Orlando Hotel 🎢 on the right 💸 budget!
Donna and Jeff saved $8,034 on a 7-night stay at the Swan Hotel (by Marriott) near Disney World by using Marriott BonVoy points. Their choice of this property offered the family early park access, close proximity to Disney parks, and potential upgrades.
✅ Hotel Stay Purchase Value: $8,491
✅ Points / Miles Opportunity: 457,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for 7 nights (including pay for 4 nights, 5th night free!)
✅ Using Jeff’s Marriott points, valued at $0.017 per point (Sep 2024) the stay redemption values at $7,769
💰 Additional Savings of $722 💰
✴️ Alternative: Paying cash for the same stay would have cost $8,491.
By using Marriott points, Donna and Jeff secured significant savings, plus early access to Disney parks and the convenience of staying within the Disney bubble.
🛎️ Jeff used his Up+ subscription discount to book both this award stay and his airfare (previous saving of $280), for the service fee of $450
✨ Total Saving of $1,002 ✨
($280 savings on airfare + $722 savings for hotel - 450 service fee) + countless hours of Nerve-racking search for best award redemption.
Donna, Jeff and the Kids are heading to Orlando!
In the previous article I covered Jeff's quest to get the family out to Orlando using his Citi Thank You points. We found him the best airfare redemption by transferring his points and redeeming them on American Airlines. See article below 👇🏻
Ohad Sternberg
Getting the family to Orland was the easy part... or was it?
Why the Swan Hotel by Marriott?
When planning their family trip to Orlando, Donna and Jeff knew they wanted more than just a place to sleep—they wanted an experience that would enhance their Disney adventure. With two young kids, convenience and added perks were crucial. After securing their flights with Citi ThankYou points, they turned their attention to finding the perfect hotel. That’s where the Swan Hotel by Marriott came into play.
The Swan Hotel isn’t just any hotel—it’s a Disney partner property, which means it offers exclusive benefits that can make a significant difference in the overall Disney experience.
Here’s why the Swan Hotel was the ideal choice for Donna and Jeff’s family vacation:
Early Park Access: Beat the Crowds
One of the standout benefits of staying at the Swan Hotel is early park access. For Disney enthusiasts, this perk is a game-changer. Guests staying at Disney partner hotels, like the Swan, are allowed to enter the parks an hour earlier than the general public. This means Donna and Jeff’s family could start their day at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, or Hollywood Studios before the majority of visitors even stepped through the gates.
For a family with young kids, this extra hour is invaluable. It allowed them to experience popular attractions with shorter wait times, enjoy a more relaxed pace, and make the most of their time at the parks. Whether it was riding Space Mountain without the long lines or getting the perfect spot for photos in front of Cinderella’s Castle, the early access perk made their Disney days more magical.
Prime Location: Close to the Magic
The Swan Hotel is situated in the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort, making it an ideal base for exploring the parks. Located between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the hotel offers easy access to two of Disney’s most popular parks. For Donna and Jeff, this meant less time spent commuting and more time enjoying the attractions.
In addition to its proximity to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, the Swan Hotel is also just a short boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom and a quick shuttle trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This central location allowed the family to return to their hotel during the day for a break, whether to cool off in the pool or take a nap, before heading back to the parks refreshed and ready for more fun.
Comfort and Convenience: A Family-Friendly Retreat
While the parks were a major draw, Donna and Jeff also wanted a comfortable, family-friendly hotel where they could relax after a day of adventures. The Swan Hotel delivers on this front with spacious rooms, a variety of dining options, and amenities designed with families in mind.
The hotel’s extensive pool area, complete with waterfalls, a waterslide, and a sandy beach, provided the perfect spot for the kids to unwind. Meanwhile, Donna and Jeff appreciated the hotel’s on-site dining options, which ranged from casual eateries to fine dining—ideal for a quick breakfast before heading to the parks or a leisurely dinner after a long day.
Maximizing Marriott Bonvoy Points: A Smart Choice
By choosing the Swan Hotel, Donna and Jeff were able to maximize the value of their Marriott Bonvoy points. The cash price for their seven-night stay was a hefty $8,491, but by redeeming 457,000 Marriott points instead, they covered the entire cost without dipping into their travel budget. Given that Marriott points are valued at approximately $0.017 per point, the redemption value came out to $7,769—close to the cash price but with substantial savings.
Moreover, as a Marriott Bonvoy member, Jeff was able to take advantage of the “Stay for 5, Pay for 4” perk, which meant the fifth night of their stay was essentially free. This perk allowed the family to stretch their points even further, saving an additional 91,400 points, which they could use for future travel.
The Swan Hotel Advantage: More Than Just a Room
Staying at the Swan Hotel offered Donna and Jeff more than just a convenient location and comfortable accommodations—it provided them with a complete Disney experience. As a Disney partner hotel, the Swan grants guests the following advantages:
- Extra Magic Hours: Guests at the Swan Hotel have access to early park entry, allowing them to enjoy the attractions with fewer crowds.
- Transportation: The hotel offers complimentary shuttle services to all four Disney parks, as well as boat transportation to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. This makes it easy for families to move between the parks and the hotel without the hassle of driving and parking.
- Dining Plan Access: While not included in their specific booking, staying at a Disney partner hotel like the Swan allows guests to purchase a Disney Dining Plan, making meal planning at the parks a breeze.
- Proximity to Disney Springs: The Swan Hotel is also just a short distance from Disney Springs, offering a wide array of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. This provided Donna and Jeff’s family with even more ways to enjoy their vacation.
The Perks of Marriott Bonvoy Membership
Jeff’s Marriott Bonvoy membership not only helped them secure a great deal on their hotel stay but also offered the potential for room upgrades. While they initially booked a standard no-view room, Jeff’s status with Marriott made it highly likely they would be upgraded to a room with a better view or additional amenities upon check-in.
This added perk meant that Donna and Jeff could enjoy an even more comfortable stay, possibly with a view of the parks or the hotel’s beautiful grounds. For a family trip, these little extras can make a big difference, enhancing the overall experience and making their stay more memorable.
Alternative Option: The Cash Route
Had Donna and Jeff decided to pay cash for their stay, they would have faced a bill of $8,491. While this would have still provided them with all the same benefits, using Marriott Bonvoy points allowed them to keep their cash for other parts of the trip—like dining, souvenirs, and additional experiences at Disney and Universal parks. By choosing to redeem their points, they not only saved a significant amount of money but also maximized the value of their Marriott Bonvoy membership.
Turning Points into Memories: The Impact
By leveraging their Marriott Bonvoy points to book their stay at the Swan Hotel, Donna and Jeff were able to create a more magical and stress-free Disney vacation. The combination of early park access, proximity to the parks, and the comfort of the Swan Hotel made their trip seamless and enjoyable for the entire family.
With their flights and hotel stay covered by points, they could focus on making the most of their time at Disney and Universal, knowing they had made smart, strategic decisions that saved them money and enhanced their overall experience. For Donna and Jeff, this trip wasn’t just about visiting the parks—it was about creating lasting memories with their children, and their smart use of points made that possible without the financial strain.
Tips for Booking the Swan Hotel with Points:
- Book Early: The Swan Hotel is a popular choice, especially for families looking to take advantage of Disney’s Extra Magic Hours. Booking well in advance ensures you secure your desired dates and room type.
- Leverage Marriott Bonvoy Perks: If you have elite status with Marriott, be sure to ask about room upgrades upon check-in. Additionally, take advantage of the “Stay for 5, Pay for 4” perk to stretch your points further.
- Consider the Total Experience: When choosing a hotel near Disney, think about the overall experience you want. Staying at a Disney partner hotel like the Swan not only offers convenience but also access to exclusive perks that can enhance your trip.
- Maximize Your Points Value: Before booking, check the current value of Marriott BonVoy points and compare the cash price to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Sometimes, paying cash might be more advantageous, but in Donna and Jeff’s case, redeeming points offered the most bang-for-the-buck!
Wrap it 🆙
For Donna and Jeff, the decision to stay at the Swan Hotel by Marriott was a no-brainer. The combination of early park access, proximity to Disney’s attractions, and the comfort of the hotel made it the perfect choice for their family vacation.
By using their Marriott Bonvoy points strategically, we were able to save the family thousands of dollars while enjoying a premium Disney experience.
You know my thoughts on this - whether it’s flights or hotel stays, turning points into unforgettable family memories is always worth the effort. Especially if they will continue to devalue with time...
