So, you’re planning your vacation, realise Disney World tickets are crazy expensive, and want to save money by staying at Disney World off site hotels?
Or maybe, you don’t think the Disney World on site hotels are what you’re looking for. So, opting for another nearby hotel may be the way to go.
Sure, it sounds like a good idea, but there are MANY things that you should consider before jumping to that possibly false conclusion.
Yeah, hotels near Disney World are often VERY different than Disney World on site hotels – and usually, not for the best.
This post is all about the 5 main reasons why staying at Disney World off site hotels and villas may be a terrible idea on your next trip.
Why You shouldn’t Stay at Disney World Off Site Hotels
Should I stay off site at Disney World to save money?
When people consider staying off site on a Disney vacation, itâs usually to save money.
To experience the âDisney differenceâ, there often is a less than favourable price difference as well.
And at first glance, this can appear to be true.
But Disney World offers guests some excellent cost-saving benefits âŚ
1) Don’t forget about money-saving Disney World on site hotel benefits
Yes, staying at Disney-owned resorts can save you money on your trip!
Here are a few perks that can save you money on your Disney World trip:
- All on-site guests have access to complimentary transportation to the Disney Parks, Water Parks and Disney Springs (weâll delve more into how this can save you money in point #4).
- If youâre staying at a Disney World on site hotel in 2025, youâll have free entrance to a water park (either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach – depending on which is open at the time you visit). If you were planning a visit to the water park, you could save a lot on tickets (in 2024, the prices of 1-day tickets to the Disney Water Parks are $74 + tax for guests 10+ and $68 + tax for guests 3-9).
- You can stay at a Value Resortâthe least expensive of the Disney World Resortsâand gain access to almost every Disney World perk (except Extended Evening Hoursâmore on that in point #3).
- You donât have to pay super high hotel fees. Many off-site Disney World hotels charge guests VERY high hotel fees (some even more than $40 per night). At Disney, you pay for the room and the 12.5% tax). But be aware that there are additional fees if you have more than two adults in a hotel room ($15 per additional adult per night at Value Resorts, $25 per additional adult per night at Moderate Resorts, and $35 per additional adult per night at Deluxe Resorts).
- Parking is free at Disney World Resorts (and often isn’t when staying off-site).
RELATED POST: 9 Major Reasons Why You Should Stay at Value Resorts at Disney World
2) There are other great on-site benefits
Admittedly, there are fewer on-site benefits than there used to be (RIP Magical Express, free MagicBands and Fastpass+ đ).
These include:
- Early Theme Park Entry – Guests of on-site Disney hotels can enter the parks 30 minutes before off-site guests. Guests staying in some other hotels also get access to this benefit).
- Extended Evening Theme Park HoursâFor Deluxe Resort guests and select other hotels, guests can spend two extra hours at a theme park after closing. This usually happens twice a week (once at Magic Kingdom and once at Epcot), but it is subject to change. Make sure to check the park hours before you go for the most up-to-date information.
- Disney Dining PlansâIf you stay on-site, you can purchase a Disney Dining Plan. This allows you to pre-pay for your food before your visit. Although this doesnât save money in most cases, some people appreciate the convenience of the Disney Dining Plans. For more information, check out this post, where we broke down the Disney Dining Plans in more detail.
3) Be aware that Off-Site Hotels with Shuttle Buses to the Disney Parks are not always as good as they sound
Some off-site hotels offer shuttle buses to the Disney Parks. But before booking your stay, youâll want to be aware of the following things:
- How often will the buses run? (It probably wonât be every 20 minutes or so, like the Disney buses).
- They often wonât provide free transportation to Disney Springs and the Disney Water Parks.
- You may need to book your place on the shuttle bus in advance – reducing your spontaneity.
- The Magic Kingdom shuttle bus will usually drop you off at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC). From here, youâll then have to catch a Monorail or the Ferryboat – which is time consuming – and frankly, kind of annoying.Â
4) Your resort will probably be further away from the parks – adding even more to transportation time
The closer your hotel is to the parks, the less time you’ll have to spend travelling.
But, if your hotel is potentially miles away from the Disney World Parks, it can be much more of a hassle.
This is a common problem with staying off-site, with the exception of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels and the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve (which are within walking distance to Epcot and Hollywood Studios).
5) You don’t get the enjoyment of staying in the ‘Disney bubble’
Staying within the “Disney bubble” is an important part of the Disney World experience.
You miss out on this immersive and enchanting atmosphere when you stay at off-site hotels or villas.
Disney’s on-site resorts are meticulously themed to transport guests into various magical worlds.
Whether you’re exploring the African savannah at Animal Kingdom Lodge or experiencing the charm of a Caribbean island at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, each on-site hotel offers a unique and immersive experience.
Off-site accommodations often lack this level of theming, depriving guests of the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the magic of Disney.
Additionally, Disney’s on-site resorts offer a wide range of amenities and services designed to enhance your vacation experience.
From themed pools and water slides (at Deluxe Resorts) to character dining experiences and complimentary transportation to the parks, staying on-site provides access to a host of magical offerings that off-site accommodations usually can’t match.
Ta Ta For Now
Although staying at off-site Disney World hotels can be a good option for some guests, weâve discussed the ways they arenât always as good as they seem.
So, when deciding where to stay on your Disney World vacation, keep this in mind when choosing the best resort for you!
This post is all about the 5 main reasons why staying at Disney World off site hotels and villas may be a terrible idea on your next trip.
Other Posts You May Like