Trying to figure our the benefits of staying on Walt Disney World property? If you and your family are thinking about booking Walt Disney World® vacation, you may be wrestling with the idea of staying on property vs. staying off property. As prices rise, off-property options like timeshares and Airbnb rentals have become increasingly popular to save families a buck or two. However, is it worth it?
Because here’s the thing — there are cost savings when you stay off property. But that also means you can anticipate additional costs you wouldn’t have if you stayed on Disney property. Plus, you end up missing out on some serious perks and benefits too.
Whether it comes to price or convenience, read on to discover the true perks and benefits of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel!
The Disney Touch
Whether it’s a value, moderate or deluxe option, any Disney owned hotel offers the same exemplary service that the company is known for. A guest is always like family at a Disney resort, and the staff is exceptional. There’s added magic at every turn whether it is through a special themed room or the amazing recreational spaces, a Disney Resort offers an extension of the joy and adventure found within the parks.
This has become especially true with the recent remodels of Disney’s Deluxe Resorts with Moana themed rooms at Disney’s Polynesian, Mary Poppins themed rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian, and Incredible themed rooms at Disney’s Contemporary.
Disney Convenience
One of the biggest draws of a Disney Resort are the transportation, park, and food benefits tied into your hotel reservation. Disney resorts offer at least one of four modes of transportation to and from the Disney Parks and Disney Springs. The resorts offer food courts and/or specialty restaurants to grab a bite to eat way from the hustle and bustle of The Parks, and many have locations open later to satisfy cravings after arriving home. Guests who drive to the resorts also get free parking for the nights of their stay and also get free parking should they decide to drive their own vehicle to the parks.
Think about this… if you choose to stay off property, you won’t have the reliable Disney transportation and will have the increased cost of parking fees, rental cars, and gas. Once you factor in all of those, you’re not saving as much money as you might think.
Besides, if you’re a family with small children who are using strollers, it’s a hassle to get them in and out of the car and figure out the car-seat situation — especially if you’re flying into MCO. If you stay at a Disney Skyliner resort or monorail resort, you’ll be able to whisk the stroller directly onto the skyliner or monorail for at least two of your park days. That saves so much stress and hassle.
Park Benefits
One of the most coveted perks of staying on Disney property are the extended parks hours and early entry entitlements allotted to each Disney Resort guest. By choosing to stay Disney, you get access to each park 30 minutes early before the general public to get a head start on your day. (This can save you about up to 2-3 hours of waiting later during the day, if you have our reduced wait strategies.)
If you are staying at a deluxe resort, you have access to extended park hours on select nights for select parks. This means you have 2 extra hours after park close to experience even more magic with less crowds. And, for rides like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Tron Lightcycle / Run that means an additional chance to enter the virtual queue to secure a boarding group.
Dining Benefits
Guests staying at a Disney Resort Hotel get priority on Dining and Magical Enchanting Extra reservations. By staying Disney, guests are able to book their dining and Enchanting Extra reservations for 10 days out from their check-in date 60 days in advance. This includes guests staying at Disney Springs hotels as well. If you stay off property, you can still book 60 days in advance, but must do so day-by-day, and reservations often go to Disney Resort guests first. Disney Resort Hotel guests also get priority access to experiences like the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and The Droid Depot at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Most of our clients choose to opt for our VIP services, where we book all their dining reservations for them, so they can focus on taking care of the kiddos in the morning or getting ready for work.
Magical Extras
Guests staying at a Disney Resort Hotel also receive certain discounts and entitlements known as Magical Extras. According to the Walt Disney World website these include:
- 4 vouchers for mini golf per package
- 4 vouchers for the ESPN Wide World of Sport complex per package
- 10% off at Splitsville Luxury Lanes
- 10% off City Works Eatery and Pour House
- BOGO Ghiradelli Chocolate Bar with specialty beverage
- 20% off Joffrey’s purchases
- 20% off at Paddlefish
- 10% off adult entrees at Rainforest Cafe and T-REX
- Buy 5 get 1 at the Spice and Tea Exchange
- Buy 2 Get 1 at Wetzel’s Pretzels
- 10% off Balocoloc Venetian Masks
- 10% off at Basin
- 15% off at Chapel Hats
- 15% off at the Coca-Cola Store
- 10% off at Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers
- 15% off Just Fun Socks
- 15% off at Kendra Scott
- 10% off at Sugarboo
- 15% off at Volcom
*These benefits are all subject to terms and conditions and are slated to change Jan 1st, 2024 to include expanded shopping and food benefits.
Ready to Discover Your Second Home?
Whether it’s for a few days or a few weeks, the benefits of staying at a Walt Disney Resort Hotel during your Walt Disney World vacation are endless. From the themed rooms and public areas to the conveniences that marry the theme park experience with the comfort of a second home, choosing a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel will be a fantastic choice to ensure a fantastic experience during your next visit. Not sure which hotel is right for you? Contact one of our expert Travel Planning Genies by scheduling a complimentary consultation here: https://magiclampvacations.com/quote/
