Benefits of Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel

When visiting Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida, you have many choices of where to stay. Within the Walt Disney World resort, there are 32 hotels and outside of Walt Disney World's 47 square miles there are hundred of hotels within just a few miles of the Magic Kingdom. When considering where to stay, many people assume the hotels within Walt Disney World are too expensive and look for off site accommodations. While some rooms at the top Walt Disney World hotels such as Disney's Contemporary Resort or Disney's Grand Floridan Report and Spa can cost $500 or more a night, there are some Disney hotels where the rooms start at around $79 per night (and sometimes less during promotions). Disney's Value Resorts (the term Disney uses to describe their lower-cost hotel offerings) offer lower-priced accommodations but are still within the Walt Disney World resort (check out this article on Disney Value resorts).

But no matter where you stay within Walt Disney World, a Value Resort all the way up to a Deluxe Resort, there are many benefits to staying at a Walt Disney World resort hotel. Regardless of how much you paid for your Walt Disney World accommodation, there are may free benefits that everyone staying at any Walt Disney World are entitled to, and they make it worthwhile to consider staying at a Walt Disney World for your next visit.

Disney's Magical Express
From the moment you arrive at Orlando International Airport the benefits of staying at a Walt Disney World hotel begin. Disney's Magical Express is a free service for guests staying at a Walt Disney World hotel. The service will take you to your hotel free of charge, or if you wish directly to the theme parks so you can start your vacation right away (and your bags will be delivered to your hotel). And at the end of your vacation, Disney's Magical Express will take you and your bags back to the airport.

Extra Magic Hours
Each day one of the four Walt Disney World theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom) opens an hour early or stays open a few extra hours in the evening - but only for guests staying at a Walt Disney World hotel. In the case of a park opening an hour early, only guests with a room key from a Disney hotel will be allowed in (park admission is required) or when a park stays open a few extra hours, hotel guests are given a wristband that allows them to stay in the park and use the attractions beyond the published closing time.

Disney Dining Plan
The Disney Dining Plan allows guest staying at Walt Disney World hotels to prepay for meals and select to have those meals at one of more than 100 Walt Disney World restaurants. For about $37 per day for adults, and $11 per child, guests receive credits for one full service meal (appetizer, main course, dessert, and beverage), one counter service meal (Disney speak for fast food), and one snack. These credits can be used at most dining location and, for snacks, at most food carts throughout the theme parks and the entire Walt Disney World resort (including restaurants in hotels, Downtown Disney, and the water parks).

Walt Disney World Transportation
The Walt Disney World transportation network is comprehensive and, if you're a guest of a Walt Disney World hotel, free to use. From Disney's "Highway in the Sky" monorail system, to the boats and buses that travel throughout the 47 square miles, those staying on site can use the transportation network free of charge.

Free Golf Club Rentals
Traveling with golf club can be a chore. And with some world class golf courses, golfers visiting Walt Disney World will surely want to take time out for a round or golf. And when staying at a Walt Disney World hotel, guests enjoy complimentary Titleist and Cobra club rentals.

Free Package Delivery
Walt Disney World hotel guest can have their purchases delivered directly to their hotels. Whenever making a purchase at any Walt Disney World store, guest simply show their room key and their purchase will be delivered to their hotel.