Post by MVPStephanie on Nov 19, 2017 19:12:10 GMT -5
Some people say they always stay off-site when they take their Disney vacation and I listen to them complain about different issues that could have been avoided if they had just stayed at a Disney resort. Most people I know who say they've stayed on-site believe the value you pay for is the value you get. I am one of those people. The great thing about Disney Resorts is that there are value, moderate, and Deluxe resorts that will accommodate most families (might require multiple room reservations, suites, or villas) and most budgets.
What exactly is the value of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort during your Disney vacation? Because I have stayed both on-site and off-site, I have to say that there really are no worries when you stay on-site. My family and I just returned from 7 days at Disney World. This trip we decided to stay off-site because we found an incredible deal at a 5-star hotel in Destination, FL. It was not the best decision we have made. While the hotel was incredible, we spent $20 a day on parking there, plus $20 a day for parking at the parks. Then add in the traffic...oh my...the traffic! It was horrible! Between it being Princess Marathon Weekend, EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, the taping of the Disney Channel/ABC Disney Holiday Celebration, and something called, "Jersey Week", traffic was solid at all times of day and night.
Here are the reasons from Disney Travel Agents.com as to why staying on-site adds value to your vacation:
I want to add to this list from my experiences: When you shop at a Disney store in the parks or at Disney Springs, you can have your products shipped to your hotel (as long as it is not the last day of your stay). This way, you can shop around and not have to worry about carrying around large bulky bags. I know from experience, carrying around awkward bags decreases our shopping experience because we get tired and no longer want to carry those bags and end up leaving early.
What if you are hungry? Where do you go to eat? When you stay off-site you might have one or two choices of restaurants to grab a quick bite and you will pay cash or credit card for those meals. When you stay on-site, all Disney resorts have some type of restaurant or food court where you can get food. You can also use your magic band that is linked to your dining plan to get your meals. The dining plans come with the Coca-Cola Freestyle Cups so you can refill your drinks anytime of the day, whereas you would have to bring your own drinks to an off-site hotel or spend money at a drink machine.
Another value is that you can link your Magic Bands to your credit card so you do not have to carry around your wallet. So, not only is your Magic Band your theme park ticket, it is the link to your Memory Makers, resort room key, ID, and credit card. Just be sure you don't lose it!
Also, now, select Disney resorts allow you to take your dogs with you and stay in your resort room. Here is an article from DisneyParksBlog.com.
Dogs Welcome at Select Walt Disney World Hotels Starting Oct. 15
by Thomas Smith, Editorial Content Director, Disney Parks
I hope this article helps you understand the value of staying at a Disney Resort during your Walt Disney World vacation. If you have any other tips for others, please comment in the comments section below.
What exactly is the value of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort during your Disney vacation? Because I have stayed both on-site and off-site, I have to say that there really are no worries when you stay on-site. My family and I just returned from 7 days at Disney World. This trip we decided to stay off-site because we found an incredible deal at a 5-star hotel in Destination, FL. It was not the best decision we have made. While the hotel was incredible, we spent $20 a day on parking there, plus $20 a day for parking at the parks. Then add in the traffic...oh my...the traffic! It was horrible! Between it being Princess Marathon Weekend, EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, the taping of the Disney Channel/ABC Disney Holiday Celebration, and something called, "Jersey Week", traffic was solid at all times of day and night.
Here are the reasons from Disney Travel Agents.com as to why staying on-site adds value to your vacation:
I want to add to this list from my experiences: When you shop at a Disney store in the parks or at Disney Springs, you can have your products shipped to your hotel (as long as it is not the last day of your stay). This way, you can shop around and not have to worry about carrying around large bulky bags. I know from experience, carrying around awkward bags decreases our shopping experience because we get tired and no longer want to carry those bags and end up leaving early.
What if you are hungry? Where do you go to eat? When you stay off-site you might have one or two choices of restaurants to grab a quick bite and you will pay cash or credit card for those meals. When you stay on-site, all Disney resorts have some type of restaurant or food court where you can get food. You can also use your magic band that is linked to your dining plan to get your meals. The dining plans come with the Coca-Cola Freestyle Cups so you can refill your drinks anytime of the day, whereas you would have to bring your own drinks to an off-site hotel or spend money at a drink machine.
Another value is that you can link your Magic Bands to your credit card so you do not have to carry around your wallet. So, not only is your Magic Band your theme park ticket, it is the link to your Memory Makers, resort room key, ID, and credit card. Just be sure you don't lose it!
Also, now, select Disney resorts allow you to take your dogs with you and stay in your resort room. Here is an article from DisneyParksBlog.com.
Dogs Welcome at Select Walt Disney World Hotels Starting Oct. 15
by Thomas Smith, Editorial Content Director, Disney Parks
"We have exciting news for Disney Parks fans who are also dog lovers. Beginning this Sunday, Oct. 15, for the first time ever, the Walt Disney World Resort will welcome guests – and their dogs – to four of its resort properties!
As part of this new dog-friendly pilot program, four out of the 26 Walt Disney World resort hotels have been designated dog friendly. Each property’s per night/per room pet-cleaning rate is:
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort $50/night
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort $50/night
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort $75/night
Cabins at Disney’s Ft. Wilderness Resort $50/night
A maximum of two dogs per guest room can be accommodated. Each guest room will have easy access to outdoor pet walkways for exercise and green spaces with pet relief areas.
We will also designate certain floors or sections of a hotel as dog-friendly, while the majority of areas will remain canine-free to accommodate Guests with allergies or other concerns.
Dog lovers will find plenty of Disney amenities and special touches for their four-legged friends.
At check-in, Pluto’s Welcome Kit includes mat, bowls, a pet ID tag, courtesy plastic disposable bags, puppy pads and dog walking maps. Also included: a Pluto “Do Not Disturb” door hanger indicating to hotel staff that a pet is in the room.
Disney enjoys a partnership with Best Friends Pet Care, an on-property full-service facility that can provide assistance with pet daycare and other pet services (fees apply).
Pet merchandise is coming soon to participating resorts.
While there are no in-room services available at this time, Best Friends Pet Care does provide services like doggie daycare at its nearby facility on Disney property.
Dogs that are allowed to stay in guest rooms will be expected to be well behaved, leashed in public resort areas and properly vaccinated."
I hope this article helps you understand the value of staying at a Disney Resort during your Walt Disney World vacation. If you have any other tips for others, please comment in the comments section below.
