Top 6 Reasons to Stay on Disney Property
Staying on property for your next Walt Disney World Vacation
Updated: May 2, 2023 | Original Post: September 28, 2017
Many families are always asking if it is worth it to stay on Disney property when considering options for their family vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort. My answer is always, without a doubt, yes! Not only does it provide additional perks and convenience, but you’re closer to the magic and it creates a wholistic experience for your vacation.
Here are my top 6 reasons to stay on Disney property:
6. Planning perks. Now I’m not just saying this as your Disney Travel Agent, but there are key perks to for planning the best possible Disney trip that comes with being a Walt Disney World Resort property guest. When we make dining reservations (60-days prior to arrival), I can reserve them for the entire length of your stay — but only if you’re staying on property. What does this mean for you? Is there a restaurant or dining experience that you just must absolutely have to make or break your Disney vacation — common ones I hear: Cinderella’s Royal Table, Chef Mickey’s, Space 220, Akershus, California Grill, Ohana, etc. The likelihood of us finding a reservation for you on day 1 or even 2 of your vacation is tough, but if we can push it towards the end of your vacation, then we have more openings and ideal dining times for your family. The same thing goes for “enchanting extra” activities like princess makeovers at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Fireworks Dessert Parties, or Savi’s Workshop light saber building. Those staying off property can only make reservations 60-days prior to the date they want a reservation for.
5. Customer Service. Disney is globally recognized for its customer service, and rightfully so. It far exceeds any expectations one might have for the hospitality industry. When you stay on Disney property at a Walt Disney World resort hotel, cast members go above and beyond to sprinkle pixie dust on your day. It is truly their job to ensure you have a great and memorable experience. If you need anything while you’re there — birthday button, paper park map, help with the app on your phone, a last minute dining reservation, and more — they can happily assist you.
Plus, the cleanliness is superior. There is zero question about the way your room and the resort grounds are cared for. When I worked at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa during the Disney College Program internship, it constantly smelled of fresh flowers because the cast members were always updating them in the lobby.
The magic continues beyond your time at the parks - it is a 24 hour experience.
4. Convenience. By staying on Disney property, you’re in close proximity to the theme parks. This adds extra convenience for coming back to the room for an afternoon rest, getting there during extra magic hours in the morning, and saving on travel time to and from the parks. (More on that next!)
Additionally, if you’ve been doing a “little” souvenir shopping in the parks, you can ask to have your purchases sent back to your hotel. That way you don’t have to carry it with you around the parks and on attractions all day long. One of the items I always purchase to commemorate our vacation is an ornament for the Christmas tree, so I especially love this feature for the fragile items.
One of the most convenient things are MagicBands. Now, I must note that in my original publishing of this post I had MagicBands on the list as their own number because they used to be included with your resort stay. Unfortunately that went away in 2021 after the pandemic reopening, but you can still purchase them for a discount through your MyDisneyExperience account when you have your resort reservation linked to your account. You may also choose to pick up a complimentary Key to The World card from the front desk upon check-in if you don’t want to purchase one at all, but they really are more convenient.
MagicBand and the newest technology, MagicBand+, are worn on your wrist like an Apple watch or Fitbit and provide functionality for:
Unlocking your hotel room door (and to the Club Lounge when you have a room with Club Level access)
Entry to the theme parks (your park tickets & special event tickets)
Lightning Lane entry (to verify your reservation at the attraction)
Charge to the room capability (with pin)
PhotoPass photo linking (automatically on newer attractions with RFID technology!)
This means you aren’t carrying around a card for the hotel room, wallet, tickets, etc. While much of this can also be done with the Mobile Magic digital wallet feature of your phone, I worry about my phone dying and not having access to what I need. MagicBands make it super simple and convenient.
Click the image to watch:
3. Transportation. Every hotel has a bus stop that has motor-coaches running an hour before the park opens to an hour after the park closes. You don’t need to rent a car, bother with care seats, pay for parking, or worry about driving directions when you stay on Disney property. These busses are the most utilized form of transportation on property and complementary.
Depending on the location of your Walt Disney World Resort hotel there are other free transportation options as well. The Epcot area resorts — Disney's Boardwalk or Beach Club/Yacht Club Resorts, for example — have access to boats. (And are walking distance into EPCOT’s World Showcase - talk about convenience!) The Magic Kingdom area resorts like Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Polynesian Resort, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort — have direct access to the monorail system. The monorail makes a loop between these resorts, Magic Kingdom Park, and the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), which is the primary parking lot for Magic Kingdom Park. You can also transfer to the parallel monorail at the TTC to take the Monorail to EPCOT.
Added in September 2019, Disney’s Skyliner Transportation System operates between several resorts and to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This is one of the only alternative (to the bus) modes of transportation at select Value category Resorts including Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Art of Animation. It’s central “hub” as I refer to it as, is at Disney’s Caribbean Resort which is my go-to recommendation in the Moderate Category. The Skyliner also serves Disney’s Riviera Resort, the newest Walt Disney World Resort property (and one of my personal favorites!)
2. Extra time in the parks. Do you ever wish you could squeeze just a little more fun into your day at the park? When you stay on Disney property you can! Only resort guests staying on Disney property have access to the Early Entry a half an hour before the parks open to the public — every day, every park.
Additionally, if you’re staying at a Deluxe category resort you can also take advantage of Extended Evening Hours on select nights at either EPCOT or Magic Kingdom Park. These often run from park closing time until 11:00 pm or midnight. These are a great opportunity to ride some of those more popular attractions with less wait since only a limited amount of on-property guests even qualify for this. Less people = less wait = more attractions = more family fun!
How do they know you’re staying on property? Cast Members verify with your park entry that you're a Disney [Deluxe] Resort guest via your convenient MagicBand. One quick scan, and you’re able to access the park at these special times.
1. Magical theming and atmosphere. While I mentioned this a little in number 5 based on customer service, I want to emphasize the the overall atmosphere at a Disney resort is a big part of the magic of your vacation experience. Disney imagineers place a lot of thought and care into designing and decorating the resorts to tell a unique story.
For example when you’re at Disney’s Polynesian Resort you’ll see lots of thick vegetation and greenery, the lights around the doc have a yellow hue as if they were lit torches, the rooms have been refurbished with touches of Moana, and you’ll dine with Stitch and his friends at the Ohana breakfast. A very consistent theme!
However, if you go over to the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa next door, you’ll notice light pastel colors, ornate decor with fresh flowers, bird cages and pineapples - the international symbol of hospitality - along with an old car parked out front, a live pianist in the lobby, and Alice & the Mad Hatter’s splash pad near the pool. Each resort has such a unique theme and I’m confident I can find one that your family will enjoy.
And where else than Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge can you enjoy coffee from your balcony patio while watching live animals like zebras and giraffes roam about?
I recommend building in a rest day during your vacation to have a day where you’re not walking double-digit miles in the theme parks and you can enjoy the resort property and pool. Cast Members will play fun games with the kids at the pool, sometimes there is Disney music/movie trivia, they play Disney movies on the lawn, and characters might even make appearances. It isn’t just about the parks or rides when you’re here, it is truly an extension of your vacation and a wholistic experience.
Do you need to stay on property at Disneyland Resort?
While I am adamant about staying on Disney property when you visit the Florida resort, the same can be applied to Disneyland Resort in California. Disneyland resort only has 3 resorts on-property, so availability is often limited. Due to where it is located in Anaheim, there are many “Good Neighbor” hotels within walking distance, so I feel okay about suggesting non-Disney properties in California if needed for a client’s budget, desires, or just availability.
I tested this theory in June 2022 to see if I could feel as much of the atmosphere difference at Disneyland as I do at Walt Disney World. In summary: yes! We stayed a night at the Marriott then moved over to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Marriott was nice and clean, so don’t misconstrue this that the Marriott was bad — but it didn’t feel like I was on a Disney vacation. And let’s be honest, we know Disney isn’t the cheapest, but if you’re going to spend the money to invest in a Disney vacation, shouldn’t you feel like you’re on a Disney vacation?!
The lobby at Marriott was a mixture of business travelers here for a conference, regular tourists, and a few of us in Minnie Mouse ears (but we were not the majority!) There were no hidden Mickey’s or Disney artwork; no cast members waving with a four-fingered Mickey hand or asking if we needed anything. It was… just a hotel stay. However in the Grand Californian, there were gorgeous floral displays, a cozy fireplace, we saw characters walking to the restaurants for the character dining experiences, there were Disney shirts and Minnie ears in abundance! It just felt so much more magical. And that feeling adds value to your vacation and makes memories that will last a lifetime.
What would be the biggest perk to you on this list?
Ask me about the variety of resort options to stay on Disney property and let's start your free Disney vacation planning!
