Disney property perk

Question

My in-laws are renting a house off for all of us in Orlando in April. I saw the new rules are that off-property can get LL 3 days before and Disney resorts can get 7 days before, plus early entry and water park admission included on day of arrival. Due to our schedule/time constraints, I would not be able to log in at the earliest time 3 days before, maybe more like 2.5 days before, and we are only planning to go to a park 1 day. I think I need a reality check--does this make sense--should we reserve a Disney resort for one night? I can get the cheapest room, and with water park admission and the added perks I think it would be worth it? We probably wouldn't even sleep in the room but maybe would use it at some point during the day. Just wondering if this sounds crazy or if I'm missing something important. Thank you!

Answer

Your idea of booking a Disney resort for one night to take advantage of the perks like early entry, water park admission, and the 7-day Lightning Lane (LL) booking window definitely makes sense in certain scenarios, especially given your constraints. Here's a breakdown of the considerations:

Lightning Lane Access - With the new rules, Disney resort guests can book Lightning Lanes up to 7 days in advance, which is a significant advantage, especially for popular rides. Since you're planning to go to the parks only one day and are unsure if you'll be able to log in 3 days before your visit, staying at a Disney resort would guarantee you that extra booking window. This could make a big difference in your ability to secure top rides or attractions, especially at busy times.
Early Entry - Disney resort guests also get early entry to the parks, which allows you to get a head start on popular attractions before the crowds get too large. If you're only going to the parks for one day, maximizing your time with early entry can make a big difference in the number of attractions you can experience.
Water Park Admission - You mentioned the water park admission, which is another nice bonus. If you're planning to visit a Disney water park (Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach), you’ll get that included with the resort stay. Even if you're not planning to use it immediately, having the option is a nice perk, especially if you find some extra time during your stay.
Cost vs. Benefit - Since you're considering the cheapest room at a Disney resort, the added cost of the room (even for just one night) may well be worth the benefits if you're able to use the early entry, the Lightning Lane advantage, and the water park access. It’s like getting a value-added ticket to some additional perks that might otherwise be hard to access with an off-property stay.
Room Usage - While you may not end up using the room much (perhaps just for a few hours or to store things), you’re still benefiting from the perks associated with staying at a Disney resort. It's not "crazy" to reserve the room just for the perks, especially if the price difference is manageable within your budget. Many visitors book Disney resorts for the advantages even if they only stay for a night or two.

In summary, it doesn't sound crazy at all to book the cheapest Disney resort room for one night to take advantage of the perks. If you value the early entry, the 7-day Lightning Lane access, and the water park admission (and the cost difference isn’t significant), then this seems like a great option to maximize your time at the parks. It could make your one park day much more enjoyable and stress-free. Just be sure to factor in the added cost of the room and weigh it against the benefits you're expecting to get from the perks!

Disney property perk

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