Planning on visiting each Common Orlando and Walt Disney World throughout your Florida trip? This weighs the professionals & cons, with an unbiased take a look at Common v. Disney resorts primarily based on value, perks, facilities, location, transportation, eating, and extra.
For a lot of Walt Disney World followers who have been as soon as “bubble or bust!” may now discover themselves reevaluating that place, as rather a lot has modified. The losses of on-site perks, starting from the FastPass+ reserving window to scaled-back Further Magic Hours to the Disney Eating Plan (nonetheless) being briefly suspended, have resulted in lots of WDW diehards venturing off-site.
With out query, the most important factor has been the demise of Disney’s Magical Categorical. By eliminating that airport transportation that was included in the price of Disney-owned resort stays, the corporate has voluntarily (and perplexingly) punctured the Disney bubble. Compelled to take care of transportation regardless, many guests are actually questioning whether or not they need to merely keep off-site and go to Walt Disney World whereas staying at less expensive lodging…
This isn’t merely idle hypothesis. We all know that is beginning to occur as a result of tons of of readers have informed us that is what they intend upon doing. For a lot of of those folks, planning Florida holidays that embrace visits to a number of theme parks, Common Orlando’s lodges current a really enticing different.
For our half, we’ve stayed at each single Common and Disney-owned resort, plus quite a few off-site and third get together lodges all through Central Florida. We’ve a whole lot of ideas on the Orlando lodging scene, the way it has reworked in the previous couple of years, and the way it’ll proceed to evolve–however most of that’s past the scope of this put up.
For now, let’s cowl the present execs and cons of staying on-site at Common Orlando versus at Walt Disney World…
Airport Transportation – With the demise of Disney’s Magical Categorical, neither Walt Disney World nor Common Orlando have unique airport transportation included as a visitor perk.
See our Airport Transportation to Walt Disney World Information for a rundown of the alternatives, that are roughly the identical for Common Orlando.
Inner Transportation – As soon as on property at both Walt Disney World or Common Orlando, visitors can use a offered transportation between lodges, theme parks, and different places on property. All of this transportation is complimentary (or constructed into the worth of their room). At each, transportation is a big benefit that may tip the scales in favor of staying on-site, eliminating the necessity for a rental automotive.
If selection is a promoting level, Walt Disney World has a higher vary of choices: bus, monorail, boat, Skyliner gondola, and even strolling. The effectivity of the transportation offered to Walt Disney World resort resort visitors is hotly disputed, and is essentially a results of the resort complicated’s sprawling dimension.
Common Orlando has extra restricted choices: bus, boat, or strolling. Nevertheless, it’s unquestionably extra environment friendly, with buses departing virtually one proper after the opposite and strolling between the lodges and theme parks being attainable in any respect properties besides Infinite Summer season Resort. That is owing to Common Orlando’s extra compact format, which makes practically every little thing accessible by foot, and bus turnaround instances quicker because of the shorter commutes.
In our view, Common Orlando is the straightforward winner right here. We’ve by no means had complications ready for buses, or with exceeding lengthy transit instances consuming up a major chunk of our trip. Transit at Common is a breeze, benefiting from the condensed format tremendously. Walt Disney World’s dimension is each a blessing and a burden–in the case of transportation, it’s the latter. In case you’re in search of on-site leisure, eating, or a ‘bubble’ from the true world, it’s a blessing. Walt Disney World can also be extra conducive to longer stays by advantage of its bigger scope and scale.
Further Hours – Walt Disney World changed Further Magic Hours, with Early Entry and Prolonged Night Hours. Whereas morning Further Magic Hours lasted for an hour at a single park per day, Early Entry is 30-minute entry to any Walt Disney World theme park. It is a good head-start for on-site visitors, and in addition unimaginable to keep away from for off-site visitors.
Prolonged Night Hours has a smaller pool of eligibility and happens much less continuously than Early Entry. It’s completely for visitors staying at Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas (Disney Trip Membership models), or different choose lodges (solely the Swan & Dolphin and Shades of Inexperienced). Prolonged Night Theme Park Hours happen two nights per week in whole and lasts for two hours. It’s massively helpful to eligible visitors, and minimally burdensome to those that usually are not eligible since it may simply be deliberate round.
Common Orlando provides Early Park Admission to pick sights at Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida (particularly, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter) one hour earlier than the theme parks open to most of the people. Volcano Bay additionally provides 30 minute Early Park Admission.
Regardless of their period variations, the 2 early entry applications are fairly comparable to at least one one other. In case you’re one of many first within the pack headed in the direction of Jurassic World VelociCoaster or Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance on a busy day, this will save a ton of time. In each circumstances, traces can construct for eligible sights fairly shortly.
In case you’re taking a look at reserving increased tier resort, Walt Disney World will get the win right here as Prolonged Night Hours are improbable and don’t have any counterpart at Common Orlando. For everybody else, it’s roughly a wash.
Line Skipping – With the elimination of free FastPass, there isn’t any longer a major on-site benefit in the case of Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, outdoors of shopping for a la carte line-skipping entry to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance or Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
As of 2023, visitors desirous to reap the benefits of Genie+ and/or Particular person Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney World can anticipate to spend $16 to round $50 per particular person, per day. The decrease quantity is when you go to throughout a less-busy time and solely buy the Genie+ service; the upper quantity is Genie+ and an Particular person Lightning Lane or two throughout peak season.
We might estimate that the typical on-site visitor will find yourself spending round $60 to $90 per particular person for line-skipping at Walt Disney World over the course of their journey, relying upon crowd ranges. This assumes that they are going to not buy Genie+ or Particular person Lightning Lanes once they’re not crucial or helpful, and can make the most of savvy technique to beat the crowds. (See our Information to Genie+ at Walt Disney World & Lightning Lane FAQ for every little thing it’s good to know, together with when to purchase and not purchase line-skipping entry.)
In contrast, visitors staying at Common Orlando’s Premier Motels (Royal Pacific, Exhausting Rock Lodge, Portofino Bay) get free Limitless Categorical Cross to skip the common traces at hottest sights in Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey. That is Common’s equal of FastPass/Lightning Lanes, however higher. Limitless Categorical Cross usually prices much more cash and, because the title suggests, it’s limitless. That’s proper, visitors of Common’s high tier lodges get infinite line skipping!
Limitless Categorical Cross has a worth of over $100 per particular person every day, that means its worth may exceed the full price of the resort (or at the least the price of upgrading from a decrease tier resort). In case you’re a celebration of 4, there’s a very good probability that’ll be true, as Common’s Premier Motels begin at below $300 per evening.
There’s a purpose Categorical Cross usually prices greater than Genie+ and Lightning Lanes: it’s higher. Categorical Cross is frictionless, doesn’t require experience reservations, or any expertise in any way. As famous above, it’s additionally limitless. See our full comparability: Common’s Categorical Cross v. Genie+ at Walt Disney World for a full rundown on the professionals & cons of every.
Whereas every little thing else right here is critical, Limitless Categorical Cross is the promoting level for Common Orlando’s Premier Motels. In case you’re household is filled with experience junkies and also you’ll do 2 days or extra at Common Orlando, this one perk–by itself–is sufficient to justify at the least a break up keep between Common and Disney. It’s enormous.
Service High quality – Diehard followers will inform you that Walt Disney World is extra magical because of the Forged Members. It’s honest to say that Disney attracts extra passionate staff, a lot of whom purchase into Walt Disney’s legacy and the corporate’s core values. That is additionally aided by the School Program, which brings contemporary faces to Florida who usually espouse the above, and certain have extra enthusiasm by advantage of much less long-term publicity to visitors.
Nevertheless, the notion that there’s an throughout the board distinction between Disney and Common staff is fake. This isn’t to denigrate or disparage Forged Members–on the contrary, many go above and past to make lasting reminiscences for visitors. It’s extra a mirrored image of the truth that each are largely drawing from the very same labor pool in Central Florida and each face the identical staffing shortages.
Whereas Disney’s benefits are mentioned above, Common additionally has a few issues going for it. First, it enjoys a fame as a greater employer in Central Florida. Not by a pronounced diploma, however sufficient of 1 that frontline staff who’ve labored at each are inclined to marginally favor Common. Furthermore, the strain felt by staff from Walt Disney World visitors–who usually are higher-stress on account of planning burdens and the dearer trip stakes–additionally may also help tip the service scale in Common’s favor.
We’d additionally add that Loews (which operates the resorts at Common Orlando) is a greater hospitality firm in the case of resort operations. Disney’s experience is in theme parks, and whereas there are particular person WDW lodges which might be extremely well-managed, it’s clear that the core product is theme parks. Disney’s resort operations aren’t structured in a method that loyal visitors of chained-brand lodges may anticipate, and lots of service options are unavailable or missing. Neither are on par with an upscale Hyatt or Hilton–however Loews is nearer.
Parking Charges – Walt Disney World stopped charging for in a single day resort parking in 2023, reversing an especially unpopular determination made a number of years earlier. For individuals who drive or have rental automobiles, that quantities to a financial savings of $15 to $25 per evening, relying upon the resort tier.
Common’s lodges had parking charges previous to Disney introducing the fees and nonetheless do at present after Disney has eliminated them–we anticipate nothing to alter. Common’s self-parking charges are $15 to $28, with Infinite Summer season being least expensive and the trio of Premier Motels being most costly. Cabana Bay can also be on the decrease finish of the pricing spectrum, whereas Sapphire Falls costs are fairly near the Premiers.
Resort Charges – Hidden charges have proliferated in recent times at off-site Orlando lodges that cost low base costs however have totals that may quantity to double that. Some are identified to cost non-optional resort charges for “wellness packages” (their time period, not ours) together with issues like web, newspaper, and bottled water. We can not stand these resort charges and suggest you combat again towards the extremely consumer-unfriendly observe.
Neither Common Orlando nor Walt Disney World properties cost resort charges. Given the rising blowback towards resort charges, we don’t anticipate both to introduce them. If something, different lodges will begin eliminating resort charges in 2023. (Both by selection or by legislation.)
Theme & Design – Many visitors love to remain in lodges which might be an extension of the theme park expertise. Walt Disney World resorts supply a variety of distinct designs, from finances choices that scream “Disney” with icons from animated movies to upscale lodging with refined and immersive ambiance. They’ve a further layer of element and storytelling to “transport” visitors to a distinct time and place.
When it comes to luxurious, Disney lodges usually don’t surpass their actual world counterparts, however they virtually at all times have a greater sense of place. It’s a really encapsulating expertise, and one of many huge promoting factors of on-site lodging at Walt Disney World.
Common Orlando isn’t any slouch on this regard. A number of of its resorts arguably are among the many high 10 themed lodges in Central Florida, and a number of other maintain their very own towards Disney’s counterparts. Specifically, Portofino Bay, Royal Pacific, and Cabana Bay all execute their respective themes at a really excessive stage, providing a stage of depth and element on par with Disney.
The remainder usually are not weak by any stretch, however are inclined to favor operate over type. Their designs concentrate on a streamlined format, consolation, and facilities–relatively than a transportive theme.
Evaluating the Polynesian to Royal Pacific or Seashore Membership to Portofino Bay could make sense, as there are clear parallels and deliberate contrasts. The comparisons collapse when taking a look at Sapphire Falls v. Port Orleans Riverside. Their design goals have been radically totally different, every with distinctive however incomparable execs and cons.
One factor that’s notable right here is that Common’s lodges are usually newer. Each single Common resort was constructed throughout the final 25 years–most throughout the final decade. A few of Walt Disney World’s resorts have been constructed 50 years in the past–most are nicely over a decade previous. That is really not related from the attitude of situation or put on & tear, however is when it comes to type and sensibilities. Lots of Disney’s lodges are sprawling, with rooms in outlying buildings separated from the principle foyer. Most of Common’s lodges are tower-style, all below one roof.
Rooms & Swimming pools – This may seem to be an odd pairing, however it’s solely being completed as a result of these two very totally different, and crucial classes are additionally essentially the most hotel-specific. The one generalization we’ll make is that Common tends to do the decrease finish resort rooms higher and Disney tends to do the upper finish resort rooms higher (and bigger).
Rooms and swimming pools in any other case range for every particular resort–confer with particular evaluations for perception that’s really helpful. That is already going to be an extended put up, and it’d be double the size for an exhaustive, across-the-board room and pool comparability.
Eating – That is most likely our greatest blind spot and supply of bias. We’ve eaten at each single Walt Disney World resort restaurant, most a number of instances. We’ve eaten at many–however removed from all–Common Orlando resort eating choices.
There are some points of eating at which Common Orlando resorts excel. Throughout the board, the espresso scenario is best. Meals courts on the inexpensive lodges are extra formidable and a greater expertise. Foyer bars are usually sturdy, and poolside eating is surprisingly strong at Common lodges.
Whereas Common lodges are inclined to have a whole lot of restaurant choices, I’d argue that they lack selection. Just about each meal we’ve had at Common lodges may very well be described as consolation meals. There are a whole lot of selections, however most are regional variations of that–even tremendous eating is commonly simply dearer consolation meals, not delicacies that’s really formidable or ingenious.
At one time, this was comprehensible as a result of Common’s resort eating places provided considerably higher worth for cash. That’s nonetheless true to a level, however the hole has closed. Within the final two years, we’ve observed menu costs leap at Common Orlando, outpacing even Walt Disney World eating places.
Pricing – Each are considerably insulated from off-site competitors. For guests who need the on-site location, a seamless expertise from their resort to the theme parks, rooms with particular themes, or sure theme park perks, there’s no actual different. Common and Disney are thus in a position to cost greater than they might for the very same lodges plopped down in Duluth, Minnesota.
In fact, that’s greater than a bit disingenuous. In case you relocated 4 Seasons Bora Bora from its tropical over-the-water location to a corn discipline, or moved Lodge Shangri-La Paris so it didn’t overlook the Eiffel Tower, the identical could be true. There’s a purpose resorts with views of Cinderella Citadel fetch otherwise-astronomical costs, and it’s a well-established rule of actual property (“location, location, location!”). Whether or not this premium pricing for being in shut proximity to “the magic” is price it to you is a private query.
With that in thoughts, Walt Disney World is dearer than Common Orlando at each single resort tier. For low season dates, the hole will not be notably pronounced between Infinite Summer season and the All Stars, however it grows bigger for extra standard dates and better finish lodges. On the mid-tier, Disney costs could be double Common’s. On the high tier, Disney usually prices triple or extra for comparable lodging.
In gentle of the above, the case may very well be made that there isn’t any such factor as “comparable” between Common and Disney since there isn’t a single resort at Common with a view of Cinderella Citadel or inside strolling distance of the most well-liked theme park on this planet. In spite of everything, location guidelines actual property. That argument is much less persuasive when evaluating costs of Saratoga Springs or Outdated Key West to Exhausting Rock Lodge or Royal Pacific, although.
Editorializing a bit, I imagine that we’re at present dwelling by way of a halcyon age of Common resort pricing. In lower than a decade, Common has constructed 5 new lodges and practically tripled its variety of on-site rooms. Throughout that very same span, the complicated added Volcano Bay water park and theme park attendance has elevated, however to not a proportional diploma–or something near it.
Partly, this growth was probably overdue, satisfying among the demand from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It’s additionally probably that Common Orlando aggressively developed its resort portfolio forward of theme park growth initiatives with the expectation that demand and bookings would quickly observe go well with.
Epic Universe is probably going considered as a game-changer for Common Orlando’s standing as a vacation spot resort–three theme parks and a water park will entice many extra folks to remain on-site. Merely put, demand has not but caught as much as resort improvement.
It ought to go with out saying, however increased demand will end in increased resort costs. It’s not as if Common is purposefully charging below-market charges as a result of the corporate needs to be extra honest to theme park followers, or its leaders have been benevolently impressed by Walt Disney’s “dream” to supply reasonably priced lodging to the center class. These are each ruthless multinational firms; companies don’t get into the Fortune 50 as of late by being charitable in the direction of customers.
If Common may cost Polynesian costs for Royal Pacific proper now, they might. However they can’t (at the least, not but), so they don’t. There’s prone to be some extent within the not-too-distant future when Common Orlando’s theme park lineup has significantly extra drawing energy, and its resort costs will improve consequently.
Personally, I wouldn’t be stunned if Common’s high tier lodges common double their present prices in about 5 years, following an analogous trajectory to what has occurred with Disney resorts. In case you’re in search of sturdy worth, now could be undoubtedly the time to e book Common lodges–they’re arguably underpriced for his or her high quality, location, and perks.
February 2023 Replace: This editorial was initially written final 12 months, and has already been at the least partially vindicated. In pricing out stays at Common during the last 12 months, we’re seeing efficient will increase (after reductions) of about 20% or so on common. Though Walt Disney World has additionally elevated rack charges throughout this time (by about 4%), they’ve additionally resumed providing higher reductions. That was not the case at this similar time final 12 months, that means that Walt Disney World’s efficient room charges have decreased whereas Common’s have elevated.
In case you’re a Walt Disney World diehard considering that is some type of vindication: don’t. The hole continues to be fairly extensive, and Common is considerably cheaper on common. Nevertheless, the ‘value chasm’ is closing. As Common turns into extra standard and pulls resort visitors away from Walt Disney World with the opening of Epic Universe, anticipate this pattern to proceed. What we’ve seen within the final 12 months is simply a small sneak peek of the long run, and it’s nonetheless your finest guess to remain at Common lodges now relatively than ready for 2025 to roll round…until you need to pay significantly increased costs!
Finally, our opinion is that Common Orlando has made great strides within the final a number of years, and is now beating Walt Disney World within the scorching Orlando resort market. Relating to the professionals & cons of their respective lodges, and particularly with regard to worth, Common resorts are extra compelling.
In case you’ll be spending equal (or near it) time at Common and Walt Disney World throughout your Orlando, Florida trip in 2023, it is best to give critical thought to staying at Common as a substitute of Disney–or at the least doing a break up keep. It ought to go with out saying, however when you’re not visiting Common Studios Florida or Islands of Journey, you shouldn’t contemplate Common’s lodges.
Arguably, we’re “burdened” by previous expertise with the superior resort product that Disney used to supply (and at decrease costs), so it’s attainable that our perspective right here is coloured by that. The case additionally may very well be made that Walt Disney World is just charging what the market will bear, and the market bears rather a lot increased costs as a result of the underlying product is best or in increased demand. That may very well be true, however it additionally may very well be true that the fame of Disney’s superior resort product was constructed prior to now, and is now coasting on its laurels to a point. Maybe all of that’s true to various levels.
There’s rather a lot to contemplate when figuring out whether or not you need to keep at Walt Disney World or Common Orlando–or each. There’s nobody dimension matches all reply as to which is “higher.” Completely different households may make very totally different selections primarily based upon what issues most to them–there’s actually no objectively proper or fallacious reply, it’s extra what you need out of your trip and the way you weigh the professionals and cons.
The subjective components are virtually at all times going to be the overriding ones, which makes this comparability actually difficult. One benefit that makes Common or Disney a no brainer slam dunk for one household is likely to be completely irrelevant for one more. Which is best for you is essentially a matter of desire and trip priorities, however hopefully this put up introduced some concerns so that you can weigh and make the choice for your self. On the finish of the day, competitors between the 2 advantages customers, so even when Common is a “onerous no” for you, it’s nice to see them so aggressively increasing in Central Florida.
Want journey planning suggestions and complete recommendation in your go to to Central Florida? Ensure that to learn our Common Orlando Planning Information for every little thing about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally try our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Information for every little thing about these parks, resorts, eating places, and a lot extra. For normal updates, information & rumors, a heads up when reductions are launched, and far more, join our FREE electronic mail publication!
Your Ideas
Do you usually keep at Common Orlando or Walt Disney World? What are your key concerns when figuring out the place you keep? In case you’ve beforehand been loyal to WDW, are you contemplating Common (or different off-site) lodges in your subsequent Florida trip? Do any of the promoting factors above tip the scales in favor of 1 or the opposite? Something we’ve neglected or completed inadequate justice? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!