We have made a few visits to the Disney World over the last few years and we have had the experience of staying both off site and at the Disney Resorts. Last year we stayed at the Cars section of the Art of Animation Resort and my most recent visit to Disney for the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration gave me the opportunity to stay at the Contemporary Resort for a few days and the All-Star Movies Resort for the second half of the week.I will be sharing reviews of the resorts in time, but for now I wanted to share my ten reasons for staying at a Disney Resort when visiting Disney World:
- The Magical Express: The Disney magic starts right at the airport when you book the Magical Express! This is a free bus that will take you right to your resort. If you use the provided luggage tags, you can also skip the baggage carousel because Disney will collect your bags and have them delivered to your room.
- Special Treatment: When you make your Disney resort reservation you are asked if you are celebrating anything special. It can be a birthday, anniversary, first visit to Disney or anything that you feel is worth celebrating. When you check into your resort, you will be presented with a button to wear sharing your celebration!
- Key to the World Card: Your room key does so much more than just open your door! You can elect to add purchasing privileges to some or all of the room keys, making it easy for your family to purchase meals, souvenirs, etc while out in the parks. Your Key to the World gets you into the parks during extended hours, stores any dining plan purchases you’ve made and enables you to get FASTPASSes in the parks.
- Fun hotels and activities: Each Disney resort is uniquely decorated for it’s theme. The Art of Animation and All-Star Resorts are so fun for the kids with their larger than life statues, and there is always something exciting happening around the pool. The resorts I have stayed in had arcades, food courts or restaurants and shops as well.
- Extended park hours : Each day one of the Disney theme parks will have extended hours either in the morning or at night that are just for resort guests. These hours allow you to visit the park when it is not busy, which means you can get on your favourite rides faster!
- Transportation: Disney has it’s own transportation system. From your resort, you can hop on a bus to any of the Disney theme parks, water parks and even Downtown Disney. Each park has a bus depot to take you to another park or back to your resort, and some resorts offer ferry or monorail transportation as well.
- Fun wake up calls! I set a wake up call every morning and each time I was greeted by one of my beloved Disney characters blasting me for not being downstairs on time…before apologizing for calling the wrong room. It made me giggle every time, and it certainly made getting up more fun!
- Purchases delivered right to your door: If you find the perfect gift while you are out in the parks, you can have it delivered right to your room. This means you don’t have to carry purchases around all day!
- Take a rest during the day: Disney is exciting and it can also be exhausting! When you stay at a Disney resort you can take a bus back to the resort for a midday rest before tackling more fun.
- Great sales and discounts: If you like the Disney World facebook page and follow blogs like mine, you will discover great discounts and sales for Disney Resorts. Visit the Disney site to see the great room discounts and free dining offer that is available now!
I was invited to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration and I was provided with discounted tickets and accommodations. I was not required to share this post and my opinions are my own.
Anne Taylor says
I love the perk of having the resort open to just people who are staying in Disney Resorts! What a great way to tour a park with alot less people around!
Tiff @ Babes and Kids says
I think the extended park hours and being able to rest when you want to makes it worth it right there! We’ve been to Disneyland and would love to get to Disneyworld in the next few years!
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com says
When we go back we will be staying at a Disney resort.
Patricia Zyska-Pickett says
I’ve never stayed at at Disney Resort, but I’ve always wanted to. Will have to consider this, as we are probably going to take the kids to Disney soon… would be so much fun!
Tenille says
Couldn’t agree more – all great reasons!! Makes everything so much easier (and better!)
nicole @nicky_olea says
I love staying at a Disney resort hotel. It’s like the magic doesn’t end when you leave the park!
Penelope says
That looks beyond fun
LyndaS says
I stayed at the Grand Floridian last week and they treat all of their guests like royalty. 🙂
MrDisco says
looks like a lot of people are going to Disney this year! i would definitely stay at one of their resorts
Jenn says
Transportation is the #1 reason for me!
Jenn- The Rebel Chick says
I just love everything Disney does, they never do things halfway. It’s always guaranteed to be an amazing time.
Jennifer @ The Quirky Momma says
Go BIG or go home, eh?
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs says
The extended hours and transportation are most appealing to me. I totally wish I could afford to stay in them!
Shell Feis says
We’re going to make a big trip to Orlando in a few years & when we do we are totally staying at a Disney resort!
Soozle says
I think number 7 alone would make it worth it alone 🙂 haha Love it!
Laura Jacobson says
Oh these are great! We went many many years ago, and stayed there. Getting in the parks early was wonderful! We had all our rides done by 5pm and were able to go back to our room and order pizza! Was the most enjoyable time…we were not exhausted like normal having to stay till close to get on all the rides!
Vanessa: thequeenofswag says
I can’t wait to go back to disney world. It’s been like 20 years.
Donna says
Sounds like 10 great reasons to me! I <3 Disney!
HilLesha @To the Motherhood says
I don’t believe I have ever been to a resort (traveled a lot as a child, though), but that sounds pretty exciting, especially a Disney resort! 🙂
Shirley says
I’m convinced!
Heidi C. says
I really like the sound of all those conveniences, especially with four kids!
Tricia Nightowlmama says
I’ve never been able to afford taking my kids to Disney but I hope one day, One yr soon we will. Sounds like a lot of wonderful perks
Colleen says
Staying at a Disney Resort would make a visit easier.
mrdisco says
hear nothing but great things about disney resorts!
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
We’re taking my daughter for her senior graduation in a few years and we’re planning on doing it real big.
Emily @FamilyNLifeLV says
We decided last time how worth it it is to stay at the resorts!
Lolo says
If you have the money to stay at one it is definitely worth it.
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
I can’t wait for the day we can take our kids!
Theresa says
It really does sound worth it to stay at the resorts.
Leilani says
My 4yo has been begging me to take her to Disney World. I keep telling her we can’t afford it, so now she’s saving up money. She has $15 in her piggy bank from her birthday. Boy, she has NO idea how much more she’s gonna need to save up for our family of 4 to make it to Orlando.
Victoria Ess says
It definitely sounds like if you can afford it, it’s definitely worth it! They seem like they do customer service right!
Robin Gagnon {Mom Foodie} says
The extra park hours are a big bonus.
Stefanie says
The Art of Animation is one of my faves!
Lisa says
Great advice!
Angela@AboutAMom says
I totally agree, staying in a Disney Resort can’t be beat! I loved the Contemporary.
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says
I know when we take Little we’re going to stay at their resort.
Penelope says
I want to go so badly!
Kathleen says
I really only need one reason, because we love them!
Elaina- A Time Out for Mommy says
This looks like so much fun
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
Staying in a resort is the best!
Debbie Bashford says
Have never been, maybe some day
Florence c says
I love to take the grandkids. Took the children when they were young and would love to see how it has changed.
Amanda MF says
I would love to make these memories with my kids, hopefully soon 🙂
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
I always stay at one of the monorail resorts when I go. It’s just so nice to hop back for a break so easily! I stayed at the Grand Floridian last week and wow, what a beautiful place that is!
Tammy says
We’ve stayed both on and off property. It depends on what else we are doing on our vacation, if we’re only doing Disney then we stay on site, if we’re planning on visiting other parks or attractions then we’ll stay off property.
Stephanie LaPlante says
I’d pretend it’s my birthday for the extra celebration lol…nahI’m just kidding. I’d just go on my actual birthday.
paula huie says
OMG looks like a blast!! hopefully i can take my boys there one day!
amy lovell says
it really does sound worth it
amy lovell says
sounds lovely
Judy C says
We have never stayed at a Disney resort but we are planning to the next time we go so we can get the complete Disney experience!
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
Sounds awesome!
Marcie W. says
I have been to Disneyland countless times but have never stayed at an actual Disney Resort. After learning all of these great benefits, I may have to look into this further for our upcoming trip this winter.
Lisa says
Great reasons! I love it!
Guppy5700 says
I’ve been trying to persuade hubby that we need to take our son to Disneyland (or World) before he’s much older. These are all great points to argue my case!
Debbie S. says
Wow, those are some really great perks for staying at a Disney Resort. I especially like the great sales and discounts and Purchases delivered right to your door! But I am most interested in the extended park hours, that sounds wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
DARLENE W says
If staying why not do the whole Disney experience
angela m says
I have been looking into visit Disney with my family and these post are so informative. Thanks