Use Marriott Points to Stay on Property at Disney World
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World is exciting, but the costs can quickly add up. One way to ease the financial burden of getting to Walt Disney World theme parks while still getting the thrill of on-property benefits is by using Marriott Bonvoy points to stay on Disney property.
This strategy allows you to enjoy proximity to the parks, luxurious amenities, and the reliability of Marriott service, all while making the most of your hard-earned points (and limiting cash spending). Marriott offers 3 hotels that are considered on-property at Disney World: The Marriot Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, Marriott Walt Disney World Swan, and Marriott Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotels.
Use Marriott Points to Stay on Property at Disney World
Why Stay at Marriott Hotels on Disney Property?
Staying on Disney property offers numerous benefits, such as quick access to the parks, early theme park entry privileges, and complimentary transportation to all theme parks including Disney Springs. You also get the perks associated with Deluxe Disney Resorts such as free parking at Disney Theme parks and extended evening theme park hours (on select nights).
In addition, guests will be able to reserve lightning lane selections 7 days prior to your visit, and non-Disney resort guests can reserve 3 days prior to a theme park ticket. However, staying on property can also be quite costly if paying with cash. This is where Marriott Bonvoy points offer the perks of getting on-property benefits at a fraction of the cost.
Marriott hotels on Disney property provide these perks along with the opportunity to use Marriott Bonvoy points, making them a smart choice for both budget-conscious travelers and those seeking the benefits of an on-property experience.
How to Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points
Before diving into how to use your points, it’s important to understand how to earn them. Here are some effective strategies:
Marriott Credit Cards: Sign up for a Marriott Bonvoy credit card, such as the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card or Marriott Bevy which offers a generous welcome bonus and points for every dollar spent.
Hotel Stays: Earn points by staying at Marriott properties. Points are typically awarded based on your spending, and elite-status members can earn even more.
Transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards: If you have a Chase credit card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can transfer these points to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
Shopping and Dining: Earn additional points through Marriott's shopping and dining partners or by using the Marriott Bonvoy credit card at restaurants and other businesses.
Maximize earning points by charging all of your everyday spending to travel reward cards. If you are not charging an expense to your travel reward card… you are missing out on travel benefits.
Marriott Hotels on Disney Property
Each hotel has various differences among them, such as double versus queen beds, proximity to amenities, etc… more about each hotel in a later post. The 3 hotels are located at an ideal location within walking distance of Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios, giving easy access for park-goers.
It can be nice not to wait for transportation at the end of the day or when trying to rope drop. The hotels offer an optimal mix of entertainment options including several crystal blue pools, a game room, health clubs, and world-class restaurants. All 3 hotels offer a complimentary shuttle bus to the Walt Disney World parks.
Points Cost: Redemption rates typically range from 50,000 to 70,000 points per night, depending on the season and availability.
Why It’s Worth It: The location is unbeatable, and you get Disney perks like Early Park Entry. With the new Disney lightning lane system, being on property has significant perks. Plus, the resorts offer high-end dining and luxurious amenities.
There are a few downsides to these hotels. The Marriott on-property hotels are not eligible for the dining plan, since they technically are not Walt Disney World Resort hotels. In addition, Marriott does charge a resort fee plus tax of approximately $51 per night.
The 3 hotels also charge a nightly parking fee (currently $36 for self-parking), however, you do get the benefit of free parking at the theme parks if you are staying at the Swan, Swan Reserve, or Dolphin. While booking these hotels on points will save you a ton of money compared to paying cash for an on-property resort, there is a cash outlay of at least $50 per night plus parking if you have a car. So if you are looking for a truly free hotel stay, there are wonderful Marriott hotels that are off property and do not charge a resort fee.
Tips for Maximizing Your Points
Book Early: Marriott’s point redemption rates fluctuate based on demand, so it’s wise to book as early as possible to secure the best rate.
Look for Off-Peak Rates: If your travel dates are flexible, consider staying during off-peak times when point redemption rates are lower.
Stay for multiple of 5 nights: Marriott offers the 5th night free for all stays booked completely on points.
Use PointSavers: Occasionally, Marriott offers PointSavers deals, which reduce the number of points needed for a stay at select hotels. Keep an eye out for these offers to save even more.
Take Advantage of Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status: If you have elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, you can enjoy additional perks such as room upgrades, late checkout, and enhanced point earnings on your paid stays, which can make your points go even further.
Take advantage of Sign-up Bonuses: Be strategic with your credit card choices. After meeting the spending minimum for one card’s sign-up bonus, consider applying for your next travel rewards card that earns Marriott points (or other type of travel reward).
Take advantage of a travel partner: Utilize a partner to maximize your travel rewards. This strategy allows both you and your partner to earn the sign-up bonus on the same type of travel card. For example, if you sign up for the American Express Marriott Bevy card, meet the minimum spending requirement, and earn the sign-up bonus, your partner can then sign up for the same card and earn the bonus too. Just ensure that you don't add your partner as an authorized user on your account, as this could disqualify them from earning their own sign-up bonus.
Using Marriott Bonvoy points to stay at Marriott hotels on Disney property is a savvy way to enjoy the magic of Magic Kingdom without breaking the bank. Whether you’re looking for a luxury retreat or a budget-friendly option, there’s a Marriott property that fits your needs.
By earning points through various channels and redeeming them strategically, you can make your Disney vacation both memorable and affordable. So start planning your trip to the most magical place, and get ready to experience the best of Disney and Marriott. A family vacation with memorable moments can easily be had on a budget thanks to Marriott Bonvoy.
