Walt Disney World Resort Benefits in 2023

Spring has finally sprung and you know what that means.  Time to make sure that your summer vacation is booked!  Now, more than ever, is the time to consider a Walt Disney World vacation.  Here are 11 Walt Disney World Resort benefits available to all onsite resort guests in 2023.  Keep reading for more details about each perk! 

1. Early Theme Park Entry
2. Extended Evening Theme Park Hours for Deluxe Resort Guests
3. Early Access to Dining Reservations
4. Early Access to Genie+ Lightning Lane Individual Attractions
5. On site Disney Transportation
6. Complimentary Parking at the Resorts and Theme Parks 
7. Staying at a Disney Resort Saves you Time
8. Great Pools
9. Dining
10. Resort Recreation
11. Discounted Magic Bands

#1 Early Theme Park Entry 

This newer benefit allows Walt Disney World onsite guests to access the theme parks 30 minutes earlier than the posted opening time.  Early theme park benefits apply to all resort guests and are available daily at all four theme parks.   It’s a great use of the morning and I highly suggest all clients take advantage of this perk as you can get a lot done in Disney’s theme parks with minimal wait by “rope dropping!”    Definitely a perk to staying onsite!

#2 Extended Evening Theme Park Hours

This new benefit only applies to guests of Disney deluxe resorts and Disney deluxe villa resorts.   After closing, select parks offer extended theme park hours on special evenings. Extended hours allow specific guests to stay at certain parks for an extra time after the park close.   These evenings are currently offered twice weekly; once for Magic Kingdom and once for Epcot.   In the past, there have been a limited number of evenings offered at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well. You can view the list of applicable resorts and the schedule here on Disney’s site.

An additional perk of this is an Extra Opportunity to Join the Virtual Queue.
At 6:00 PM on extended evening theme park hours nights at EPCOT, Guests staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort, Disney Deluxe Villa Resort or other select hotels will have an additional opportunity to request to join the virtual queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

#3 Early Access to Dining Reservations

Everyone can make advance dining reservations up to 60 days in advance.  However, every Disney hotel guest can make reservations 60 days in advance of their check in date, plus the number of days they are staying.  Have a week-long trip planned? Then, you can start making reservations 60 days out for all your vacation days.  While this might not sound like a huge advantage, it is when securing some of those coveted Disney dining reservation like Topolino’s Terrace, Storybook Dining at  Artist Point with Snow White and Cinderella’s Royal Table.  Both which were just named to Travel and Leisure’s Top 25 Restaurants in Walt Disney World  

Here’s a list of Walt Disney World restaurants that need an advanced dining reservation.

In addition, this same practice applies to Disney’s Enchanting Extras.   You can view the different options here on Disney’s site.  Again, a huge help when trying to score those coveted reservations!

#4 Early Access to Genie+ Individual Lightning Lane Attractions

Disney Genie+ is a service that all Walt Disney World guests can purchase on the morning of their park day but there is an extra perk for guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort.  Disney resort guests can begin purchasing their two individual Lightning Lane attractions starting at 7:00 a.m. EST on the day of their park visit whereas guests not staying at a Disney Resort have to wait until park opening to purchase Lightning Lane attractions.  You can view the complete list of Lightning Lane attractions here on Disney’s site and please note that these selections can change from time to time.

#5 Transportation

For guests staying at on site Disney resorts, Disney offers a variety of free transportation around its property. Depending on the Disney resort there are different and unique options for traveling around.  You may have access to one or more of the following forms of transportation:

• Buses
• Monorail
• Watercraft
• Skyliner
• Minnie Van

While Disney transportation is available to anyone visiting Walt Disney World, it offers a considerable advantage for resort guests being able to leave their resort door and travel with Disney’s assistance, within the “Disney bubble.”.  The normal worries of travel are a nonissue as a resort guest.  Just hop on a mode of Disney transportation and you’re enjoying your vacation while quickly and efficiently being transported back to your Disney resort.

#6 Complimentary Parking at the Resorts and Theme Parks

Should you decide to take your own vehicle to Walt Disney World, there is no charge for overnight parking.  Compared to the resorts in the area, this is a huge perk.  Disney also offers free parking for all of their resort guests at their theme parks.  

#7 Staying at a Disney Resort Saves you Time

A huge advantage of staying at a Disney Resort is that you can quickly and relatively easily get back to your resort whenever you want to return.  Traveling between the theme parks and your resort will not take up too much of your vacation.  Many resorts are even walkable from some theme parks.  As traffic does become heavier as you leave the Disney property, it’s nice to not have to worry about leaving Walt Disney World to return to your resort.  The Disney property is easy to navigate as there are clear signs everywhere, multiple lanes and minimal traffic lights.

#8 Great Pools

All of Disney’s pools are elaborately themed to match the décor of their resort.   Follow a babbling brook to find Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort’s heated pool or make a splash with Nemo and friends at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort!

While each resort is different, you may find waterslides, kids’ water play areas, hot tubs and “quiet” pools.   Most days, fun pool activities are run by cast members.  Make sure to get a resort activities schedule at check in.  Disney resort pools are the place to be mid afternoon and cast members really ensure all feel that Disney magic and fun- poolside!

#9 Tons of Dining Options

So many different dining options are available within Walt Disney World.  You can plan anything from eating dinner while watching animals on the African Savannah at Sanaa to enjoying breakfast inside Cinderella’s Castle.  Staying on Disney property allows you to reach these restaurants easier, giving you more time to enjoy your dining experience. 

You can also consider Disney Springs which is an easy bus or boat ride, depending on where you stay.  The restaurants at this outdoor shopping oasis are plentiful!  Click here for all of the dining available just at Disney Springs!

#10 Resort Recreation

Disney resorts are known for their plethora of onsite recreation and activities.   Did you know that you can horseback ride in Walt Disney World? 

While each Disney resort offers a unique assortment of options to keep all entertained, every resort offers a Movies Under The Stars, inviting all to watch Disney movies together, usually after a campfire!

#11 Discounted Magic Bands

Disney offers a discounted “pre-arrival” price for Magic Bands to guests who are staying at their resorts. You can select colors, characters, and even add your name.

With so many benefits to staying in Walt Disney World, it’s easy to see how staying onsite will uplevel your Disney vacation!

There is still resort and theme park availability this summer and Disney is even running a promotion where you can save up to 25% on rooms!  

Reach out to Rope Drop Travel to schedule a time to talk about what your summer Disney vacation could look like.