Here at Disney Food Blog, we love staying at a Disney World Hotel when we visit Disney World!

Staying at a hotel on Disney World property has so many benefits and added perks! The best part is that you get to be immersed in the Disney bubble for your whole trip! Gen Z is currently starting to travel on their own, and there are some misconceptions that they might have about staying at a hotel on Disney World property. But don’t worry! We are here to debunk any preconceptions about Disney World hotels!

We have seen Gen Z be trendsetters, especially around Disney World! Gen Z has normalized wearing athleisure to the parks and even started to bring back the bucket hat trend. Gen Z also brought the fanny pack, or should we say belt bag, back into style, and it is now a go-to bag for people who visit the parks! While Gen Z seems to be taking over Disney World in the fashion sector, there are some common misconceptions Gen Z has when it comes to “splurging” and staying at a Disney World resort. We polled some of the Gen Z members of our team to see what they thought.

“Staying at a Disney World Hotel is Not a Good Value”

There are many resorts right outside of Disney World that you could choose to stay at, like those at Flamingo Crossings Town Center. While these off-site hotels can be cheaper, they do not include all the added benefits that you would get if you stayed at a Disney World hotel.

If you are looking to get a head start on your day in the parks, those staying at Disney World hotels can enter the parks 30 minutes early each day for Early Morning Entry. These 30 minutes might not seem like a big deal, but entering the park before the general public can be a great way to get on a popular ride before the park opens!

Every Ride Open During Early Theme Park Entry!

If you are more of a night owl, those who stay at a Deluxe Resort can also partake in Extended Evening Hours. Throughout the week, certain parks are open an additional two hours past closing and are only open to Deluxe Resort guests. This means fewer people in the park, shorter wait times, and the super cool feeling of being at Disney World late at night. This can be a huge perk for those who don’t want to wait in long lines during the day and maybe even want to sleep in!

Plus, starting next year, Disney World will be giving each person who stays at a Disney World hotel a free water park ticket to use on their check-in day! This ticket can be used at either Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park or Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, depending on which park is open. This added benefit is a great way to spend your time while you wait for your room to be ready! When booking a trip to Disney World, a water park day is not always on people’s agenda due to money or time restraints, so this added perk is all the more reason to considering booking a hotel on Disney World property to take advantage of this new hotel perk!

“Transportation Won’t Be an Issue if I Stay Off-Property”

A majority of Gen Z still can not rent a rental car as those wishing to rent a car must be 25. This age restriction can make it hard for Gen Z to vacation and have their own form of transportation. This is why many Gen Zers rely on Uber or Lyft to take them around during their vacations.

 

Another great perk of staying at a Disney World hotel is FREE transportation. That is right, you can ride a Disney bus, a monorail, the Skyliner, or even a watercraft, all for FREE! Disney World hotel guests do not have to worry about having their own car and having to navigate the property themselves, instead, they can have Disney World Cast Members take them around the resort using all these different modes of transportation!

If you are Gen Z and worried about how to get to and from the airport, you can catch a ride on Mears Connect, which is an airport shuttle to and from the Disney World hotels. While this transportation is not free, it is still a simple and easier way to get to Disney World from the airport. If you are looking for an even cheaper way to get to and from the Orlando Airport, check out the link below!

Wait, There is a Way to Get to and From the Orlando Airport for $2?

“Disney World is Only for Families”

It is easy to think that Disney World is only for families with children and to worry that your hotel is going to feel like it is all for kids if you stay at a Disney World hotel. While Disney World does offer hotels that are heavily themed, like Disney’s Art of Animation Resort or Disney’s All-Star Resorts, there are two other categories of hotels that could suit Gen Z’s needs better. 

Value resorts like the ones mentioned above are truly great value and can offer some of the cheapest hotel rates around the Disney World property. Moderate resorts can better suit Gen Z, who have not yet started a family and want the convenience of staying near Disney World without the heavy theming.

Moderate resorts like Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort can be great options for Gen Z. These resorts are in the middle tier of Disney Resorts and have hints of Disney theming. These resorts are a step up in budget from a Value resort but can feel a little more elevated. 

Here is the full list of Moderate Resorts at Disney World and some benefits of each:

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

• Home to Three Bridges Bar and Grill which is a great place to grab a bite to eat in a covered outdoor setting.
• Home to Toledo which offers amazing tapas and picturesque views of Disney World.
• Has an option to stay in the Gran Destino Tower which is closer to bus stops, restaurants, and shopping.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

• Tropical theming for a relaxing vacation vibe.
• Home to the Skyliner Hub Station offering direct routes to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios without any need to transfer.
• Home to Sebastian’s Bistro, one of our favorite restaurants!

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside

• Free boat transportation to and from Disney Springs.
• Home to Boatwright’s Dining Hall which is a hidden gem of dining at Disney World.
• You can see the icon, Yehaa Bob Jackson typically perform Wednesday through Saturday evenings at River Roost.

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort French Quarter

• Home to Mickey Beignets!
• Boat transportation to and from Disney Springs
• Themed to the French Quarter in New Orleans

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Cabins

• Boat transportation to and from Magic Kingdom.
• Can feel private since you get your own cabin.
• Home to Pioneer Hall famous for their fried chicken and Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue!

If you are looking for a hotel room for two, Disney has started to offer rooms made with couples in mind! At Disney’s Riveria Resort, those who are traveling as a duo can stay in a Tower Studio, which can sleep two adults and an infant. When the Island Tower part of Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows opens in December, they will offer Duo Studio rooms that are also meant for parties of two. Bookings are now available for those wishing to book a stay at Disney World’s soon-to-be newest hotel!

While the two rooms above are at hotels in the Deluxe category, it is easy to think that Gen Z can not afford to stay at a Deluxe Hotel, but there is a cheaper way for them to do so!

“Deluxe Hotels Cost $1000s”

Deluxe resorts are the most expensive tier of hotels at Disney World, and they can seem to be out of Gen Z’s budget, but this is not the case.

While prices are very high, there is an awesome hack that anyone can use to make staying at a Deluxe resort more affordable! Our friends over at Dave’s DVC Rentals can help you rent points to be able to stay at a Disney Vacation Club Villa at a Deluxe resort! This hack can save you money and can help you splurge on a nicer hotel without having to break the bank!

Disney World is for everyone and that goes for its hotels as well! While Gen Z may have its doubts

Are you Gen Z? Do you like to stay on property at Disney World? Let us know in the comments!