What are the current Perks of staying On-Site WDW Resort?

[WNYDisneyDad]

One of the reasons I chose to stay on-site was the ease of returning to my hotel room. I like the idea of being able to ride the Skyliner back to my hotel (CBR) from two of the parks. Granted, this will be my first trip to WDW since I was a kid, so I will not be "missing" any of the perks that used to be there.

I've never stayed off-site so not sure how quickly someone could return to their room but I'm sure depending on the location/traffic/etc. that the difference between on-site and off-site is marginal at times.

 

[nkereina]

Another minor perk is that you can charge back to your room using your Magic Band. Helps to limit the amount of cash/cards you need to bring. And while its not currently offered, its entirely possible they could re-instate purchase delivery to resorts again at some point. Its a perk to have it sent back to your resort for pick up so you don't have to carry it around or remember to pick it up on the way out.

Other intangible perks would be the theme, ease of getting around, and the "bubble" experience that keeps you away from real world things. You can also book a package which gives added flexibility for cancellation, especially with tickets. Like anything, these perks are all subjective and some will be more valuable than others to each family. And whether the WDW price point equates to the value of any/all of these perks is also very subjective.

 

[MudQueen22]

We are very seriously considering staying off-site and simply driving in. We calculated staying at a 2 bedroom condo + it's fees + the parking fees at DW parks against staying at a value resort room + the resort parking fee and we save $800 over ten nights.
30 minutes of early access and bus transportation aren't worth $800 to us.

We've never stayed off-site before; it would be a new experience for us. But we can do a lot with $800.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Regarding in park transportation, the buses are bad right now. We often waited over 20 minutes for a bus and caught the first bus every day to the theme parks. With the exception of DHS, they didn't arrive until at least 50 minutes before park opening. Meaning we weren't physically in the park until 1/2 hour - 20 minutes before the park officially opened. So that stunk that we couldn't take advantage of the 45 minute early opening.

 

[maltdizzy]

For the OP, there almost certainly will be a promotional deal for late Summer, probably to be announced by or during April. 15%-30% off depending on price-level and resort.

I think everyone has mentioned them...

1. 60+10 ADR reservations
2. Eventually 30 minutes early entry to the parks ("by October 1"), this may happen by August, or they may be continuing their soft openings every morning to avoid crowding (I have a feeling the latter will still be in effect)
3. You can book a package, which is fully refundable. Eventually WDW will be going back to their no refunds policy on tickets-only sales
4. Magic band payments and room entry
5. Proximity and WDW Resort transportation, including the MDE. Most Deluxes are within walking distance of 1 or 2 parks

What's been lost?

1. Extra magic hours (cost cutting), these were dewiddling over the years, 6+ years ago, they included 2-3 hours at night in some parks
2. Complimentary parking (cost cutting), this one hurts me a lot, we drive to WDW and we pay $400-600/a night for a room and they still want $25 more?
3. FP+ (COVID)
4. DDP (COVID)
5. Soon to go...MDE (cost cutting)

What else?

 

[justprettynpink]

Lost :

Delivery of items bought in park to resort

 

[LeeAnn]

Thanks for the info.

Let me recap to make sure I am understanding correctly.

One perk, Magical Express. I don't believe I will be using that feature (at least I don't believe so at this point).

Two, Parking seems to be almost the same. Parking at Moderate will be $20 per day vs. Parking at Theme Parks will be $25. Not too much different.

Three, Booking 60+ vs 60 days out per each day of the trip (old school, this was the old days of booking ADRs, done that and could do it again. May miss out on a restaurant.

Four, if Fast Passes return, think that may be more important to me. Would like to avoid long lines but don't know if this returning. And for August trip, any thoughts?

Five, Park reservations, think this is of importance. Currently I have a package so I can book park reservations (haven't done so yet, guess I gotta start moving on it). But what happens, if I decided to go off-property. I will lose my park reservations? Also, I can't make park reservations without purchasing tix (and those can't be canceled, right?).

Finally, what to do after park closes? Park hours close early. Any thoughts if it will be extended in August? It probably be nice to go back to Disney Resort to continue with magic. How late are the pools opened? Anything going on at the resorts?

If I was to stay off-property, where would you suggest? Need something comparable to CBR for 5 but less expensive.

Thanks for your help.

 

[olliesmom]

Thanks for the info.

Let me recap to make sure I am understanding correctly.

One perk, Magical Express. I don't believe I will be using that feature (at least I don't believe so at this point).

Two, Parking seems to be almost the same. Parking at Moderate will be $20 per day vs. Parking at Theme Parks will be $25. Not too much different.

Three, Booking 60+ vs 60 days out per each day of the trip (old school, this was the old days of booking ADRs, done that and could do it again. May miss out on a restaurant.

Four, if Fast Passes return, think that may be more important to me. Would like to avoid long lines but don't know if this returning. And for August trip, any thoughts?

Five, Park reservations, think this is of importance. Currently I have a package so I can book park reservations (haven't done so yet, guess I gotta start moving on it). But what happens, if I decided to go off-property. I will lose my park reservations? Also, I can't make park reservations without purchasing tix (and those can't be canceled, right?).

Finally, what to do after park closes? Park hours close early. Any thoughts if it will be extended in August? It probably be nice to go back to Disney Resort to continue with magic. How late are the pools opened? Anything going on at the resorts?

If I was to stay off-property, where would you suggest? Need something comparable to CBR for 5 but less expensive.

Thanks for your help.

We are considering Bonnet Creek for our next trip - we haven't stayed there before, but it looks promising and there are so many great reviews. There are a number of pools and one pirate themed, depending on your preferences I actually think it looks nicer than the CBR pool (we have stayed there before as well!). Located on Disney property, and large suites that would definitely accommodate 5.

 

[maltdizzy]

Four, if Fast Passes return, think that may be more important to me. Would like to avoid long lines but don't know if this returning. And for August trip, any thoughts?

Doubtful for August. People might recognized that Disney cooped the FP+ system for Park Passes. It seems unlikely FP+ is coming back this year unless they expand that infrastructure.

Five, Park reservations, think this is of importance. Currently I have a package so I can book park reservations (haven't done so yet, guess I gotta start moving on it). But what happens, if I decided to go off-property. I will lose my park reservations? Also, I can't make park reservations without purchasing tix (and those can't be canceled, right?).

You do need tickets to make Park Passes. Disney has (had?) been offering refunds or extensions on tickets during the pandemic, but that won't last forever (if it hasn't stopped already).

Finally, what to do after park closes? Park hours close early. Any thoughts if it will be extended in August? It probably be nice to go back to Disney Resort to continue with magic. How late are the pools opened? Anything going on at the resorts?

It seems likely that park hours will be extended in Summer, but we really can't know. Plus, it depends on when in August; in normal years, WDW starts to cut hours the 3rd week of August, and cuts them even more the 4th week as most families are back in school.

 

[Evita_W]

For the OP, there almost certainly will be a promotional deal for late Summer, probably to be announced by or during April. 15%-30% off depending on price-level and resort.

I think everyone has mentioned them...

1. 60+10 ADR reservations
2. Eventually 30 minutes early entry to the parks ("by October 1"), this may happen by August, or they may be continuing their soft openings every morning to avoid crowding (I have a feeling the latter will still be in effect)
3. You can book a package, which is fully refundable. Eventually WDW will be going back to their no refunds policy on tickets-only sales
4. Magic band payments and room entry
5. Proximity and WDW Resort transportation, including the MDE. Most Deluxes are within walking distance of 1 or 2 parks

These are benefits, but here are some reasons why they may not be worth it for most:

1. I think the +10 ADR is likely to stay, but just an FYI, I think 60 days is here to stay and we won't see them going back to 180 days out.
2. I think once 30 minutes early is established, it will have to be strictly for resort guests only, I could see the soft openings every morning moving to resort guests only.
3. I think we are going to see a permanent change in the travel and entertainment industry to keep the flexibility and continue offering refunds in some shape or form. It may eventually go to issuing as a credit only, in this case say a Disney Gift Card for tickets.
4. Magic band payments aren't really worth it with the new way they are doing authorizations and room entry, honestly the key cards are a better choice for a variety of reasons.
5. Proximity may be a bigger factor.

What's been lost?

1. Extra magic hours (cost cutting), these were dewiddling over the years, 6+ years ago, they included 2-3 hours at night in some parks
2. Complimentary parking (cost cutting), this one hurts me a lot, we drive to WDW and we pay $400-600/a night for a room and they still want $25 more?
3. FP+ (COVID)
4. DDP (COVID)
5. Soon to go...MDE (cost cutting)

What else?

1. The EMH was already disappearing in favor of the paid parties, this isn't likely to change.
2. DVC members still get free parking, honestly outside of Disney, the more expensive the room is the more you are likely to be charged for parking. Some hotels around us charge as much as $75 per night for parking for rooms at are over $1,000 per night. Yet the hotels that are around $100 or less per night include parking and WiFi, so unfortunately this is Disney following the trend here, but I think it is tacky even at hotels outside Disney.
3. I think FP+ as we knew it was already on the chopping block anyway, it is too problematic to try to book all of your FPs at 30 to 60 days out and to plan exactly what time frame you wanted for each attraction. It would also be hard to monetize, I still maintain all of the parks will have a unified FP system that will resemble DLR's FP (free by going to each attraction) and Maxpass (through the app if you pay) system. The exception being that I think onsite guests will get some form of perk, maybe Maxpass included or something similar.
4. I think the DDP may eventually make some form of a return, but with major modifications as if you don't drink it was no longer worthwhile. Hopefully they also go back to including gratuity.
5. With MDE, we aren't sure if it was cost cutting, contractual issues, legal issues or some combination of these or other issues.

 

[leannak]

Thank you for all the great info! Can you or someone familiar tell me more about the magic band issues? I’m wondering if I should buy them or not for our family. We had used some years ago and found them to be wonderfully convenient, especially for the kids. Have things changed?

Magic band payments aren't really worth it with the new way they are doing authorizations and room entry, honestly the key cards are a better choice for a variety of reasons.

 

[Heather07438]

Another onsite perk that has been removed is the ability to send purchases from the parks back to your resort without needing to carry it around all day.

Charging privileges on Magic Bands aren't a big deal anymore since you have to Mobile Order which avoids using a MB, and it's just as easy to shop and tap with your phone wallet as a MB. I recommend not using the charges privileges on MB anyway... TWICE they have double billed me for our entire trip worth of purchases.

 

[LeeAnn]

Basically, it left to the Disney magic at the Resort.

With shorten hours, spending time at the resort will be a factor.

What are the pool hours?
How late are the restaurant/food court opened until?
Any activities to do at the resort?

 

[redrosesix]

If money is at all an issue, I would stay offsite. You can get a lot more for less, even compared to the Value Resorts. Sure you will have to pay to park at the parks, but to get this perk you have to pay to park at the hotel. Getting into the park half an hour early will turn out to be negligible since by that time offsite guests are already at the gate -- you might get on to one ride as a walk on. I'm guessing booking ADRs a few days earlier won't be a deal maker for you so stay offsite and save your money, and if you have some left over you can do some extra special things.

We used to have a time share and the cost per week if you wanted to rent there was just about the same as staying at Disney -- but it was 3 beds and 3 baths with a full kitchen. I guarantee you can get a great place on a budget.

 

[ThistleMae]

Unfortunately, the perks are diminishing. While it is nice to rely on Disney for transportation, the actual perks of staying on site are vastly diminishing. I don't perceive the additional 30-minutes in the morning to be a huge plus.

Magical Express is a real perk while it lasts.

For me ME made my trip so much easier, than waiting for transportation at the airport. My son-in-law says that's the way it used to be before ME and he's not going to let the fact that it's going away ruin his Disney experience. I'm one of those folks who feel staying in the Disney bubble increases my enjoyment of the experience. We gave up all those planned dinner reservations last year, finding that they always interfered with where we were and having to leave to go eat and then having little time to finish out at the parks. I agree there aren't many perks at this point but I like being able to ride the Skyliner home after a long day at the parks and riding again the next day to go to the parks. I don't know if I'd like having to leave to go to an outside hotel and wait for transportation or have to time it just right to get back to the parks and then back to hotel...ugh. Just more planning.

 

[JennP78]

Thanks for the info.

Let me recap to make sure I am understanding correctly.

One perk, Magical Express. I don't believe I will be using that feature (at least I don't believe so at this point).

Two, Parking seems to be almost the same. Parking at Moderate will be $20 per day vs. Parking at Theme Parks will be $25. Not too much different.

Three, Booking 60+ vs 60 days out per each day of the trip (old school, this was the old days of booking ADRs, done that and could do it again. May miss out on a restaurant.

Four, if Fast Passes return, think that may be more important to me. Would like to avoid long lines but don't know if this returning. And for August trip, any thoughts?

Five, Park reservations, think this is of importance. Currently I have a package so I can book park reservations (haven't done so yet, guess I gotta start moving on it). But what happens, if I decided to go off-property. I will lose my park reservations? Also, I can't make park reservations without purchasing tix (and those can't be canceled, right?).

Finally, what to do after park closes? Park hours close early. Any thoughts if it will be extended in August? It probably be nice to go back to Disney Resort to continue with magic. How late are the pools opened? Anything going on at the resorts?

If I was to stay off-property, where would you suggest? Need something comparable to CBR for 5 but less expensive.

Thanks for your help.

We really loved Buena Vista Suites. Reasonably priced and free parking. Free hot breakfast (as always not sure what they are doing right now with Covid), simple but adequate pool and hot tub with poolside food service, and our room slept 6 I believe - 2 queen beds and a pullout couch in a separate living area. 1.5 miles from the entrance to WDW property.