This Decision May Impact Your Disney Trip More Than Any Other:
Onsite or Offsite?
Of all the decisions you’ll make
regarding your family’s trip to Walt Disney World, there’s one I feel is paramount to
getting the most out of your vacation. It’s perhaps even more important than
deciding what time of year you’ll visit (because it can make or break a visit
during busy seasons).
Where will you stay? Is it necessary
to stay at a Disney resort? Or can it be wise to stay offsite
at one of the many hotels or resorts in the wider Orlando theme park area?
It’s easy to assume offsite
accommodations are a savvy way to save money. Maybe you know someone who owns
one of the ubiquitous condos or timeshares in the Orlando area, and it's available for your trip. Lots of properties outside of Disney will offer things like
theme park shuttle service, and some even have a view of Disney’s fireworks.
Spacious vacation rental homes with Mickey decor, screened-in pools, and
theatre rooms beckon. With all of the options, soon you’re wondering why anyone would pay “Disney
prices” for a place to sleep and swim.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Would you like FastPasses for the most popular attractions?
- Are you looking forward to dining at specific Disney restaurants?
- Would you enjoy exclusive time in the parks with fewer guests around?
- Are there children or adults in your party who would benefit from a mid-day break from the parks? (The answer to this is always: YES)
- Would you like to consider using the Disney Dining Plan?
- Would you benefit from flexible transportation all over Disney property and included transfers to/from the airport?
If you’d rather not risk any one of
these, you should absolutely stay at a Disney resort. Here's why!
- Disney resort guests are entitled to a huge FastPass+ selection advantage - 30 days ahead of others. Staying offsite? You may have to say goodbye to many popular selections like Flight of Passage in Pandora at Animal Kingdom, Frozen Ever After in Epcot, and Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios.
- Disney resort guests can reserve dining for their entire vacation (up to 10 days) 180 days in advance. Guests without an onsite resort reservation have access to dining reservations one day at a time. You’re at an immediate disadvantage, since your desired dining slot has already been fair game for Disney guests arriving earlier. And while the Disney Dining Plan isn't required to book advance dining reservations, you can only use it if you're an on-property guest.
- Onsite guests get access to the parks when others don’t. Really don’t like crowds? Stay onsite and utilize Extra Magic Hours – it’s a significant bonus. Your free MagicBand will get you in and indicate you're eligible.
- Offsite guests are less likely to leave the parks for a refreshing break. With a late start or less-than-ideal FastPasses, they wait longer to see all their desired attractions and just run out of time for a break. Many are at the mercy of offsite shuttle schedules, or they simply don’t feel like navigating their way back off property. (Offsite shuttles tend to use central drop points inside Disney instead of delivering you to a specific park.) Renting a car can remedy this somewhat, but you'll pay for parking and someone will need to navigate.
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Regardless of an onsite or offsite stay, it’s still
important to plan thoroughly in advance. Using an expert Disney planner is an
ideal way to get every bit of value out of your vacation.
At The Enchanted
Traveler, we do all the work, presenting you with our most tried and true
recommendations along the way and nabbing the best reservations we can for you,
regardless of where you’re staying.
Plus, you’ll receive ride-by-ride customized touring plans
that fit in everything you wish to see and do, without marathon days in the
parks. No Seven Dwarfs Mine Train FastPass+? Let me design your park day, and you'll never miss it.
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