Visiting Disney World? Should I Stay Onsite or Offsite at Disney World?

Which is better? Should you stay onsite or offsite at Disney World? Many years ago, we would spend two to four weeks each June in Orlando and we rarely stayed at the Disney properties. Instead, we would hop around from timeshare to timeshare.

Now that the kids are older and super busy, a week at a time is about all we can get away for. Due to that, for the last few years, we’ve stayed almost exclusively at Disney resorts.

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However this last trip, we had some points we had to use up so we stayed at a nearby resort. This got me thinking about which is better … and I still don’t have a definitive answer.

I think it depends on what amenities are important to you, and what the purpose of your trip is. That being said, here are some pros and cons for both staying onsite and offsite.

Pros for Staying at a Disney Property

1. Amazing resorts

There are some really great reasons for staying onsite, but my all-time favorite reason is that the resorts are amazing. They are so well-themed, that you get that “Disney” feel 24/7. If you love Disney, this will be a big plus for you!

You’ll also discover little Disney touches throughout your stay. Things like icy-cold fruit-infused water in the lobby, Disney pin trading with cast members, and hidden Mickey’s galore.

If you visit the DVC properties you’ll also find a whole schedule of engaging activities ranging from pool parties to trivia. It can be a lot of fun to spend a resort day just enjoying all these activities.

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2. Location, location, location

Location is the second advantage of staying onsite. You just can’t get any closer to the action. Plus, if you are lucky you’ll have a view of fireworks, a lovely lake, or even giraffes!

Several of the resorts are within walking distance of some of the parks. We stayed at the Contemporary and were able to walk to the Magic Kingdom and take the monorail to Epcot, Boardwalk where we walked to both Epcot AND Hollywood Studios and Saratoga Springs which allowed us a quick walk over to Disney Springs.

Even if you aren’t within walking distance, when you stay on-site you can take advantage of complimentary transportation between hotels, parks, and Disney Springs. This means you don’t need to rent a car which can be several hundred dollars in cost savings.

3. Staying onsite means extra park benefits

Finally, there are a few park benefits too. Often parks offer early entry or the ability to stay late. This perk does change from time to time, so be sure to check with the property when you arrive to see what’s available.

I guarantee you that if you are there when the park opens for the morning hours you can knock out several of the big rides without long lines!

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Cons for Staying at a Disney Property

Although I’m a onsite fan, there are some cons to consider …

1. Staying onsite can be expensive

The biggest one is the cost. It can be much more expensive to stay on-site at a Disney resort. Although the atmosphere and perks are nice, they do come at a cost.

3. It’s harder to buy groceries for your room

Although I mentioned the ability to forgo a car rental as a benefit, not having a car does mean all your food must come from the park areas.

Disney food is notoriously expensive. If you happen to stay in a room that has a full kitchen, you can have Amazon Prime Deliver but otherwise, everything you eat has to be purchased at a location you can take Disney transport to.

3. You might feel like you are “wasting” all the extras

Finally, it can feel like a “waste” of such a great room if you spend all your time in the parks. We love the feel of the Disney resorts as well as the pools, activities, etc. but if we are planning on long park days, it can feel wasteful to spend so much money on a great place that we are only using to rest our heads at night.

Pros for Staying Offsite

So, why would you choose to stay offsite?

1. Save some money by staying offsite

Although not always, staying offsite is often much cheaper. For instance, on the trip I mentioned above, we stayed in a two-bedroom condo with a full kitchen for less than our last trip onsite in a one-bedroom condo.

2. Staying offsite gives you more flexibility

Staying offsite gives you more flexibility. It’s pretty much guaranteed that you’ll need a car, which means that you aren’t tied to Disney for all your food and entertainment.

You can choose to explore a local museum, a different part of town, play games at the resort, and purchase much of your food at the grocery store. Just buying a case of water for $6 is a huge saving over the $3.50/ bottle you’ll pay onsite.

3. Staying offsite can be quieter

It can be more peaceful. After a busy day at one of the Disney parks or even Disney Springs, it can be a relief to drive out of the craziness, relax over a plate of pasta cooked in your condo kitchen,, and play cards on the screened-in porch.

4. Staying offsite can offer unique activities

Most resorts have a variety of activities and this can also be a fun way to spend an evening. We’ve watched Magic Shows, played mini-golf, shuffleboard, swam in the pool, and participated in scavenger hunts at the various resorts we’ve stayed at through the years.

Cons of Staying Offsite

There are some definite cons to staying offsite too though.

1. Staying offsite means you need to add extra time to your plans

Everything takes longer. You’ll have to add time to drive to the park each day. If you want to shop at Disney Springs or have dinner at a WDW restaurant you’ll have to drive over there, find a place to park and then walk to the location.

2. Staying offsite means extra parking costs

Extra costs for parking. It is expensive to park at WDW. On our latest trip, it was $25/day. Visit the parks just four days during a week’s vacation and that is an extra $100.

3. Staying offsite means less Disney magic

You lose that Disney feel. If you aren’t a hardcore Disney fan, this might not matter to you, but if you are like our family and really love Disney, staying offsite definitely feels like a different vacation.

Conclusion: Should I Stay Onsite or Offsite at Disney World?

As I said at the beginning, a lot of your choice will come down to what is best for your family, and what your goals for the trip are. However, I hope I’ve given you some things to think about when planning your next Disney adventure!

What do you prefer when you visit Disney World? Staying offsite or onsite? What are your reasons?

Looking for more Disney fun? Check out our recent visit to Splitsville at Disney Springs, how to beat the heat at Disney, or some of the pros and cons of buying an Annual Membership!