Time and time again I am asked if it is worth it to stay on Disney Property or AKA, at a Disney Resort! My answer is always the same, ABSOLUTELY! Now, before you formulate an opinion let me tell you this… I have stayed on and off property! I have saved receipts and compared everything down to the wire! My family finds that for us, staying on Disney property is the way to go. Let’s take a quick look at my top 10 reasons to stay at a Disney Resort!
- The All-Inclusive Package: This is a huge selling point for me! By staying at a Disney Resort, I can make a vacation package that takes care of my tickets, dining and guest room! I pay for everything in advance and only need spending money for souvenirs and tips! It is perfect! 🙂 If you are lucky enough, you can land one of these plans for free during promotional times! If you stay off-site, you can not purchase a Disney Dining Plan.
- Dining Reservations: When you stay at a Walt Disney World Resort you can make your dining reservations 180 days prior to your arrival plus 10 additional days. This means that on your 180th day you can make dining reservations for up to 10 days of your vacation! That is a HUGE benefit when it comes to landing some of the very popular dining locations!
- Extra Magic Hours: All Disney Resort guests are entitled to Extra Magic Hours. Be sure to check park hours in advance for the listings! Theme parks will open an hour early or stay open up to three hours late for guests.
- MagicBands: When you purchase a Walt Disney World vacation package you receive complimentary MagicBands! These come in an array of colors and are your key to the world! These bands will be how you will enter the park, pay for dining credits, make purchases, enter your resort guest room and much more! They are even waterproof! There is no need to take them off when swimming or even on water rides! 🙂
- FastPass+ Reservations: Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort allows you to make FastPass+ reservations for your favorite attractions or experiences 60 days prior to your arrival. Off-site guests can make their reservations at 30 days prior to arrival. Having that early booking window allows you to land those popular attractions like the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and even a meet and greet with Anna and Elsa!
- Disney’s Magical Express: Complimentary airport transfers are included with a Walt Disney Resort vacation package. The Magical Express will pick you up at the Orlando International Airport (MCO) and whisk you away to your Disney World paradise! Upon completion of your vacation, Disney’s Magical Express will pick you up and take back to Orlando International Airport for your flight home! The Magical Express will arrive at your Disney Resort approximately 3 hours prior to your flight.
- Complimentary Luggage Service: If you are flying on a participating airline, you will affix yellow luggage tags to all your check – in luggage before arriving to the airport, the day of your departure to Disney World. When you arrive you will not retrieve your luggage, you will go directly to The Magical Express. Disney Cast Members will be delivering your luggage approximately 3 – 5 hours after your arrival. On the day you are scheduled to fly home, give Bell Services a quick call and they will assist you with your luggage to the airline check – in at your resort. Here you will be able to check – in your luggage for the airport and store any carry – on luggage. Then you can spend the rest of the day playing before your flight home!
- Complimentary Merchandise Delivery Service: This is awesome for the shopper in your family! When you stay at a Walt Disney World Resort, be sure to ask a cast member to have your purchase delivered to your resort! Fill out a quick form and your merchandise will be on its way. Continue to play without carrying around your packages!
- Theme Park Transportation: You will be provided with frequent transportation to and from Disney World theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs. This makes it convenient to leave for a midday break or even a swim at the pool! You will not need to schedule shuttle services or wait for a selected time to return to your hotel.
- Staying In The Magic: Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort gives you the opportunity to be immersed in Disney “magic” 24/7. Resort themes, Disney food, Disney Service, all the way to the intricate details of a Disney Resort are amazing! There is no place in the world like a Disney Resort! The attention to detail in indescribable! You will not be disappointed! Be ready! There is magic in every corner you turn!
Now your job is to sit back, relax and create memories! These are just a few of the things my family loves about staying at a Walt Disney Resort! I am sure you will find Disney service to be outstanding! Everything they include is what makes Disney stand out from the rest! Enjoy!
Be sure to check out A First Timer’s Guide series! Your guide to the Disney Dining Plans is here.
You can also read about the Top 15 Things You Need To Know About Walt Disney World here and for our holiday fans, check out the Top 10 Things You Must Know About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party here! Be sure to check out the entire series!
My name is Jen Perkins. I am a travel agent with World of Magic Travel Services. I’m a Disney Destination Specialist. I am also a writer for Chip and Co. and Disney Addicts and author to The First Timer’s Guide series. I love sharing tips on Disney World to help you enjoy your vacation! If you would like to chat or find out more tips for planning, feel free to ask! You can contact me at jen@worldofmagictravel.com. I would love to hear from you and help you plan your next “magical” vacation!
You can also visit my facebook page here for more details on Disney World, updates on promotions, articles and upcoming events all related to Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Universal Studios and much more! You will also find an array of photos of many of these amazing places that will help you with resort choices, dining and much more!
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#8 is honestly one of my favorite perks – we don’t do a ton of shopping but we also love to ‘travel’ light in the parks and its so nice to send purchases back to the resort so they don’t get lost or weigh down our bag!