Walt Disney World Resort Benefits
Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
© Disney
When simply comparing room rates, it is more expensive to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort than an equivalent resort hotel outside of the Walt Disney World Resort.
However there are a number of factors to take into account when comparing prices.
It all depends on how much time you intend to spend of your vacation in the Walt Disney World Resort, whether you have a car and whether you want to live the Disney dream 24 hours a day!!
Benefits of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel include:
- free parking - Disney residents get free parking at all theme parks; non residents typically pay $10 per day to park at the four main theme parks
- complimentary transportation on any of the Disney motor coaches, water shuttles and monorails. This is especially useful if you do not have a rental car to get around
- mid-day break is easy because you are so close to the parks. You can easily take timeout back at your resort when you start to flag and then return to the parks when you feel refreshed knowing you have extra evening hours
- extra magic hours on each day. Each day one of the theme parks opens one hour early for Disney Resort guests which means less queueing and more time on the rides. Each evening one of the parks stays open for up to three extra hours for Disney Resort guests. Not all attractions remain open but again you can ride those that are open with very little wait time
- special unlimited passes for the duration of your stay giving you access to the parks and attractions every day of your vacation
- complimentary parcel service which means anything you purchase in the park can be delivered to your hotel room for free saving you having to carry it around with you
- resort ID card which allows you to charge things to your room wherever you are in the Walt Disney World Resort
- guaranteed admission even when the parks are full during busy times of year like Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. Even if other people are being turned away, you are guaranteed admission
- complimentary airport shuttle will take you to and from the Orlando International Airport without having to worry about your bags. The Disney's Magical Express takes care of luggage delivery and airline check-in
- Disney Dining Plan helps with your dining budget. By purchasing a Disney Dining Plan you have access to 100 participating restaurants and the plan entitles you to two meals and one snack each day
Note that as of June 1, 2007 all Disney Resort hotels are smoke free and guests may only smoke in designated outdoor smoking areas. No smoking is permitted inside the hotels including guest room patios and balconies.
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Disney World Map
Click here for a map of the whole of the Walt Disney World Resort area (note: opens in a new window, file size 140kb).
Disney Room Rates
Disney room rates are per room per night and are based on double occupancy; i.e. two adults sharing a room.
If you have additional adults in your party you will have to pay a supplement.
Disney Seasons
For 2007/2008, Disney have five different seasonal rates for each Resort category depending upon the time of year.
Their cheapest rate is known as their Value season rate (low season), their next rate is the Moderate season (mid season) and then they have three higher rates, their Summer season which is used by the Value and Moderate resorts only, Peak season; (high season) and then a slightly higher rate just for the Christmas period known as their Holiday season.