Disney World Resort Benefits

Many of the above benefits are strictly for Walt Disney World Resort guests. However, some of these benefits are available for off-site guests or have slight variations.  I will break down the differences below so you can see the comparisons to help you decide if a Walt Disney World Resort is worth it to you:

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1. "Free resort parking"

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If you are staying off-site, other resorts vacation homes/condos might have you pay a daily parking fee.  There also might be resort fees on top of that.  So when you are looking at the nightly rate, make sure you add any resort or parking fees that may not be included in the room rate. 

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2. "Free standard parking at all Disney World Theme Parks"

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Standard parking for all guests who are not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort will expect to pay $30 for the day, and $45, $50, $55 for preferred parking (price based on dates).

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3. "Easy Access to the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs using complimentary Disney World transportation"

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Staying off-site can include transportation to the theme parks.  However, pay close attention to the details.  Some hotels offer transportation for free and some have you pay a fee.  A good number will have scheduled times that leave the hotel and pick up from the parks.  I've seen a hotel where you have to sign up ahead of time for a spot on the shuttle!

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Also another important thing to note: If you are staying off-site, a shuttle to the Magic Kingdom will take you to the Ticket & Transportation Center (TTC).  From there, you will have to either get on the monorail or a boat in order to get to the Magic Kingdom entrance.  So expect some extra time getting there!

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4. "Early Entry (enter the park 30 minutes before official park opening)"

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There are a good number of resorts that also participate in early entry. Just make note of the shuttle schedules so you can actually get to the park for early entry or plan to drive or take an Uber or Lyft:

• Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel

• Walt Disney World Swan Hotel

• Walt Disney World Swan Reserve

• B Resort & Spa Lake Buena Vista

• DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando

• Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista

• Four Seasons Resort Orlando

• Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace

• Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista

• Holiday Inn Orlando

• Shades of Green® on Walt Disney World Resort

• Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

• Waldorf Astoria Orlando

• Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista

• Wyndham Lake Buena Vista

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5. "Make Dining Reservations 60 days ahead of check-in for your ENTIRE stay (up to 10 days)"

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Anyone can make a dining reservation 60 days in advance.  However, if you are staying off-site, then you have to make dining reservations for each day of your stay one day at a time. 

 

For instance, if you are staying at a hotel from November 28th to November 30th, you will make any dining reservations you want to make for November 28th sixty days ahead on September 29th, November 29th on September 30th, and November 30th on October 1st.  If you're staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, you can make a reservation for November 28th, 29th, and 30th sixty days ahead of check in on September 29th.

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6. "Make Lightning Lane reservations 7 days before check-in for your ENTIRE stay (up to 14 days)"

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If you're staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, you will be able to make Lightning Lane reservations for both Multi Pass and Single Pass 7 days before check-in.  If you're staying somewhere else and have theme-day based tickets, you can purchase and make Lightning Lane reservations 3 days before check-in for the total number of day tickets for your trip.  If you have an annual pass and are not staying at a Disney World resort, you can make your reservations 3 days ahead of time ONLY.

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7. "Extended Evening Hours (Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villas)"

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Staying at a deluxe resort or deluxe villa (or Disney Vacation Club resort) gives you the great perk of staying at one of the Walt Disney World theme parks two hours after official park close to ride select attractions.  There are only 4 hotels besides the official Disney World resorts that let guests attend Extended Evening Hours:

• Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel

• Walt Disney World Swan Hotel

• Walt Disney World Swan Reserve

• Shades of Green on Walt Disney World Resort

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8. "Discounted prices on MagicBand+ (pre-arrival)"

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If you are not staying at a Walt Disney World resort, you do not get access to discount prices.

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9. "In 2025, admission to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach on check-in day will be included in your resort stay."

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For the 2025 calendar year, Disney World resort guests can visit Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach with free admission on check-in day for their resort.  No other resorts are eligible for this offer.