The Forgotten Perks of Staying On-Property At Disney World

Most casual Disney World fans are familiar with the 2 biggest perks of staying On-Property at a Disney Resort.

Extra Magic Hours

Every day one or more of Disney’s 4 main theme parks will have Extra Magic Hours. They will be either before the park opens or after it closes. During this extra time only on-property resort guests are allowed inside the park. This gives on site guests an opportunity to hit some of the more popular attractions without the full crowds.

Disney World Transportation

Throughout the Disney resort there are fleets of buses, ferries, and monorails. They help to get on-property guests anywhere they need to go. And if you are flying into Orlando, the Disney Magical Express service will not only pick you up at the airport, they will often collect your bags and deliver them all the way to your room at your resort. All at no additional cost to on-property guests.

While the Extra Magic Hours and the Disney Transportation System are quite impressive, there are a number of other important things to remember when trying to decide whether to stay on-property or not.

1. The Disney Dining Plan

The ever popular Disney Dining Plan is only available to on-property guests. This option turns your Disney trip into a more all-inclusive feeling vacation. Different dining plans offer a certain number of dining and snack credits each day of your stay. These credits can be used all over the Disney World resort at most dining locations, snack stands, gift shops, and retail locations.

2. Parking

As we mentioned before, on-property guests have access to Disney’s vast transportation system to get around on their vacation. Though some families still prefer the freedom of taking their own vehicle to the parks. On-property guests get complimentary parking not only at their resort, but at all the Disney theme parks as well. Off property guests will be paying $20 per day for parking at the parks. Depending on where they are staying, off property guests may also be paying for parking at their hotel.

3. Disney Theming and Entertainment at the resort

When staying on property, your hotel becomes more than just a room to sleep in between park visits. The full Disney experience continues beyond the parks with themed pool areas and waterslide, specially themed rooms, Character Dining experiences, Disney movies under the Stars, and countless other special activities.

4. Magic Your Way Packages

When you book an on-site room and park tickets you get all the additional perks of a full Magic Your Way Package. Your package booklet will include discounts to retail and dining locations around Walt Disney World and some vouchers for complimentary activities. The 2016 package includes vouchers for Disney Miniature Golf, ESPN Wide World of Sports admission, a free souvenir and meal discount at Planet Hollywood and more. You can find a full listing of all that is included in this year’s package here.

5. Your Purchases Delivered to Your Resort

This one is nice. Shop at select Disney stores throughout the Walt Disney World Resort and have your purchases delivered right to your Walt Disney World Resort hotel so you can be free to play without lugging around packages, nor have to interrupt your day to return to the hotel to drop them off.

6. Complimentary Wi-Fi

While many of the higher end resort hotels will charge a daily access fee for an internet connection, Disney offers free WiFi in all guest rooms, at select restaurants and most public spaces at Walt Disney World Resort.

7. Staying Inside the “Disney Bubble”

One of the real perks of a Disney vacation is the sense of escape. When you enter the Walt Disney World resort area you are truly entering a different world. Whether you are in the parks, at the resorts, or just driving around Disney property, the feel of being somewhere slightly magical is everywhere. And once you are on property you just don’t want to leave. With the immersive theming of the Disney on-property resorts you experience that magical Disney feeling throughout your entire vacation. It’s something that just can’t be replicated at an off property resort. As nice as many of the off property options are, some people just don't want to leave Disney property once they arrive for their vacation.

These are just a handful of the various perks that Disney makes available to resort guests. Is there something else you love about staying on property? Let us know. Leave us a comment and tell us your favorite Disney resort perk.