Why Marriott is the best hotel brand for theme park fans

Perhaps it is simply me, however planning my household’s theme park holidays brings me virtually 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 are going to go to every day and the place we are going to keep provides to the thrill of our theme park visits.

With regards to deciding on a resort, my first choice is at all times 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 Universal 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 lodges may be dear, nonetheless. And, apart from a few crafty workarounds, it is tough to earn or redeem factors and miles to cowl the price of your keep. Nonetheless, 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 (virtually too in depth, some could say), I’ve discovered that I most frequently flip to Marriott properties once I select an off-site resort. Listed below are my prime causes for why, together with a number of of my favourite Marriotts close to Disney and Common theme parks.

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

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

Disneyland has a a lot smaller footprint than Disney World. All of Disneyland’s on-site lodges are inside straightforward strolling distance of the parks – however due to its small dimension, 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.

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Universal Studios Hollywood would not have any on-site lodges (but), however the Sheraton Universal Hotel 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 cope with discovering (or paying for) a parking spot.

I am not telling you something you do not know once I say that theme park lodges can carry a hefty price ticket. Certain, you may snag the occasional Disney World hotel discount, however among the Marriott properties close to the parks have constantly decrease pricing than you will 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 each day $45 resort price). The resort often runs particular gives that may carry the nightly charge underneath $130. When redeeming factors, you may anticipate to pay about 30,000 to 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per night time.

Associated: The best Disney Springs hotels with rates as low as $98

This resort’s money pricing is akin to a Worth Disney resort like Disney’s All-Star Movies 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.

Associated: Reasons to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort property

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

Theme park transportation

Even the foremost factors lodges that are not inside strolling distance of a theme park usually supply complimentary transportation for his or her friends, identical to you’d get for those who had been staying on-site.

Along with being walkable to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, you may also 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 Resort offers complimentary shuttle transportation to Universal Studios Hollywood. The shuttle picks up on the resort’s entrance door about each quarter-hour, which is extra handy than some off-site lodges that require you to make a reservation to make use of the shuttle.

Enjoyable decor and theming

At theme parks like Disneyland, you may select from lodges with traditional Disney characters, just like the Disneyland Resort, or ones with nods to extra trendy movies, like Pixar Place Hotel. The identical is true for lodges within the surrounding space.

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

Considered one of my favourite options of the Sheraton Common Resort was the classic images of Common Studios Hollywood and the backlot movie studio.

Although these properties could not have in depth theming, the refined touches assist to maintain you immersed within the expertise. Along with paintings, these properties usually have reward 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 usually a perk reserved for on-site resort friends, however the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin lodges and the Disney Springs lodges are in a singular place of being thought of official Disney World lodges on the subject of that profit.

Associated: A magical guide for how to plan a trip to Disney World

Which means friends 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 friends who’ve to attend till the official opening time to start out 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 want to squeeze in as many rides as potential, you could have some further time in your arrival or departure days to benefit from the resort facilities.

That is one space the place Marriott properties actually shine … typically even brighter than official theme park lodges. 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 gives an entire 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 Middle Marriott, you may 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 through the day, and attend poolside motion pictures, pool events with actual mermaids or watch a laser gentle 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.

One of the simplest ways 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 collaborating properties and reap the benefits of discounted charges, the power to share factors between relations, 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 join a Marriott Bonvoy membership, you get higher perks as you progress by 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 may 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: Best Marriott credit cards

You’ll be able to fast-track your method to elite standing with certainly one of a number of bank cards that include computerized Marriott Silver, Gold or Platinum elite status as a cardholder perk:

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless comes with an annual 35,000-point certificate that may assist to considerably scale back the price of your resort keep, and doubtlessly 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 supplied by the cardboard issuer.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy and the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful supply a 50,000-point certificate after you spend $15,000 in a cardmember 12 months, which you would use to cowl an evening at a location just like the JW Marriott Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa.