If your thinking about or planning your next Walt Disney World family vacation, one of the most important decisions you need to make is: are you going to stay on property at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel or off property at a traditional hotel? And our clients always ask us, “What are the perks of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel?”
While it’s true that you might save some money staying off property, there are plenty of other great perks that far outweigh the cost difference. Not many people know all the perks of staying on Walt Disney World property, so we thought we’d share the answer with you!
1. Free Roundtrip Transportation to and from MCO to Your Resort
That’s right! Disney provides FREE transportation with Disney’s Magical Express. Not only that, they’ll also deliver your luggage directly to your hotel room. You never have to visit the luggage carousel or worry about straining your back.
2. Free Magic Bands
When you stay at a Disney Resort Hotel, you don’t need to purchase magic bands. They’re free too! Simply log into your My Disney Experience account, select the bands you want, and they’ll be shipped directly to your house before your trip.
3. Complimentary Transportation from Your Resort to the Parks
Disney makes it easy and convenient for guests staying on property to get to and from the parks. Depending upon where you stay, you could take a bus, boat, monorail, or even the new Disney Skyliner!
4. Extra Magic Hours Inside the Parks
Guests staying at a Disney Resort Hotel get the added perk of either entering a select park one hour before the official opening time or staying one hour past the official closing time. This is a great way to visit attractions that normally have long wait times during normal park hours.
5. In Room Celebrations
Many people aren’t aware of Disney Floral & Gifts — Disney’s unique gift shop that delivers gift baskets, flowers, and decorations directly to resort rooms to celebrate special occasions. We’ve used them for Halloween celebrations and for anniversaries!
6. Dining Reservations 180+ Days Out
While it’s true that anyone can book advanced dining reservations 180 days in advance, only Disney resort guests can book reservations 180 days in advance plus the duration of their stay. So, if you’re staying for ten days, that means your dining reservations for the tenth day can actually be made 190 days in advance. Now you know why Cinderella’s Royal Table and Be Our Guest can be fully booked at 180 days.
7. FastPass+ Reservations 60+ Days Out
If you’re not staying on property, FastPass+ reservations can’t be made until the 30 day mark. But if you’re a resort guest, it’s 60 days out. This is perhaps one of the biggest advantages! And like the advanced dining reservations, you can me your FastPass+ reservations for the remainder of your stay. And now you know why Flight of Passage and Slinky Dog are so hard to get!
8. Extra Disney Magic
Just like the rides and restaurants inside Disney parks, Disney’s imagineers go to painstaking lengths to design their resort hotels so they tell a unique story. It’s one of the reasons why so many guests continue to stay on property in addition to the other perks — they want to experience the different hotels on property and immerse themselves in different stories.
Of course, children are usually partial to the Pirate Rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Hotel, the Little Mermaid Rooms at the Art of Animation, and the Royal Guest Rooms at Port Orleans — Riverside.
So, now that you know the perks, feel free to educate your friends and family the next time the want to know. And if you need help planning your Walt Disney World vacation, you can schedule a complimentary consultation here.
