joanne
March 15th, 2005, 17:17
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
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 24,000 guest rooms in four categories -- Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Disney Vacation Club. 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 $77 per night.
Furthermore, the largest single room category is Value -- more than 8,600 rooms. That's more than 35 percent of the total Disney Resort rooms. And most guest rooms 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 disneyworld.com (http://www.disneyworld.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's 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's 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 guest room.
The Disney transportation throughout the 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 guests with a valid theme park ticket and Resort I.D. to experience select attractions.
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 99 Holes of Golf.
Meticulously themed environments created by Walt Disney Imagineering
"Disney Magic" served up 24 hours a day
Exclusive time in the theme parks
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 24,000 guest rooms in four categories -- Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Disney Vacation Club. 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 $77 per night.
Furthermore, the largest single room category is Value -- more than 8,600 rooms. That's more than 35 percent of the total Disney Resort rooms. And most guest rooms 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 disneyworld.com (http://www.disneyworld.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's 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's 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 guest room.
The Disney transportation throughout the 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 guests with a valid theme park ticket and Resort I.D. to experience select attractions.
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 99 Holes of Golf.