The Perks of Staying On Property at Walt Disney World

The Perks of Staying On Property at Walt Disney World

For us, the perks of staying ON-PROPERTY at Walt Disney World far outweigh the perks of staying OFF-PROPERTY. Even at Disney Springs- yes, we’re talking to you Good Neighbor Hotels! In fact, this post could have probably been titled ” Why you should just give in and stay on-site at Walt Disney World.” Because really, our goal here is to make your vacation life easier and that comes easiest when you stay at a Disney Resort. Mind you, while we do our best to give honest, unbiased reviews of just about everything Disney-related on this blog, we’re taking a stance on this one. Here’s why. 

pool at all star music resort at walt disney world

Early Morning Theme Park Access

Disney Resort Guests get into the parks early, by being able to enter 30 minutes before park opening with Early Theme Park Entry. We highly recommend actually being there an hour before the park opens so you can get a good place in line. And while only a few things are open during this time, it’s a good time to grab Starbucks, Photos, and head to your favorite ride to wait in line. 

Extended Evening Theme Park Hours

Open to Disney Resort Guests staying at select Disney Deluxe Resorts, you can take advantage of Extended Evening Theme Park Hours on select nights. Sometimes extended park hours last until 1 AM and give resort guests the opportunity to enjoy the parks with fewer crowds. Check the Walt Disney World 5 Day Calendar for times. 

Free Water Park Admission on Check-In Day *NEW 2025*

A brand new perk for guests staying at Disney Resorts begins in 2025 with Free Water Park Admission on Check-In Day. You can spruce up your Disney Arrival Day, with a trip to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. Exclusive to Disney Resort Guests, you can head to the water parks during open hours. Water Parks at Disney World are open 10:00 AM- 5:00 PM, with the exception of seasonal hours through the summer, when the water parks stay open until 6 PM. Be sure to check out the My Disney Experience App for hours and details. 

Everything Shows Up On the My Disney Experience App

This includes your hotel stay, the room number, transportation times to and from your resort, a resort map, resort dining options, and the ability to open your room with your phone. The Works!  One of our biggest reasons to try and always stay on-site at Walt Disney World is simply the convenience of having everything in the My Disney Experience App. You just won’t get this with an AirBnB or Orlando Hotel experience. When you stay at a Disney Resort everything is connected and linked for a super simple at-your-fingertips vacation experience. So you can see your entire day in the app, plus more. Check out why you Need the My Disney Experience App. 

Disney Resorts Are Pet-Friendly

If you thought you needed to stay off-site with your pets, think again! You are allowed up to two dogs per room. These resorts have pet-friendly accommodations and you get a Pluto Welcome Kit too! Add in the walking paths that are plentiful at these locations and your pet can have just as magical a time as you do. You can also bring your pooch to the Best Friends Pet Care at Walt Disney World for a resort play experience of their very own. 

No Parking Fees at Disney Resorts or Parks

Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort means you get complimentary standard parking at Walt Disney World theme parks, daily early theme park entry (with valid admission and a park reservation), and complimentary on-site transportation options such as buses, monorails, and Disney Skyliner. If you’re staying at an Orlando Hotel you will have to pay a hotel parking fee: of 20+ dollars typically, per day. Then you’ll have to pay the parking fee for each Disney Park you visit throughout your stay. This can be 25-50 dollars per day, depending on the parking you choose. The good news here is that once you pay for parking at one theme park for the day you can park hop without paying a second time. 

Of course, add in the cost of gas, and the cost of time driving to and from everywhere, and you may want to sit down and do the math. Staying on property at Walt Disney World means you get access to Disney Transportation. While not a surefire system, you can still bet your bottom dollar that at some point the Disney bus, a monorail, a ferry boat, or even a Disney Skyliner will magically arrive to take you where you need to go. True it may not be on “time”, and you may be standing instead of sitting.  But, it may be better than walking that mile to your car. To sit in traffic for an hour. To return back to your off-site hotel. Where you pay again for parking your car. 

boat at the disney boardwalk 

Complimentary Disney Transportation

And while we’re on the subject, if you stay on Disney property you get access to complimentary transportation to and from the airport, parks, and Disney Springs. While the Disney transportation system still has some flaws, not being responsible for getting to the right parks at the right time and back to the hotel again can take a load off your vacation mind. If relaxation is a goal for your Disney trip, the complimentary transportation allows you to let someone else do the driving.

Discounted MagicBand Pre-Arrival Prices

As part of being a Disney Resort guest, you can purchase a Disney MagicBand or MagicBand+ at a discounted pre-arrival rate. This perk is specific to Disney Resort guests only. If you’re not staying at a Disney Resort you can purchase MagicBand at full price from shopDisney.com or in the Disney Parks. MagicBands are highly recommended for everyone in your travel party as part of every Disney Vacation. A Disney MagicBand can get you into your room, scan you in for Lightning Lane, scan you into the park, pay for meals and souvenirs, and more. 

Take Advantage of Disney Discounts, and Sometimes Free Dining

Another massive perk of staying on Disney property is that you can take advantage of offers. Every year Walt Disney World releases 25-40% off offers for resort stays on select dates. You can check out their special offers page for all current offers. Magic Your Way (MYW) Disney Vacation packages that include discounts on multi-day or multi-park tickets are sometimes a steal. You could even be lucky enough to snatch a Free Disney Dining package! The Free Disney Dining Offer is usually released between January and April every year and is ONLY available if you’re staying at a Disney resort. You need to be on the lookout for the release of this promo. But just the possibility of getting Free Food throughout your stay, saving you thousands of dollars, is worth it. Check out all the ways you can save money at Walt Disney World. 

Food at Pandora World of Avatar

Early Advanced Dining Reservations

A Disney Vacation wouldn’t be complete without at least a few Disney restaurant experiences. This is where Advanced Dining Reservations come in. If staying at a Disney resort you can start making dining reservations 60 days before your trip, for the full stay. A perk reserved first for Disney resort guests so if you’re a foodie it’s in your best interest to stay on the property. This will help you get access to the most coveted dining reservations. Reservations for Cinderella’s Royal Table, California Grill, Artist Point, and Be Our Guest are on the hard-to-get list.

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure

Early Disney Genie+ Individual Lightning Lane Pass Access

If you’re hoping to grab a Lightning Lane for popular rides like Slinky Dog Dash, Flight of Passage, or Peter Pan, as a Disney Resort guest you get 7 am access and grab the rides that are hardest to get. Check out all of the information on Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane

It’s More Magical than an Off-Site Hotel

We’ve written about the Pros and Cons of staying off-site at Disney World before. What’s the point of taking a Walt Disney World vacation if you’re not there for the magic? Trust us when we say that with travel deals everywhere these days, you can travel to many places cheaper than Walt Disney World. So if you’re at Disney, you might as well be ALL IN at Disney. This means enjoying the crazy cafeterias at your resort, taking a break at the character-themed pool, eating all the Mickey-shaped snacks you can find, and watching the lawn movie at night. It also means standing on the crowded bus after a rainy evening, grateful you’re not sitting in Orlando traffic. With resort rooms themed to characters you know and love, the grounds at each property meticulously crafted to Disney perfection, and Instagram-worthy cupcakes magically appearing at your resort cafeteria, why stay anywhere else?

all star movies resort disney world quick guide

Why People DON’T Stay On-Property at Walt Disney World

We’ve written about the Pros and Cons and Staying Off Property at Walt Disney World before. But, lets face it. The more we visit Disney, the more we realize ITS JUST BETTER  to stay on-site. And if we were completely honest we could probably say this for Disneyland as well. Things that prevent most people from staying on-site at Walt Disney World are usually money, money… and oh yeah, money. Because Disney Resorts accommodate just about everything else. Here’s a few other excuses we’ll debunk just to get them out of the way. 

  • It’s Expensive to Stay at a Disney Resort. Um, not really. We’ve paid 80 bucks a night at the value resorts and 120 bucks a night at the moderate resorts during the fall months. Others have reported paying even less. And there are ALWAYS deals available. And you’ll only find hotels cheaper than that if you get something outside of Orlando. Check out Disney Resort Levels and Pricing
  • What about pets? Disney has 4 resorts that accommodate pets. Check out Pet-Friendly Disney Resorts. 
  • But what if we’re staying at the parks all day long? And don’t need a fancy resort? All the more reason to make sure you’re not stuck in Orlando traffic at 11 pm getting to wherever your cheap hotel may be. And Disney has resorts in all flavors, not just “fancy”.
  • We need special accommodations! Disney has those too.
  • But we have more than 4 people? Family suites can be found at Art of Animation.  Plus there are villas, cabins, and campsites too.
  • And what about the crazy school groups or crying kids? Disney has resorts that deter those. mostly the higher-priced fancy ones. 
  • We’re visiting more than just Walt Disney World! While this may be the case, know that you just won’t get that Disney magic without staying inside the parks. However, if you’re adamant, check out the Hotels near Disney Springs to make your life a little easier. 

But really, all the possible excuses aside when you’re finally able to take your magical vacation to Walt Disney World, keep in mind you didn’t save all that vacation money to have a sub-par, kinda like Disney experience. The Disney Resort experience is one worth prioritizing.

How You Can Afford to Stay at a Disney Resort Hotel?

All in all, there are tons of ways to make sure you’re paying LESS for your resort room at Disney.

  • We practically live for that special offers page on the Disney website.
  • But we also live for hotels.com offers that earn us free nights we can use at Walt Disney World.
  • And Annual Passholder discounts that arrive every so often.
  • Plus in-room Bounceback Offers are at the back of the small booklet on your resort room dresser. 

What’s Keeping You From Staying On-Property at Walt Disney World

So there you have it… all our reasons, so far why we absolutely recommend staying on property at Disney. While some of these may not make or break your vacation, it won’t be nearly as much fun somewhere else. And if you’re not planning to visit Disney multiple times a year, why not make the most of this vacation?

Here it is. Why you should just give in and stay ON-PROPERTY at Walt Disney World. Whatever reason you have for not staying on site, think again! We've got 10+ Reasons you can't ignore and a few ways you can actually AFFORD it!!!. #polkadotpixies #disneyresorts #disneytips #disneyhacks #disneyvacation

 

 

Co-Founder and Director at Polka Dot Pixie Co LLC | Website | + posts

Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.


Related Posts

Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney Resort Review

Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney Resort Review

We love resort hopping at Walt Disney World. Just taking time to try the resort restaurants, explore the resort grounds and sometimes even just checking out the resort gift shops makes our Disney trips extra special. Of all the Disney Resorts, Animal Kingdom Lodge has […]

How to Book a Disney Hotel at a Discount with a Third Party

How to Book a Disney Hotel at a Discount with a Third Party

Taking a Disney Vacation can get expensive! But, with careful planning and a Disney Budget you can consistently save money on a Disney Vacation. How? Well, one of our best tips is to use a third-party site. Not only can you find Hotels Near Walt […]



2 thoughts on “The Perks of Staying On Property at Walt Disney World”

  • I understand how justifying the cost of an ‘on property’ stay can be challenging. Interestingly, that’s only the case when speaking to people who’ve never stayed on property. For one reason or another, Over the past 20 years, I’ve ventured off property stays at some solid locations … IT’S. JUST. NOT. THE SAME. Call me pixie dust smitten, I’d rather give the bank account a tighter squeeze or wait and save some more pennies than stay off property. again Any readers who’ve never stayed on property, do yourselves a favor and don’t bite from the ‘forbidden apple’ that is a stay at a Disney property lest you never be content to go off property again!

    • It’s actually really funny that you say that because I have a friend who has this debate with her husband all the time! She always wants to stay on property, he doesn’t find the value in it. He prefers to save money and likes leaving the “Disney bubble” at the end of the day, while she likes to stay fully emerged in it until they leave. They compromise and do half of their trips on and half off. I do really think it’s a matter of opinion and while we’ve tried both, we are Team On- Property too! That being said, if it came down to staying off property or not going at all, I’d choose off property, but my first choice is to always be right in the middle of the magic.