How Staying At A DVC Resort Changes Your Vacation Experience



Riviera

The “Disney Bubble.” A term used by those who are completely immersed in Walt Disney World. The guests who visit and stay on property, i.e., the Disney resorts, as well as take Disney transportation, and dine on the premises, have officially entered the “bubble.” Being engaged in the Disney environment solidifies that magical feeling we get when we visit the parks. In this article, I will explain how staying at a DVC resort is sure to change your Disney Park experience, for the better. Let’s get started!

Theming and Atmosphere

The most important part of the Disney trip is booking the hotel room. Disney World resort has many options when it comes to choosing a DVC resort, as all of these have unique and specific themes. The spacious rooms are more comfortable and add a touch of luxury to your Disney stay, due to the intricate details and design of the resorts. There are 13 DVC resorts in total, but 9 are found on Walt Disney World property.

Do you want to visit the plains of the Serengeti, see wild animals, and enjoy the spicy and aromatic flavors of African cuisine? You can… at Disney! Have you wanted to visit the coastal strip of Italy and France? Perhaps sip on a Limoncello or enjoy a delicious cup of French roasted coffee? You can…. at Disney! How about a relaxing trip to the South Pacific, where the tunes of the ukelele and the ocean waves carry you away to paradise? You can…at Disney! These skillfully detailed resorts, the music playing in each one, the food and the rooms, are sure to transport you to the vacation of your dreams without a passport. The story you build while you stay on property is just the start of your journey.

DAKL Somali giraffe
Somali giraffe at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Photo: Emily Murray.

Transportation

It may seem silly to think that a Disney bus is sure to change the way you view Disney parks. But I guarantee that staying on Disney property and taking advantage of the free transportation, adds to the experience. The buses take you to all the Disney parks, it makes transfers to Disney water parks and goes to Disney Springs. On the My Disney Experience app, you can find the wait times for each bus, but it will also be detailed on television screens at the physical bus stop.

Once aboard a Disney bus, the music that plays are sure to prepare you for the exciting park. For example, if you plan on visiting Hollywood Studios, the music is exciting jazz and swing tunes, with a mix of movie soundtracks like the Star Wars theme.  If you visit the Magic Kingdom, you might here classic Disney theme songs, such as “When you Wish Upon a Star” or tunes from Cinderella. All in all, the best part of your day is not just arriving at the parks, but the journey getting there.

Disney bus
This summer, my friends and I visited Walt Disney World and one of the best parts of the trip was riding the Disney bus together.

Longer Park Days

A wonderful perk of staying at DVC resorts is that you get to take advantage of longer park days. While those who stay at any Disney hotel, DVC or not, benefit from early theme park entry, only DVC guests receive an additional perk. Extended evening hours are when guests staying at these deluxe resorts, get extra hours at a park after closing. That is, on certain nights of the week, you can enjoy an empty park and shorter lines. Let us not forget the aesthetic pictures you’ll be able to take in a vacant, twinkling park!

Magic Kingdom at night
An empty Magic Kingdom park with the stunning, flickering lights- is a dream come true for photographers. Photo: Megan Woodard.

Proximity

Let’s be honest, spending the whole day in a Disney Park in the middle of July in the Florida heat, is not an ideal experience. However, if you stay at a DVC resort, you can take midday breaks due to the proximity. That means, if you visit a park in the morning, you can take advantage of lunchtime for a resort break, whether it be for a relaxing nap on the marshmallow soft beds, or a refreshing swim in the themed pools. This is perfect for families with small children, or simply for those who want a chill Disney Park day.

Bay Lake Tower
Bay Lake Tower is a great place to stay if you want to be close to the Magic Kingdom. Photo: Emily Murray

Unique Experiences

While there are fun activities to do in every Disney hotel, there are certain privileges for guests of DVC resorts. For example, some Disney characters (e.g. Chip & Dale, Goofy, Pluto, Donald) roam around the resort lobby at various times during the day. That means you get to experience Disney magic before other guests, without setting foot in the park! Additionally, what I personally love the most are the pool areas at DVC resorts. Not only are they themed accordingly, but they have warm Jacuzzi tubs available. Other Disney hotels do not have this added luxury, only DVC resorts. This feature can be great to indulge in because relaxing before a park visit can help you have a more fulfilling and energized park day/night.

Dale
Dale outside of the Riviera Resort, is a sight for sore eyes! Photo: Emily Murray.

Giggles and giddiness erupt as you pass the Walt Disney World sign. Nostalgia hits and all your stress melts away. Being surrounded in an atmosphere that spews pixie dust all over, truly sets the tone for a magical vacation. Dear reader, I hope that staying at a DVC resort, for the reasons above, changes your Disney Park experience. Will you immerse yourself in the “Disney Bubble”? I hope you do!

Featured Photo: Emily Murray.

Written by

Maria Mora


For as long as Maria can remember, there was always a Disney movie playing in her house. Whether it was The Little Mermaid, Dumbo, or Tarzan, she became enthralled with all things Disney. She has visited the Disney Parks over 100 times and on different continents! Her love of Disney goes hand in hand with her love of reading, which has motivated her through the years to become a zealous writer. She hopes that whatever she does helps her community. After all, with a little faith, trust, and pixie dust, anything is possible!

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