One of the first questions that I get when talking to a new client is “I can get a cheaper rate at an offsite hotel, why should I stay on Disney property?”
This is a great question, and one I have spent much time considering when planning vacations for my own family. The answer can be different for each family and each situation. When looking at the nightly room rate, the onsite hotels will be a little bit more expensive than the offsite hotels. But once you take a look at all the extra benefits that you get from a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, it could prove to be the best value.
Location and Disney Transportation
One of the biggest benefits of staying onsite at a Disney Hotel is the close proximity to the parks. Many of the onsite hotels are within walking distance to one or more of the parks. In addition, Disney provides a variety of transportation options including buses, boats, monorail, and soon a gondola. These transportation options are free to guests and make it very easy to get around Walt Disney World. Consider the time lost driving in from the parks, the extra dollars and the hassle of dealing with a rental car and parking lots when commuting from an off-site hotel.
Early Entry
Guests staying at the Walt Disney World Resorts can take advantage of special extra time when the parks are open only for resort guests.
Early Entry let you get more time in the parks for the same park ticket, and experience the parks at a time when the crowds are typically smaller than during normal operating hours. You’ll have more time to ride popular rides with less waiting time. Be sure to check the calendar (or let us do it for you) to see which parks are opening early or staying open late for resort guests.
Individual Lighting Lanes
Guests staying at a disney resort
Dining Reservations
book your dining sooner
Magic Bands
When you stay onsite at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, each member of your party will receive a complimentary MagicBand. MagicBands are colorful, waterproof wristbands—resembling a watch or bracelet—that you can quickly and easily touch to a sensor called a Touch Point. MagicBands allow you to unlock the door of your Disney Resort hotel room, enter the theme parks and water parks with your valid park tickets, check-in for Fastpass+, and collect your pictures from Disney Photopass photographers and rides. You can even charge food and merchandise to your Disney Resort hotel room. And speaking of merchandise, anything you buy in the parks can be delivered to your resort hotel so you don’t have carry it around all day in the park. MagicBands add a little extra magic and a lot of convenience to your vacation.
Never Leave the Magic Bubble
The Disney Magic extends far beyond the parks. You will see that same attention to detail and courtesy at all of the Disney Resort hotels. The Walt Disney World Resorts have amazing themes and unique elements that tell a story and immerse guests in the experience. Your family will be surrounded by incredible details at every turn. From the pools, to the guest rooms, to the dining locations, Disney has incorporated the hotel theme into every element of the design. Mix in the amazing Disney cast members and you have a magical experience that you will never forget.
When you consider all the added benefits and intangible experiences you get out of a Walt Disney World Resort, we definitely recommend staying onsite at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel. In our opinion, most guests will save money in the long run and have a better overall vacation by staying in one of the onsite hotels. Kevin Smith Travel is here to help you make decisions to get the most out of your vacation. There are many different options and price points to fit your specific vacation budget and we can help you choose the one to meet your needs. If leaving the ordinary world behind to enter the Magical World of Disney is your aim, you can’t do better than immersing yourself in the experience.