When beginning to plan a Walt Disney World vacation, one of the first decisions you must make is deciding to stay at a Disney World resort or to stay off property at another resort, hotel, or rental. Many people have their preferred method, but for others, it isn’t as easy; and with recent changes, the pros and cons of staying on property are not the same as they once were.
There are several benefits to staying at a Walt Disney World resort.
First, there are free continuous transportation options to the parks and Disney Springs from all Walt Disney World resorts. While other hotels may have transportation to the parks, they typically are not as frequent or may cost an extra fee. Additionally, as a Disney World resort guest, you have earlier access to make dining reservations and (when it is released) make selections with Disney Genie.
As it stands, Disney World resort guests can make dining reservations 60 days out from their check-in date (up to 10 days) while non-Disney resort guests can only make reservations 60 days out, one day at a time. Beginning October 1st, Disney World resort guests will also be allowed to enter the parks 30 minutes earlier, with Deluxe resort guests also getting extra extended hours in the evening of specific days. One other major benefit of staying on property is the ability to receive a full refund up to 30 days before your trip if you should have to cancel.
This is a major bonus with the way circumstances can change so quickly these days. Another convenience to staying on-site is the ability to charge items anywhere on property to your room using a magic band or Magic Mobile on a smartphone. Just note, this can sometimes result in an extra hold on your account depending on your bank. Dining options are also a benefit to staying on-site. All the Walt Disney World resorts offer one or more dining experiences ranging from food court-style offerings to character meals and signature dining.
Finally, there is what some call the “Disney Bubble.” When staying at a Disney World resort, you are immersed in Disney the whole time. Everywhere you go from the parks your room is dusted with sprinkles of pixie dust, and it can make you feel like you are completely separated from the stresses of the outside world. Many people prefer Disney World resorts for this single reason.
However, some old benefits are no longer available.
One huge benefit to staying on Disney World property is being discontinued on January 1, 2022. The use of Disney’s Magical Express to transport you from Orlando International Airport to your resort will no longer be available. There will now only be paid options. Currently, there is also no dining plan.
While we have word it will return, we are unsure of when that will be. With no FastPass+, there is also no benefit to booking your fast passes a month earlier than everyone else. As mentioned, Disney resort guests can make selections with Disney Genie slightly earlier than off-property guests, however, you’re going to have to have to wake up at 7 am to take advantage of that perk. Lastly, if you drive you will have to pay a daily parking fee at all Disney World resorts. Although you must pay a resort parking fee, you do not have to pay to park at any of the parks.
There are many benefits to staying off-property as well.
The first and most obvious benefit to staying off-property is cost. Most Disney World resorts are going to cost considerably more than other hotels. Additionally, you can typically get a larger room at a non-Disney hotel or house rental for the same price as a Disney World resort room. For the average hotel price, most of the available rooms on property are rather small. This can be especially challenging for families of 5 or more as many won’t fit in a standard Disney World resort room and must pay more for a larger room.
There are many hotels or houses off-property that may include additional bathrooms, multiple bedrooms, kitchens, or even private pools at a comparable price to a standard room at many Disney World resorts. Plus, you can also use loyalty points at many non-Disney hotels which can be a huge money-saver.
Additionally, there are dozens of “Good Neighbor” hotels such as the Disney Springs area hotels and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels. “Good Neighbor” hotels are partnered with Disney to provide you with some of the same benefits as on-site resorts but are not actually Walt Disney World resorts.
You can get larger rooms, transportation to the parks, and convenient locations while staying at one of the “Good Neighbor” hotels. Not to mention, many are going to have rooms at a lower price. Hotels like the Swan and Dolphin hotels can even give you a bit of that “Disney Bubble” feeling in addition to several dining options. Furthermore, many of the “Good Neighbor” hotels are included in the 30-minute early park entry and the ability to book a theme park package (allowing that refund up to 30 days).
It is always best to weigh the benefits that are most important to you to ensure you pick the perfect place for your family. However, based on the current pros and cons, staying at a Disney “Good Neighbor” hotel can give you many of the same benefits as staying on-site, while also offering lower costs and larger rooms. It may be beneficial to consider one when planning your next Walt Disney World trip.
