“It’s just a place to sleep” is the theory of hotel choice for many traveling families; including those traveling to Walt Disney World. On the heels of the increase in ticket price you may be tempted to start re-analyzing your Disney vacation and seeing where you can cut costs…the bulk of which lies in your accommodations. Before you grab your red pen and calculator, consider the benefits of staying on property, you might be surprised to find they often outweigh the cost!
Let’s take a look at what the benefits of being on “property” have to offer you!
Parks – Disney Resort hotels are right in the middle of the action. You are close the major theme parks which decreases your travel time so you can spend more time in the parks and less time getting there.
Rates – Disney runs promotions on their resort properties which can often be turned into packages. Current resort promotions include Free Dining and Late Summer Room Offers. Pixie Vacations also has exclusive rates for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival and Late Summer Travel.
Options – Disney has something for everyone and its accommodations are no exception. Disney Value Resort Hotels, Disney Moderate Resort Hotels and Disney Deluxe & Villa Resort Hotels resorts offer a range of options from budget conscious to plush tastes. There are over 20 resorts to choose from, be transported to a Caribbean Island, a Hawaiian Paradise or a Mansion on the Bayou.
Package delivery – Shop till you drop and never carry a thing! During your purchase ask about package delivery and all you’ll carry is a green receipt. Your package will arrive a day or two later and you will be notified via voicemail on your room phone that your package is available in your resort gift shop.
Extra Magic Hours – Resort guests can take advantage of lower crowds during Extra Magical Hours, which rotate daily and offer you either early admission into the parks or extended stay after the park closes. Extra Magical Hours are a great way to experience the parks without the crowds, and the Florida heat!
Resort Services – Your customized Magic Your Way Package is placed on your Key To the World Card at check-in. Your “room key” serves as your dining plan (if you selected one), your park admission, and your room key. You can also opt to add charging privileges to your card and eliminate the need to carry cash. Charging privileges can be customized, so if you don’t want your children going on a shopping spree you can choose to have your credit card linked to the adults cards only. Disney cast members are available 24/7 to make sure your having a magical experience. Visit the front desk for park hours, time guides and maps or stop over at the concierge desk to rearrange dining reservations. The phone in your room can connect you to any major department with the touch of a button, so Disney service is always at your disposal.
Transportation – Disney’s Magical Express is a complimentary service for Disney Resort guests that includes round trip ground transportation from airport to resort. The Magical Express bus will pick you up at the airport and take you to your resort. You don’t even have to worry about your luggage, place the provided yellow luggage tags on your checked baggage and Disney will take care of the rest. No standing in line at baggage claim, waiting then loading and unloading. Just walk to your Magical Express bus and your luggage will magically arrive at your resort at a later time. The transportation doesn’t end when you arrive at your resort. Transportation options include buses, monorails and boats to take you to the theme parks, you can also utilize them to get to other resorts.
Yes you need to stay on property. If you haven’t experienced the benefits of being on property now is the time! Take advantage of one of these great promotions or ask your Disney travel agent for more details about the resorts and what would work for you. We started off talking about money and where to cut costs, can you afford NOT to stay on property?
What’s your favorite thing about staying on property, tell us below!
Related articles
- Top 4 Benefits for Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel (chipandco.com)
- Tips for Choosing your Walt Disney World Resort (chipandco.com)
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If I can’t stay on property – then I will just stay home…
Where can I find more info on the late summer promo?? I don’t see it on Disney’s website.
ppsst- I don’t ever pay for the parking at the parks. We always do a character breakfast at one of the monorail loop hotels, we park there.. eat breakfast and hit the park via the hotel monorail.. :o)
We used to stay off site, but after the first on site experience, I can’t see ever staying off site again!! Our family of 4 (both kids are considered adults now at 10 and 13 years of age) stayed at Pop Century in December for 7 days and 7 nights for $1,800!! We got the meal plan FREE too!! No way could we have gotten all that for the price we paid if we stayed off site. Also, you have to pay $15 per day just to park if you don’t stay on site. If you add up all this, the savings are huge!!
Yes, some of these “perks” are nice and I love being in the “magic” all the time too. However, when you are going for 5 days, 4 nights and you have a large family, or a family that likes to spread out. Disney hotels can be a bit costly and yes, you are mainly using the room to sleep. Is the EMH great- sure thing but I can stay off-property in a 2 bedroom, 2 bath Hilton suite, with a full kitchen for less than 1/2 it would cost me to stay on property. With a young child doing EMH at night isn’t going to happen- so I am out there. The Hilton provides a full buffet breakfast which is included in the cost of your room stay.. Disney doesn’t and furthermore, I find the beds to be a tad uncomfortable at Disney. I think it depends on the type of trip and family that you are. In my opinion though, I would rather take the $600(+) that I am saving by staying off property and using it to make a memory with my family. Of course, to each their own and everyone is different. This is just my opinion. :o)