Can’t decide whether to stay on or off property at Walt Disney World?
By: April Steckman
July 18, 2024
Let me share my experiences to help you decide!
Ok, let me start off by saying that I am a Resort girlie through and through! So, this article may have SOME bias. However, I absolutely understand the want/need/desire to stay off property when visiting Walt Disney World. I made a list of PROS and CONS for both experiences to help you decide for yourself which is best for you!
On Property
Pros
● Early Park Entry (and perhaps Extended Evening Hours depending on your Resort hotel). This is crucial for me. I LOVE to rope drop, so having that extra time in the mornings is wonderful. With a well thought out plan, I can usually do all my “MUST DO” rides and attractions before noon!
● Paying ahead of time. This is important for me. I like being able to make small payments toward my stay and not have to shell out all the money at once. Many hotels or rental houses require you to pay most, if not all, up front. Plus, your vacation package only requires a $200 deposit to book!
● Dining packages. This is new to me. I have not actually utilized this yet, but I will be trying it out in December. Dining plans went “bye-bye” during COVID and only recently returned. In January, I visited just before the packages were “back on the menu”. This was a solo, budget-friendly visit for me and I easily spent $50+ on food each day. I can’t wait to experience this firsthand in December when I go with my family!
● Transportation. Some people find this to be a “con”. Being on a bus or Monorail with all your closest *cough, cough* friends can seem frustrating. I, personally, love it. Yes, it can be crowded and not pleasant at times. But not being the driver sitting in traffic, figuring out where to park, and how far I have to walk at the end of the day to get to my car is a pro. Not to mention, where did I park my car anyway? (Thank goodness the My Disney Experience app can pin the location for me!)
Ok let's move on to the CONS
● For some people, transportation may be a con. Especially if you are at a Resort hotel that only offers busing to the parks. Disney has tried to make this less of a “con”. In the My Disney Experience app, you can see the approximate bus times. They also have TVs with times at some of the bus stops, so you aren’t wondering if you have to wait 5 minutes or 25.
● It's probably more expensive. The Value Resorts do have some great rates, especially if you can travel during a time there is a promotion going on. The Moderate and Deluxe Resorts certainly get pricey. But let me tell you, if you can make it happen, stay at a Deluxe Resort at least once. However, if you are like me, you may never go back. My Club level stay at the Polynesian is by far my top vacation EVER!
● Space. Especially if you have a larger family. There are very few places to sleep more than 5 people. And if you want a bigger room/suite, you are definitely going to pay for it. There are options for larger families to be sure. But they often won't be at the Value Resorts unless you book two conjoining rooms.
● Your entire vacation is DISNEY. Yes, you can take an Uber or Lyft somewhere else or drive if you have your car. But when you are staying on property, I think most people want to get the most out of the money they spent by staying there. For me, totally not an issue! I want to be emersed by Disney magic. But there are some people who prefer to have a break from that. I get it.
Off Property
Pros
● Affordability. You can absolutely shop around and save money on a hotel room. Or better yet, rent a house nearby and split the cost with multiple families! (Yes, I did this one and NO I will not be doing it again!)
● If you rent a house, there is often a private pool. A quiet oasis away from all the people, especially if it’s nap time for the kiddos! This is great, don't get me wrong. A quiet cup of coffee next to the pool in the morning while everyone is still asleep - it's what parent dreams are made of!
● Which brings me to my next Pro: being able to make your own food. Some on property rooms have kitchenettes and even full kitchens. However, most of your rooms are going to have a small refrigerator and a coffee pot at best. At a house, you can pack a nice lunch to take to the parks along with snacks. This can be a money saver and also great for those picky eaters.
● You will probably rent a car. This means, you aren’t on someone else's timeline. You choose when to stay and when to go…as long as traffic isn’t a complete nightmare.
Cons
● While you may save money on your hotel room, you will not get early entry into the parks. If you don't mind paying the extra money for every day buying the Lightning Lane Multi Pass (yes, we are looking into the future here), this may not be a big deal to you. But if you are trying to avoid that extra purchase, be prepared to wait in longer lines. I am not a patient person, and neither are my kids, so being able to forego the standby lines is crucial for us. Maybe, you don't have the same kind of need for instant gratification that I do!
● You will be buying food in the parks. It's inevitable. Someone will want a Mickey-shaped ice cream bar, that will be too cold, so they just hold it until it gets drippy and then decide it’s better off on the ground than in their hands. While a little $6 snack seems harmless, they add up fast. And let's face it, you are probably going to be ready for an adult beverage at some point or a Starbucks coffee to get you through those nighttime fireworks before driving yourselves back to that nice house you rented!
● You will not get early access to booking special events, dining and Lightning Lane Multi Pass when you stay off property. The folks who stay on property get first dibs when it comes to those things. Sometimes, this isn’t a huge deal if you aren’t trying to snag a reservation at California Grill for the MK fireworks show (By the way, I highly recommend this at least once!), or a specific attraction on Tuesday at 9 am. Clearly, I am a planner and I like to have a very clear plan as early as possible for my park days.
● There likely won't be any kind of discount or promotions for tickets only, unless you are a Florida resident. For example, one promotion could be to upgrade your tickets to include the Park Hopper option for no additional cost. Or a free dining package when you book using your Disney Visa card. (We have established you won’t be able to utilize the dining plans at all if staying off property.) So, you can expect to pay full price when you purchase tickets for your Disney vacation and more if you want to upgrade your tickets to include Park Hopper, etc.
Having experienced both on and off property stays, as well as Moderate vs Deluxe Resorts (We will be trying out a Value Resort in December!), I know that staying on property is always going to be my preference. My brother, on the other hand, lived many years in Florida, has a large family (5 kids, eek!) and often travels via car instead of airplane, so he prefers to stay off property. Some folks are just WAY more laid back than me. The best things about it all... You can still experience that magic of Walt Disney World either way. And, as a Concierge Travel Advisor, I can help you!