“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 Magical Memories Plus Free Dining and Late Sumer Room Offers. Pixie Vacations also has exclusive rates for Food and Wine Festival and Late Summer Travel.
Options-Disney has something for everyone and its accommodations are no exception. Value, Moderate and Deluxe 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 Magical 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: 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
- Disney Training: The benefits of staying at a Walt Disney Resort (couponingtodisney.com)
- Top 4 Benefits for Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel (chipandco.com)
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Great info on why to stay on property.
Great info on why to stay on property.
I would love to stay at Poly one day
How far ahead do you recommend booking to get the best deals on property? We haven’t stayed on property in a long time, but I am thinking about going again in a couple of years and maybe staying at a Disney resort.
i can’t imagine staying anywhere other than on Disney property. i honestly wish that i had thought far enough ahead to buy DVC.
i can’t imagine staying anywhere other than on Disney property. i honestly wish that i had thought far enough ahead to buy DVC.
i can’t imagine staying anywhere other than on Disney property. i honestly wish that i had thought far enough ahead to buy DVC.
i can’t imagine staying anywhere other than on Disney property. i honestly wish that i had thought far enough ahead to buy DVC.
My parents used to take us every 5 years or so (we lived in PA, and I have 2 sisters and a brother) and we always stayed off property. My grandparents took the whole family when I was a senior in HS and we stayed at All Star Sports. We haven’t stayed off property since.
We have been staying on property for years and years. Probably about 15 years. It is well worth the money and the Disney Magic is with you day and night, even while sleeping.LOL. I would never stay off property.
I have stayed on property 3 times since 2002. I love it, but there are drawbacks. Space being one of the biggest ones. My family has 5 people. 4 of those 5 are now considered adults, and the fifth on is on his last year of being considered a disney “child”. There are a few options of getting us all in one room, but then we are crammed and sharing one bathroom. Or you can get two connecting rooms. Another option we have done. Adds more space, but you still have NO privacy. Adults and kids are right on top of each other. None of us share rooms at home, so it makes it a little unnerving to do on vacation. With this option you do get an additional bathroom. There are suites on Disney that would give us more room, but I have never figured out how anyone affords those. Our trip in October 2011 we will be renting a 6 bedroom home with a private pool AND it is cheaper than two rooms at a value resort. Yes, we will have to pay the $14 for parking daily, but having elbow room is more important to my family than that.
I have stayed on property 3 times since 2002. I love it, but there are drawbacks. Space being one of the biggest ones. My family has 5 people. 4 of those 5 are now considered adults, and the fifth on is on his last year of being considered a disney “child”. There are a few options of getting us all in one room, but then we are crammed and sharing one bathroom. Or you can get two connecting rooms. Another option we have done. Adds more space, but you still have NO privacy. Adults and kids are right on top of each other. None of us share rooms at home, so it makes it a little unnerving to do on vacation. With this option you do get an additional bathroom. There are suites on Disney that would give us more room, but I have never figured out how anyone affords those. Our trip in October 2011 we will be renting a 6 bedroom home with a private pool AND it is cheaper than two rooms at a value resort. Yes, we will have to pay the $14 for parking daily, but having elbow room is more important to my family than that.
Thanks for sharing this. it definately helped in convincing my family to stay on property during our discussions of our upcoming trip!!!
We stayed off property the first few times we went to WDW, but after staying on property the last time, that’s the only way I want to go!! I loved the fact that we could take a bus everywhere, and we would get dropped off closer to the gate than if we drove. It was really nice!
too bad it costs so much to get there LOL