Is it worth staying off property when visiting Disney and Universal? Here's what families need to know

When planning a trip to Disney World or Universal Orlando, one big question comes up early: Should you stay on property or off property? With new places like Villatel Orlando Resort offering themed bedrooms and big savings, it’s a question worth digging into.

How much can you really save staying off property at Disney or Universal?

A huge reason families consider staying off property is for more value at a lower cost.

Take Villatel Orlando Resort for example. Over Memorial Day weekend — which is right after the highly anticipated Epic Universe opening — a family of four can book a five-bedroom villa for $654 a night. A two-night minimum stay applies, but think about it: that’s five bedrooms, a private pool, and themed rooms your kids will love. (Source: USA Today)


Now compare that to on-property rates. A standard room at Universal’s brand-new Helios Grand Hotel costs $745 per night for the same weekend. Other Universal hotels like Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Portofino Bay are even more expensive.

At Disney World, non-discounted rooms at resorts like Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, and Yacht and Beach Club start above $730 a night. Sure, there are promotions sometimes, but generally, it’s clear: staying off property can give you much more space for less money.

And remember, even Disney’s more “moderate” or "value" properties, while cheaper, often come with smaller rooms and fewer amenities than you might find at a luxury-style off-site villa.

Is location really that much better when you stay on property?

You might think staying on property means you're closer to everything — but it’s not always that simple.

Even inside Disney World, which is nearly double the size of Manhattan, it can take 10 minutes or more to drive or shuttle from one part of the property to another.

And while Disney and Universal are about 15 minutes apart without traffic, there’s almost always traffic in Orlando. Being "close" often still means planning ahead for delays.

Plenty of off-property resorts, like Villatel, are strategically placed to offer quick drives not just to Disney and Universal, but also to SeaWorld Orlando and other attractions. Just keep in mind that "minutes away" in Orlando can vary based on the time of day.

What about transportation? Is it harder without Disney or Universal shuttles?

One of the big perks of staying at a Disney or Universal hotel is the free transportation: buses, boats, and the iconic monorail.

When you stay off property, you have to think a little differently. Many resorts, like Villatel, offer shuttles to the parks. However, shuttle times can be limited. During my stay at Villatel, the shuttle schedule didn't quite fit our plans, so we ended up using Uber and Lyft, which were easy and fairly affordable.

If you rent a car, factor parking costs into your budget:

• $30 a day at Disney World
  
  
• $32 a day at Universal Orlando
  
  

Also, some resorts charge for parking too, so always check ahead.

In short, transportation off-site isn’t as "easy" as hopping on a Disney bus, but with rideshares and good planning, it’s far from a dealbreaker.

Are early park perks like Early Entry worth it?

Disney and Universal both offer early entry perks to hotel guests, letting them into the parks before regular guests.

If you stay off property, you miss out on those extra early hours. For hardcore theme park fans who want to ride the big attractions before the crowds show up, this can matter a lot.

But if you’re planning a more relaxed trip — sleeping in, hanging by the pool, visiting the parks later in the day — you might not feel like you’re missing much at all.

It really depends on your vacation style.

And don’t forget: at places like Villatel Orlando Resort, you gain other perks — like kitchens to cook your own meals, huge living spaces, private pools, and even themed bedrooms your kids will be talking about for months.

What should you think about before choosing where to stay?

Here are the biggest questions to ask yourself:

• How much space does your family need?
  
  
• Are you okay missing early park entry?
  
  
• Will you drive or use rideshares?
  
  
• Is having a kitchen or multiple bathrooms important?
  
  
• Will you need to take midday breaks back at the hotel?
  
  

If your family plans to spend every minute at the parks, being on property might be worth the extra cost. But if you want a little more breathing room — literally — off-property places like Villatel Orlando Resort could save you money and offer a more comfortable stay.

FAQs:

Q1: Is it cheaper to stay off property at Disney World and Universal Orlando?
Yes, staying at resorts like Villatel Orlando Resort usually offers bigger spaces and lower prices than on-property hotels.

Q2: Does Villatel Orlando Resort offer easy access to Disney World and Universal Orlando?
Yes, Villatel is just a short drive from both parks, with shuttle options and rideshares easily available.