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 vs. Disney resorts primarily based on worth, perks, facilities, location, transportation, eating, and extra.
For a lot of Walt Disney World followers who have been as soon as “bubble or bust!” would possibly now discover themselves reevaluating that place, as lots has modified. The losses of on-site perks, starting from the FastPass+ reserving window to scaled-back Further Magic Hours 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 cope with transportation regardless, many guests at the moment are questioning whether or not they need to merely keep off-site and go to Walt Disney World whereas staying at more cost effective lodging…
This isn’t merely idle hypothesis. We all know that is taking place as a result of a whole bunch of readers have instructed us that is what they’ve began doing. For a lot of of those folks, planning Florida holidays that embody visits to a number of theme parks, Common Orlando’s lodges current a really enticing various.
Personally, I do surprise how this can ‘evolve’ within the subsequent few years. Walt Disney World’s on-site benefit has began to return, due to the Disney Eating Plan coming again, free parking being reinstated, different little perks, and longtime followers adjusting to Lightning Lanes and the brand new further hours system. It’s nonetheless not what it was circa-2019, and doubtless by no means can be, but it surely’s higher than a pair years in the past.
The larger modifications, nonetheless, will come on the Common aspect of the ledger. The opening of Epic Universe goes to be enormous, with many followers not appreciating the extent to which it’s going to alter all the pieces from costs to perks. Demand for Common lodges goes to skyrocket, and though the brand new third theme park is an unequivocal constructive, it’ll have second-order results that can be far much less positively obtained because it reshapes the marketplace for theme park lodges in Central Florida.
Even we can not anticipate the far-reaching penalties of Epic Universe and the way it’ll be a game-changer. For now, let’s cowl the present execs and cons of staying on-site at Common Orlando versus at Walt Disney World. We’ve stayed at each single Common and Disney-owned resort, plus quite a few off-site and third social gathering lodges all through Central Florida. Right here’s our tackle the benefits and drawbacks provided by Disney and Common lodges…
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 kind of the identical for Common Orlando.
Inside Transportation – As soon as on property at both Walt Disney World or Common Orlando, friends can use a supplied transportation between lodges, theme parks, and different places on property. All of this transportation is complimentary (or constructed into the value of their room). At each, transportation is a large benefit that may tip the scales in favor of staying on-site, eliminating the necessity for a rental automobile.
If selection is a promoting level, Walt Disney World has a better vary of choices: bus, monorail, boat, Skyliner gondola, and even strolling. The effectivity of the transportation supplied to Walt Disney World resort resort friends is hotly disputed, and is basically a results of the resort complicated’s sprawling measurement.
Common Orlando has extra restricted choices: bus, boat, or strolling. Nonetheless, it’s unquestionably extra environment friendly, with buses departing virtually one proper after the opposite and strolling between the lodges and theme parks being doable in any respect properties besides Countless Summer time Resort. That is owing to Common Orlando’s extra compact format, which makes practically all the pieces accessible by foot, and bus turnaround instances quicker as a result of 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 big chunk of our trip. Transit at Common is a breeze, benefiting from the condensed format tremendously. Walt Disney World’s measurement is each a blessing and a burden–on the subject of transportation, it’s the latter. In case you’re searching for on-site leisure, eating, or a ‘bubble’ from the true world, it’s a blessing. Walt Disney World can 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 friends, and in addition inconceivable to keep away from for off-site friends.
Prolonged Night Hours has a smaller pool of eligibility and happens much less steadily than Early Entry. It’s solely for friends staying at Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas (Disney Trip Membership items), 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 vastly useful to eligible friends, and minimally burdensome to those that aren’t eligible since it could possibly simply be deliberate round.
Common Orlando provides Early Park Admission to pick out points of interest at Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida (specifically, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter) one hour earlier than the theme parks open to most people. Volcano Bay additionally provides 30 minute Early Park Admission.
Regardless of their period variations, the 2 early entry packages are fairly comparable to 1 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 may save a ton of time. In each circumstances, traces can construct for eligible points of interest fairly shortly.
In case you’re taking a look at reserving larger tier resort, Walt Disney World will get the win right here as Prolonged Night Hours are implausible and haven’t any counterpart at Common Orlando. For everybody else, it’s kind of a wash.
Line Skipping – With the elimination of free FastPass, there isn’t any longer a big on-site benefit on the subject 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.
Friends desirous to make the most of Genie+ and/or Particular person Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney World can count on to spend $18 to round $50 per particular person, per day. The decrease quantity is should 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 common on-site visitor will find yourself spending round $60 to $120 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 vital 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 all the pieces it’s good to know, together with when to purchase and not purchase line-skipping entry.)
In contrast, friends staying at Common Orlando’s Premier Motels (Royal Pacific, Exhausting Rock Lodge, Portofino Bay) get free Limitless Categorical Move to skip the common traces at hottest points of interest in Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey. That is Common’s equal of FastPass/Lightning Lanes, however higher. Limitless Categorical Move usually prices much more cash and, because the title suggests, it’s limitless. That’s proper, friends of Common’s prime tier lodges get infinite line skipping!
Limitless Categorical Move has a worth of over $100 per particular person every day, that means its worth might exceed the full price of the resort (or a minimum of the price of upgrading from a decrease tier resort). In case you’re a celebration of 4, there’s a very good likelihood that’ll be true, as Common’s Premier Motels begin at round $325 per evening.
There’s a motive Categorical Move usually prices greater than Genie+ and Lightning Lanes: it’s higher. Categorical Move is frictionless, doesn’t require trip reservations, or any expertise by any means. As famous above, it’s additionally limitless. See our full comparability: Common’s Categorical Move v. Genie+ at Walt Disney World for a full rundown on the professionals & cons of every.
Whereas all the pieces else right here is important, Limitless Categorical Move is the promoting level for Common Orlando’s Premier Motels. In case you’re household is filled with trip junkies and also you’ll do 2 days or extra at Common Orlando, this one perk–by itself–is sufficient to justify a minimum of a cut up keep between Common and Disney. It’s enormous.
Service High quality – Diehard followers will inform you that Walt Disney World is extra magical due to the Solid Members. It’s honest to say that Disney attracts extra passionate staff, lots of whom purchase into Walt Disney’s legacy and the corporate’s core values. That is additionally aided by the Faculty 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 friends.
Nonetheless, the notion that there’s an throughout the board distinction between Disney and Common staff is fake. This isn’t to denigrate or disparage Solid Members–on the contrary, many go above and past to make lasting recollections for friends. 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 likely to marginally favor Common. Furthermore, the strain felt by staff from Walt Disney World friends–who usually are higher-stress resulting from planning burdens and the costlier 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 on the subject 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 manner that loyal friends of chained-brand lodges would possibly count on, 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 final yr, reversing an especially unpopular determination made a number of years earlier. For many who drive or have rental vehicles, 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 costs and nonetheless do at the moment after Disney has eliminated them–we count on nothing to alter. Common’s self-parking charges are $15 to $28, with Countless Summer time being most cost-effective and the trio of Premier Motels being most costly. Cabana Bay can 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 advocate you struggle again towards the extremely consumer-unfriendly observe.
Neither Common Orlando nor Walt Disney World properties cost resort charges. Given the growing blowback towards resort charges, we don’t count on both to introduce them. If something, different lodges will begin eliminating resort charges. (Both by selection or by legislation.)
Theme & Design – Many friends love to remain in lodges which might be an extension of the theme park expertise. Walt Disney World resorts supply a spread of distinct designs, from funds choices that scream “Disney” with icons from animated movies to upscale lodging with refined and immersive environment. They’ve a further layer of element and storytelling to “transport” friends to a distinct time and place.
By way of 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 large promoting factors of on-site lodging at Walt Disney World.
Common Orlando is not any slouch on this regard. Just a few of its resorts arguably are among the many prime 10 themed lodges in Central Florida, and several 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 degree, providing a degree of depth and element on par with Disney.
The remainder aren’t weak by any stretch, however are likely to favor perform over type. Their designs give attention to a streamlined format, consolation, and facilities–moderately than a transportive theme.
Evaluating the Polynesian to Royal Pacific or Seaside Membership to Portofino Bay could make sense, as there are clear parallels and deliberate contrasts. The comparisons disintegrate 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 properly over a decade previous. That is truly not related from the angle of situation or put on & tear, however is when it comes to fashion and sensibilities. A lot 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 would possibly appear to be an odd pairing, but it surely’s solely being executed as a result of these two very totally different, and essential classes are additionally probably 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 differ for every particular resort–consult with particular evaluations for perception that’s truly 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 in all probability 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 healthier. Meals courts on the inexpensive lodges are extra bold and a greater expertise. Foyer bars are usually robust, and poolside eating is surprisingly strong at Common lodges.
Whereas Common lodges are likely 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 could possibly be described as consolation meals. There are a whole lot of selections, however most are regional variations of that–even fantastic eating is commonly simply costlier consolation meals, not delicacies that’s truly bold 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 soar 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 various. Common and Disney are thus in a position to cost greater than they might for the very same lodges plopped down in Duluth, Minnesota.
After all, 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 area, or moved Lodge Shangri-La Paris so it didn’t overlook the Eiffel Tower, the identical can be true. There’s a motive resorts with views of Cinderella Fort 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 costlier than Common Orlando at each single resort tier. For low season dates, the hole shouldn’t be notably pronounced between Countless Summer time and the All Stars, but it surely grows bigger for extra fashionable dates and better finish lodges. On the mid-tier, Disney costs may be double Common’s. On the prime tier, Disney usually fees triple or extra for comparable lodging.
In mild of the above, the case could possibly 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 Fort or inside strolling distance of the preferred 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 Previous Key West to Exhausting Rock Lodge or Royal Pacific, although.
Editorializing a bit, I imagine that we’re at the moment dwelling by means 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.
Partially, this enlargement 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 enlargement initiatives with the expectation that demand and bookings would quickly comply with go well with.
Epic Universe is probably going seen 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 growth.
It ought to go with out saying, however larger demand will lead to larger 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 inexpensive lodging to the center class. These are each ruthless multinational companies; companies don’t get into the Fortune 50 nowadays by being charitable in the direction of customers.
If Common might cost Polynesian costs for Royal Pacific proper now, they might. However they can’t (a minimum of, not but), so they don’t. There’s more likely to be a degree within the not-too-distant future when Common Orlando’s theme park lineup has significantly extra drawing energy, and its resort costs will improve because of this.
Personally, I wouldn’t be shocked if Common’s prime 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 searching for robust worth, now’s undoubtedly the time to e book Common lodges–they’re arguably underpriced for his or her high quality, location, and perks.
April 2024 Replace: This editorial was initially written two years in the past, and has already been a minimum of partially vindicated. In pricing out stays at Common over the past yr, we’re seeing efficient will increase (after reductions) of about 30% 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 yr, 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 pondering that is some type of vindication: don’t. The hole remains to be fairly vast, and Common is considerably cheaper on common. Nonetheless, the ‘worth chasm’ is closing. As Common turns into extra fashionable and pulls resort friends away from Walt Disney World with the opening of Epic Universe, count on this development to proceed.
What we’ve seen within the final yr is barely a small sneak peek of the longer term, and it’s nonetheless your finest guess to remain at Common lodges now moderately than ready for 2025 to roll round…except you need to pay significantly larger costs!
Finally, our opinion is that Common Orlando has made super strides within the final a number of years, and is now beating Walt Disney World within the sizzling Orlando resort market. In relation 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, you must give critical thought to staying at Common as a substitute of Disney–or a minimum of doing a cut up keep. It ought to go with out saying, however should you’re not visiting Common Studios Florida or Islands of Journey, you shouldn’t take into account 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 doable that our perspective right here is coloured by that. The case additionally could possibly be made that Walt Disney World is solely charging what the market will bear, and the market bears lots larger costs as a result of the underlying product is healthier or in larger demand. That could possibly be true, but it surely additionally could possibly 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 lots to think about when figuring out whether or not you need to keep at Walt Disney World or Common Orlando–or each. There’s nobody measurement suits all reply as to which is “higher.” Completely different households would possibly make very totally different choices primarily based upon what issues most to them–there’s actually no objectively proper or improper reply, it’s extra what you need out of your trip and the way you weigh the professionals and cons.
The subjective elements 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 perhaps completely irrelevant for an additional. Which is best for you is basically 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 “laborious no” for you, it’s nice to see them so aggressively increasing in Central Florida.
Want journey planning ideas and complete recommendation to your go to to Central Florida? Be sure to learn our Common Orlando Planning Information for all the pieces about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally try our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Information for all the pieces about these parks, resorts, eating places, and a lot extra. For normal updates, information & rumors, a heads up when reductions are launched, and way more, join our FREE e 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 to 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 executed inadequate justice? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
