Pros and Cons Staying On or Off-Site at Disney
There’s really no right answer when determining whether staying on or offsite at Disney is right for everyone. It really comes down to your family, and what you’re hoping to get out of your vacation. Are you looking to spend your entire trip at Disney, or is Disney just one of many places you plan to visit during your vacation?
Answering this question alone can help you narrow down your answer. There are several pros and cons that we’d love to share with you, to help you determine whether staying on or offsite at Disney is right for your family.
Onsite Pros
More Convenient
Disney knows that their Disney Resorts are more convenient and that guests will be willing to pay a bit more for it. Not only will you be closer to Disney World, but they provide other perks that they don’t offer to off-site guests, and we’ll get to those in a bit.
Extra Magic Hours
Onsite guests will receive Extra Magic Hours or an extended amount of time in the park that offsite guests do not get. Depending on when you visit, you’ll be able to enter one of Disney’s theme parks one hour earlier than everyone else, or stay up to 2 hours longer than normal operating hours.
Earlier Booking for FastPasses
If you’re hoping to cut to the front of Disney’s most popular rides, being able to book your FastPasses before everyone else will be huge. Onsite guests can book their rides as early as 60 days before they visit, while offsite guests will only have 30 days to book their FastPasses.
Free Disney Dining Plan
Visiting Disney at the right time of the year is crucial for you to take advantage of Disney’s Free Dining Plan. That will save you a bunch of money, and you’ll be able to eat at some pretty neat places.
Disney Transportation
Staying on-site also gives your family the luxury of taking Disney’s shuttle transportation to and from their theme parks. You can leave the driving to Disney. Plus it’s free!
Don’t Have to Pay Theme Park Parking
Not only will your family be shuttled to Disney World from your resort, but you won’t have to pay for Disney’s $25 parking a day, every day that you visit.
Offsite Pros
You’ll Spend Less
While staying onsite at one of Disney World’s resorts will be extremely convenient, staying off-site will save you a lot more money. If you’re a family on a budget, staying off-site might be the way to go. Especially if Disney World is not the only thing your family plans on doing during your trip to Florida.
More Bang for Your Buck
Staying at one of Orlando’s Hotels will help you get more bang for your buck. If you have a larger family, you’ll notice that their hotels are more spacious than the space that Disney offers. Plus you’re not paying for a name, but a comfortable stay.
Best Weekend Getaways In Ottawa https://t.co/yNncYCQlYw pic.twitter.com/Z7JWXECSNU
— Annemarie @ TMT (@touristmtravel) January 3, 2020
Free Breakfast
Who doesn’t love waking up to a free breakfast while on vacation? That’s just something that Disney resorts do not do that most hotel in Orlando offers. You can enjoy a hot, hearty breakfast from their buffets, while not costing you a penny more!
Closer to Orlando Downtown
Like mentioned earlier, if you plan on visiting other theme parks, or other attractions in the downtown Orlando area, an onsite stay at one of Disney’s resorts won’t make much sense. You’ll be further away, and paying more for something, when you’re not even visiting Disney World the entire time.
These are a few of the pros and cons of why you should consider staying onsite, or offsite while you’re visiting Disney World. When you’ve visited in the past, where did you stay, and how was your experience?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below, on our Facebook Page, Follow Our Twitter Account or Head Over To Our Pinterest Page!