Staying OFF Property vs ON Property at Disney World

While visiting Disney World there are always tough decisions to make. But one of the first and most important when starting to plan your Disney vacation is whether to stay on Disney Property or to stay off. There are pros and cons to each. I don't like blogs that give you long paragraphs for answers so I will get right into it. Notice this is all based on my experiences and what I prefer to do.

Staying ON Disney World Property 

Pros

• Free transportation from resorts to parks (Value, Moderate, and Deluxe resorts only)

• Free parking at resorts for guests at that resort

• Early theme park entry

• Advanced lightening lane bookings

• Advanced dining reservation bookings

• Extended hours offerings (Deluxe resort guests only at extra cost)

• My Disney Experience App convenience (Tickets, Room Keys, Passes)

• Resort amenities: Pools, restaurants, campfires, movie under the stars, resort activities

• Locations near the parks

• Being in the Disney Bubble

  
  

Cons

• Higher cost to staying on property

• Food costs add up (Food delivery can be done to resorts via Instacart, uber eats, etc.)

• Waiting for transportation

• Crowded transportation

• Not utilizing all of the resort benefits

• Flexibility to leave property if you are not renting a vehicle

• Resorts can be crowded: Pools, activities like biking, campfire, movie under the stars

  
  

Staying Off Disney World Property

Pros:

• Lower Cost

• Space for family

• full kitchen access(in certain places)

• Flexibility for other adventures outside Disney 

• More dining options

• Can be faster to get to a Disney park

• Can be better for large groups

  
  

Cons

• Costs for parking at the parks

• Hassle of parking at parks (Specially Magic Kingdom)

• No Disney resort guest perks 

• Commuting to and from parks

• Traffic outside of Disney property

• Not being in the Disney bubble

Final Thoughts

There can be more pros and cons for each but those are the bigger highlights that I look at with my family when it comes to deciding where to stay. We have done both and truthfully I did not mind staying of property. I personally love staying on Disney property. The Disney atmosphere and magic is enough for me to do it (plus being a DVC member) but there is no magic like Disney magic. The choice is ultimately up to you based on your needs and wants.