Why Marriott is the most effective resort model for theme park followers

Perhaps it is simply me, however planning my household’s theme park holidays brings me nearly as a lot pleasure as the holiday itself. I do not go overboard planning out a structured itinerary for each minute of our journey, however selecting which parks we’ll go to every day and the place we’ll keep provides to the thrill of our theme park visits.

With regards to deciding on a resort, my first determination is all the time whether or not to remain on or off the park property. The advantages of staying at an on-site resort at locations like Disney World or Common Orlando are apparent – proximity to the parks, immersive theming and facilities like complimentary transportation and early theme park entry that additional improve your trip.

Theme park motels may be dear, nonetheless. And, apart from just a few artful workarounds, it is tough to earn or redeem factors and miles to cowl the price of your keep. Nevertheless, there are a number of factors properties adjoining to most main theme parks that mix the most effective of each worlds.

In my in depth expertise visiting theme parks (nearly too in depth, some might say), I’ve discovered that I most frequently flip to Marriott properties after I select an off-site resort. Listed below are my prime causes for why, together with just a few of my favourite Marriotts close to Disney and Common theme parks.

Handy areas

You is perhaps stunned to study that some off-property motels are literally nearer to the parks than their on-property counterparts. Due to its expansive measurement, that is significantly true at Walt Disney World.

The Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve motels are inside strolling distance of two Disney World theme parks — Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot. Outdoors of the Magic Kingdom and BoardWalk resorts, even Disney’s personal motels usually are not inside strolling distance of its theme parks.

As an added bonus, some rooms on the Swan and Dolphin motels even have views of Disney’s nightly fireworks exhibits.

Disneyland has a a lot smaller footprint than Disney World. All of Disneyland’s on-site motels are inside straightforward strolling distance of the parks – however due to its small measurement, so are a number of properties close to the parks.

The Westin Anaheim Resort; Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance; JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort; and Fairfield Anaheim Resort are all a 10- to 15-minute stroll from Disneyland’s entrance gates.

Common Studios Hollywood would not have any on-site motels (but), however the Sheraton Common Lodge is simply throughout the road from the walkway that results in the parks. You may get to the principle safety entrance in 10 minutes or much less and you do not have to take care of discovering (or paying for) a parking spot.

Preferable pricing

I am not telling you something you do not know after I say that theme park motels can carry a hefty price ticket. Certain, you’ll be able to snag the occasional Disney World resort low cost, however a number of the Marriott properties close to the parks have persistently decrease pricing than you may discover on-site.

Take the Renaissance Orlando Resort & Spa, for instance. This just lately renovated Disney Springs resort has rooms that vary from $149 to $189 per night time (plus a every day $45 resort price). The resort often runs particular provides that may carry the nightly price underneath $130. When redeeming factors, you’ll be able to anticipate to pay about 30,000 to 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per night time.

Associated: The perfect Disney Springs motels with charges as little as $98

This resort’s money pricing is akin to a Worth Disney resort like Disney’s All-Star Films Resort or Disney’s Pop Century Resort, the place pricing averages between $125 and $200 per night time. However the facilities and decor lean nearer to a Reasonable Disney resort, which you’d pay no less than $100 extra per night time for.

Theme park perks

There are particular advantages you’ll be able to anticipate once you keep on-site at a theme park like Disney World. You may get into the parks earlier than different company, use free bus transportation to the parks (or park your automobile without spending a dime for those who drive) and luxuriate in enjoyable theming.

Associated: Causes to remain at a Walt Disney World Resort property

However you do not have to remain on the property to reap these similar rewards.

Theme park transportation

Even the main factors motels that are not inside strolling distance of a theme park sometimes provide complimentary transportation for his or her company, identical to you’d get for those who have been staying on-site.

Along with being walkable to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, you too can make the most of the Swan and Dolphin’s water taxi to get to each parks or take the complimentary shuttle to get to Disney’s different theme parks and Disney Springs.

Equally, regardless of its walkability, the Sheraton Common Lodge gives complimentary shuttle transportation to Common Studios Hollywood. The shuttle picks up on the resort’s entrance door about each quarter-hour, which is extra handy than some off-site motels that require you to make a reservation to make use of the shuttle.

Enjoyable decor and theming

At theme parks like Disneyland, you’ll be able to select from motels with basic Disney characters, just like the Disneyland Lodge, or ones with nods to extra fashionable movies, like Pixar Place Lodge. The identical is true for motels within the surrounding space.

On the Fairfield Anaheim, visitor rooms have giant wall murals depicting iconic items of Disney historical past like Sleeping Magnificence Citadel and the Walt Disney Studios water tower.

One among my favourite options of the Sheraton Common Lodge was the classic images of Common Studios Hollywood and the backlot movie studio.

Despite the fact that these properties might not have in depth theming, the delicate touches assist to maintain you immersed within the expertise. Along with paintings, these properties sometimes have present outlets with licensed Disney or Common merchandise and ticket desks with associates who can help with theme park questions and ticket purchases.

Get a head begin on the parks

Early entry is often a perk reserved for on-site resort company, however the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin motels and the Disney Springs motels are in a novel place of being thought-about official Disney World motels in relation to that profit.

Associated: A magical information for the best way to plan a visit to Disney World

Meaning company staying on the Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin or Swan Reserve or the Renaissance Orlando can enter any of Disney World’s 4 theme parks half-hour previous to the posted opening time. This profit may give you an enormous benefit over company who’ve to attend till the official opening time to begin their day.

Household-friendly facilities

In case you are planning a theme park trip longer than two days, I often advise taking a half day or full day away from the parks to relaxation and recharge. Even for those who choose to squeeze in as many rides as attainable, you could have some additional time in your arrival or departure days to benefit from the resort facilities.

That is one space the place Marriott properties actually shine … generally even brighter than official theme park motels. The Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance has a kid-friendly water park that rivals that of any official Disneyland resort, with waterslides, a pool and a splash playground.

Gaylord Palms’ Cypress Springs water park is virtually a theme park in and of itself. This 3-acre water park has seven waterslides, a fast-moving “motion river,” an enormous splash playground, a surf simulator and two swimming swimming pools.

Gaylord Palms provides a complete host of different family-friendly actions, together with the model’s signature vacation occasion, “Ice!,” a self-guided augmented actuality scavenger hunt, and weekly fish and alligator feedings.

Down the highway on the Orlando World Heart Marriott, you’ll be able to benefit from the three multirider waterslides and the lazy river at River Falls Water Park, relax on the Falls Pool Oasis lagoon-style pool and splash pad throughout the day, and attend poolside films, pool events with actual mermaids or watch a laser mild present from the pool or the consolation of your balcony within the night.

And the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa (additionally close to Disney World) has two heated swimming pools, a whirlpool, pool cabanas and an “Exercise Backyard” with minigolf, a rock wall, garden video games, health lessons, and an indoor children membership.

Rewarding loyalty advantages

The easiest way to reap the rewards of staying at a Marriott property close to a theme park is by becoming a member of the free Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. This lets you earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy factors once you stick with taking part properties and benefit from discounted charges, the flexibility to share factors between members of the family, make the most of cellular check-in and cellular key, and get your fifth night time free on award stays.

Whereas it is free to enroll in a Marriott Bonvoy membership, you get higher perks as you progress by means of the upper elite ranges.

As a Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite member, you will get bonus factors earnings, designated check-in lanes, a 2 p.m. late checkout (so you’ll be able to squeeze in just a bit extra park time), room upgrades, welcome presents and extra. These are issues I’ve by no means gotten when staying at an official theme park resort.

Room upgrades are depending on availability, however I have been upgraded from an ordinary view room to an atrium view at Gaylord and from an ordinary room to at least one with a balcony overlooking the resort on the Walt Disney World Swan resort.

Associated: Greatest Marriott bank cards

You may fast-track your method to elite standing with considered one of a number of bank cards that include computerized Marriott Silver, Gold or Platinum elite standing as a cardholder perk:

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless comes with an annual 35,000-point certificates that may assist to considerably cut back the price of your resort keep, and probably even cowl an evening at a resort just like the Walt Disney World Swan.

The knowledge for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit score Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy and the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful provide a 50,000-point certificates after you spend $15,000 in a cardmember yr, which you would use to cowl an evening at a location just like the JW Marriott Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa.

Backside line

You’ve gotten a number of choices when deciding on a resort to your subsequent theme park trip. Marriott is much from the one model with motels close to theme parks or with a number of the perks talked about right here.

However Marriott most impresses me with its properties close to Disney and Common parks. Marriott persistently delivers with its areas, facilities and advantages that make theme park journeys much more thrilling.

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