Should I Stay at a Disney Resort?

The simple answer to this question is : YES.

If your Orlando vacation is going to be solely or almost solely an experience at Disney World, there are so many perks associated with staying at a Disney resort that you will miss out on if you stay off-site... perks that add SO much to your vacation experience.



1. Extra Magic Hours

Extra Magic Hours are extended theme park hours scheduled each day when only Disney resort guests can enter the parks. With the crowds you find at Disney, these are critical to making the most of your time and getting to do as much as possible.

2. Disney Dining Plan

The Disney Dining Plan allows you to save money on your food by allowing you to purchase different dining plans that cover all of your food during your stay. The best value is the basic plan that gives you one table service, one snack, and one quick service meal per day plus a re-usable refillable Disney mug. If you purchased all these items without the dining plan, you would pay about 20% more.

3. Free Transportation to Parks and Downtown

No more worrying about paying for Disney parking fees or having to drive yourself to the parks. The bus, boat and monorail shuttle system takes you from the resorts to Disney parks and Downtown Disney free of charge. Other off-site hotels sometimes offer this service, but the buses they have won't run nearly as often, have to travel farther to get to Disney World, and drop you off much farther from the park entrance.

4. Free Airport Transportation

Disney will make arrangements to pick you up from and take you back to the airport for your arrival and departure via their Magical Express free of charge if you are staying at a Disney resort.

5. Key to the World Card

The card that Disney gives you as your hotel room key also serves as your credit card charging device, ID during Extra Magic Hours, Fastpass key, and pays for your Disney Dining Plan meals. All you need is this one card when you are walking around.

6. Free Room Delivery of Shop Purchases

If you buy anything in gift shops or stores throughout Downtown Disney or Disney parks, just tell them to have it sent to your room, so you don't have to carry it around. This service is free to Disney resort guests.

7. You are Engulfed in Magical Decor.

You just feel like you are at Disney World when you stay in their resorts. The value level resorts are completely cartoon Disney themed all around and while the deluxe level resorts are more subtle, you still get all the modern/chic Disney decor all around.

8. Disney World Child Care

For an extra fee, if you and your spouse decide you want a romantic dinner to yourselves, you can pay extra to let your child stay in supervised child care facilities where your children have lots of Disney fun making crafts, playing games, and even enjoying a meal.

The Answer: YES, stay in a Disney resort.
If you are going to Disney World on a vacation, it's definitely best to go ALL Disney. If you are making other Orlando attractions the focus of your stay, then it isn't as important to stay on-site at Disney World. Honestly though, I would recommend taking a separate vacation to do those things. When you go to Disney, go all out on Disney because all the things you can do in Downtown Disney and the four parks alone keep you more than busy on your vacation and you get so much more value for your buck when you do it the all Disney way.