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Why Stay Onsite At Walt Disney World?

This post was updated on 1/27/22.


There are so many reasons to book a package at one of the many onsite Disney resorts. I have stayed onsite and offsite and can't say enough about the benefits of staying at a Disney resort. It just makes your Disney vacation more MAGICAL, SPECIAL, and EASIER!


Living in the MAGIC is priceless!!! Something you can't get staying anywhere else!




Staying in the MAGIC

When you stay onsite at Walt Disney World, you get to experience the MAGIC from the moment you cross under the Walt Disney World sign.


The MAGIC continues at your resort with Disney-theming that enhances your stay.


Each Disney resort has its own theme and feel. Hidden Mickey's can be found throughout the grounds, common areas, and in each resort room. Select resorts have large Disney icons around the resort which are extra special. Others have more subtle theming and Disney touches in various areas around the resort.





Select resorts have views of the theme parks. For example, at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Polynesian Resort, and Disney's Grand Floridian you can see Magic Kingdom from the grounds and Theme Park View rooms. Can you imagine waking up and seeing Magic Kingdom from your room or watching the fireworks from your balcony?




View of Magic Kingdom fireworks from our Bay Lake Tower room


Disney-themed busses, monorails, and SKYLINER zip you to the parks.




Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Theme Park Hours for ONSITE GUESTS

More MAGIC awaits onsite guests when they get to enter any park 30 minutes before the park officially opens with Early Theme Park entry and Deluxe Resort guests get to stay an hour after the parks close on select nights with Extending Evening Theme Park Hours.


Early Theme Park Entry is a huge advantage to getting in front of crowds. Arrive early and ride or get in line for the most popular attractions before off-site guests can even enter the park.


Deluxe resort guests enjoy low wait times after the parks close (select night at Magic Kingdom or Epcot) on the most popular attractions like Flight of Passage, Slinky Dog Dash, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.




Individual Lightning Lane Selections at 7 am

This is a big one onsite guests can make their Individual Lightning Lane selections beginning at 7 am on each park day. Offsite guests can't make their Individual Lightnings Lane selections until the park officially opens.


Individual Lightning Lane selections can and do sell out. It's possible that offsite guests may not be able to reserve a Lightning Lane for these popular attractions or the return time can be very late in the day.


Onsite guests have a huge advantage in being able to make their selections at 7 am.


Charging Privileges

Onsite guests can MAGICALLY charge purchases (food & merchandise) to their room. Scan your MagicBand or scan your key card to automatically charge your purchases to your resort folio. This makes checkout quick and easy.


Disney Music and TV

Disney music plays all day long at your resort, in the parks, and in restaurants to further immerse you. Your resort TV has special Disney channels that have information about park hours, transportation, resort activities, and more. Plus there are lots of Disney movies to enjoy while getting ready in the morning or relaxing in the evening after a fun day in the parks.



For example only


Disney-themed Food, Merchandise, and Dining

Enjoy food that is Disney-themed, like Mickey pretzels & waffles, Minnie cupcakes, drinks named after characters, etc. Dine with characters at select resort restaurants. The resort gift shops have an array of Disney merchandise.





There are so many Magical Moments onsite guests experience at their resort.



Travel with Debbie D Planning Services

My Services are complimentary when you book a package at a Disney Resort through me. I save you time and stress by using my training and knowledge to help plan your MAGICAL vacation! I have toured or stayed at every Disney Resort. I know all about the resorts, so I can help select the best one for you.


My Services

  • Book your package after finalizing the best resort, type of tickets, etc. for your travel party.

  • Send instructions on setting up My Disney Experience account.

  • Link your reservation to your My Disney Experience.

  • Explain and send instructions on Park Day Reservations.

  • Send Advance Dining Reservation information and restaurant recommendations based on your interests.

  • Make your Advance Dining Reservations (at 5 am).

  • Personally answer all your questions.

  • Explain and provide tips on Disney Genie, Disney Genie+, and Individual Lightning Lane.

  • Make ground transportation suggestions and book transportation with select vendors.

  • Provide touring tips.

  • Keep you organized.

  • Monitor the release of discounts

  • And More!

I become your Personal Travel Assistant. This is not the personalized service you receive when booking direct.







No Parking Fees at Disney Parks

Save $25 per day on standard parking at Disney parks. Onsite guests can park free at the parks or take Disney transportation. The below prices are subject to change.

Advance Dining Reservations

Onsite guests can make Advance Dining Reservation for their entire trip 60 days before check-in. Offsite guests have to make Advance Dining Reservation day by day.


This is an incredible advantage when trying to secure dining reservations at sought-after locations like Cinderella's Royal Table, Topoliono's, and Ohana'.


Also, Travel with Debbie D will make your dining reservations for you.



No commute from offsite to Disney Parks

Save time because you don't have to commute from your offsite accommodations to Disney Parks. Traffic in Orlando is very congested. Select resorts are located within walking distance to select parks or on the SKYLINER (non-stop service from select resorts) or Monorail.


Did you know that even if you are 1 mile off the property it could take you 20-25 minutes to get to the park? Then you have to pay to park, find a parking spot, walk or take a tram to the park entrance.


Afternoon Breaks

A day at Disney can be tiring and many people enjoy taking an afternoon break from the parks. Onsite guests have the opportunity to get back to their resort much quicker and easier than offsite guests.


For example, guests staying at an Epcot resort can walk back to their resort in about 10-15. Whereas it could take an hour or more to get to an offsite location (remember you have to get back to your car, drive out of the park and then fight Orlando traffic to get back to your accommodations).


If you want to schedule an afternoon break to rest or swim, staying onsite saves a lot of time and hassle.


Freedom

Freedom to hop around Disney property on Disney transportation. Park Hopping is easy when staying on property. No need to move your car, take a bus/monorail/boat to the next park. Then take Disney transportation back to your resort.



Stress-free Disney Transporation

Reduce stress by using Disney Park Transporation. Walt Disney World is 43 square miles, has four theme parks, Disney Springs, and over 25 resorts. As guests are trying to figure out how to get to their destinations and dining reservations, it can be very stressful. Disney transportation drops guests off near the entrance, so you don't have far to go. If you drive, you have to take a tram/ferry or walk to get from the parking lot to the entrance.



Pixie Dust

Experience Pixie Dust, which can be a highlight of any Disney trip. If you don't know what Pixie Dust is, it's something Cast Members do for guests that is unexpected. It may be a towel design left in your room, a balloon at check-in, or a card with character signatures. Although Pixie Dust isn't guaranteed, it is often a MAGICAL part of any Disney stay.



All these things make staying onsite a MAGICAL experience.


If you are paying thousands of dollars on your Disney vacation, don't you want to experience all Disney has to offer? When staying offsite, the MAGIC is missing.


I'm a Travel Agent and Blogger that specializes in Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Universal, SeaWorld, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages, and properties I showcase on my blog. It is my passion to use my travel knowledge and love of travel in a way that inspires people to travel more. If you are thinking about planning a trip please contact me. I love talking about Disney & Travel!!! My planning services are complimentary when you book with me! Want a quote, email me at debbie@polkadotsnwishestravel.com (my travel agent email). Happy Travels! Travel with Debbie D















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