The 13 Reasons Why You Should Stay On Disney Property

To stay on property or not to stay on property? That is a question that every budget planner must ask.

Let me start by saying I am NOT a Disney employee or travel agent. I am a uber-Disney nut who loves to plan actual trips to Disney. I say “actual” because I’ve been known to plan “fake” trips, too. Embarrassing, yes. But it entertains me. What can I say?

We have stayed on property and off, for a variety of reasons. And even my husband, who is not nearly the Disney nut that I am, prefers to stay on property.

And let me get this out of the way. You can find cheaper (and sometimes MUCH cheaper) and more roomy accommodations off property. If your budget would prohibit you from going if you stayed on property, by all means, book the cheaper accommodations. It’ll be a bit more inconvenient. And there are fewer perks. But you’ll still get to take the kids to Disney – and that’s what really matters.

But if staying on property is in the budget, here are the 13 reasons why you’ll have a leg up on everyone else.

Convenience

13.  Park and forget your car – There is nothing better than parking your car the first day of vacation and not even having to look at your car until the day you leave. With Disney transportation, you can leave all of the headaches to your Disney driver. Many of the Deluxe resorts have monorail and/or boat transportation, as well as buses. Heck. When my kids where little, they thought the bus ride was an attraction in itself. And the monorail to this day has a bit of a thrill.

12. Nap time is just moments away – If you have little ones there is nothing nicer than going to the parks as soon as they wake up, having a little lunch and then heading back to your resort for nap time, with plenty of time to go back out to the parks for dinner. Most of the resorts are about a 15-20 ride to and from most of the parks. Off property? With traffic? We’re talking a minimum of 30 minutes travel time.

11. Resort Room Charging Privileges – Linked to your MagicBand you can allow (or not allow) charging privileges to each member of your party. This convenience means leaving your wallet in the room safe. Less to carry!

10. Free Package delivery to your resort – No more lugging around bags of souvenirs. Just fill out a quick form when you pay for your item and Cast Members will deliver your bags to your resort.

Eligible For Disney Perks

9. FastPasses even earlier – You are eligible to schedule your FastPasses a full 60 days prior to the first date of your arrival. That’s 30 days before everyone else!

8. A variety of lodging opportunities to choose from – whether you need a budget room and you want to splurge on a deluxe room, Disney has every option covered. And they’re all themed with Disney in mind.

7. Eligible for dining packages – Special dining packages can range from counter service only to double sit-down options and choices in between. Just pick the option that best fits your family’s dining habits. There are even “Free Dining” promotions available. Just check with your favorite Disney Travel Agent. You can find our favorite Disney Agent here. 

6. Extra magic hours – Extra magic hours are scheduled so that Disney resort guests can either enter the parks an hour early or stay late, depending on the day. Just check the schedule and get in earlier or stay later than regular guests.

5. Free transportation to and from airport – Disney’s Magical Express will pick you up and the airport and deliver you right to the front door of your resort. And (sadly) they take you back to the airport, too. All free of charge.

4. Complimentary MagicBands – MagicBands serve as your room key, your ticket into the parks, your meal tracker if you’ve purchased a dining plan and any other charge you want to put on your account – like Mickey Bars or souvenirs. No need to carry a wallet and a room key. It’s all on your wrist. Nothing to cart around!

Embrace The Disney Magic 24/7

3 Free entertainment outside of the parks – Whether it be your resort lobby, poolside, or common areas you’ll find plenty to entertain your group. From movies on the beach/lawn to magicians to arts and crafts and more. All for the price of your room.

2. Disney customer service is second to none – I’ll never forget on our drive home from Disney one year we stopped for the night. We checked in to our hotel and went across the street for something to eat. The service at check-in and our server at the restaurant? Eh. My daughter noticed the lackluster attitude and said, “Mom, We’re not at Disney anymore!” (Said in her best Dorothy voice from Wizard of Oz) Yes. It was THAT noticeable.

And the #1 reason to stay on Disney Property….

You are completely immersed in the Disney magic 24/7! There’s the theme of your resort and resort room to the restaurants. Mickey bars galore. Their top-notch Disney-fied service. Hidden Mickeys to discover. Disney music, movies and entertainment. Being surrounded with Disney magic can’t be beat!