Want To Go To Disney? The Reasons to Stay Directly On Property

Recently for a milestone birthday celebration, I insisted that we splurge a little and cross off my bucket list a stay in a Moderate or Deluxe resort.  But now I realize that there is so much value in staying in a Disney Resort, and it is well worth the extra dollars you may have to spend.  Here are my reasons why.

1. The Magical Express service that takes you to your resort is not only very efficient, but it starts the magic off immediately.   That along with the fact that on some partnered domestic airlines you can check in your luggage and not have to see it until you arrive in your resort room, or upon arrival at your return destination.  Plus, this transportation service is included with your stay, saving you quite a bit on either a shuttle, taxi or rental car.                      
2. We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside, and the resort was beautiful and wonderfully themed to the very last detail in the room, even the music on the Disney buses.  Our bed looked like it was actually made out tree logs. You feel that you are in the Magic 24 / 7.                                                
3. You are staying in a true resort, with a themed large and lovely smaller pools, and activity options including evening movies under the stars, campfires and on site dining choices.  You could easily enjoy staying for a week and not go to a park.                                                                  
4. The Disney transportation system is so efficient, with its buses, boats and monorails.  We lappreciated the video screens at the bus stop, that constantly updated the expected bus arrival times for each park and Disney Springs.  And I loved not having to drive into the parks, which as a child and teenager, took away some of the magic for me.                                                    
5. The ability to come back either during the day for a break, or at the end of a day in the parks, and jump into a refreshing pool.  We had the luxury of choosing the smaller one adjacent to our building, or the themed large one with a tunnel slide and poolside music, activities, hammocks, a bar and a hot tub.                                                               
6. Being able to select Fastpasses 60 days ahead instead of 30 (for just a park ticket), and all of your stay's advance dining reservations at 180 days , meant we got almost all our choices.  When we chose our Fastpasses only 30 days ahead, we found no availability at all for such rides as Soarin' and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.                                                                             
7. The riverboat cruise to Disney Springs was an excellent aspect to staying at Port Orleans Riverside.  It was so relaxing and offered interesting views.  There are several resorts that have boats that travel either to Disney Springs, or Epcot and Hollywood Studios.  Many people have expressed similar views on the monorails that service the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian resorts.              
8. The cast members were so friendly and helpful.  This even extends to the one and only Mickey Mouse, who excitedly encouraged me to wake up each morning when he called! When we first checked in, the CM had realized that I was celebrating a milestone birthday, and brought me my birthday button with my name and the milestone age on it.                                                        
9. The ability to have breakfast items and snack foods delivered to your resort, and then kept refrigerated (if need be) was a very nice option.  And then Bell services brought it to our room with our luggage.  Also, after my purchasing so much, it was so helpful and convenient to have it sent to the resort for pick up the following day.