For me planning a vacation is part of the fun of vacation. I go over every single detail again and again, ensuring that I’ve planned the best vacation possible for my family. Where will we stay? What dessert will I eat? (Don’t judge!) Weighing the pros and cons of reasons to stay at a Disney Resort property.
For our Disney Social Media Moms Celebration trip to Walt Disney World, some of those questions were already answered for me. Part of the invitation to the celebration included a stay at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Prior to our trip and during the planning process, I shared photos of the resort with my girls, and I just couldn’t believe that all of this was real and we would be making our first trip to Disney World!
With so many travelers heading to the Orlando area for a Disney vacation, there are quite a few options for hotels. However, I am so grateful we were able to experience it fully and stay on a Disney property.
While you’re planning a Disney vacation of your own, consider these reasons to Stay at a Disney Resort Property:
5 Reasons to Stay at a Disney Resort Property
1. High Quality of Service from Cast Members
The employees, or “cast members”, of Disney locations provide first-class customer service. Upon entering Disney’s Beach Club Resort, we were greeted with the words “Welcome home.” And after checking in, it immediately did feel like home. The concierge staff was speedy, which was appreciated after a long day of travel. And a sheet of stickers for each of my children brought a smile to their exhausted faces.
2. Disney Decor (or Lack There Of)
My husband informed me that there are parents that go on Disney World vacations solely for the enjoyment of their children — not their own. If this is you, rest assured. When choosing a Disney resort, you won’t be overly saturated with Mickey-dom. With subtle nods to Mickey, the Disney properties offer an upscale environment that will still maintain the magic for children. Think of high-class without being goofy, kid-friendly without being stuffy.
We sought out hidden Mickeys and watched our favorite cartoons in the lobby. Yet, the beauty of the hotel property made for the most magical stay.
3. Hotel Amenities
Forget the stale continental breakfast and boring pool. The Disney resorts are packed full of fun. The Beach Club has one of the neatest pools I’ve seen. A pirate ship water slide offers riders a long, twisting ride through waterfalls dropping you off into one of the pools. Guests can also enjoy sand-bottom pool play or relax in inner tubes along a winding river.
We had several dining options, but everyone’s favorite was the ice cream parlor. In keeping with the Cape Cod theme of the resort, the Beaches & Cream Ice Cream Parlor transported us to the shore side boardwalks where we stuffed ourselves full of frozen yumminess, way past bedtime.
Looking back at our trip, I wished we would have scheduled an entire day to spend exclusively at the resort. Miniature golf, volleyball, and campfire activities are just some of the ways to have a little family fun during your stay at a Disney Resort property.
4. Proximity to the Parks
The Beach Club Resort is part of the EPCOT Resort Area, and is within a short walk to the park. Walking around the property, you can see various elements of the parks. EPCOT is off in the distance, the Boardwalk is just across the lake. For me, I loved being immersed in it all. Since the other parks are a bit further away, complimentary bus transportation is available.
5. Convenience for Travelers
I’m a habitutal overpacker. Add in a mountain of souvenirs and there’s no way my suitcase is going to weigh less than 50 pounds. Thankfully, the gentlemen at bell services were able to weigh my luggage for me so that I could rearrange and avoid the ghastly $100 fine for exceeding the weight limit.
Perhaps more important for travelers are two great amenities: complimentary transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport and also resort airline check-in.
We wanted to squeeze as many minutes out of our vacation as possible, so we booked the latest flight out of Orlando possible. This let us (& Stitch) have have more time in the parks. Thankfully, all of our travel was addressed for us. Prior to check out, Mickey’s Magical Express notified us of our shuttle transportation back to the airport. Bell services stored our luggage and we were checked into our flight. Having everything handled for us meant we were able to get a few extra tours through Space Mountain.
The Disney resorts range in theme and cost, but each would make a magical home for your family while visiting the parks. We adored our stay at the Beach Club Resort, but would also love to experience them all.
Which is your favorite Disney resort? I’d love to hear why in the comments section below.
Still deciding between Disneyland or Disney World? I’ve got a post for that, too. Click through to read more.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
We go to Disney every year and I would never even consider NOT staying on a Disney property. We are partial to Caribbean Beach. We have stayed there 4 times & November will be our 5th.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Staying at one of the Disney resorts is the best way to experience the Magic Kingdom hands down!
Catherine S says
We only live an hour from Disney, but we still love to stay at the Disney properties. We plan to go over and stay a couples nights in July.
Pam says
Sounds like an awesome place to stay. It’s a beautiful resort.
Alicia says
I love Disney Resorts! Before I met my husband, I went with my family (we’ve been to Disney a LOT) and we stayed at the Polynesian. I absolutely love it! This one looks awesome too!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
Staying at the Polynesian is one I am dying to stay at, but not with the kids. My husband and I want to stay there on our first solo trip.
Allison says
It sounds like such a treat to stay in one of their resorts, I can only imagine how much my family would love it! We are considering a trip to Disney now so I will look into all these options!
Liz Mays says
It’s so cool that it’s a nice place for both adults and kids. Being that close to the parks is a huge plus too.
Shop with Me Mama (Kim) says
I would LOVE to stay at a Disney resort! So beautiful and so many fun memories to make!
Shell says
I love the Beach and Yacht Clubs. The pool is the best!
Liz Mays says
Based on the photos, it really is! It looks like a lovely location!
Michelle F. says
We are definitely going to be staying at a Disney Resort when we go. There are a lot of perks.
Donna says
We’ve never been and I’m hoping in October for fall break to go… I will be looking into staying at the Disney Resort!
Amy says
I like to take the kiddos to Ohana for character breakfast but that’s it. For us, it’s not feasible to stay at resorts. Even the “affordable” ones are too expensive for our family of four. We’ve gone once to Disney and once to Universal. Both times we split renting a house with family members in a quiet neighborhood. We live in NJ, so we took a fun road trip. Grabbed breakfast at the house, packed simple lunches to take to parks and ate a couple of dinners at park or had pizza or something simple at house. In no way was our experience any less enjoyable or “magical” because we didn’t stay at a resort. And our week stays were well under $1000, including tickets, food, gas, etc because I’ve learned to shop smartly and cash in on ticket deals. I’m sure resorts are nice but there are other affordable options to enjoy Disney for those who can’t afford the resorts.
Christie says
Wow, the Beach Club Resort looks like an amazing place to stay! I definitely agree there are tons of perks of staying on Disney property!
Liz Mays says
The easy park access is what brings me back to a hotel property each and every time! I haven’t tried that location yet though!
Kristi says
Some really great reasons… and they would for sure help in the planning for anyone trying to decide if they should stay at a disney property or not.
Jeannette says
These are great reasons to stay on property! We stayed on property on our last trip and it was just so convenient! I loved being able to get to the parks quickly and not have to worry about parking!
Julie says
I’m hoping to book our first trip to Disney soon. Now I’ve got some hotel research to do!
Jeanine says
Wow this looks fantastic and like its definitely the way to go while staying down there!
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
Thanks for this information. I have never been to Disney, but my husband did when he was younger. More than once. Kiddo went last summer with her grandmother and other family members. I just have no real desire to go. I think about the money and I would rather use it to go to other places. So, posts like yours allow me to see the park without having to be there.
Ora Lee Gurr says
Our next Disney adventure will be Disneyland Anaheim. We’ve always gone the cheap route for rooms, but it’s going to be different this time. I remember living close enough to go there every weekend. Now the prices have escalated dramatically, it has to be a planned trip – and I’m making my list of everything I want to see.
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says
We are lucky to be local to Disneyland but it looks like staying in the hotels is so much fun!!
Jacqui Odell says
Sounds like a blast! My kids would probably love reason number three aka pool! LOL
Amy Desrosiers says
I have never been to Disney *yet*. I think I would choose to stay at a Disney Resort though if I did!
Susanna @Zealous Mom says
Love this! We’re already planning our Disney trip for September 2016 when the little one will be old enough to enjoy it. This post was very helpful!
Shell Feis says
We go to Disneyland on average once a year, and we haven’t stayed at a Resort property yet! I always want to, it’s just never in our budget since they are just random weekend road trip vacations. When we go to Disney World in a few years, I’m planning to stay at a Resort property the whole time!
Marina John says
This looks like an awesome place to stay! I can’t wait to visit Disney.
Ann Bacciaglia says
I am hoping to go to Disney in the next year or two. I would love to stay on the property. It looks so amazing.
Veronica says
I have never stayed at a Disney hotel. Looks like fun
Debbie L. says
Oh I agree staying at a Disney resort is part of the total experience of Disney.
Kristin says
We LOVE staying at Disney Resorts! The Contemporary is my fave so far!
Tracey says
The Beach Club Resort looks beautiful! This will definitely be where I stay when I plan my next Disney trip.
Danielle K says
Even though we live in Orlando, we love staying on Disney property! The cast members are the best and it’s so fun to visit their different hotels.
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos says
YES!! I love staying at Disney resorts on site, and this one is amazing. I still recall how great it smells in there! lol And, the cast members can’t be beat, the service is incredible!