Why You Should Stay On-Property at Walt Disney World

My earliest memory of Walt Disney World is from when I was nine. My family was staying at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and I thought it was the most magical place on earth. I had never seen such incredible theming at a resort, and one of my favorite parts of our trips was playing in the pool with my family. Since then, I’ve loved getting to stay with my children at Disney resorts and see them experience the magic. Where else in the world can you stay at a hotel with an African savanna filled with animals, or experience a turn-of-the-century boardwalk? 

One of the biggest questions when planning a trip to Walt Disney World is where you should stay. With the rise of off-site vacation rentals, and plenty of hotel options in the Orlando area, is it still worth it to stay on property? We think that staying on property is one of the most important factors in having the best experience at Walt Disney World, and today, we’re sharing several reasons why. 

Proximity to the parks

As the mom of a toddler on a nap schedule, having easy proximity to our hotel room is a huge perk. Being able to quickly get back to our hotel room for a mid-day break is the difference between a great day at the park and a stressful day at the park. Plus, you came to Walt Disney World to BE at Walt Disney World, not to spend extra time in the car trying to get to and from the parks. 

All hotels at Walt Disney World have complimentary access to the Disney bus system. These buses will run from your resort to all of the parks and Disney Springs, so you don’t have to worry about driving. Many resorts offer expanded transportation that makes getting around even easier. Some of the most convenient resorts are those that are on the monorail loop and those that are on the Skyliner. You can even stay within walking distance to the parks at some resorts. The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and The Contemporary Resort are both within walking distance to The Magic Kingdom. If you stay at Disney's Beach Club Resort, Disney's Yacht Club Resort, or Disney's BoardWalk Inn are all within walking distance to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. For a great Value resort that has Skyliner access, you can stay at Disney's Art of Animation Resort, or Disney's Pop Century Resort. Make sure to read our blogs with guides to these resorts - they have great insight to help you pick a place to stay that’s perfect for you!

Extra time in the parks

When staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, you will have access to early entry, which means you will be able to enter the Disney Parks a half hour before off-property guests every morning. This extra half hour makes a HUGE difference, especially during the busiest times of the year. During our last trip, which was over the 4th of July Holiday, my family was able to ride three rides in Magic Kingdom, just in that half hour. If you’re staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort or Deluxe Villa Resort, you’ll have certain hours that are available exclusively to Disney Deluxe Resort guests, after the park is closed to the general public! 

The magic of the ‘bubble’

Some people refer to being on-property as ‘the Disney bubble’, and it’s easy to see why. Everything feels more magical while you’re on-property - you’re in a world where fireworks happen nightly, you can ride on flying elephants or pirate ships, and family memories are the priority. We’ve heard from a lot of people that staying on-property helps preserve that magic - sometimes when you stay offsite, it can feel a little jarring to drive by a chain steakhouse and big box store, right after a magical time at the parks. The best way to preserve the magic for the whole week? Staying on property! Haven't experienced the magic of the 'bubble'? The immersiveness is what makes it so special - whether it's hanging out at a Disney pool where the Cast Members are running fun games, balconies that offer firework views, or activity centers with great crafts, you'll never leave the magic when you stay on property.

Disney Dining Plan Access

Love an all-inclusive vacation? Then the Disney Dining Plan might be perfect for you. The Disney Dining Plan allows guests to pre-pay for their meals before their trip, with both a Quick Service Dining Plan for those who want to have faster meals on the go and the traditional Disney Dining Plan, which is great if you want to do sit-down meals with your family. Right now, The Disney Dining Plan is ONLY available to those who are staying on Disney property, so if you’re interested in it, it will be a huge factor in deciding where to stay. Be Our Guest Vacations are Dining Plan experts, and can help you determine if a Dining Plan is the right fit for your family, as well as help you understand the ins and outs of different plans!

Early access to Lightning Lane and ADR Planning

Starting on July 24th, Walt Disney World has launched Lightning Lane Multi Pass, as their ‘skip the line’ system, to help you save time by getting to experience as many Disney attractions as possible. With this system, you will be able to pre-book three experiences per day before your trip. There is an extremely important detail to this system - and that’s that guests staying on property at Walt Disney World will be able to book their Lighting Lane passes seven days before their trip, for the entirety of their vacation for up to fourteen days. Guests who are staying off-property will only be able to book three days in advance, which means that many of the desirable Lightning Lanes might already be gone. Staying on property will be a game changer for this system! Another huge bonus of staying on property? You'll be able to make your Advanced Dining Reservations earlier than the general public, which is huge for those hard to get reservations. Also - Be Our Guest Vacations can help secure even the hardest to get of dining reservations!

Be Our Guest Vacations can help you find the perfect Walt Disney World Resort for your next trip - whether you’re booking a big family vacation, a romantic getaway for two, or just need some solo time in the parks. And as always, our expertise and services are completely free to use. Reach out today so we can plan your best trip ever.