5 Reasons to LEAVE Disney World On Your Next Trip

When traveling to Disney World, it can be tempting not to leave the bubble. Like ever. Or at least during the duration of your vacation.

However, there are many reasons why you should leave Disney World on your next Disney World trip! Sound confusing? Hear us out!

As magical and immersive as Disney World can be, there are benefits to breaking away from it for a bit, from the lower costs to the unforeseen hassles of staying on-property. Here are 5 reasons to leave Disney World on your next trip:

Other Theme Parks

Orlando is nicknamed the Theme Park Capital of the World for good reason — and it’s not just Disney! To really maximize the whole experience of this iconic destination, it helps to get out of Disney World for a day.

Universal Orlando is the prime example of a park that’s totally different from Disney World in just about every way, with thrilling and exciting atmospheres and attractions all its own!

Disney World might have the nostalgia factor, but there are a few ways Universal has it beat, from the water rides to Mobile Ordering. It’s definitely worth a detour!

Cheaper Everything

Disney World might be known for Magic, but it’s also known for high prices. By leaving the park, even just a mile or two down the road, you’ll notice an immediate and drastic change in prices.

While the quality remains high at area hotels and restaurants, plus attractions like museums and tours, you’ll get much more bang for your buck — larger rooms at lower costs, for instance — than staying on-property or just never leaving Disney.

Experience “Disney-style” Food in Orlando

By heading into Orlando proper, you might be surprised not only by the abundance of amazing dining options, but by how much you’ll love the food scene there! Being a sizable city, much larger than Disney World, the sheer number of restaurants and bars and bakeries and neighborhoods provides endless options, frequently at more affordable costs.

Plus, you can experience “Disney-style” food in an easier-to-get setting, like the original Gideon’s Bakehouse location in East End Market, where you’ll only need to wait 10 minutes for a cookie, rather than four hours. Or The Ravenous Pig, which is the Table Service version of The Polite Pig, with many more menu items!

Staying on Disney Property Can Be A Lot

We’re not gonna sugarcoat it: sometimes, staying on Disney property can be a bit much. Listen, we get swept up by the magic of it all as much as the next person, but there are some serious drawbacks we have to address that might encourage you to stay elsewhere.

For one, the cost can be staggering. Especially considering many rooms are quite, shall we say, compact? Some hotel properties, on the other hand, are so sprawling and maze-like that it can be a bit of a burden after a long day walking for miles in the parks. Plus, the Value Resorts are woefully lacking in dining options, potentially forcing you to dine elsewhere, spend more money, and negate the whole point of staying in a Value Resort to begin with.

Not to mention the seemingly endless construction! Sometimes, it pays to stay nearby in a larger and more affordable room so you can fully appreciate the splendor of Disney, without tainting it with hotel room grievances.

You Just Need a Minute

Disney World, for all its wonders, can really take it out of you. Between the crowds, the lines, the heat, the hard-to-get reservations…sometimes it’s good to leave Disney for a bit to just relax and get away from the hustle of it.

Go sit in a cozy cafe, go to a museum, or go for a walk in a beautiful park — Orlando has plenty of all of these things! You’ve got loads of relaxing options, and by breaking away from the Disney grind for a moment, it’ll help you return with a newfound appreciation for the parks.

So whether it’s to save money, save some anxiety, or save room for more theme parks, these are five of the biggest reasons why it’s totally worthwhile to leave Disney World! 

Don’t Leave Disney World Without Doing THIS

What is your main reason for leaving Disney World? Let us know in the comments!