Disney: Save on your hotel at Walt Disney World

Foreword

For a family wanting to visit Disney World without breaking the bank, it’s possible to drastically reduce the hotel bill by using the right loyalty programs. In this article, we show you how to do it with Marriott Bonvoy points.

The main expense categories for a Disney World trip are:

• Accommodation (Marriott Bonvoy / travel credits for Airbnb)
• Park tickets (Scene+ / travel credits)
• Airfare (Aeroplan / travel credits)
• Car rental (travel points)

This article focuses on accommodation with Marriott Bonvoy points. For alternative strategies, consult our Ultimate Guide to Saving with Points for Disney World.

Saving at Disney World on hotels with Marriott Bonvoy points

The Orlando area has an excellent selection of hotels belonging to the Marriott Bonvoy program, with properties in all ranges—from affordable hotels to luxury suites.

Marriott Bonvoy now includes over 9,000 hotels worldwide.

Marriott Bonvoy Dynamic Pricing

Since March 2022, Marriott Bonvoy has abandoned its fixed category system in favor of dynamic pricing (Flexible Point Redemption Rates). Point rates now vary in real time based on availability, season, and demand, similar to cash prices.

What this means for you:

• No fixed pricing chart: points required fluctuate
• The best point rates are obtained during off-season or by booking in advance
• Always check marriott.com for the exact point rate at the time of your search

As a guideline, Marriott Bonvoy hotels around the Orlando parks generally cost between 15,000 and 60,000+ points per night depending on the property and season.

The ‘Stay 5 Nights, Pay for 4’ Rule

One of the great benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy program is the rule “Stay for 5, Pay for 4“: when you book 5 consecutive nights with points at the same hotel, the cheapest night is offered for free. This represents a points saving of 20%!

This rule automatically applies to all Marriott Bonvoy members, regardless of status.

The list of Marriott Bonvoy hotels around Disney World

Here are the main Marriott Bonvoy hotels located around the parks and points of interest in the Orlando area:

• DisneyWorld / Lake Buena Vista
• Animal Kingdom
• Seaworld
• Universal Studios
• Orlando MCO Airport
• Downtown Orlando

Since this list was created, several new Marriott Bonvoy properties have opened in the Orlando area:

• Inn at Celebration, Autograph Collection (February 2025) — This boutique hotel in Celebration underwent a complete renovation and was added to Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection. It offers an intimate atmosphere and refined Florida hospitality, just minutes from Disney World.
• Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy at Villatel Orlando Resort (early 2025) — The first property of its kind in the United States, this resort offers fully equipped apartments that can accommodate large groups or big families. Ideal for extended stays, it is located near the parks and can be booked with Marriott Bonvoy points.
• Ambar Residences Orlando (Kissimmee, under development) — This 322-unit condo-hotel project is affiliated with Marriott Bonvoy and targets families and travellers looking to combine ownership and points. Sales opened in December 2025, with an opening expected soon.

Lastly, the opening of a W Orlando, a 22-storey luxury hotel near Epic Universe, is scheduled for June 2026.

The best Marriott Bonvoy hotels at Disney World

For a family truly wanting to save on both hotel and food, certain brands stand out:

With kitchen + free breakfast for all:

• Residence Inn: kitchen + breakfast
• TownePlace Suites: kitchen + breakfast

With free breakfast only:

• SpringHill Suites
• Fairfield Inn and Suites

TownePlace Suites Orlando Theme Parks / Lake Buena Vista

Ideally located in Lake Buena Vista, steps from Disney World and across from the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets, the TownePlace Suites Orlando Theme Parks/Lake Buena Vista is one of the best value-for-points choices for families.

Available in studios with 2 queen beds and kitchen. The 5th night is free with Marriott Bonvoy points.

TownePlace Suites Orlando at SeaWorld^®

Another excellent choice is the TownePlace Suites Orlando at SeaWorld^®: same price range, on the SeaWorld side. The hotel has “studio rooms with 2 queen beds and kitchen” or suites.

For grocery shopping at nearby supermarkets, consider using a credit card with no foreign transaction fees to save 2.5% on each transaction.

Fairfield Inn Suites Orlando at Flamingo Crossings Town Center

Another excellent option is the Fairfield Inn Suites Orlando at Flamingo Crossings Town Center. We tried it in winter 2022 and we loved it!

Marriott Hotels IN Disney World: Swan, Dolphin & Swan Reserve

If you have sufficient Marriott Bonvoy points, the three hotels officially located on Disney World property are an excellent option:

• Walt Disney World Swan
• Walt Disney World Dolphin
• Walt Disney World Swan Reserve (opened in 2021)

These three hotels are the only Marriott Bonvoy properties located on Disney World property. They generally cost between 40,000 and 65,000+ points per night depending on the period (dynamic pricing).

For 5 nights, the 5th is free, which is approximately 4 × the cheapest night’s rate.

Exclusive Disney Benefits for Swan, Dolphin & Swan Reserve Guests

By staying at one of these three hotels, you benefit from the following advantages:

• Early Theme Park Entry: access to parks 30 minutes before public opening
• Extended Evening Theme Park Hours: extended evening access to certain parks (for eligible hotel residents)
• Advance Lightning Lane: reservation of Lightning Lane passes (Multi Pass, Single Pass, and Premier Pass) 7 days before your visit (vs. 3 days for non-residents)
• Free transportation to the various parks
• Proximity to Epcot and Hollywood Studios (within walking distance)

Our Strategy with Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards in Canada

In Canada, there are 2 Marriott Bonvoy American Express credit cards:

• The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card (for businesses)
• The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card (for individuals)

Current Welcome Bonuses

Welcome offers change regularly. Always consult our dedicated pages for current offers:

• Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card — up to 60,000–80,000 points depending on the current offer
• Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card — up to 65,000–130,000 points depending on the current offer

Minimum spending requirements are generally around $1,500 to $3,000 in the first few months.

For one person, it is possible to apply for both cards on the same day: consumer card and small business card.

But it is of course possible to spread out the application over time, in order to carry the required purchases ($1500) during the first 3 months after application in order to unlock the welcome bonus of 50,000 points.

Strategy for Couples

By each applying for both cards (personal + business), a couple can accumulate a very significant points balance:

• 2 personal cards × welcome bonus
• 2 business cards × welcome bonus
• Points accumulated on minimum purchases

Depending on current offers, a couple can accumulate several hundred thousand Marriott Bonvoy points, enough to cover a full 5 to 7-night stay at Disney World using points. Of course, it is necessary to:

• plan your subscriptions and spending for the first few months to ensure you meet the minimum spending requirements and thus obtain the welcome bonuses.
• maintain healthy budget tracking: anyone with outstanding credit should not apply for multiple cards.

Transferring Points Between Marriott Bonvoy Accounts

Now that you each have a Marriott Bonvoy points balance, you will need to combine them into a single account to book 5 (or more) consecutive nights.

Marriott Bonvoy allows all members to transfer points to another member for free, up to a limit of 100,000 points per calendar year, by calling +1 801 468 4000.

You can transfer points to any member: spouse, parent, friend, or colleague.

Bottom Line

Staying near Disney World, SeaWorld, or Universal parks is usually very expensive. But thanks to Marriott Bonvoy points and Canadian credit cards, it is possible to drastically reduce accommodation costs — and sometimes even stay for free at a hotel on Disney property.

Consult the current offers on our dedicated pages to find out the best available welcome bonuses, and calculate your strategy based on current dynamic rates on marriott.com.

Come discuss this article with many members of our Facebook group, and discover their tips for saving money at Disney World!