Should I Stay Onsite at Disney World?
It seems like there’s endless possibilities when it comes to your Disney World vacation!
Then comes the biggest question: Should I stay on property at Walt Disney World?
Sure, traveling to the most magical place on earth might look a little different these days. But we at MickeyBlog think staying onsite at Disney World is still worth your while.
It’s Magical!
You have probably heard of the “Disney Bubble.” It’s real. You want to stay there. Trust us.
The Tim Tracker
Disney’s Resort Hotels are themed to immerse guests in Disney magic. Whether it’s a giant Buzz Lightyear at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort or the tropical foliage at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, your family will be wrapped in magic for the entirety of your stay.
Is cost a factor? Disney’s got you covered with multiple tiers of resorts.
Value resorts come in as the most economical options while deluxe resorts or deluxe villas offer splurge-worthy accommodations.
Disney tends to release quarterly promotions, too, including their current room discount of up to 25% off, which can considerably knock down the cost of your family’s vacation package.
Sit Back and Enjoy the Free Ride
All of Disney World’s Resort Hotels offer complimentary transportation to the theme parks and Disney Springs.
Better yet, Disney transportation will drop you off and pick you up near the front entrance of each park.
Your tired body will thank you at the end of a long park day.
Resort Hotels feature bus service with select Resorts offering multiple modes of transport.
Photo: Disney
One such option is the Disney Skyliner, which offers service to Hollywood Studios and Epcot.
Best of all, it’s accessible at two of value resorts: Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
Can we same game changer?
If you favor driving your own vehicle, onsite guests receive free standard parking at theme parks, whereas their offsite counterparts will need to pay up at $25 per vehicle.
Put It On My Tab
Guests of Walt Disney World Resort Hotels enjoy room charging privileges on purchases made throughout the Resort.
ZDNet.com
By linking a credit card to your My Disney Experience account, you can tap your MagicBand, Key to the World Card, or MagicMobile device at check-out locations, and your purchases will be added to your resort folio.
The Early Bird Gets On More Rides
Although Disney has announced that Extra Magic Hours will not return, they have shared that onsite guests can still enjoy early entry into the theme parks.
Coming soon, Resort Hotel guests will be able to enter theme parks 30 minutes early EVERY day. And unlike Extra Magic Hours, this benefit will be available each morning at EVERY park.
Credit: Disney
Park Pass Reservations will still be required to enter a theme park, but taking advantage of this benefit when available will increase your likelihood of getting on those must-ride attractions with limited wait times.
We’re looking at you, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
Be Your Family’s Dining Hero
Onsite guests of Walt Disney World Resort Hotels can book advanced dining reservations and magical extras as early as 60 days in advance for their entire stay up to 10 days.
This is huge, especially as restaurants are operating at limited capacity.
That means guests staying on property will have a better chance of snagging reservations for popular table service reservations like Topolino’s Terrace or Cinderella’s Royal Table.
Guests staying offsite can also book dining at this time, but there’s one major caveat: these reservations must be booked 60 days in advance of EACH day.
So offsite guests can pretty much wave goodbye to that socially distant selfie with Chef Mickey Mouse.
Oh, the Possibilities…
As the pandemic landscape continues to evolve, we are anxiously awaiting the return of Disney favorites, which add to the magic of staying on Walt Disney World property.
If you’re like us, you’re pining for Disney to bring back its Dining Plans. If or when available, these are exclusive to guests with a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel package.
Or maybe you’re dreaming of the FastPass+ days. If Disney decides to bring back this service, only on property guests are able to book FastPasses at 60 days in advance of travel.
Plus, through 2021, Walt Disney World guests flying into Orlando International Airport can take advantage of complimentary roundtrip Magical Express service.
It Adds Up!
We think all of these perks exclusive to onsite guests add up to major savings and less stress. Isn’t that the perfect recipe for a magical vacation?
