WDW Resorts vs non Disney hotels on WDW land: benefits?

[seema]

What are the differences or similarities in benefits between staying at a Disney resort, vs a non-Disney hotel, on WDW property?

 

[drusba]

At Disney hotels you get much more of a touch of the mouse than elsewhere. Beyond that it depends on the resort. If you are talking about Swan/Dolphin or the Shades of Green (military and DOD use only) then most of the benefits are the same including use of transportation, access to e-night and early entry. Swan/Dolphin actually has one of the best locations on site in the Epcot Resort area and is the closest hotel to MGM. However, you don't get room keys that can act as charge cards at the parks.

If you are talking about the Downtown Disney area hotels, they are more differences. For example, it appears right now that only the Hilton has early entry privileges, although all now participate in e-night. They also run their own transportation systems (and thus you get left off at the TTC for MK rather than the MK gate); you can still use Disney's transportation once you get elsewhere if you have a multi-day park pass.

 

[Grumpy92]

Having done both I prefer onsite. For me it is worth the extra few $ not to worry about the parking/traffic, transportation, themed resorts and convenience of be close enough to take midday breaks at the hotel. If you have small children I really think is a huge advantage.

Saying that is personal preference. You might want to go to the following sites they give the pros & cons of the issue. Hope this helps and let us know how it goes.

www.wdwig.com/onoff.htm

www.disneyzone.actusa.net

 

[seema]

Other benefits that I am wondering about:

1) Amex White Glove benefits
2) Disney Club discounts, on WDW theme park tickets bought through the hotels
3) Unlimited pass - duration of stay - theme park tickets
4) The Disney Theme Park TV channels, on the hotels' TV
5) Resort Privilige priority for theme park entry on extra busy days (esp New Year's Eve, for Magic Kingdom).

 

[Brenner965]

Real estate analysis always comes down to location, location, location. We go to WDW to escape the "real world", so we always stay onsite to be immersed in the Magic. I don't think we'd bother making the trip from Ohio if the only option was to stay offsite.

 

[jgates]

We have stayed off-site once (1988). Really it was fine - very cheap which was what we needed at the time.

We stayed at Courtyard DTD in 2000 - I think the bus service is better now, but everything was fine.

We stayed at the Swan this year. WOW. I felt sooo pampered and special. I loved being able to get to Epcot and MGM so quickly (my 2 fav parks). We walked to ESPN club for Nachos for supper twice. It was great.

However, if cost was an issue again, I would not hesitate to stay off-site if it meant I got to Disney. I would probably try the Marriott Village at Little Lake Bryan. They have a Fairfield with fairly reasonable rates and are very new. I believe they also have their own scheduled bus service too.