- Isn’t it cheaper to stay off-site?
- I’d rather spend my money having a good time at the parks and not on the hotel.
- I’m not traveling with kids and those Disney Resort hotels are designed for families and kids, right?
- I have a large family and I want a suite where we can all be together. Can I have that at a Disney hotel
I’ll admit, before I started selling Disney vacations, I had doubts about the value of staying at an on-site hotel. I asked the same questions and I had the same misconceptions about finding “value” at Disney. But after visiting Disney with my own family many times, and through my training opportunities, my feelings about a Walt Disney World vacation have changed. When we go to Disney, my husband and I feel like kids again! We look forward to immersing ourselves in the whole darn fairy tale-like magical experience! For us, it’s a complete escape from reality from check-in to check-out. As a Disney travel agent, I encourage my clients to do the same. There is “value” in the magic that surrounds you at Disney. There’s value in the way Disney and it’s cast members make you feel while you are staying with them – young, happy, curious, adventurous – like a character right out of a Disney movie.
Visiting Walt Disney World is a dream vacation, not just a trip. It requires a lot of pre-planning and budgeting to make sure your vacation plays out exactly as you envisioned it. No matter how big or small your budget is, it is always important to get the most for you money. So I understand why clients are so torn between staying at a Disney Resort hotel or off-site.
Here’s my advice… with a few exceptions (I’ll get to those in a bit), you will get the most value for your money by staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel. Disney has an amazing ability to WOW guests. In fact, 70% of visitors who stay at a Walt Disney World Resort for the first time will return. Disney creates Magic. They take ordinary experiences and make them extraordinary. They want you to feel as though you have stepped into a magical land where adults become kids again and kids get to live out their dreams. And Disney knows that guests who experience this crave more. So, behind the scenes, Disney makes sure to pack a lot of value into their vacation packages. And when weighing the two options, staying on-site vs off, you’ll usually find the cost to be comparable.
Here’s what I mean:
Meet the McMinnie Family! Dad, Mom, and the kids ages 10 and 12 are planning a Disney vacation in August and are struggling with the decision to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel or at an off-site hotel. They will be staying for 6 nights and plan to visit all 4 parks.
Disney is offering a promotional package (you’ll find that Disney is almost always offering a promotion) called “Magic for the Whole Family,” and the total package price for a 6-night stay at a value resort, 6-day park hopper passes and Disney dining plan is $3653
McMinnie Disney Family Vacation at a Walt Disney World cost comparison:
Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel (package price):
- 6-Night stay at a Disney Value Resort hotel
- Disney Dining Plan (1 quick service meal, 1 table service meal and 1 snack per person/ per day)
- 6-day park hopper passes
Magic for the Whole Family Package $3653
Use caution when considering a hotel outside of Walt Disney World. Some hotels will advertise an extremely low rate without mentioning additional fees such as resort fees, parking, addition cost for park transportation, and so on. When staying off-site it’s best to choose a Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel. These hotels have met Disney’s standards for quality and service, and are comfortable, convenient and very close to Disney’s main gate. They have guest services desk to assist you with your visit to Disney, and will provide you with park information before you enter the “the World.” They can often accommodate large families in suites so you don’t have to reserve multiple rooms. Many good neighbor hotels offer free breakfast and evening receptions and some even offer free scheduled shuttle transportation to the parks.
McMinnie family Disney vacation at an off-site hotel 1 mile from Disney
- 6-Night hotel stay $750
- Average cost for food at the parks ($60pp/pd) $1440
- 6-day Park Hopper Passes $1650
Vacation cost at an off-site “Good Neighbor” hotel $3848
So if you’re going to spend the same amount of vacation dollars here or there, why not choose the plan that offers the most convenience, value and magic? Well remember, I said there are some exceptions. Staying at an off-site hotel may save you some money if:
- You aren’t interested in purchasing a Disney dining plan (a Disney dining plan is only available to purchase by guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel).
- You are traveling with a large family (6 or more) and wish to stay in the same hotel room.
- If you plan to visit other Orlando area attractions outside of Disney
So what do you get when you stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel that you won’t get outside of “the World?”
Early Access to Disney FastPass+ Planning
As a guest of Walt Disney World Resort hotels you can enjoy first access to reserve a selection of Disney FastPass+ attractions, shows and more—up to 60 days before you arrive! Valid theme park admission required.
Extended Theme Park Hours
Experience more magic with Extra Magic Hours—enjoy select attractions at one of the theme parks beyond the standard operating schedule. Valid theme park admission required.
Complimentary Resort Transportation & Parking
Motor coaches, ferryboats and our world-famous monorail make getting around Walt Disney World Resort easy. Complimentary parking is also available.
Complimentary MagicBands
Use your all-in-one MagicBand to access Disney theme parks, unlock your Resort hotel room, check in at FastPass+ entrances for previously selected attractions and entertainment, and more. Plus, as a Resort hotel guest, you can even customize a MagicBand with your name and choice of 7 colors! Valid theme park admission required.
Complimentary Airport Service
Skip baggage claim with Disney’s Magical Express, a complimentary roundtrip service that whisks you between Orlando International Airport and select Disney Resort hotels via deluxe motorcoach and provides luggage delivery service to your Resort.
Resort Hotel Entertainment
Themed pools with slides, outdoor Disney movie screenings and Character Dining experiences are just a few of the fun activities that may be available at select Resort hotels.
Legendary Disney Service
Want to know what it’s like to have a Fairy Godmother? Disney Cast Members are available 24 hours a day to make your vacation as captivating and carefree as possible.
* Certain benefits mentioned above are also available to Guests staying at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and select Downtown Disney Resort area hotels.
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Stay connected while off and about on your vacation with convenient, wireless high-speed Internet access in Guest rooms, at select restaurants and around most public spaces.
Disney Dining Plans
Choose a Magic Your Way package with a dining plan and you could enjoy a variety of diverse dining options throughout Walt Disney World Resort.
My Disney Experience
Online and mobile tools that make it easy to dream, plan and share—at home and on the go. Filled with handy features, Disney’s mobile app lets you view and update your plans, make dining 
reservations, search maps of all 4 theme parks, get real-time attraction wait times and
more.
Discover Unique Accommodations
Disney Story Rooms
Act like a pirate, live like royalty or feel like a character in a beloved Disney animated film when you stay in magically themed accommodations at select Walt Disney World
Family Suites
Immerse yourself in magical accommodations for parties up to 6, with the right amount of space for everyone in the family. Suites include 3 sleeping areas, 2 bathrooms and a kitchenette.
Rooms for 5 or More
Relax in expansive accommodations for groups of 5 or more, with enough room for everyone. If you’re planning a reunion or rendezvous with friends, even larger rooms may be available.
Guest with Special Needs
Disney Resort hotels provide numerous accommodations for Guests with disabilities of all kinds, including those with mobility disabilities, visual disabilities and hearing disabilities.
Certified in special needs travel. How may we help you?