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Even More Benefits for Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Guests

By Stephanie McCarty

As a Disney Vacation Planner, one of the questions I’m most frequently asked is whether to stay on Disney property or off- site. For me, this is a no-brainer, as the benefits offered exclusively for resort guests are worth every penny!

With the recent addition of Magic Bands and advance Fast Pass reservations for on-site guests only, the list of benefits just keeps growing!

Walt Disney World has more than two dozen resorts designed to fit every family and budget, making it easy to find the one that’s right for you. Each resort has a unique Disney twist offering great pool areas, dining options and activities.

Beach Club Pool

photo credit: disneyworld.disney.go.com}

You can choose from nicely priced Value Resorts – big on everything except price; Moderate resorts with magically themed settings; beautiful Deluxe resorts with incredible pool complexes and waterslides, and a premium location near the theme parks. Deluxe Villa resorts provide kitchenettes and multiple bedroom options, and there is even a campsite and resort for those who’d like to “rough it” in Disney style.

Being a Walt Disney Resort hotel guest, has its perks:

Saving Time

Staying on-site means less time traveling to the parks, and more quality time to spend with your family. Disney Resort guests also have more time in the theme parks with Extra Magic Hours. Each day one of the Disney theme parks opens early or stays open late exclusively for Disney resort guests.

FREE Transportation

magical express photo

photo credit: Walt Disney World

Complimentary airport transportation, via Disney’s Magical Express, offers round-trip airport transportation and luggage delivery for guests of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels. You can begin your vacation as soon as you land, bypassing baggage claim and avoiding the hassle of finding transportation and driving. Disney’s Magical Express takes you from the Orlando International Airport to your Walt Disney World Resort hotel, delivering your bags to your room, so you can begin enjoying the resort and theme parks right away.

When you’re ready to begin exploring, complimentary transportation for Disney Resort guests is available by bus, monorail or boat to the Disney theme parks, water parks, and Downtown Disney.

water taxi in disney's boardwalk area

Monsters Inc monorail

Magic Bands and FastPass Plus

Once you have booked your Walt Disney World vacation package (including a stay at one of Disney’s resort hotels), you can set up a My Disney Experience account to manage your vacation. On this site (and the mobile phone app) you can view all resort reservations, ticket options, and dining reservations (you can even make your dining reservations directly through the site).

You will also be able to customize Magic Bands for your entire travel party. These colorful wristbands are more than just a bracelet with the iconic mouse ears on it. The bands are an all- in-one-device, designed to allow you to connect several aspects of your vacation, and store them in one easy place.

MagicBands 2013

These bands will serve as your resort room key, theme park tickets, boarding pass for Disney’s Magical Express, and can be used to access Disney Dining Plan credits, purchases billed to your room, and your FastPass return ticket.

You might have heard that Disney recently retired their old paper FastPass system (where you would visit a kiosk for a specific ride, and after inserting your park ticket, be issued a ticket for returning to the ride without having to wait in the standby line). Disney has recently modified this system, and replaced it with FastPass Plus. All guests will be able to make reservations for 3 rides in one park per day. Guests staying off-site will visit a FastPass Plus kiosk upon entering the park, and make their 3 ride selections at that time.

Magic Bands FP return

photo credit:
disneyworld.disney.go.com}

Disney resort guests are able to make their FastPass Plus selections up to 60 days in advance, through the My Disney Experience app, allowing them to plan their park days well in advance of arrival. Selections are stored on their Magic Bands, allowing resort guests to simply scan their bands at the entrance to the attraction when returning for their FastPass reservation time.

Priority Advance Dining Reservations

Be Our Guest sign

Many of Walt Disney World’s table service meals are reserved up to 6 months in advance. Advance Dining Reservations (ADR’s) are available 180 days out for the general public.

Disney Resort guests are able to book 180 days + 10 which allows you to book all of your ADRs on the same phone call (or via the My Disney Experience site), as opposed to calling back each day as the 180 day mark passes. As your Disney Vacation Planner, I will be aware of the 180-day mark for your reservations, and can book all of your ADRs for you, when your booking window becomes available.

Merchandise Delivery to your room

Do you love shopping at the Disney theme parks and Downtown Disney, but don’t want to carry your purchases around all day? As a Disney resort guest, you can shop ‘til you drop at the parks or Downtown Disney, and have your packages sent back to your hotel for pick up in your Resort’s Gift shop – at no charge.

Childcare services and Kids Clubs

If you’re looking for a quiet adults-only dinner, your kids can enjoy a night out too!

sandcastle club

photo credit:
disneyworld.disney.go.com}

Children’s Activity Centers are located at select Deluxe Disney resorts and are designed for kids who are potty trained and between 4 and 12 years of age. Your child will enjoy games and activities while you enjoy some Disney grown-up fun!

Depending on the hours you book, dinner is included.

In-room babysitting services are also available, offering one-to- one babysitting in the comfort of your Walt Disney World Resort hotel room. Arts and crafts, reading and playing games are among the fun-filled activities for children 6 months to 12 years of age.

Quality Guest Services

From the minute you arrive at your Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you will receive Disney’s unparalleled guest service.

Your resort hotel staff will ensure a comfortable stay, provide a schedule of your resort’s activities and assist in making reservations for dining and special experiences when you are on-site.

These are just some of the incredible perks of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel.

And right now, you can save up to 30% on your resort stay (for select travel dates), plus get a free day in the parks with your Disney vacation package! Contact me for more information on current promotional offers.

Contact me for more information to learn about all the benefits you will enjoy on YOUR Walt Disney World Vacation!!

Stephanie@mickeytravels.com; 1.888.960.1250; www.mickeytravels.com

Want to plan a Disney vacation, but not sure where to start? Let Stephanie do the work, while you have the fun! As an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner with MickeyTravels LLC, Stephanie can help with all aspects of your vacation planning for ANY Disney destination – land or sea! Planning services and no-obligation quotes are always FREE!

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Filed Under: Disney Tagged With: Disney, Disney's Beach Club, Disney's Magical Express, Downtown Disney, Even More Benefits for Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Guests, Fast Pass Plus, Magic Bands, Monsters Inc Monorail, My Disney Experience, Orlando International Airport, Paula Schmitt, Sandcastle Club, Stephanie McCarty, Tags: This Girl Travels, Travel

About Stephanie McCarty

Stephanie is a mom, writer, and Disney vacation planner. She is excited to bring her love of writing, and Disney, together in This Girl Dreams, devoted to all things Disney. She currently lives in Ohio with her husband and 2 young daughters, but grew up in Florida, where her enthusiasm for Disney began at a young age.

Stephanie has a passion for planning Disney vacations, and loves helping others make their Disney dreams come true! She can book all Disney destinations, and her planning services are FREE!

Comments

  1. Rene says

    March 9, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    Love this post. Looks great. Hopefully we can take the kids one day. xo

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