If you’re headed to Disney World for the first time, or if you’ve never stayed at a Disney Resort before, you might be wondering if it’s really worth it.
There are definitely pros and cons to staying on and off Disney property. But ultimately, it’s going to depend on your group and specific needs and interests of your situation.
Today, we’re going to take a look at my top pros and cons of staying at a Disney World resort. Hopefully this will help you make a choice that’s right for you and your group.
Pros
The options
There are plenty of options to choose from.
There are multi-bedroom Deluxe Resorts and Villas (some of which have kitchenette options), mid-range Moderate Resorts, and more affordable Value Resorts.
Each resort also has its own theme, layout, restaurant options, and activities to choose from. This allows you to pick a resort that will best meet the needs and interests of your family.
And while there are some differences at each of these resorts, the following things on this list can be found in ALL resorts, regardless of the price range.
These options make it easy to find a room that’s in your budget and meets the needs of your group.
To learn more about the difference between Value, Moderate, and Deluxe Resorts, and choose the option that’s best for you, check out this post!
The atmosphere
The theming at these resorts is incredibly detailed. And you’ll find the same Disney Magic that happens in the parks follows you all throughout your stay.
The exact atmosphere will vary from resort to resort. Some are more Disney specific (like Art of Animation) and others are themed after a location (like Old Key West). But every resort is full of magical Disney touches.
Plus, staying in a Disney Resort means you’ll never have to leave the Disney bubble. You can completely escape from reality for the duration of your trip.
The service
Disney is known for its world-class customer service, and that very much extends to its resorts.
So much so, that I always find it a little jarring when I get back to the airport to head home and find that the employees are not excited and enthusiastic to help me.
If there is anything a cast member can do for you, they will do it. They are patient, and typically genuinely interested in making your trip the best it can be.
Disney also does its best to accommodate requests. So if you’d like adjoining rooms or a specific view, you can always ask.
It’s never a guarantee, but they really do their best to meet your request in a way other hotels usually don’t. (And personally, I’ve never had a problem getting what I’ve asked for.)
They can also help make dinner reservations and iron out magic band issues–or at the very least, they can direct you to someone who can.
The perks
There are so many perks to staying at a Disney World Resort.
Resort guests get Extra Magic Hours, which allows you to go to the park an hour or two before it opens or stay an hour or two after it closes on designated days.
You also have easy access to Disney transportation, which runs regularly, to move you between the parks, resorts, and any place else you may need to go on property. (You can learn more about Disney Transportation here)
If you’re staying off-site, you can still use the transportation system once you get on property, but the shuttles between outside hotels and the parks don’t usually run as frequently as Disney’s.
You also have access to the Magical Express, which will take you to and from the airport. They will also collect your checked luggage for you and deliver it to your room, so you can head right to the parks when you arrive. (You can learn more about the Magical Express here.)
You can also have any purchases you make in the parks sent straight to your Disney Resort to be picked up there, so you don’t have to carry them around with you.
Plus, you can manage everything about your stay in the My Disney Experience app, get free Magic Bands (and discount upgraded bands), and get an extended FastPass booking window (you can book your FastPasses 60-days as opposed to 30).
Here you can learn more about: The My Disney Experience App, Magic Bands, and Fastpasses.
Cons
The Price
I’m sure it hasn’t escaped your notice that Disney Resorts are more expensive than your average hotel–sometimes, significantly so.
And while you can certainly make a case that you get what you pay for, that doesn’t mean it’s always in the budget.
You can absolutely have a magical trip and pay a lot less staying off property. So if you’re looking to do Disney as cheaply as humanly possible, staying off-site might be better for you.
Room size
You can also get rooms that are bigger and have more in-room amenities for a fraction of the cost of a Disney resort.
So if you’re looking for a little extra space or a kitchen, you can typically get those things for less per night staying outside the park than you would staying inside the park.
This may come in the form of an outside hotel, or by renting a house or condo via AirBnB (or something similar).
I find a Disney Value room to be comfortable enough for 2-4 people. But if you’re going to be with your group all day in the parks, then all night in the room, you’ll be together a lot.
If you’re going to want to spread out, and two Disney rooms or a multi-room suite, just isn’t in the budget, you might want to look outside the park.
The limitations
If you’re staying at a Disney Resort (and you didn’t bring your car), you’re basically committed to staying in Disney for the duration of your trip.
Of course, you can take a taxi or a rideshare and go elsewhere, but you’ll have more options if you stay outside the park.
For instance, if you want to spend some of your time at Disney World and some of your time at Universal, you might be better off staying outside the park at a hotel that has a shuttle to both.
Or if you know you aren’t going to want to eat at Disney restaurants and pay Disney prices, you’ll have more accessible choices if you stay off property.
You also have more options with regard to the type of place you stay, whether it be a hotel, condo, or house (which can be great for big groups).
My Experience and Preference
I’ve stayed both on and off property. Personally, I’ve always preferred on property.
I love being in the Disney bubble. I love all the extras that come with staying on property, and I love how I’m treated when I’m there. To me, that makes it worth the cost.
I typically go with smaller groups (between 4-6 people), so staying on-site spread out between 2-3 hotel rooms is very manageable.
However, when I stayed off property, it was with a very large group, and it definitely made the most sense for that trip. And I really did still have a magical time.
For more Disney World tips and tricks, check out the other Disney World Posts!
Sound off: What’s been your experience staying on and off property? If you’ve done both, which do you prefer and why? Tell us about it in the comments!