Where to Stay: On Disney Property or Off-Site?
Updated on October 8th, 2025
One important decision you will make when planning your trip to Walt Disney World is whether to stay on-site at a Disney Resort or off-site at one of the many hotels in the surrounding area.
The purpose of this page is to offer some suggestions as to what criteria you might want to consider when making such a decision and to summarize the main advantages and disadvantages of each choice.
On this page
Things to Consider When Making Your Choice
When debating the choice of staying on-site or off-site, it is helpful to know the answers to the following questions:
- What is my budget?
- How far in advance am I planning?
- How many people are in my party, and what are their ages?
- Do we want to all stay together in one room, suite, or villa?
- What hotel amenities are important to me?
- Will I have my car/rental car?
- Will I spend most of my time visiting Disney attractions, or will I also visit non-Disney attractions?
On-Site Advantages & Disadvantages
On-site Advantages
- Getting to and from the Parks is generally easier. This is more important if one plans to take afternoon breaks.
- Advanced access to Lightning Lane booking
- Access to make dining reservations 60 days in advance, plus the length of your stay
- Access to Early Theme Park Entry (30 minutes prior to scheduled park opening).
- Early access to purchase tickets for specialty events like holiday parties.
- Immersed in Disney Magic 24 hours a day.
- Disney Resorts offer wonderful theming.
- Disney staff provide excellent service.
- Properties are clean and well-maintained.
- Priority on tee times on Disney golf courses.
- Room-charge privileges throughout Walt Disney World.
- Merchandise delivery to your Disney Resort.
- Access to Disney World’s closed-circuit TV information channels.
- Unlimited use of Disney World transportation system.
- Able to purchase Disney Dining Plan
On-site Disadvantages
- Rooms are more expensive.
- The availability of budget-priced rooms is limited, especially at short notice.
- Dining is generally more expensive.
- Getting to and from non-Disney attractions may be more difficult.
- Traveling from Resort to Resort, relying on Disney Transportation can be time-consuming and/or frustrating.
Off-Site Advantages & Disadvantages
Off-site Advantages
- Generally, larger accommodations for the same or a lower price.
- More likely to find rooms in the desired price range at the last minute.
- Better access to restaurants, shopping, and non-Disney attractions.
- NOT immersed in Disney Magic 24 hours a day.
- Some hotels offer scheduled shuttle service to the parks.
- Some hotels offer free breakfast.
- Many off-site hotels offer discounts to non-Disney attractions and restaurants.
Off-site Disadvantages
- Getting to and from the parks may be more difficult. This is more important if one plans to take afternoon breaks from the parks.
- On-peak holiday parking lot(s) at Disney World Parks might be closed.
- The quality of the rooms varies, as does the service.
- Off-site guests must pay for parking at Disney theme parks if they drive, unless they have an Annual Pass.
- Shuttle service is often limited at many hotels. Some hotels share shuttles, which can result in slow and/or crowded service, while others charge for using their shuttle service.
- Hotel staff may be less familiar with Disney property.
