Why You Should Skip Disney World Hotels in 2026

Listen, we’re big fans of a Disney World Resort stay, but we might be telling you to SKIP the hotels in 2026.

It really all comes down to your personal vacation needs, your budget, and what perks you’re looking for, but a Disney World hotel might not be the right choice for you. This is why you should SKIP a Disney Resort stay in 2026.

Prices

Starting out, the main reason why you might want to avoid a Disney Resort stay in 2026 is the price! Disney World’s hotels can be expensive, especially when compared to options nearby off-property.

Disney World’s “value” resorts run in the early-to-mid $100 during slower times of the year, and are often $200+ per night during busier times. If you’re hoping to stay at a Deluxe Resort, you’ll be looking at more than $500 per night for most stays. And for those planning on longer vacations, that adds up QUICKLY.

So if you’re on a really tight budget, it might be a good idea to consider another hotel nearby (like some of the options in the Disney Springs area) or book a vacation rental off Disney property.

Disney World does offer hotel discounts at many points in the year, and they can save you 30% or more, so be sure to keep that in mind! As a general rule, you should always ask if there are discounts available when booking your stay. You can find current discounts right here!

If you use a travel agent like Mouse Fan Travel, they can also help watch for discounts that may pop up to save you money.

Construction

In 2026, several different Disney World hotels will be under construction with room renovations, touch-ups, and lobby refurbishments. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is one of the most heavily affected with a full-scale lobby makeover underway.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will be getting room updates throughout 2026, and Yacht & Beach Club will be getting extensive exterior refurbishments on the buildings. There will also be significant construction at the Polynesian Villas.

Several hotels will also have pool maintenance throughout the year, so make sure to check the resort website before booking.

Perks Are More Limited Than Before

If you stayed at a Disney World Resort years ago, things are definitely different now. Early Theme Park Entry has replaced Extra Magic Hours, so instead of getting an extra hour at a designated park during your stay, you’ll get 30 minutes of early entry into the parks. However, the Early Theme Park Entry is available every day at every park — and so it could work out better for you in your trip plans.

MagicBands are no longer included with your hotel stay, and Magical Express is gone now. Room service hasn’t truly returned since the pandemic, and you can’t get packages delivered to your room anymore. Things are definitely different from what they were!

Do keep in mind, though, that a stay at a Disney World hotel during 2026 includes free water park entry on your check-in day in the summer, and free dining plans for kids when you buy the dining plan for the people over 10 in your party. (You can learn more about this dining deal right here!)

You can also get access to booking Lightning Lanes before other guests if you stay on-property at Disney World. And classic perks like free parking and free transportation are still available.

Why You Shouldn’t Skip Buying Lightning Lanes at Disney World!

Universal Orlando Hotels Have a Lot to Offer

The last reason you might consider staying off Disney World property is that the Universal Orlando hotels have a lot to offer. They’re typically a little bit more affordable than Disney Resorts, with many of the same perks offered, just on Universal property.

And if you’re considering visiting the Universal Orlando parks (including the new Epic Universe!) those perks could be invaluable. You’d get to enter the parks an hour early, access free transportation, and you might even be able to get Express Pass included with your stay.

Why You SHOULD Stay at a Disney World Hotel

But even though there are cons, there are still several PROS to staying at a Disney World Resort. You get complimentary transportation to the parks and Disney Springs. You get that Early Theme Park Entry every day, and for Deluxe Resorts, they have Extended Evening Hours on select dates.

Resort guests can book their dining reservations for their entire stay at once, and they get priority booking for Lightning Lanes. Also, there’s just a special magic to being inside the “Disney bubble.”

No matter what you choose for your Disney World trip, you can have a great stay if you do your research ahead of time.

Stay tuned to AllEars for more Disney World updates!

Disney World Hotels Are Changing in 2026 — Click Here!

Are you staying at a Disney World hotel in 2026? Tell us in the comments!

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