Have you heard of Extra Magic Hour? For those living in the dark, it’s where you access Disneyland and/or California Adventure Park an hour before the general public.
It’s the dream because it’s practically like having the theme park all to yourself, but there’s a catch. You can only access Extra Magic Hour by staying at a Disney hotel.
True story.
Being a guest of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel lets you tick off popular rides while others are still getting out of bed. It lets you run around a near-empty park and it gets you closer to your favourite characters.
And it’s just one of the many perks that come with staying on-site. Here are a few other surprising bonuses that will absolutely tempt you to book a Disney stay for your next vacay:
1. EXTRA MAGIC HOUR
Let’s just elaborate on this one a little.
Extra Magic Hour are available to Disney hotel guests only AND they’re available throughout their stay. This means they can access Disneyland and/or California Adventure Park (alternating days) one hour early every morning of their Disney escape.
Outsiders have access to a similar offering called Magic Mornings, however, unlike Extra Magic Hour, it’s for one day and only Disneyland.
Extra Magic Hour – a total winner.
2. PACKAGE DELIVERY
“LOVE this Disney jumper but CBF carrying it around the park all day,” said everyone who wants all the merchandise without lugging it from ride-to-ride.
Fortunately, Disney Parks has found a solution.
Visitors also booked in Disney accommodation have access to a delivery service that allows them to purchase a product from the park, and then have it shipped to their hotel.
Perfect right?
At the end of the day, merchandise can be picked up at the bell desk.
3. CHARGES TO THE ROOM
“Yes, charge my new Wreck-It Ralph pin to my Paradise Pier room.”
In addition to hotel package delivery, you can just charge everything back to your room. Your room key can essentially act as your credit card during your stay.
But don’t go too crazy, your room key does link back to your actual credit card so watch what you spend.
4. MICKEY WAKE UP CALLS
Morning alarms aren’t generally the most loved sound in the world. Unless that alarm just happens to be the voice of everyone’s favourite talking mouse.
Disneyland hotels have a Mickey Wake Up Call service, through which Mickey actually calls you at a pre-set time to tell you it’s time to get out of bed.
It’s the kind of alarm that’ll put a smile on your face.
The Mickey Wake Up Call can be set using the in-room phone or for further assistance, the front desk can help arrange it.
5. PROXIMITY/DIRECT ACCESS TO THE PARK
Imagine stepping out of your hotel room and directly into California Adventure Park.
You don’t need to imagine because you can actually do it if you’re a guest of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
The hotel has its own direct access to the park, all guests need to do is show their ticket and pass the specially-located security.
Guests of the Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Paradise Pier may not have direct access to the theme park BUT they do have the privilege of proximity.
Both hotels are only a couple of minutes walk from Downtown Disney, allowing them to skip the craziness of trying to find parking for their vehicle or overexerting themselves with excessive distance.
6. DISNEY-THEMED IN-ROOM CELEBRATIONS
Travellers celebrating a special birthday, anniversary or simply just want to deck their rooms out in even more Disney can do so.
Each hotel offers an in-room Floral and Gift service whereby staff arrange a gift to be sent to the room (such as flowers or milk and cookies) or they can decorate the room (even the room) in a theme for celebrations.
Mmm, imagine your boyfriend proposed to you in a special The Little Mermaid-decorated room. Err, sorry. Is that just my under the sea fantasy?
Click here for more information on staying on-site at Disneyland Resort in Southern California.