is that the included transportation is “good enough” and within the uncommon circumstances when there’s an issue, we’ll merely use Uber or Lyft to complement Disney transportation.
We seldom lease a automobile at Walt Disney World, as we discover it rather more handy to only hop on a bus, monorail, boat, Skyliner gondola, and even stroll from our lodge to the parks than need to trouble with navigating the roads, parking, and trams. We have the “pleasure” of coping with all of that junk (minus the trams) in our each day lives–it’s good to not cope with it on trip.
Transportation is a large benefit that may tip the scales in favor of staying on-site, as it will probably obviate the necessity for a rental automobile, which implies not paying for that or parking at a lodge and on the theme parks. It’s price doing the maths earlier than reserving your lodge.
60+10 Rule – Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) for Walt Disney World desk service eating places are presently obtainable as much as 60 days prematurely for everybody. However, on-site company could make ADRs all through their journey (as much as 10 days) as much as 60 days previous to their resort check-in date.
This makes it simpler to guide your whole ADRs unexpectedly quite than day-by-day. More importantly, the pinnacle begin could be massively advantageous in reserving probably the most difficult-to-score Advance Dining Reservations, comparable to Chef Mickey’s, Story Book Dining at Artist Point, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Space 220, Topolino’s Terrace (breakfast), California Grill, and Akershus. By the time the 60 day mark rolls round, lots of these will already be gone!
Individual Lightning Lane Priority – While there isn’t a precedence reserving window for Genie+ Lightning Lane choices, the identical will not be true for the most well-liked attraction in every park. Paid line skipping for every of these could be bought on an a la carte foundation by way of Individual Lightning Lanes. (Confused but?! If so, seek the advice of our Guide to Individual Lightning Lanes, which covers every part you should know, together with keep away from paying additional for these by beating lengthy traces with different methods.)
When it involves Individual Lightning Lanes, company staying at a Walt Disney World resort lodge are capable of buy and schedule their trip reservations at 7 am, forward of off-site company, who can to take action when every park opens. Both Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance guide up quick. If you’re not staying on-site, it’s unlikely you’ll be capable to guide both of these. When peak journey weeks–like these round Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Presidents’ Day, Easter–different rides may also promote out quick.
Early Theme Park Entry – This replaces morning Extra Magic Hours, or quite, is a non secular successor to that on-site visitor profit. Whereas morning Extra Magic Hours have been supplied on choose days and at choose parks, Early Entry is obtainable in any respect 4 theme parks each single day. That makes it unavoidable for off-site company who prefer to rope drop the parks.
The different large distinction is that Extra Magic Hours lasted for an hour. By distinction, that is 30-minute entry to any Walt Disney World theme park. That might not look like a lot of a head begin, however it may be large. (Also, it often finally ends up being greater than half-hour in 2 parks.) As mentioned in our Best Time-Saving Strategies for Walt Disney World, that is often the highest choice in every park–with the notable exception of Magic Kingdom.
For technique & data about how useful this perk could be, try our Guide to Early Theme Park Entry at Walt Disney World.
Extended Evening Hours – This has a smaller pool of eligibility and happens much less steadily than Early Entry. It’s completely for company staying at Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas (Disney Vacation Club models), or different choose motels (solely the Swan & Dolphin and Shades of Green). So Extended Evening Hours will not be a “pure” on-site profit.
Extended Evening Theme Park Hours happen two nights per week in complete and are often held at EPCOT and Magic Kingdom. Guests staying at Value or Moderate Resorts aren’t eligible for Extended Evening Hours. (Again, these company are eligible for Early Theme Park Entry.) We’ve had some nice no crowds experiences with Extended Evening Hours at Magic Kingdom and Epcot. See our Guide to Extended Evening Hours at Walt Disney World for the schedule by means of early 2023, technique, and different data.
Although initially introduced as a perk for the fiftieth Anniversary, Walt Disney World has confirmed that each Early Entry and Extended Evening Hours will proceed all through 2023.
Resort Fees – Hidden charges have proliferated in recent times at off-site Orlando motels. We can’t stand these resort charges and suggest you battle again in opposition to the extremely consumer-unfriendly apply. Thankfully, Walt Disney World has not diminished itself to tacking on a resort payment (but).
Some third-party motels are identified to cost non-optional resort charges for “wellness packages” (their time period, not ours) together with issues like web, newspaper, and bottled water. It’s necessary to think about all charges when comparability buying lodge pricing, as that “great deal” won’t be practically pretty much as good of an choice when you tack on all of these non-optional charges.
Vacation Packages – Many company additionally discover the comfort of reserving a trip package deal that covers all features of their journey preferable, and people packages essentially embrace lodge lodging. (We recommend shopping for your park tickets from sources apart from Disney to save cash.) However, there’s something to be mentioned for merely calling up Walt Disney World and shopping for your park tickets, room, eating, and transportation multi function fell swoop.
The greatest and finest part of package deal bookings is the Disney Dining Plan, which is quickly unavailable (see above). While we regularly rally in opposition to the illusory comfort of the Disney Dining Plan right here, many individuals do discover it extra handy than paying a la carte. More importantly, when the Free Disney Dining Plan promotion is obtainable, the one motels at which it may be booked are the Disney-owned ones.
Disney Themed Design – Another good thing about staying on-site is that your lodge is an extension of the Walt Disney World theme park expertise. It has its personal distinct design and should not all the time scream “Disney” with icons from animated movies, however the on-site Walt Disney World resort motels really feel similar to the parks by way of thematic yarns.
For probably the most half, they don’t really feel like peculiar motels any greater than the Disney theme parks really feel like peculiar amusement parks. They have a further layer of element and storytelling to “transport” company to a special time and place. In easy phrases of luxurious, Disney motels don’t all the time surpass their actual world counterparts, however they virtually all the time have higher theme.
Along those self same traces, one of many greatest advantages for us of staying at an on-site Walt Disney World lodge is being immersed within the “Disney bubble.” This isn’t one you’ll discover on an facilities checklist, and it’s the place our in any other case try at an goal comparability fails.
For many individuals touring to Walt Disney World, being insulated from the true world is interesting. From the second you cross by means of these gateways that mark every entrance to Walt Disney World property till ending your journey, exhausted, and heading again to the airport, you’re encapsulated within the Walt Disney World expertise.
Of course, there are some intrusions, however for probably the most half, it’s an escape from actuality to a fantasyland of types. Lots of people received’t perceive this or just received’t take care of it, and there’s nothing fallacious with that. If you fall in that class, an off-site lodge is extra more likely to enchantment to you. You merely can’t get this expertise whereas staying at an off-site lodge.
Benefits of Staying Off-Site
Many Walt Disney World followers are going to suggest everybody keep at a Disney-owned on-site lodge for his or her journey as a result of that’s what they personally desire for his or her journeys. However, it’s necessary for us followers to keep in mind that not everyone seems to be nuts about being immersed within the “Disney experience,” and off-site motels can supply nice benefits for different company.
Value Proposition – The greatest benefit to off-site motels is bang for buck. This is often expressed as off-site motels being “cheaper,” however that’s not all it’s. Even if you need luxurious lodging that aren’t going to be cheaper than all on-site motels, you can find that they provide higher worth off-site. In different phrases, you’re not paying Disney’s premium for its title, repute, and placement. There’s extra competitors amongst off-site motels, retaining costs low.
Even for those who aren’t essentially on the lookout for a cut price basement value on a lodge, you’ll sometimes get extra worth out of non-Disney motels. In addition to this, though Disney does many issues effectively, their finest motels merely don’t compete with one of the best actual world motels by way of luxurious.
If you need luxurious lodging, your finest guess is to look elsewhere, such because the Four Seasons (which is definitely on Walt Disney World property), the Waldorf Astoria, Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt Regency, and many others. Even the Swan & Dolphin supply superior bedding and different facilities than any Walt Disney World resort motels, and often these could be booked for concerning the value of a Walt Disney World Moderate-tier lodge.
We have an inventory of the Top 10 Off-Site Hotels Near Walt Disney World, which primarily focuses on the luxurious choices. The checklist additionally contains a few villa/trip dwelling fashion resorts which are giant sufficient to accommodate households of 5 or extra, and are competitively-priced.
Disney is considerably insulated from off-site competitors. For guests who need the on-site location, a seamless ‘bubble’ expertise from their resort to the theme parks, or rooms with particular Disney themes, off-site is much less interesting. Walt Disney World is aware of they’ve these benefits, and value their motels accordingly.
The result’s price range or worth motels that price $100-$200 per evening at Walt Disney World may need a comparable equal off-site for round $50 to $100 per evening. A luxurious lodge which may price over $400/evening on-site at Walt Disney World might have an analogue off-site for round $150/evening. Whether this premium pricing for being within the Disney bubble (“location, location, location!”) is price it to you is a private query.
Loyalty Rewards – Due to work or different journey, you may need loyalty to a selected chain of motels. If you’ve gotten standing or factors at a kind of chains and need to reap the benefits of it, you’ve gotten an apparent benefit in staying at these motels.
We are Hyatt Gold Passport Platinum members, entitling us to quite a lot of perks there, so at any time when we journey to non-Disney places, we attempt to keep at a Hyatt. For lots of people, the familiarity and identified high quality of a significant chain like that is very interesting, even when they don’t have any factors to make use of.
Other Perks & Amenities – This one is a really broad, however probably essential catch-all. Many off-site motels supply free continental breakfast. Some are pet pleasant with minimal charges for that. Others have spectacular swimming pools that surpass something at Walt Disney World. The off-site lodge may need an airport shuttle and shuttle service to the parks–and never simply the Disney parks.
The specifics clearly fluctuate by lodge, and with hundreds of properties in Central Florida, it’s not possible to checklist all of them right here. If there’s one thing you need from a lodge, you’ll be able to in all probability discover it someplace inside a ~20 minute drive of Walt Disney World.
Tailored Accommodations – Generally talking, staying off-site affords better latitude in reserving lodging perfectly-suited to your loved ones dimension and wishes. Outside of Walt Disney World property, trip houses, suites, and all types of various sized lodging all could be discovered at a mess of value factors.
For occasion, it’s a lot simpler to lease a trip dwelling with particular person rooms for everybody, a kitchen, actions room, or no matter you may want on your trip for those who keep off-site. These rooms do exist on-property, however more often than not their pricing places them firmly within the Deluxe tier, making them price prohibitive for a lot of teams.
Straightforward Design – Although we point out Disney theming as a bonus of staying on-site in that part above, it might be a drawback to you.
After an extended day within the parks, you is likely to be having sensory overload on the finish of the day and simply eager to get away from all issues Disney. If you’re not an enormous Disney fan, staying off-site is likely to be a pleasant reprieve throughout your journey.
Location – Much like on-site motels, it’s necessary to keep in mind that not all off-site motels are created equal. In this text, we’re type of utilizing the phrases “off-site” and “non-Disney” interchangeably, however there are various non-Disney motels which are situated on Walt Disney World property.
This is necessary to know as a result of it undermines a few of the location benefits touted by Disney-owned resorts. For instance, the Swan & Dolphin are strolling distance to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Likewise, the third get together motels at Disney Springs and Bonnet Creek are nearer to the parks than some Disney-owned resorts.
Universal Hotel Benefits – We save one of the best for final, as the most important off-site perks are these supplied by Universal Orlando’s resorts. All Universal motels supply Early Park Admission one hour earlier than the theme parks open to most of the people.
Guests staying at Universal’s Premier Hotels get free Unlimited Express Pass to skip the common traces at hottest sights in Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. This is Universal’s equal of QuickPass/Lightning Lanes, however higher–and it usually prices much more cash.
While it’s past the scope of this text, Universal Orlando resorts supply lots of the identical benefits of Walt Disney World motels. Universal’s motels additionally characteristic nice themed design, transportation to the parks, and a terrific location–most are inside strolling distance of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.
If you’re debating between resorts on the two fundamental theme park complexes, see our complete breakdown: Universal Orlando v. Walt Disney World Hotels. That ought to make it easier to decide which is the higher choice on your trip–or if a break up keep is likely to be finest!
Arguably the most important beneficiary of Walt Disney World eliminating so many on-site visitor perks is Universal Orlando. If I have been planning on visiting each theme park complexes and had a good price range for lodging, I’d have much less hesitation that I have been “missing out” on one thing by not staying on-site at Walt Disney World.
While I’d nonetheless lean in favor of a break up keep, one other compelling choice can be reserving a Premier Hotel at Universal as my dwelling base to reap the benefits of the limitless Express Pass that’s included with my keep there. On my Walt Disney World days, I’d commute to these parks utilizing Uber or Lyft. Obviously, that’s not going to make sense or be supreme for everybody, nevertheless it’s only one method Universal has gained important floor on Disney within the final year-plus.
Universal’s motels supply higher worth for cash they usually’ve maintained their advantages, two issues that can not be mentioned for Walt Disney World resorts. Notably, Universal has wonderful price range motels that price round—or typically below—$100 per evening. Even Universal’s Premier Hotels with included Unlimited Express Pass are virtually all the time considerably cheaper than Deluxe Resorts at Walt Disney World.
Consequently, our opinion is that Universal is thrashing Disney relating to the professionals & cons of their respective motels. If you’ll be spending equal (or near it) time at Universal and Walt Disney World throughout your Orlando, Florida trip in 2023, give severe thought to staying at Universal as a substitute of Disney. For perception into the assorted choices at Universal, their professionals & cons, and the way they evaluate and distinction with each other, see our Universal Orlando Hotel Rankings & Reviews.
If you’re completely visiting Walt Disney World, clearly this recommendation is irrelevant.
Overall, there’s lots to think about when figuring out whether or not you need to keep off-site or on-site at Walt Disney World, and there’s nobody dimension matches all reply as to which is “better.” As you’ll be able to see, completely different households would possibly make very completely different selections based mostly upon what issues most to them. There’s actually no proper or fallacious reply, it’s extra what you need out of your trip and the way you weigh the professionals and cons.
The subjective components are virtually all the time going to be the overriding ones, and financial savings that appear to make staying off-site a no brainer slam dunk for some company could also be inadequate to lure others off-site. Whether the on-site premium is “worth it” to you is basically a matter of private desire, however hopefully this submit introduced some goal issues so that you can weigh and make the choice for your self.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? If you’re all for studying extra about motels, our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page is an efficient place to start out. For the place to eat, check out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews web page. If you need to lower your expenses on tickets or decide which kind it is best to get, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips submit takes a singular take a look at unconventional issues it is best to take in your journey. Once you arrive on the parks, our Walt Disney World “Ride Guides” are nice for figuring out what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of those subjects and a lot extra, one of the best place to start out is our complete Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide to benefit from your expertise!
Your Thoughts
Do you usually keep on-site or off-site? Why? What are your key issues when figuring out the place you keep? Thoughts on Universal Orlando v. Walt Disney World motels? Are you a fan of renting a trip dwelling or utilizing Airbnb when reserving a Central Florida trip? Any particular off-site or third get together lodge you suggest? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we may help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!