{Travel Tip Tuesday} ...Staying Offsite While Visiting Walt Disney World? Why You Might Want to Reconsider...

It has been years.  YEARS.  Since I have stayed offsite when visiting the Walt Disney World Resort.  We find there is so much value when we stay onsite, which is funny because the first thing travelers are wary of is the cost of staying at a Disney Resort Hotel.  Here are ten of my favorite *perks* of staying onsite.

photo credit: disneyworld.com

   

1. Disney's Magical Express
If you are flying, Disney will pick you up at the airport and transport you {and your luggage} via motorcoach to your Disney resort.  Free of charge.  Free.  Once at the resort, you can use Disney's transportation to get around...no need to rent a car, and face the driving that IS Central Florida driving. Believe me, I lived there and never got used to it!

photo credit: disneyworld.com

2. Complimentary Disney transportation
Disney offers complimentary transportation throughout the resort, including to and from Disney Theme Parks and Disney Water Parks.  You can avoid the hassle of driving and parking, and save time and money.  Once at your resort, you really don't have to use your car for the duration of your stay!  Disney offers air-conditioned busses, relaxing boat rides and their world-famous Monorail.

3. Free Parking
Because we have family and friends all over Florida, we have driven a rental car from MCO to Disney before.  We have also driven the rental car from our resort to the theme parks or to another resort to catch a dining reservation.  Disney gives a parking pass to display on your dashboard.  Parking is $17 a day for everyone expect Walt Disney World Resort guests or annual pass holders.  $17 a day adds up quickly, so if you are pricing offsite accommodations, definitely take parking into consideration.

photo credit: disneyworld.com

4. Extra. Magic. Hours
Every day one of the theme parks opens either an hour early or stays open three hours later. This can  make a huge difference in getting to experience some of the more popular attractions.  We love the evening EMH.  When Little Man was a little Little Man, we would plan a pretty leisurely morning/early afternoon and hit the parks {especially the Magic Kingdom} late at night.  You practically have the park to yourself.

source: Disney Parks Blog

5. Disney Dining Plan
We love the DDP.  We love to eat.  We love not having to worry about our dining budget because the DDP was paid for {or we got it during FREE DINING!} when we paid for the trip as a whole.  If you aren't a guest at a Disney Resort Hotel, you aren’t eligible for the Dining Plan...free or not.

source: Disney Parks Blog

6.  The Disney Magic Band
Yes, Magic Bands are available to everyone...but when you are a guest at a Disney Resort Hotel, your Magic Band is truly your "Key to the World".  With your Magic Band you can...

 - Unlock the door of your Disney Resort hotel room.
 - Enter theme and water parks (with valid admission).
 - Check in at FastPass+ entrances.
 - Connect Disney PhotoPass images to your account.
 - Charge food and merchandise purchases to your Disney Resort hotel room during your hotel stay

7. Package Delivery

I remember the days where Package Delivery actually delivered the packages to your Resort Room.  Oh, they joy of coming back to the villa at Old Key West after a day of fun and sun {and shopping} in the parks.  With charging privileges to the room.  It was like Christmas morning every day.  Oh, the memories of Daddy getting the bill on the day of checkout and promising that "you five kids will never have charging privileges again".  Oh knowing that the next trip, we'd be able to have fun, sun and shopping all over again WITH charging privileges.  *sigh*  those were the days.  I digress.  Bottom line, if you buy anything at Disney in any of the parks, other resorts, Downtown Disney, etc, you can have it delivered free of charge to your resort.  Pickup varies by resort, but is usually at the gift shop {hey, let's get you into a store in case there is something your forgot!}

source: disneycareers.com

8. Disney's Undeniable Service

Disney's Cast Members are world-renowned for the excellence in service.  There is someone there for you 24/7 to help make your vacation experience as memorable and carefree as possible.  How do I know?  I used to be one...going above and beyond is just second nature to them.  They are there to help!

9. Disney's Unbeatable Magic.
There is something absolutely, well, magical about never having to enter ‘real world’ once you arrive at Disney. Each Disney Resort Hotel is uniquely themed and immerses you in the magic.  Even if you take a day off from the parks, your resort will have experiences that are like no other...character dining, outdoor activities, movies and themed pools are just some of the offerings.

10. The Gift of Time
You can't get any closer to the Disney Magic.  Everything you need is withing 43 square miles; no need to figure out where you are going, driving or parking.  Want a mid-afternoon nap?  Hop on Disney transportation and you are a short drive {ride?} away.  Part of a large family with varying interests?  Split up and meet later for dinner.  There is just no beating the convenience.


What are your favorite reasons to stay at a Disney Resort Hotel?  Planning a trip?  Needing advice on which hotel is right for you?  Let me know, I love to help!  Check out my Facebook page or zip me an email {chrissy@destinationsinflorida.com}  The magic is my specialty!

{Love to All}