LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- There are
benefits to staying "in the park," as guests frequently refer to
overnight accommodations on Walt Disney World property. Some
of the benefits are:
- Meticulously themed environments
created by Walt Disney Imagineering
- "Disney Magic" served up 24
hours a day
- Exclusive time in the theme
parks and water parks
- Disney's Magical Express
complimentary ground transfers each way between Orlando
International Airport and Walt Disney World
owned-and-operated hotels
- Use of the Disney transportation
system of coaches, watercraft and monorails
- Convenience to the theme parks
and recreation
So how can the vacationer traveling
"on a budget" take advantage of those benefits?
Actually, few if any vacationers DON'T travel on a budget. It's just
the size of the budget that varies. Here are some variables to
consider in the planning process -- things that can add up to nifty
savings on accommodations and further enhance the value of staying
at a Disney resort:
- Time of the visit
- Type of resort
- Room location
- Special-value packages
Timing a Walt Disney World visit
In some parts of the world, a change of seasons can mean snow. At
Walt Disney World Resort, a change of seasons can mean savings.
With less pressure on availability of accommodations away from
holidays and other busy vacation periods, the resort offers Value
Season rates at certain times of the year. The amount of savings
during a designated Value Season -- as compared to the same type of
accommodation during a designated holiday season -- can exceed 30
percent.
Not only that, but the portion of the year designated as Value
Season is substantial. Depending upon the type of accommodation,
between 33 percent and 48 percent of the days in a typical year are
designated as Value Season.
Choosing a resort type
Walt Disney World Resort offers more than 24,500 guestrooms
in four categories -- Disney Value, Disney Moderate, Disney Deluxe
and Disney Deluxe Villas. For tent-campers to RVers, there are also
784 campsites. There are categories to accommodate that whole range
of "budgets."
A standard room at a Value resort can cost only 27 to 39 percent as
much as a standard room at a Deluxe resort. Value resort rooms
during a designated Value Season start at $82 per night.
Furthermore, the largest single room category is Value -- more than
8,400 rooms. That's more than 35 percent of the total Disney resort
rooms. And most guestrooms can sleep up to four persons.
Selecting a room location
All rooms under the same roof aren't priced the same. Standard may
have to do with nothing more than the view out the window.
Furnishings and amenities of a Standard room may be identical to
those of a Preferred room -- perhaps a water-view, garden-view or
pool-view room.
If the view out the window is important to you, remember that the
enhanced view frequently comes at a higher price. If managing the
budget is more important, ask about Standard view or Standard room.
The difference in rate may be $10 a night or more.
Special-value packages
Specials are sometimes offered. By checking at
mickeyvacations.com
it's sometimes possible to save money and/or get extra value.
More about Disney resort benefits
- The magic never ends when a
guest stays in a Walt Disney World resort.
- Disney Value resorts offer the
magic and service plus all the general benefits of staying at a
Disney resort ... at a great value.
- With their whimsical decor and
uniquely shaped pools, Disney Value resorts offer guests a fun
and exciting stay with classic Disney theming.
- There's no additional charge for
kids 17 and under staying in the guestroom.
- The Disney transportation
throughout Disney property available to resort guests provides a
hassle-free way to go back and forth from the theme parks all
day long.
- The Extra Magic Hours benefit --
each day one of the theme parks opens one hour early or stays
open three hours later, providing exclusive time for Disney
resort guests to experience select attractions. Also, both
Disney water parks open one hour early daily for guests at
select Disney resort hotels. A valid theme park or water park
ticket and resort ID are required.
- Guests staying "in the park" get
entry into the theme parks when guest parking lots are at
capacity.
- With their resort ID card,
guests can make charges to their hotel account at most locations
across the property.
- Resort guests who want to make
arrangements for golf get preferred tee times for Disney's
award-winning courses.
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