6 Times When Staying at a Disney World Hotel Just Doesn't Make Sense

We get it — when you plan a Disney World trip, the default vacation setting is to stay at a Disney World resort. After all, you get a few perks for staying on Disney property plus access to Disney World’s transportation services.

However, there may be times when staying at Disney World property just isn’t the right call. You might have reasons for staying off-property that make more sense than staying on-property. So let’s look at why you may want to consider booking a hotel NOT owned by Disney for your next Disney World trip.

You’re traveling with a large group

When you’re traveling with a large group, whether it be with family, friends, or co-workers, a Disney World hotel is probably not going to be able to easily or inexpensively accommodate your entire party. Although you will find accommodations for groups at Disney World, they still may not suit your needs, especially if you’re on a budget.

Family Suite at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

If you have a lot of people traveling with you, it may be easier to get a large room off-property or to book a vacation home that’s big enough to accommodate everyone.

You’re driving your own vehicle

If you’re driving to Disney World, you may not have use for Disney World’s transportation service, which is — let’s face it — one of the big perks of staying at a Disney-owned resort. You may want to drive to all the parks and around the resort on your own.

If you’re driving, you may not need to stay on-property

Just note that if you are staying off-property, you will have to pay for parking at the theme parks. Standard theme park rates are $30 per day, although you can choose to pay more for premium parking (closer to the front gates).

You want free breakfast

If breakfast is a must for you when you’re on vacation, you may not like the idea of having to pay for breakfast every morning during your trip. However, you will not find the idea of free breakfast at Disney World hotels.

Other hotels, though, often offer free breakfast as an option so you can fuel up for your day without having to break your budget. Filling up on free breakfast could also save you money at the parks because you won’t be as hungry as you might be without a good breakfast.

You’re not exclusively visiting Disney World

If you’ve got other locations on your vacation itinerary, like Universal Orlando, the beach, or other spots, you may not get much out of staying at a Disney World hotel. If you’re only doing a few days at Disney World, why pay for a Disney-owned hotel when you’ll still need to travel to those other locations?

You might choose to stay somewhere more central to Orlando (depending on your plans) or wherever you end up deciding to go other than Disney World. If you’re visiting Universal, you might want to consider a Universal-owned hotel.

If you’re traveling with pets

Sometimes you need to travel with your furry friends, and that’s totally understandable. If you have dogs, only four Disney World hotels allow them: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. However, ONLY dogs are allowed at those hotels.

If you want to stay somewhere less expensive or have pets that aren’t dogs, you’ll need to book a pet-friendly hotel elsewhere.

You want to use hotel loyalty rewards

If you’re a member of a hotel loyalty rewards program, you will not be able to earn or use those points at any Disney-owned hotel. However, you can still stay on Disney World property and earn and use Marriott Bonvoy points by staying at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin.

You’ll also find other hotels in the area (particularly in the Disney Springs vicinity) that also have loyalty programs. If you’re wanting to earn and use points, stay at those hotels instead.

So if you’re booking a Disney World and/or Orlando vacation, be sure to consider these factors that could decide if you stay at a Disney-owned hotel or not. And as always, keep checking back with AllEars for more Disney news, tips, tricks, and resources.