Whether you are visiting Disney World or Disneyland, staying on property will save you both time and money, and reward you with some exclusive “guests only” perks as well. Some of the advantages of staying at a Disney resort include the world-class service you’ll receive, the cleverly themed décor and amenities of your resort and unparalleled access to the magic of the Disney theme parks.
Both Disney World and Disneyland offer onsite guests the opportunity to enter select theme parks early during a vacation. Arriving an hour before everyone else is nice any time of year; during a peak travel time like Spring Break that extra time will allow you to enjoy as much of the park as possible. You’ll also save some travel time each morning, since you won’t have to fight traffic and drive to the main entrance of Disney World before you head to your destination.
Staying onsite allows you access to everything that Disney has to offer resort guests, including themed swimming pools complete with water slides, a unique blend of shopping and dining options and even childcare at one of the resort play centers if you need some kid-free time in the parks.
When you stay at a Disney World or Disneyland resort you’ll be able to take advantage of the complimentary Package Express service; your theme park purchases will be delivered to your resort room so you can enjoy the park unencumbered. When you check in to your resort, you’ll be given a “Key to the World” card that acts as your room key and resort I.D. Adults in your party can use this card to charge purchases to the room, so you don’t have to worry about carrying cash or your own credit cards with you.
Disney World Resort Benefits:
When you visit Disney World in Orlando, Florida, you have 18 different resorts to choose from, with an additional resort opening in 2011. With so many places to choose from you will be able to find a location that is perfect for your needs and your budget without leaving Disney Property.
Each of the Disney World resorts has different themeing, from the formal elegance of the Grand Floridian to the exotic animal-themed décor of the Animal Kingdom Lodge. No matter which Disney resort you choose, you can travel to and from the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios using complimentary transportation instead of your own car or a rental. Transportation is provided to the water parks, shopping and entertainment districts as well.
Disney resort guests are treated to free parking in any of the theme parks; a savings of $14 dollars per day if you drive your own vehicle. Guests staying at a Disney World resort can take advantage of the complimentary “Magical Express” shuttle service to get to and from the Orlando International Airport with ease.
Depending on the Disney resort you choose, you can get around via monorail, boat, bus or even on foot. Guests staying at the Contemporary can walk to the gates of the Magic Kingdom in under five minutes, or board a monorail and ride in air-conditioned comfort. Guests staying at Epcot area resorts can access the park via a special entrance at the International Gateway and step right into the heart of World Showcase. Contrast this to fighting the busy and confusing Orlando highways each day, and its easy to see why proximity and access to the theme parks are two huge advantages of staying at a Disney resort.
Other Disney World resort guest perks include “Extra Magic Hours“, extra time each day to visit a select theme park; you’ll also love the convenience of the on-site dining and shopping facilities. Traveling with kids? You’ll love using the kid’s clubs at the Deluxe resorts; where kids can stay and play, enjoy a fun meal and a visit from a favorite Disney character while you enjoy a “grown up” evening elsewhere.
The Disney Dining plan is offered exclusively to guests staying at a Disney World resort. The dining plan can help you save money on every meal, and allow you to try some exotic cuisine you may not sample otherwise.
Each Disney resort offers free on-site activities for guests. The activities depend on where you stay, guests at Fort Wilderness can go to a nightly sing-along with Chip & Dale, while guests at the Contemporary or Bay Lake Towers get an outside movie theater showing popular Disney and Pixar films. A full schedule with details is provided as part of the information package guests receive at check-in. Disney resort guests also receive free golf club rental when they play at one of the four resort golf courses.
Disneyland Resort Benefits:
While the three Disneyland resorts vary in style and themeing, they all offer the outstanding service, amenities and recreation activities Disney is famous for. Similar to Disney World’s “Extra Magic Hours“, guests staying at a Disneyland resort can enter the park an hour before it opens on select days of the week using the “Magic Mornings” program.
All of the Disneyland resorts feature easy access to the theme parks on foot, making it easy to get around, and eliminating concerns about parking and traffic. Guests of the on-site Grand Californian resort have a private entryway to the California Adventure theme park, allowing them to walk there in moments.
Resort guests can request a wake-up call from a Disney character and attend an on-site character breakfast to get the day off to a great start. Disney resort guests can also enjoy private beauty classes at Sephora and personal “Build-a Bear” sessions as well. Each resort offers its own selection of special “guests only” activities; a schedule will be provided upon check-in.
No matter which location you visit, or which hotel you choose, you’ll enjoy the advantages of staying at a Disney resort.
