Marriott Bonvoy Points Guide for Disney World | Book Free Stays
Guide to Marriott Points for Disney World Vacation
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Planning a Walt Disney World Resort vacation? Whether you’re traveling with kids or looking for a magical experience for adults alike, staying at a Marriott hotel near Disney World can be a game-changer.
Marriott offers incredible savings that let you save on hotel stays while still enjoying the wonders of Disney’s theme parks, world-class dining, and endless entertainment. With options both on-property and nearby in Orlando, Florida, you can take advantage of top-tier perks like Early Park Entry, complimentary transportation, and even priority tee times at select Disney golf courses.
A Disney World vacation is one of the best experiences in life—but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Let’s dive in and uncover the smartest ways to experience Walt Disney World Resort!
How to Earn and Use Marriott Bonvoy Points for Walt Disney World Resort
A trip to Walt Disney World Resort can be a fun and magical experience for kids and adults alike, but it often comes with a hefty price tag. Family time at Disney World does not have to cost a fortune. With the right strategy, you can book your dream hotel stay and unlock perks like 5th Night Free and Free Night Certificates to maximize savings. Finding the perfert place to stay during your visit to Disney World can take time. However, once you find the ideal place to stay using points, it can make your visit to Disney World even more magical.
Why Marriott Bonvoy is the Perfect Choice for Disney Trips
The Marriott Bonvoy program is an excellent way to save on your Disney World family vacation. With hotels both on Walt Disney World Resort property and nearby in Orlando, Florida, stay near the Walt Disney World theme parks without the high price tag.
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On-Property Marriott Hotels with Disney Perks
Marriott offers several Disney on-property hotels where guests can use points and still enjoy many Disney advantages. These hotels include:
Guests staying at these hotels enjoy exclusive Disney World perks equivalent to a deluxe Disney World Resort guest, such as:
Prime Location: Walk or take a short boat ride to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Early Park Entry: Get into the theme parks before regular visitors and enjoy extended evening hours
Free Transportation: Complimentary shuttles to all Walt Disney World theme parks
Luxury Amenities: Spacious rooms, world-class pools, entertainment for adults and kids, shopping and top-tier dining options for the whole family. Guests also get to enjoy tee times at various Disney golf courses.
Pro Tip: Even when using points, these hotels require a nightly resort fee. However, they still offer great value compared to paying cash.
These properties offer a fun Disney resort experience for your vacation with the added flexibility of booking with points. Being able to walk to some of the theme parks like Epcot is a big perk. Note: These hotels charge a resort fee, even for stays booked entirely with points.
Other Marriott Hotels Near Walt Disney World Resort
In addition to on-property options, Marriott offers a range of nearby properties with excellent amenities and activities to keep the magic going on your vacation even when you leave the theme parks. Some Marriott hotels with a short drive o the theme parks include:
Marriott’s Imperial Palms Villas – Spacious suites, ideal for families
Orlando World Center Marriott – Resort-style pool and waterslides
Marriott’s Cypress Harbour Villas – Perfect for extended stays
These hotels offer family-friendly amenities, such as shopping, large pools, and fun entertainment for kids and adults. Plus, some Marriott Vacation Club properties have no resort fees, making them a fantastic choice for a Walt Disney World vacation.
We stayed at Marriott Imperial Palms Villa and had so much space for our family. Best yet, these are great options for completely free bookings as there are no resort or parking fees. Guests can use the amenties and enjoy the entertainment at nearby Orlando World Center Marriott.
Whether you stay at the Swan, Swan Reserve, or Dolphin hotels—or one of the many nearby Marriott hotels—Marriott Bonvoy points make it easy to save on lodging, so you can spend more on the magic.
How to Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points for Free Disney Stays
There are several ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and make your Disney World stay and vacation even more rewarding:
1. Stay at Marriott Properties
Earn points on every stay at Marriott hotels, with elite members getting even higher earning rates.
2. Use Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
Maximize your rewards with Marriott co-branded credit cards, which often include a welcome offer and bonus points:
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Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card – No annual fee, great for beginners
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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card – Mid-tier card with an annual Free Night Certificate (35,000 points).
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Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card – Includes Gold Elite Status and extra earning power. Free night award after spending $15,000 in a calendar year.
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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card – Premium card with Platinum Elite status and an 85,000-point Free Night Certificate
Pro Tip: Apply for a lower-tier card first to ensure you qualify for welcome bonuses on multiple cards over time.
3. Transfer Points from Other Programs
Did you know you can transfer points to Marriott Bonvoy from other travel rewards programs?
You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio, allowing you to top off your Marriott points balance. Marriott also partners with Chase Ultimate Rewards, which transfer at the same 1:1 ratio for even more flexibility.
This flexibility allows you to top off your balance when booking your Disney trip.
Additional Tips for Maximizing Marriott Bonvoy Points
The “Person 2 Strategy”
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If you share expenses with a partner, have them apply for their own card instead of adding them as an authorized user. This allows both of you to earn separate welcome bonuses, effectively doubling your rewards.
Use Credit Card Bonus Categories:
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Marriott cards offer bonus points on everyday spending categories like dining, grocery stores, and gas stations. Check your card’s benefits to maximize your earning potential.
Key Marriott Bonvoy Perks for Disney Travelers
Fifth Night Free on Points
Marriott Bonvoy offers a 5th Night Free benefit when you redeem points for a 5-night award stay. This perk is available to all members and is a great way to stretch your points for more free nights. Note, that Marriott the 5th night free, must be consecutive nights.
Example:
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A hotel requiring 40,000 points per night would cost 160,000 points for a 5-night stay instead of 200,000 points.
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Combine this with Free Night Certificates for even bigger savings!
Free Night Certificates
Free Night Certificates are among the most valuable perks of the Marriott Bonvoy program. Here’s how you can earn them:
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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card: Receive a Free Night Certificate annually, redeemable for stays up to 85,000 points, plus another certificate by spending $60,000 annually.
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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card: Get an annual Free Night Certificate redeemable for stays up to 35,000 points.
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Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card: Earn a Free Night Certificate by spending $15,000 in a calendar year.
Pro Tip: Combine Free Night Certificates with points redemptions for extended stays. Couples can also maximize value if both partners have Marriott Bonvoy cards, doubling your certificates.
Tips for Maximizing Marriott Bonvoy Benefits for Disney Vacations
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Stack Free Night Certificates with Points: Use certificates for expensive nights and points for additional nights to maximize value.
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Leverage the “5th Night Free” Perk: Extend your Disney vacation while saving thousands of points.
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Book Early: Award availability at popular Orlando hotels, including the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve, can be limited. Plan ahead of time for your vacation.
Want to see which Marriott hotels near Disney are worth booking with points? Check out our full guide to the best Marriott stays near Disney World, including options that work with free night certificates and fifth-night-free bookings.
Final Thoughts: How Marriott Bonvoy Can Help You Save on a Disney World Vacation
Using Marriott Bonvoy points strategically can make your Walt Disney World Resort vacation much more affordable. Whether you visit the Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve, or choose another Marriott hotel in Orlando, you’ll enjoy a comfortable visit, fun activities, and easy access to the theme parks.
Ready to turn your dream Disney vacation into a reality? Book your Marriott Disney World vacation today and start earning points for even more magical wonders!
Want to stretch your Marriott points even further?
Use cashback portals like Rakuten or TopCashback to buy Disney gift cards or stack savings on extras like travel gear. Check out our full guide to Disney cashback stacking.
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I’m a CPA, mom of two, and the creator of Points to Magic. I help people use points to save thousands of dollars on Disney vacations.
