Skip to main content

The Benefits of Staying on Disney Property


As Disney vacation specialists, we get asked a lot of questions about Walt Disney World Resorts. The first question is almost always, “Is it worth it to stay on property?” to which I always respond, “Yes.  100% yes." We like to say you are "in the bubble" when you choose to stay on property, the magic is all around you and it is just easier to get around and disconnect from the real world.  Here are a few specifics to highlight some of the biggest perks:

Disney Magic — When you stay at a Walt Disney World Resort, the magic is literally at your fingertips.  It starts in the cavernous lobby of the Wilderness Lodge, in the headboard fireworks in the Royal Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside, on the 4th Floor Concourse at the Contemporary with the monorail whizzing by, or the second your toes feel the sand on the bottom of Stormalong Bay at the Yacht & Beach Club.  The magic is all around you; in the carpet, on the bedding, in the snacks, even in your shower products.  It’s hard to wake up grumpy at a Disney Resort.  Some resorts offer BIG themes and magic, like 3 story tall Dalmatians, and some resorts are more subtle, but if you look…it’s there.  

Free & Easy Transportation —   Once you arrive onsite, you can use Disney transportation to get anywhere on property, and it’s completely free.  Buses, boats, the Disney Skyliner and the monorail are at your disposal for the length of your stay. The typical wait for any transportation is 20 minutes or less, and since you are already on property, the transportation time is just about as short as it can be. It is easy to get around and magical to ride on Disney's transportation options.
Monorail Silver in Disney's Contemporary Resort


More time in the parks — If going into the parks early or staying late with only a fraction of the guests is your cup of tea, then let’s talk about Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours.  These options offer resort guests the opportunity to either enter or stay late at a different park each day.  These are both greats time to kick off the day with little wait for popular attractions, or get on those E-Ticket attractions that maybe you didn’t get a Lightening Lane or Genie+ for.  Disney resort guests can get into each of the four main parks 30 minutes before everyone else every day with Early Theme Park Entry and guests staying at Disney's Deluxe or Villa resorts can stay late in certain parks on certain nights for Extended Evening Hours.

Excellent Dining, Shopping and Recreation Options - Every Disney resort has at least one dining option, a gift shop with Disney souvenirs and travel essentials, and at least one pool.  This makes it easy to grab a quick bite on your way to a rope drop to park close type day, or take it easy and relax in the Florida sun and catch a tan by the pool.  Deluxe Resorts and Villas have the most amenities, from multiple restaurants including Table Service, Quick Service and Lounges, specialty shops, and pools with water slides, hot tubs and often water play areas for kids.  Many also have a marina for boat rentals, or Animal Kingdom Lodge has animal viewing and activities. Value Resorts will have the fewest amenities, but they are still great for convenience and relaxation!  
Stormalong Bay at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resort

My Disney Experience — I think this is probably the biggest advantage to staying at a Disney Resort.  My Disney Experience links all aspects of your trip together into one seamless experience; from creating your MyDisneyExperience.com account to the app to MagicBands to online check-in.  You can actually check in online and have your room number texted to you, and then use your MagicBand to get in to your room, no need to wait in line at the front desk. MagicBands are your room keys, park tickets, Genie+ or Lightening Lane passes, and can be used for charging privileges.  They are also waterproof so they are great for pool breaks or the water parks.  You will miss them when you go home and can’t pay with them at the grocery store!  The app (for iPhone and Android users) stores your itinerary with dining reservations, park hours, and show times.  It’s literally at your fingertips.  The Genie (which is free, not the paid Genie+) will even recommend times to do attractions with minimal wait for you!

I can’t imagine visiting Walt Disney World and not staying on Disney property (but I have done it both ways!).  I have just as much fun at my resort as I do at the parks.  When you weigh out all the options and consider different costs, Disney really does offer some great values at their resorts.


Maci Schau
Maci is an avid foodie and loves trying out new restaurants and seasonal food offerings in the parks.  You can email Maci at maci@kingdomkonsultant.com.

Original contributions to the article from Agent Jill.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Villas at the Disneyland Hotel Review

I love staying at the Disneyland Hotel so when I got the opportunity to stay at the new Villas at the Disneyland Hotel during opening weekend, I couldn’t pass it up. Because it was opening weekend, we were greeted in the entrance way of the lobby with balloons and many photo opportunities. When we arrived, there was a mural of the Haunted Mansion. I love how the seats in the main lobby were designed like the teacups in the parks. You can check in using the Disneyland app, drop your bags with bell services and head into the parks or use the amenities why you wait until your room is ready. When your room is ready, the resort will send you a text and you can use the Disneyland app on your mobile device to unlock the room. We dropped off our bags and went straight to the parks. We received a text around 1PM that our room was ready. In the new Discovery Tower (the Villas), you'll find that the lobby is very spacious with many places to sit while you read or wait for your family. Th
Post a Comment
Read more

Universal's Volcano Bay Private Cabana Review

On a recent training in Universal Orlando Resort, agents Maci, Ashley, Aubrey and Yaritza and I rented a private cabana for the day at Universal's Volcano Bay. There are multiple locations around the park along with the option to have an upper or lower level, all of which reflect in various pricing. Agent Ashley received an email the day before informing her of where to check-in the next morning. While we were personally escorted to the cabana shortly after check in, the line at the check in location is the same as those getting towels, meaning it was not short. As expressed by an additional guest checking into a different cabana, we would have greatly appreciated a separate line, since this caused our group about a half hour wait. We're all adults and made great use of our time getting some fun pictures before the park was filled with guests, but this is important to be aware of if you are traveling with children.  We had an upper level Cabana which came with a splendid view!
Post a Comment
Read more

Our Favorite Mocktails at Walt Disney World

Your resident foodie and vacation lush here to chime in on our favorite zero-proof drinks at the parks which I feel like Disney has done a much better job of recently.  Zero-proof alcohol is really having a moment so you can get a lot more mocktails that aren't just sugary sweet, and I am here for it!  Whether you are trying out "Dry January" for your visit, currently pregnant, underage, or just choose not to drink for whatever reason, I hope this list helps you find something to look forward to trying on your next trip! Let's start with a popular one from the last year, the EARidescent Sip-a-bration drink.  This delight can be found at most lounges throughout the 50th celebration at Walt Disney World. It features Minute Maid® Premium Lemonade and Fruity Strawberry Punch, and is served in a souvenir 50th Celebration Cup with a surprise character. This is definitely a kid-friendly drink but it is so fun to drop in the character and watch the drink change color and sta
Post a Comment
Read more