My favorite benefits of staying on walt disney world property

One of my favorite reasons to stay on Disney property while visiting Walt Disney World is the fact that once you land in Orlando airport and step foot off the plane you are part of the magic! From the airport Disney Store to the 'Feel' of the all around pixie dust there is no denying you are on your way to a magical vacation. Disney also offers an amazing complimentary shuttle service to its on property guests called the Magical Express and it totally lives up to its name. Skip the baggage claim and all of that hassle and jump on to a very merry bus that is decorated in the utmost Disney design playing Disney themed movies on the t.v. system while you are on your way to your Disney resort (believe me your Disney adrenaline is pumping from the moment you step aboard this shuttle). Once at your resort of course you are surrounded by all things Disney from sun up to sun down. Pretty much you are in "The Disney Bubble". Every onsite Disney resort has that extraordinary feel with impeccable guest service. Ever wonder what it may feel like having a Fairy Godmother? Stay at a WDW resort and you will have your answer. Stay in a character themed suite at Art of Animation, a Pirate room at Caribbean Beach Resort, or maybe a Royal Guest Room at Port Orleans Riverside. Newly imagined Disney story rooms add to the fantasy that lasts through out your vacation! You can always take advantage of your onsite resort hotel entertainment. Things such as themed pools with slides that are unlike any other hotel pools, outdoor Disney movie screenings, and even Character dining that is provided at some of their resorts!

Of course, if you are driving in (which I have done in the past) they offer free parking at your resort as well as complimentary parking at all theme parks with a valid Key To The World or Resort Guest Parking Pass. This becomes very helpful at the end of a very long day at the parks. There is no need wait in line for your resort bus while carrying your sleeping child and traveling through various bus stops when you have your own car. You can also save money! Yes, staying onsite sometimes can actually save you money. WDW theme park parking for off site guests traveling in an automobile is $17.00 per day, you can imagine that you can save over $100.00 in parking fees if you are on vacation for 7 days if you stay on property.

Another one of my favorites is the Extra Magic Hours. Who doesn't want to experience more magic on their vacation? Each day attractions are open longer at one specific park for onsite WDW guests only. Once during Extra Magic Hours we rode Splash Mountain 12 consecutive times as well as Pirates of the Caribbean with no wait since it was late at night and the park was bare! In some cases they will have their Extra Magic Hours in the morning which can also be helpful, allowing you to take advantage to an early morning start, doing things before the crowds, and being able to enjoy some time back at the pool in the mid-day heat while everyone else is waiting on long lines. 

Only guests staying onsite can participate in the Disney Dining Plan. For me personally, there are a vast array of reasons why I love the dining plan Disney offers. First and foremost it is very convenient. I love the fact that I can pay for my vacation and all of its benefits before I leave the house, arrive at the resort and generally never have to reach into my wallet again unless I am looking for money for Disney souvenirs (or of course gratuities). I know once we get there everything pretty much is taken care of. Of course another reason is the food. If you have visited WDW before you know what I am talking about. There are more than 100 restaurants in WDW and the food is amazing. From character dining for the kids to fancy dinners with your loved one you will find it here. WDW dining reservations are a must and they book up almost in an instant. For guests who have a stay booked onsite they can make they're dining reservations 180 days prior to their arrival. 

With all of that being said, being in the Disney bubble through out my vacation is the main reason I enjoy staying on property. Shielded, for the most part, from ordinary life for the week, being immersed in an all Disney atmosphere is a Disney fanatics dream! Have you stayed on property before? What is your favorite part of being an onsite guest? If you have not yet stayed onsite, what are you looking forward too?