Disney Resort vs. Disney Springs Hotel

[mom2AidanAndEli]

We've always stayed on property. Now thinking about a Disney Springs hotel instead. I know we still get the early park admission. But what other perks would we be missing out on? Do we still get to book Genie+ early or do we have to wait until park opening? How about transportation--both to the parks and to/from the airport? We won't have a car, so wondering how reliable that is. We're used to Disney transportation! Anything else we need to think of?

 

[Upatnoon]

You won't get the late hours offers to deluxe guests. You will get the 30-minutes early*

You won't get free parking at the theme parks for your car. You will have to pay a parking fee if staying at a Disney resort.

There is transportation from the resorts to the parks, but it likely isn't as robust as from a Disney resort.

You can book dining reservations a bit earlier by being a resort guest.

You can book an individual lightning lane attraction at 7 a.m. instead of when the park opens. These are the al-a-carte rides you buy, not the Genie+ attractions.

No one gets free transportation from the airport to Disney. That service ended.

If you buy Genie+, everyone, no matter where they stay, can start booking them at 7 a.m.

Where you should pick to stay really comes down to your budget and habits. If your family never gets up early, never eats at hard-to-get sit-down restaurants or doesn't plan in advance, many of the benefits Disney offers won't matter much. Not having a car is a limiting factor for you, as that opens a world of possibilities.

*Fixed from earlier

 

[HopperFan]

We've always stayed on property. Now thinking about a Disney Springs hotel instead. I know we still get the early park admission. But what other perks would we be missing out on? Do we still get to book Genie+ early or do we have to wait until park opening? How about transportation--both to the parks and to/from the airport? We won't have a car, so wondering how reliable that is. We're used to Disney transportation! Anything else we need to think of?

YES - you will get Early Admission
NO - you will not get Late Night Hours

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/early-entry/



YES - you will be able to book your first Genie+ at 7 am like onsite
NO - you will not be able to book Individual Lightning Lane at 7 am but will have to wait until the park opens. This could hurt for the hardest to get attractions or new rides.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/genie/lightning-lane/



Disney Springs Hotels have their own Bus System. Pre-COVID it ran well but not as regular as WDW buses. Post-COVID opening it has not been the same. DSH website suggests you call each individual hotel for information.



There is NO airport/hotel transport for ANYBODY. Disney eliminated that service. You can book it yourself direct with Mears or Sunshine OR use ride share or a taxi.

https://sunshineflyer.com/

https://www.mearsconnect.com/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1



You won't have a car but those hotels don't get free parking at the parks unless you have an AP.



For me a missing component due to the current situation at Disney Restaurants is missing out on the extra days in advance to book. Now if you aren't going for the very hard to get ones then it might not be an issue. But I'd still rather save the money on my hotel and eat where we eat. It actually greatly increases my budget for other things.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/reservation-window/advance-reservations/

 

[mbdavidson]

We stayed at a Disney Springs hotel for the first time on our last trip and I thought the park transportation ran smoothly in the morning. Getting back to the hotel was a little rougher (late bus, more riders than seats), but overall it was a very good experience. We loved being able to walk from our hotel to Disney Springs.