10 Things You Should Know About Staying On Disney Property

With over 30 official Disney Resorts on property, staying at Walt Disney World during your vacation is definitely something you and your family will want to consider. Before you make your decision, however, you should know these 10 things about staying on Disney property:

10.) There are three tiers of Disney Resorts

If you’re staying at a Disney Hotel, then it fits into one of these three tiers: Value, Moderate, or Deluxe. As the names suggest, Value is the least expensive, Moderate is in the middle, and Deluxe is the most expensive tier. Knowing which tier is right for you and your family is essential to a stay at Walt Disney World. There are some wonderful perks to staying at each resort; it’s just up to what you and your family need!

9.) There are Campgrounds and Villas

In addition to resorts, Walt Disney World is home to beautiful campgrounds and lavish villas. The campgrounds allow you to bring either an RV or a tent to your campsite, and you and your family can stay there for relatively cheap per night. The Villas, on the other hand, are larger rooms that can sleep up to 9 adults and have kitchens in each Villa. These rooms are deluxe for big families. These are great alternatives for hotels, especially if they’re something that will interest your family.

8.) There are Non-Disney resorts on property

While they may not have the same Disney themes, there are non-disney owned resorts located primarily in the Disney Springs resort area. Some of these include Best Western Lake Buena Vista and B Resort and Spa Lake Buena Vista. I have personally stayed at Best Western Lake Buena Vista, and I’ll be staying there again on my upcoming trip in June. While not necessarily Disney themed, these resorts are a great alternative to a family who needs more room for less money but still want to be on Disney property.

7.) Park Transportation is Free

At all of the resorts on property, Disney and on-Disney, bus transportation is included for free to the parks. This is incredibly convenient, since you and your family can just hop on a bus to and from the parks whenever you need instead of having to drive and pay a $20 parking fee in the parks. Some resorts also have alternative modes of transportation, such as the Contemporary Resort, which has monorail transportation to the Magic Kingdom.

6.) Suites are available

At select hotels, Suites are available for larger families. These suites usually offer multiple bedrooms and a small kitchenette. One hotel in particular, the Art of Animation Hotel, offers a large number of suites to guests. If you have a larger family, and would prefer to get a suite then a couple of hotel rooms, seriously consider looking into the Suites available on Disney Property due to their wonderful accommodations.

5.) All Resorts have Pools

With the exception of the Campgrounds, all resorts on Disney Property have pools. This is important to note because if you’re planning on staying for more than two or three days, you’ll definitely need some relaxation time. In the Orlando heat, the best way to relax is to sit back and enjoy some quality pool time. If you stay at a Disney resort, then all of the pools have amazing themes and awesome snack bars.

4.) There are gift shops

Another perk of staying on Disney property is that the majority of them hold gift shops, some of which have merchandise exclusive to that resort. Having trouble deciding what souvenir you want while in the park? That’s not a problem, because the gift shops contain similar merchandise and are available in your own hotels. The merchandise available is also licensed by Disney, which means that it’s all genuine.

3.) Magic Bands are included at Disney Resorts

If you stay in an official Disney Resort Hotel, then you get complimentary Magic Bands for everyone in your party. These bands are shipped to your house if you book your reservation at least days before your trip. You can choose the colors, and usually they can come personalized with your name engraved. These serve as a room key, your ticket, your fastpasses, and even your credit cards. These Magic Bands are awesome, and can be an important part of your day in the parks.

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2.) Extra Magic Hours

Disney owned parks offer the experience of Extra Magic Hours, where the parks are open for longer periods of time to guests who stay on-site. Whether it’s an extra hour before or after normal park times, you’ll be experience the park during limited access time, so you’ll have shorter wait times for attractions and dining experiences. Extra Magic Hours change parks every day, so before you plan your trip, discover when each park is participating in Extra Magic Hours.

1.) Extra 30 days for Fastpasses

If you stay at a Disney Hotel, you and your family get an extra 30 days to make fastpass selections. Beginning 60 days before your visit to the park, you can begin selecting which rides you want to fastpass. If you don’t know what fastpasses are, they’re nifty tools that allow you to skip the wait in lines and get to the front. By staying in a Disney hotel, you’ll get first pick of the rides and get to fastpass rides that are incredibly popular, like meeting Anna and Elsa or Seven Dwarves Mine Train.

It’s always important to know all of the perks and quirks of staying on Disney Property before you go. You should always make the choice that’s best for your family, and take care to do research before you go!

BONUS TIP: Consider planning and booking your next Disney trip with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner you can trust like Mickey Travels. They’ll help you get the best Walt Disney World deal, share expert advice and their services are totally FREE! It’s genius!

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