Becky Nenstiel is a travel agent with LBAC Travel and Pixie Dust Planners. Contact Becky here to learn more about staying on Disney property!

Clients often ask why they should stay on property at Walt Disney World, when there are so many other options out there, so here are just a few of the reasons I always recommend an onsite resort when planning a Walt Disney World vacation.

Stay in the middle of the magic!  People often refer to being in the “Disney bubble” when they visit Disney World, and when you stay in a Disney resort hotel, that’s even more true. There are special touches like hidden Mickeys and whimsical decor, being only a short distance from the theme parks and Disney’s cast members going out of their way to make your trip extra special.

Did you know you can get into the theme parks early?  Effective Oct. 1 to coincide with the kickoff of the 50^th celebration, Disney Resort hotel guests, including some of the Good Neighbor hotels, can get into any of the four theme parks 30 minutes prior to the posted opening time every day. An extra ½ hour may not sound like much, but you can get a head start and ride one or two headliners (like the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom or Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios) before offsite guests are even allowed into the park! To take full advantage of this perk be sure to be at the gates at least 30 minutes prior to that day’s early theme park entry time.

Not an early riser? Disney has debuted extended evening hours for guests staying at Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels, including the new Swan Reserve tower, and Disney’s Shades of Green resort. Unlike the daily early entry, extended hours only take place on certain evenings and only at one park per day. Currently, it alternates between Magic Kingdom and Epcot, with Magic Kingdom staying open from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Epcot from 10 p.m. to midnight.

Onsite guests can also take advantage of complimentary transportation around the Disney property. The Disney World property is huge, but it’s easy to get around by boat, bus, Skyliner and even a monorail. No matter which you choose, all these options are complimentary for Disney hotel guests.

Traveling with little ones in need of a midday siesta?  It’s easy to get back to your hotel for a nap while staying on Disney property.  If you’re staying off-site, you could lose hours of your vacation getting to and from your hotel in the middle of the day. Thanks to Disney’s complimentary transportation options, you’re only ever a short ride away from your room when your kids (or you) need a midday rest.  This convenience extends beyond tired kids. Orlando can go from hot and sunny to torrential downpour in the blink of an eye, so it’s nice to have a room nearby where you can dry off or freshen up.  Being so close is also a key advantage at the end of the day when you or your kids are completely exhausted after a full day in the park. 

Hoping for one of the character dining experiences?  Walt Disney World dining reservations are available online 60 days before your visit. The most in-demand dining experiences like character breakfasts and drinks at Oga’s Cantina can disappear almost immediately. If you’re staying on-site, you can book dining for the length of your trip when that 60-day window opens. It might not seem like much, but you’ll get a leg up on off-site guests who can only book one day at a time. And when you work with an LBAC Travel advisor you also have the assistance of a Pixie Dust Planner to secure those coveted dining reservations for your trip.

For years, on-site guests had a major advantage over off-site guests when it came to snagging early FastPass reservations. FastPass lines have now been changed to Lightning Lanes as part of the Disney Genie+ service, and you’ll get earlier access to Lightning Lane selections when staying at a Disney resort. Individual attraction selections can only be made on the day of your visit and for only up to two attractions per day for all guests, but Disney resort guests can make their individual Lightning Lane attraction purchases beginning at 7 a.m. Non-resort guests cannot purchase their selections until the park opens for the day – A huge advantage for the most popular attractions!

Your Pixie Dust Dream Vacation Planner or LBAC Travel Advisor can help you select the right resort for your trip, so why not reach out today?

Contact Becky here to learn more about staying on Disney property!