Everyone asks – “Do we really need to stay on property at Disney?” There are lots of things to consider for a visit to The Most Magical Place on Earth, and where to stay is one of the first to decide upon. Check out this list of reasons why I recommend staying on property.
- Transportation. Small word, big impact. Convenience of location! No matter which resort your family chooses on property, you’ll never be far from the parks, and much closer than most off-site resorts. {Orlando travel can be a bear! And I don’t mean Winnie the Pooh!} Your transportation time will be less regardless of which mode of transportation you choose. And, for those resorts on the Monorail, Skyliner, or within walking distance – it is even better!
- Magic Bands. These fun little souvenirs can be purchased in advance at a discounted price by on property guests and used for a variety of things from holding your park tickets, swiping into your room like a key, checking in to your Lightning Lane, and even charging purchases to your room.
- Early Access to Dining Reservations. Sometimes it can be very difficult to get a table at Disney’s most popular restaurants. Dining reservations open up for everyone 60 days before you check-in, but guests staying on property have an added advantage: the 60 +10 reservation window. That means on the 60 day mark before they check-in on-property guests can make dining reservations for that day and up to 10 days beyond that. Depending on the length of your stay, you could get a 10 day jump on everyone off-site.{PS a great travel agent will make these early morning reservations for you!}
- Extra Magic Hours. The only thing better than being in a Disney Park is MORE TIME to spend in a Disney Park! Guests staying on property have the wonderful privilege of entering parks early, and guests staying at a Deluxe Resort are invited to extended late hours on select nights.
- Packages Feel All-Inclusive. Everyone wants to feel pampered and a Walt Disney World vacation can be just that – from VIP tours, or behind the scenes experiences, all can be rolled in and prepaid to make your vacation feel “all inclusive”. The bonus of booking a package is that it locks in the current price (Disney World vacations prices fluctuate throughout the year), and can only go down when a new promotional discount is offered.
- All the Magic, all the time. Live inside the “Disney bubble” for your vacation. The one thing that NO off-site hotel can duplicate or replicate is the Disney ambiance and experience! Every resort, every mode of transportation tells a story and provides a new adventure. Disney’s unparalleled service and attention to detail follows you to your resort after you leave the parks. Extras like movies on the lawn or beach, views of the parks (ahem…nothing beats fireworks and cookies in bed with a view of Magic Kingdom), s’mores around the campfire, and super fun pools and spraygrounds. Disney Resort theming can’t be beat – enjoy a Pirate room while sleeping in a Pirate Ship bed at Caribbean Beach Resort, feel like Royalty in a Royal Guest Room at Port Orleans Riverside, live like the Incredibles at the Contemporary, explore rooms Under the Sea with the Little Mermaid or family suites with Cars, Lion King, or Nemo and friends at Art of Animation, or be called by the sea in the new Moana rooms at the Polynesian.
Have more questions about on-property vs off-property stays, send them my way! Not sure which resort is the best choice for you? We’ve got you – check out this post.
