We’re going to be brutally honest here – planning a stay in a Disney World hotel can make our bank accounts weep so much that it’s like they just watched Toy Story 3.
Deciding whether to stay on property or off property, can make a HUGE difference, and it’s an important point to consider in the planning process. Particularly since so many perks have disappeared over the past couple of years, staying offsite is becoming more appealing to guests.
Lots of guests are asking if Disney World’s Resort hotels are worth the price. Today we’re breaking it down!
Disney World Hotels Are Definitely More Expensive
Let’s start with the obvious – Disney World hotels ain’t cheap! When you compare them one to one with offsite options, you’ll be paying more per night to stay at Disney World. You can find just-as-nice hotels for cheaper offsite (with similar amenities), especially if you’re some kind of rewards member. So why spend the extra money to stay on Disney World property?
There Are Some Perks to Staying Onsite at Disney World
Well, the good news is that there are some clear perks to staying onsite at Disney World. First of all, you’ll get Early Theme Park Entry, which means that you can enter any Disney World theme park 30 minutes before the regular guests that day. This can be particularly helpful if you’re trying to hit some of the big rides while they have short wait times.
Also, guests staying at Disney World’s Deluxe hotels will have access to Extended Evening Hours twice a week, where you’ll get two hours of late-night park time. That’s the benefit you get for paying the big bucks!
All resort guests will also get discounts on select MagicBands (when ordered through your My Disney Experience account ahead of your trip), free transportation to the parks from your hotel, and early access at 7AM to book Individual Lightning Lane Selections (the “fancy rides” that you purchase individually for Lightning Lane access). On top of that, resort guests can make dining reservations 60 days in advance, plus the length of their trip, so you may be able to snag those hard-to-get restaurants if you plan them for later in your vacation.
But is it Actually WORTH IT to Stay Onsite?
So all those perks are great, but are they really worth it? It basically depends on what you want out of your vacation. If you’re hoping for convenience and Disney “magic,” then it definitely is. However, if you’re looking to save money, get more space, or you’re not planning on spending time at the hotel, maybe not. Let’s break it down.
When It’s NOT Worth the Cost
First of all, let’s talk about when you probably shouldn’t spend the extra money on a Disney hotel. For starters, if you’re on a tight budget, this can be an easy way to cut some corners. You can save hundreds by staying off-property, just make sure to factor in the cost of transportation, whether that’s a shuttle, an Uber/Lyft, or parking fees at the parks (if you are not an Annual Passholder).
And speaking of parking…staying off property might be a good idea if you’re planning on driving anyway. Disney transportation is a big perk, but if you’re not planning on using it (you’re renting a car or bringing your own), then it may not be a big deal. You’ll still pay $25/day to park at the theme parks, but you can avoid the Disney hotel parking fees (although, make sure to check your own hotel’s policies first).
Another reason you may want to skip staying onsite? You won’t be spending much time in your room! If you’re staying offsite, it can be a hassle to go back and forth from your hotel if you want a midday break, but if you’re not that type and you’re ONLY using the room to sleep in at night, then go ahead and stay at a cheaper non-Disney property. Disney resorts are a unique experience, and they’re not quite as worth it if you won’t be taking the time to enjoy them.
When it IS Worth the Cost
So when IS a Disney hotel worth the price? Well, there are a few cases where it could be! For starters, if you’re celebrating a special occasion like a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon, graduation, or something else, then you may want to splurge and enjoy somewhere nice to stay.
Also, a Disney hotel may be a good choice if you’re looking for that extra convenience. If you’re staying onsite, you won’t need to drive or rent a car, you can have easy transportation to your hotel from the parks, and you can avoid parking altogether (and the TTC, mostly).
Those who have a long list of popular attractions on their must-dos might also want to consider staying “in the magic.” With that Early Theme Park Entry (or even the Extended Evening Hours), you’ll be able to get a jump start on the big-ticket attractions and hopefully save some time waiting in line. You’ll also get that early access to Individual Lightning Lane Selections in the morning, so you can get a jump on purchasing Rise of the Resistance, which sometimes sells out before it even becomes available to regular day guests.
And finally, choose a Disney hotel if you don’t want to waste any time! It can take a lot of extra time to travel offsite and back every day, and staying onsite gets you in and out of the parks quicker. Forgot something in your hotel room? You can just go back. Want a midday break? It’s easy to go to your room and rest. You’ll be able to leave the parks later, wake up later, and enjoy more time soaking in all the Disney property has to offer!
So that’s what you need to know about choosing to stay at a Disney World hotel! We’ll keep you updated with all of the theme park news, so keep following along here at AllEars.
5 Reasons Why You SHOULDN’T Stay at a Disney Resort This Year — Click Here!
Do you stay at Disney World hotels or do you say off-site? Tell us in the comments!
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We find being onsite easier for a family with different schedules. My son and I are always at the park before opening and my wife often meets us around lunchtime. Otherwise we have to shift schedules or pay multiple Uber/Lyft fees to accommodate our schedules. Having Disney transportation just makes it easier and ore flexible in my mind.
“worth it” is irrelevant. when you go to new york city, you dont hem and haw about if you should pay to stay in the city. when you go to san francisco, you dont stay in san mateo to save money on a hotel. when we go to disney world, we stay in disney world, because we went to disney world. the price is the price, and we factor that in our decision whether to go any particular trip.
True, but some of us don’t get to stay in the 4 star hotels in NYC or San Francisco. And for some people who visit Disney World, the hotel is merely a place to sleep and shower, so cost can be a factor if other hotel amenities are not used or appreciated. We all make tradeoffs that make sense to us.
It used to be worth it. Not anymore. The magic is gone due to corporate greed.
CSFurious – you are so right! You used to get extra magic hours no matter where you stayed on property. Now, only if you stay at a deluxe hotel. Probably the biggest slap in the face yet.
We are staying at a Deluxe and we are getting a couple of extra hours at epcot on one night in the whole 6 night vacation. What kind of a deal is that?
I believe annual pass holders still do not pay for parking at the Disney parks…
Hi Rob, you are correct. Annual Passholders do not pay for parking at the Disney Parks.
Here’s the stickler though…. Annual passholders DO pay for hotel parking @ $25/day. So, even that small cost saving perk was closed up by DIS for AP holders who drive and are trying to justify staying onsite.
One more reason in the “worth it” column should be a first time visit, especially if it’s a bucket list / one and done type trip. There is a tangible difference to being on site that gives you the full Disney “experience”.
We used to stay at Port Orleans French Quarter and loved it, but my traveling companion bought an area timeshare. So now we stay out of the World, and use Lyft for getting to the parks. I still miss the charm of French Quarter, but now we spend far less for a condo with a kitchen and washing machine/dryer. The downside is that the timeshare resort’s restaurants are horrible, so we need to plan extra time to cook on days not spent at the parks. The convenience stores are not very convenient if you don’t rent a car, and the in-resort bus system is useless. But the savings are quite significant.
It also occurred to me that it might be cheaper to use Lyft to travel from an off-World hotel to a park than to drive and pay for parking. It would certainly eliminate the slog from the parking lot to the park entrance, which would be worth a few extra dollars to me. Plus, you don’t have to remember where you parked a rental car that you might not even recognize!