The Best Walt Disney World Hotels to Book with Points
A family vacation to Walt Disney World can be incredibly expensive, but using credit card points to cover the cost of your airfare, hotel, and tickets can turn your Disney dreams into reality for just a fraction of the cost! Here are some popular resorts near Walt Disney World and on WDW property that you can book with credit card points!
Marriott Properties
Marriott Properties on WDW property
There are three Marriott properties that you can book with Marriott points that are ON DISNEY PROPERTY right next to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. These properties come with all of the deluxe onsite Disney perks (like early morning hours and exclusive access to Extended Evening Theme Park Hours).
These properties are:
Walt Disney World Swan (2 Queens, sleeps 4)
Walt Disney World Dolphin (2 double beds, sleeps 5)
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve (2 Queens, sleeps 4, newer property)
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve image via Marriott.com
Here is what you need to know about staying at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin!
Award stays vary quite a bit: Award stays currently range between 44,000 and 75,000 Marriott points per night, plus the resort fee of $40/night. (Parking costs an additional $31/night)
Your 5th consecutive night is free on Marriott stays when paying with points (but not with free night award certificates!) which means you only have to pay for 4 nights in points to book 5 consecutive nights!
If you are paying with a Marriott 50k night certificate, you can “top off” your points with up to 15,000 Marriott points. You won’t be able to use free night certificates plus points for any nights that cost more than 65k points per night.
Keep in mind that you will still need to pay taxes and resort fees to stay at these resorts, even if you book with points.
You can transfer Chase or American Express points to Marriott, but I usually don’t recommend doing so, unless you are just short SOME Marriott points. It usually isn’t a good value to transfer points to Marriott, but do the math and see if it works for you!
Staying on a Deluxe Disney property gives you a huge advantage at the parks over staying off property. You get early theme park entry, extended evening hours (on select nights), earlier access to select Lightening Lane Reservations and Dining Reservations.
The location can’t be beat! You are within walking distance to Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Disney’s BoardWalk and the Skyliner.
Each person must be listed on your reservation and linked to your My Disney Experience account. There have been known to be glitches so check frequently to make sure your hotel reservation is linked in your My Disney Experience account, especially just before you are ready to book Individual Lightning Lane Selections and use Early Entry!
Tip for booking the Disney Swan and Dolphin
If you are set on staying on these Marriott properties on Disney property, I would look into also booking these properties in Chase Travel℠ , other bank travel portals, or look into reimbursing your hotel expense with Venture Miles. You might do the math for your dates and find that it’s a lot less points to book these properties this way instead of on Marriott’s website with Marriott points!
Other Marriott Properties near Walt Disney World
You can also stay off-site for even fewer points. Some of these properties also include free breakfast, free shuttles to the parks, or kitchenettes.
TownePlace Suites Orlando at Flamingo Crossings
SpringHill Suites Orlando at Flamingo Crossings
Sheraton Orlando Buena Vista Resort
Fairfield Inn and Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista
Delta Hotels Lake Buena Vista
Credit Cards that Earn Marriott Points
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Remember that you can also transfer Chase points and American Express points to Marriott or book Marriott properties in bank travel portals. Be sure to do the math to see what is the best option!
Hyatt Properties Near Walt Disney World
One of the easiest ways to use points for your WDW hotel stay is by earning Chase points and then transferring the points to Hyatt! There are many Hyatt properties near Walt Disney World that do not cost a lot of points! Here are three popular Orlando Hyatt properties that are all Category 4 hotels go for just 12,000 - 18,000 Hyatt points per night.
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress - This resort is a great place to stay when you are visiting Orlando! There are plenty of activities to do on-site for your non-park days including kayaking, rock climbing, biking, and several amazing pools. Check out this post to see a review of this property!
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress image via Hyatt.com
Hyatt Regency Orlando - This hotel is a little further away from the Disney parks but close to Seaworld, Aquatica and Discovery Cove.
Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport - This hotel is a great option to book on the front or back end of your trip if you are flying into the Orlando airport (MCO). It is located IN the airport and very convenient if you have a late arrival or early departure.
Hyatt Place Orlando/Lake Buena Vista - This is great low point stay costing only 6.5k - 9.5k Hyatt points per night! It sleeps 6 and offers free breakfast!
Credit Cards that Earn Points for Hyatt Stays:
The World Of Hyatt Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
*Note that you or your spouse must have an annual fee Chase card (the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred) to be able to transfer your Chase Ultimate Reward points earned from any Chase card to Hyatt.
(Once you’ve been approved for one of these cards and start earning your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, check out this post on how to transfer your points to Hyatt!)
Hilton Properties Near Walt Disney World
There are five Hilton properties in the Disney Springs resort area. You also get the 5th night free on point bookings if you have Silver status or higher which you can get just by holding a Hilton Credit Card. You can easily combine your Hilton points with a spouse or family member. One of the biggest perks of these Hilton properties are the 30 minute early entry to the Disney parks benefit!
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando - Disney Springs™ Area - This hotel sleeps up to 6! Guests receive exclusive benefits, including complimentary shuttle service and comes with 30 minute early entry to the Disney parks!
Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek - This property is located just around the corner from several official Disney properties and comes with 30 minute early entry to the Disney parks!
Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace - Comes with 30 minute early entry to the Disney parks!
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista - Comes with 30 minute early entry to the Disney parks!
Waldorf Astoria Orlando - Standard room reward pricing is generally around 90,000 point. As a more premium resort, this hotel could be a good use of a Hilton Free Night Certificate for a more luxurious stay to enjoy after long days at the parks! Comes with 30 minute early entry to the Disney parks!
Image via Hilton.com
Credit Cards that Earn Hilton Points:
💳 Hilton Honors American Express Card
💳 Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
💳 Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
💳 Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (This is NOT an affiliate link) All information about the American Express Hilton Honors Aspire has been collected independently by Lets Travel Talk.)
Remember American Express points transfer to Hilton at a 1:2 ratio as well.
IHG Properties Near Walt Disney World:
Holiday Inn Orlando-Disney Springs Area - this IHG property offers hourly shuttles to all four Disney theme parks (reservations required), and it also has access to the Early Theme Park Entry benefit at each park, allowing you to enter 30-minutes early each day! This property can be booked for as low as 17,000 IHG points per night but points price fluctuates based on the season.
Image via IHG.com
Holiday Inn Express & Suites S Lake Buena Vista - this IHG property can also be booked for as low as 17,000 IHG points per night. (Point price fluctuates based on the season) A stay at this property includes a scheduled shuttle service to nearby attractions like Walt Disney World® Resort, Universal Studios Florida, and SeaWorld® Orlando. A complimentary breakfast is included as well.
Credit Cards that earn IHG points:
💳 IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
💳 IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
💳 IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
Renting DVC (Disney Vacation Club Points)
You can also rent Disney Vacation Club points to book Disney Resorts at a major discount! On top of that, many DVC rental companies code as travel so you can reimburse your expense with Venture Miles. I recommend renting through the Disney Point Gals or David’s Vacation Club Rentals.
Other Disney on Points Tips
Remember you can reimburse any travel expense with Capital One Venture Miles!
Don’t forget cash back welcome offers! For example, the Chase Ink Business Premier® Credit Card does NOT earn Chase points, just cash back. You could use the cash back towards your Disney stay.
Check your bank’s travel portal. Sometimes but not always, Disney properties are listed in the portals, and of course there are many hotels close to WDW that are bookable in the travel portals as well.
Check THIS POST for tips on using points for your Disney tickets!
Bottom Line
Visiting Disney is much more attainable and budget friendly with credit card points! Using your points to book a free stay near Walt Disney World makes visiting the most magical place on Earth SO MUCH MORE affordable!
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