Should We Stay in an Onsite Hotel at Disney World or Universal – or stay offsite?
One of the biggest decisions when planning an Orlando holiday is where to stay. Do you choose a Disney hotel, a Universal hotel, or save money by staying offsite? Each option has its own pros and cons, and the best choice really depends on how you plan to spend your time.
Let’s break it down.
The Benefits of Staying in a Disney Hotel On site
Staying in a Walt Disney World hotel isn’t just about having a themed room — it comes with practical perks that can make a big difference, especially for families.
Key benefits include:
- Early Theme Park Entry every day
- Free Disney transportation (buses, Skyliner, boats, monorails)
- Ability to charge purchases to your room
- Immersive theming that keeps the magic going
- No need to drive or worry about parking at the parks
One of the main things you need to think about as a family is the value of your time being onsite vs travelling. As well as factoring in parking costs or taxis from offsite.
Disney hotels are split into three main categories, each offering different levels of comfort and perks. If you want to read more about Disney hotels in depth read our blog post here.
Disney Hotel Types & Perks
| Hotel Type | Disney Hotels | Typical Price Range | Main Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value Resorts | Disney’s All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, All-Star Sports, Pop Century, Art of Animation | £ | Fun theming, Early Theme Park Entry, Skyliner access for some (Pop Century & Art of Animation), great for budget-conscious families |
| Moderate Resorts | Caribbean Beach Resort, Coronado Springs Resort, Port Orleans – Riverside, Port Orleans – French Quarter | ££ | Larger rooms, better dining options, more relaxed atmosphere, feature pools, some Skyliner access |
| Deluxe Resorts | Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Village Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Yacht Club Resort, Beach Club Resort, BoardWalk Inn, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge | £££ | Extended Evening Hours, walk/boat/monorail access to parks, premium dining, resort-style pools |
Free Extended Evening Hours (for deluxe resort guests) can be a game-changer if you like quieter parks and shorter queues — though they’re best suited to older children or adults who can stay up late.
If you’re lucky you’ll also get to meet a character or two in your Disney hotel lobby – look out for the character caravan parked at the front of your resort!
The Benefits of Staying in a Universal Onsite Hotel
If Universal is a big part of your trip, staying onsite there has some very strong advantages.
Universal hotel perks include:
- Early Park Admission to select attractions
- Free water taxi or walking access to the parks (at most hotels – not all)
- Seamless access to CityWalk dining and entertainment
- A more compact resort area — less travel time overall
The Big Universal Advantage: Express Pass
Guests staying at Universal’s Premier Hotels (such as Hard Rock Hotel, Royal Pacific, and Portofino Bay) receive complimentary Unlimited Express Passes for the duration of their stay — including check-in and check-out days. This can save you both a lot of dollars as well as a lot of time standing in line.
For many families, this perk alone can outweigh the higher hotel cost, especially during busy school holiday periods.
What About Staying Offsite?
Offsite accommodation can work well if:
- You’re hiring a car (or have budgeted for tacxi costs everywhere)
- You’d like more space (e.g. a villa or apartment)
- You’re travelling as a large party and want to be together – some villas have many bedrooms for large families
- You want to be able to have a kitchen to cook (if chosing a villa)
- You’re splitting time between Disney, Universal, and other attractions
- Budget is your top priority
- Some villas have their own pools or access to a comunity pool
However, you’ll usually miss out on early entry, free transport, and the convenience of being close to the parks — which can matter more than you expect once the days get long and tired feet kick in. For familes with young children who may want to pop back in the afternoon for a nap in the air conditioning it really is worth having the convinience of being onsite!
Be aware both Disney and Universal charge by the day for parking – $35 a day at Disney and $32 a day at Universal (as of January 2026)
So… Which Is Best?
- Choose a Disney hotel if Disney is the main focus, you want immersive theming, and you like the ease of transport. You have young children who will nap bakc in the room in the afternoons
- Choose a Universal hotel if Universal is a priority and you want to maximise ride time — especially with Express Pass.
- Choose offsite if flexibility, space, and cost matter more than onsite perks. But factor in travel time everyday and not being able to nip back for a rest.
For many families, a split stay (Disney onsite + Universal onsite) offers the best of both worlds.
