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 value, perks, facilities, location, transportation, eating, and extra. (Up to date August 17, 2025.)

For a lot of Walt Disney World followers who had been as soon as “bubble or bust!” would possibly now discover themselves reevaluating that place, as loads 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 Specific. 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. Pressured to take care of 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 occurring 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 individuals, planning Florida holidays that embrace visits to a number of theme parks, Common Orlando’s lodges current a really engaging different.

Personally, I do surprise how it will ‘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, pre-arrival Lightning Lane reserving home windows providing a headstart to on-site company, different little perks, and the brand new further hours system. It’s nonetheless not what it was circa-2019, and possibly by no means shall be, however it’s higher than a pair years in the past.

We’ve stayed at each single Common and Disney-owned lodge, plus quite a few off-site and third social gathering lodges all through Central Florida. Right here’s our tackle the benefits and downsides provided by Disney and Common lodges…

Airport Transportation

With the demise of Disney’s Magical Specific, neither Walt Disney World nor Common Orlando have unique airport transportation included as a visitor perk.

The religious successor to Disney’s Magical Specific is Mears Join, which is a paid shuttle providing nearly precisely the identical service (however for a price). It’s essentially the most cost-effective airport transportation, and it’s not accessible to Common Orlando resorts–solely Walt Disney World and some choose off-site lodges close by.

See our Airport Transportation to Walt Disney World Information for a rundown of the opposite selections, that are roughly the identical for Common Orlando. The most important distinction is that Walt Disney World presents Minnie Van service to company of Deluxe Resorts, however this comes with a $199 price ticket, so it’s most likely not related to over 99% of company.

Inside Transportation

As soon as on property at both Walt Disney World or Common Orlando, company can use a offered transportation between lodges, theme parks, and different areas on property. All of this transportation is complimentary (or constructed into the worth 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 offered to Walt Disney World resort lodge company is hotly disputed, and is essentially a results of the resort complicated’s sprawling measurement.

Walt Disney World’s measurement is each a blessing and a burden–relating to transportation, it’s the latter. Should you’re on the lookout for on-site leisure, eating, or a ‘bubble’ from the actual world, it’s a blessing. Walt Disney World can be extra conducive to longer stays by advantage of its bigger scope and scale.

Common Orlando has extra restricted choices: bus, boat, or strolling. Nonetheless, it’s unquestionably extra environment friendly, with buses departing nearly one proper after the opposite and strolling between the lodges and theme parks being attainable at most properties. That is owing to Common Orlando’s extra compact format, which makes practically all the pieces accessible by foot, and bus turnaround instances sooner because of the shorter commutes.

With that stated, Epic Universe has introduced main modifications on this regard. There at the moment are two districts at Common Orlando: the core campus the place just about all the pieces constructed earlier than the 2020s was constructed, and the south campus that’s dwelling to Epic Universe and a trio of recent lodges. These are separated by Sand Lake, I-4, and a complete bunch of property that Common doesn’t personal. Commute instances between the 2 campuses will be prolonged, particularly in mild of “actual world” visitors on I-4.

Nonetheless, Common Orlando is the winner right here. When staying inside every campus, transit is a breeze. Even past that, we’ve by no means had complications ready for buses or different transportation hassles. Getting from Helios Grand and Terra Luna to the core campus has taken 25-Half-hour on a few events, however that’s actually the most important challenge we’ve ever skilled. That’s not a lot worse than going from the All Stars to Magic Kingdom.

Further Hours

Walt Disney World changed Further Magic Hours with Early Entry and Prolonged Night Hours. Comparable thought, completely different particulars.

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. This can be a good head-start for on-site company, and likewise unimaginable to keep away from for off-site company.

Prolonged Night Hours has a smaller pool of eligibility and happens much less continuously than Early Entry. It’s solely for company staying at Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas, or different choose lodges. Prolonged Night Hours happen two nights per week in complete and lasts for two hours. It’s massively helpful to eligible company, and minimally burdensome to those that usually are not eligible since it will probably simply be deliberate round.

Common Orlando presents Early Park Admission to pick out sights at Islands of Journey and Volcano Bay one hour earlier than the theme parks open to most of the people. These are formally on a seasonal foundation, however Common retains extending the calendar of dates they’ll be provided.

Extra reliably, Epic Universe presents Early Park admission at choose sights one hour earlier than the theme park opens to most of the people, most notably in Tremendous Nintendo World. See our Early Park Admission at Epic Universe Technique Information for ideas & methods.

Regardless of their length variations, the 2 early entry packages are fairly comparable to at least one one other. Should you’re one of many first within the pack headed in the direction of headliners on a busy day, this may save a ton of time. In each circumstances, strains can construct for eligible sights fairly rapidly.

Should you’re reserving larger 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 big on-site benefit relating to Lightning Lanes, exterior 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 reap the benefits of Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney World can count on to spend $18 to round $60 per particular person, per day. The decrease quantity is should you go to throughout a less-busy time and solely buy the Lightning Lane Multi-Go service; the upper quantity is Lightning Lane Multi-Go and Single Go throughout peak season. There’s now one other tier referred to as Lightning Lane Premier Go, which begins at over $100 per particular person per day and may price as much as $450.

We might estimate that the typical on-site visitor will find yourself spending round $80 to $150 per particular person for line-skipping at Walt Disney World over the course of their journey, relying upon crowd ranges. This assumes that they’ll not buy Lightning Lanes once they’re not needed or helpful, and can make the most of savvy technique to beat the crowds. (See our Information to Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney World for all the pieces you have to know, together with when to purchase and not purchase line-skipping entry.)

Against this, company staying at Common Orlando’s Premier Accommodations (Royal Pacific, Exhausting Rock Lodge, Portofino Bay) get free Limitless Specific Go to skip the common strains at hottest sights in Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey. That is Common’s equal of Lightning Lanes.

Limitless Specific Go usually prices much more cash and, because the identify suggests, it’s limitless. That’s proper, company of Common’s high tier lodges get infinite line skipping! Limitless Specific Go has a price of over $100 per particular person every day, so its worth may exceed the overall price of the lodge. Should you’re a celebration of 4, there’s an excellent likelihood that’ll be true, as Common’s Premier Accommodations begin at round $325 per evening.

Whereas all the pieces else right here is critical, Limitless Specific Go is the promoting level for Common Orlando’s Premier Accommodations. Should you’re household is stuffed with experience 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.

Nonetheless, it comes with a colossal caveat: there isn’t any Limitless Specific Go at Epic Universe and Helios Grand Lodge doesn’t provide Limitless Specific Go wherever. Some followers appear to assume that’ll change as soon as Epic Universe is not brand-new, however they’re mistaken. Loews’ contract with Common doesn’t cowl future parks or resorts, which is why Limitless Specific Go won’t ever be provided at Epic Universe or Helios Grand.

Service High quality

Diehard followers will let you know that Walt Disney World is extra magical due to the Forged Members. It’s truthful to say that Disney attracts extra passionate workers, a lot 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 typically espouse the above, and sure have extra enthusiasm by advantage of much less long-term publicity to company.

Nonetheless, the notion that there’s an throughout the board distinction between Disney and Common workers is fake. This isn’t to denigrate or disparage Forged Members–on the contrary, many go above and past to make lasting recollections for company. It’s extra a mirrored image of the fact that each are largely drawing from the very same labor pool in Central Florida.

We’d additionally add that Loews (which operates the resorts at Common Orlando) is a greater hospitality firm relating to lodge operations. Disney’s experience is in theme parks, and whereas there are particular person WDW lodges which can be extremely well-managed, it’s clear that the core product is theme parks. Disney’s resort operations aren’t structured in a means that loyal company 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 a slight step up.

Theme & Design

Many company love to remain in lodges which can be an extension of the theme park expertise. Walt Disney World resorts provide a variety of distinct designs, from price range 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” company to a distinct time and place.

By way of luxurious, Disney lodges typically don’t surpass their actual world counterparts, however they nearly all the time 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. Just a few of its resorts arguably are among the many high 10 themed lodges in Central Florida, and several other maintain their very own towards Disney’s counterparts. Particularly, 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.

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 crumble when Sapphire Falls vs. Port Orleans Riverside. Their design goals had been radically completely different, every with distinctive however incomparable execs and cons.

One factor that’s notable right here is that Common’s lodges are typically newer. Each single Common lodge was constructed inside the final 25 years–most inside the final decade. A few of Walt Disney World’s resorts had been constructed 50 years in the past–most are properly over a decade outdated. That is really not related from the attitude of situation or put on & tear, however is by way of 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 beneath one roof. Their designs concentrate on a streamlined format, consolation, and facilities–relatively than a transportive theme. The latest lodges have been a little bit of a disappointment on this regard, particularly Helios Grand. We anticipated this new in-park lodge at Epic Universe to be the brand new flagship Common Resort, however it’s undoubtedly not. It has an important location, however is in any other case underwhelming.

Rooms & Swimming pools

This would possibly seem to be an odd pairing, however it’s solely being achieved as a result of these two very completely 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 lodge rooms higher and Disney tends to do the upper finish lodge rooms higher (and bigger).

Rooms and swimming pools in any other case range for every particular lodge–check with particular evaluations for perception that’s really helpful. A main instance of that is Helios Grand Lodge, which has rooms roughly the scale of close by worth resorts paired with a smaller pool. Once more, the promoting level of Helios Grand is the in-park location at Epic Universe. Every thing else is an afterthought.

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 lodge eating choices.

There are some points of eating at which Common Orlando resorts excel. Throughout the board, the espresso state of affairs is healthier. Meals courts on the cheaper lodges are extra formidable and a greater expertise. Foyer bars are usually sturdy, and poolside eating is surprisingly sturdy at Common lodges.

Whereas Common lodges are likely to have a variety 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 variety of selections, however most are regional variations of that–even fantastic 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 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 different. Common and Disney are thus capable of cost greater than they might for the very same lodges plopped down in Duluth, Minnesota.

Regardless, Walt Disney World is dearer than Common Orlando at each single lodge tier. For low season dates, the hole shouldn’t be significantly pronounced between Limitless Summer time and the All Stars, however it grows bigger for extra fashionable dates and better finish lodges. On the mid-tier, Disney costs will be double Common’s. On the high tier, Disney typically fees triple or extra for comparable lodging.

In mild 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 lodge at Common with a view of Cinderella Fort or inside strolling distance of the preferred theme park on the planet. In any case, 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.

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.

This enlargement was probably overdue, satisfying a number of the demand from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It’s additionally probably that Common Orlando aggressively developed its lodge portfolio forward of theme park enlargement tasks with the expectation that demand and bookings would quickly observe swimsuit.

Epic Universe was constructed with a watch in the direction of the long-term and is a game-changer for Common Orlando’s standing as a vacation spot resort. Three theme parks and a water park will entice many extra individuals to remain on-site. Merely put, demand has not but caught as much as lodge growth.

It ought to go with out saying, however larger demand will lead to larger lodge costs. It’s not as if Common is purposefully charging below-market charges as a result of the corporate desires to be extra truthful 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 shoppers. Common’s father or mother firm is Comcast. Some of the hated corporations in America, and for good purpose. They aren’t working their theme parks division as a philanthropic endeavor on the aspect.

If Common may 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 enhance consequently.

Personally, I wouldn’t be stunned if Common’s high tier lodges common a lot larger nightly charges in about 5 years, following an analogous trajectory to what has occurred with Disney resorts. Should you’re on the lookout for sturdy worth, now’s undoubtedly the time to e book Common lodges–they’re arguably underpriced for his or her high quality, location, and perks.

Even in the present day, one factor to notice is that Common Orlando/Loews use dynamic pricing for his or her lodges. What this sometimes means is that costs enhance as dates draw nearer. That’s not all the time true, however we’ve seen it occur a minimum of 80% of the time. Even throughout the low season. Common normally offsets this by providing discounted charges to Florida residents and Annual Passholders.

Regardless, the perfect follow is all the time reserving early at Common and rebooking later if costs do drop for some purpose. We’ve heard from numerous readers who had been watching costs at Common Orlando lodges, ready to e book for no matter purpose, who noticed costs come near doubling in a single day. That’s an excessive, however jumps of ~20% usually are not unusual.

Parking Charges

Walt Disney World stopped charging for in a single day lodge parking final 12 months, reversing an especially unpopular determination made a number of years earlier. For many 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 costs and nonetheless do presently after Disney has eliminated them–we count on nothing to alter. Common’s self-parking charges are $19 to $36, with Limitless Summer time being least expensive and the Premier Accommodations being most costly. Cabana Bay can be on the decrease finish of the pricing spectrum, whereas Sapphire Falls costs are fairly near the Premiers.

Charging for parking is a technique that Common “bridges the hole” on lodge pricing. One other means is at meals courts, that are usually about ~25% dearer than Walt Disney World. Fortunately, neither fees resort charges.

Break up Stays

Should you’ll be spending equal (or near it) time at Common and Walt Disney World throughout your Orlando, Florida trip, you need to 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 the Common parks, you shouldn’t contemplate Common’s lodges.

We might additional advocate staying at Common’s south campus in case your emphasis is on Epic Universe. Helios Grand is sweet, however not important. Should you’re on a tighter price range, keep at Stella Nova or Terra Luna Resorts, that are worth lodges inside strolling distance of Epic Universe. Should you’re spending equal time in any respect 3 parks, you need to keep on the principle campus–or if you’d like Limitless Specific Go, as you possibly can solely get that on the unique Premier Accommodations.

Principally, keep in whichever resort district will scale back your commutes and provide the perks that matter to you. Whereas this identical sentiment may ring true at Walt Disney World–particularly for company spending disproportionate time at Magic Kingdom or EPCOT and DHS–it’s not as essential since the actual world doesn’t lower by means of the center of Walt Disney World. We don’t advocate doing a number of cut up stays to be nearer to every theme park. One lodge change per journey when transferring from Walt Disney World to Common is perfect.

There’s loads to think about when figuring out whether or not you wish to keep at Walt Disney World or Common Orlando–or each. There’s nobody measurement matches all reply as to which is “higher.” Completely different households would possibly make very completely different selections 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 components are nearly all the time 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 one more. Which is best for you is essentially a matter of choice and trip priorities, however hopefully this put up offered 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 shoppers, 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 on your go to to Central Florida? Make certain to learn our Common Orlando Planning Information for all the pieces about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally take a look at 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 rather more, join our FREE e mail e-newsletter!

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? Should you’ve beforehand been loyal to WDW, are you contemplating Common (or different off-site) lodges on your subsequent Florida trip? Do any of the promoting factors above tip the scales in favor of 1 or the opposite? Something we’ve ignored or achieved inadequate justice? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!