Benefits of booking/staying with Disney?

[mummabear]

We have booked a room and ticket package through the website (staying onsite for the first time hooray!) the information on the site doesnt seem to have as many benefits as I have heard people talk about like character calls. I know at DL you get tickets to MTTMM and I'm wondering besides the transport and EMH is there anything else included?

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We have booked a room and ticket package through the website (staying onsite for the first time hooray!) the information on the site doesnt seem to have as many benefits as I have heard people talk about like character calls. I know at DL you get tickets to MTTMM and I'm wondering besides the transport and EMH is there anything else included?

Going to WDW is very different than going to DL. When you stay on property at WDW you are much closer to the parks. Remember you are talking about miles and miles of property and distance between the parks, your transportation is so much easier and faster! Location, location, location! That is perk #1. You'll be able to park hop, go back to your resort for breaks, have much more freedom to move around and come and go as you wish without having to leave the World. Mornings at the Magic Kingdom, afternoons at your resort by the pool, dinner at Epcot, late nights at the Studios, you couldn't do that if you were staying off property. Other perks would be Magical Express to and from the airport, extra magic hours, key to the world cards (your room key can have your park ticket, dining plan, etc, all built into one card that can also have room charging if you wish), bus/boat/monorail transportation at your doorstep, Disney themed resorts that make you feel like you're staying in the middle of the magic, amazing dining options, in room Disney TV channels with park info. Even at night laying in bed you feel like you're still "at Disney". We tried off property a couple of times, I'd never do it again. Driving and parking back and forth, that's not my idea of a vacation.

 

[lanejudy]

Since you booked a package through Disney, there are a few smaller "perks" - I think it's mentioned in your reservation paperwork but will be included in your folio when you check-in. It may change, but usually there is a discount on mini-golf, possibly discounts at a couple of DTD restaurants (I'm thinking I recall Planet Hollywood and House of Blues in the past), discounts on some recreation opportunties (boat rentals or jet skis, etc.). You mention character calls, and while I've never done one I believe you can request a wake-up call in your room and it will be Mickey. You can also make ADRs at 180+10, which means that at the 180 mark from your check-in day you can make up to 10 days worth of dining reservations; people staying off-site must call at the 180 mark for each day.

If you think there are other benefits you had read or heard about, feel free to ask about something specific (like you mentioned character calls).

Enjoy your vacation! I think you'll enjoy staying onsite!