5 Top Reasons to Stay at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel

I remember going to Walt Disney World as a child. We would drive down to Florida in the family station wagon - no seat belts, of course. We stayed at a motel right off the highway, and we’d drive to the Magic Kingdom one day, and then Epcot the next. Each day we’d try to see and do everything. I loved every minute...don’t get me wrong. However, it was only when I was an adult, and visited with my own family, that I truly came to appreciate the experience of staying onsite at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Whether you’re planning a 2-day or 2-week trip to Walt Disney World, staying onsite at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel is the way to go. Here are the top 5 reasons why:

1. Complimentary Transportation

Guests at a Disney Resort hotel have access to resort transportation via bus, boat, Skyliner or aboard the world-famous monorail. Different hotels provide different modes of transportation. Regardless of where you are headed, be it one of the parks, a Disney Resort hotel, or Disney Springs (formerly known as, Downtown Disney), your transportation is covered.

Complimentary transportation means no added cost for a car rental or taxi.

2. Extra Time to Play

You don’t want to miss out on any of your favourite Walt Disney World attractions.

Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels can take advantage of a 30-minute early entry into Walt Disney World theme parks every day. During the early entry period, select attractions, merchandise and food and beverage locations are operating.

Guests staying onsite at a deluxe Disney Resort get more time to play with Extra Magic Hours. They can enjoy either Magic Kingdom or Epcot on specified nights for about 2 hours after they close to the general public. Our family loves visiting the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean after midnight, at the Magic Kingdom during Extra Magic Hours.

Also, staying onsite means anywhere you'd like to go, is a short trip away. If you've ever had to park your car in the Magic Kingdom lot, then take the trolley to the monorail (or ferry) terminal - followed by the ride into the Magic Kingdom park - you'll truly appreciate the proximity of an onsite hotel. So much time is saved, making it easier to return to your hotel. After a morning at the park, you could enjoy a nap or dip in the pool, before getting back to the parks again in the evening.

All this means more time for you to play!

3. Dining & Enchanting Extras Reservations

We all know how important it is to have a special meal at Cinderella's Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom. Anyone who has attempted to make a reservation for this can tell you how difficult it is to get one. Well, guests staying onsite have the advantage of not only making restaurant reservations 60 days in advance of their arrival, but for up to 10 additional days. This advantage comes in super handy when trying to book those extra-special, in-demand experiences and restaurant reservations. We were so thankful for this perk when booking an enchanting princess makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

4. Dining Plans

Dining plans return to Walt Disney World on January 9, 2024.

For guests staying on site, Walt Disney World offers two affordable, and money-saving, dining plan options. The dining plans allow guests to enjoy a variety of culinary delights at over 100 dining locations across the Walt Disney World Resort...not to mention those fantastic snack credits. Dole Whip anyone?

5. Pre-Order Personalized MagicBands

MagicBands are the centre of your MyMagic+ experience. This colourful plastic band worn on your wrist allows you entry into the parks, unlocks your Disney Resort hotel room, pays for food and merchandise, and gives you Lighting Lane access to anything you’ve booked through Genie+. Guests that stay onsite and book a vacation package, can pre-order MagicBands at a discounted price and get them personalized.

Contact me at Enchanted Travel and let's explore all of the onsite accommodation options at the Walt Disney World Resort!