5 reasons why Marriott is the best hotel brand for theme park fans
Maybe it's just me, but planning my family's theme park vacations brings me almost as much joy as the vacation itself. I don't go overboard planning out a structured itinerary for every minute of our trip, but choosing which parks we will visit each day and where we will stay adds to the excitement of our theme park visits.
When it comes to deciding on a hotel, my first decision is always whether to stay on or off the park property. The benefits of staying at an on-site resort at places like Disney World or Universal Orlando are obvious – proximity to the parks, immersive theming and amenities like complimentary transportation and early theme park entry that further enhance your vacation.
Theme park hotels can be pricey, however. And, except for a few crafty workarounds, it's difficult to earn or redeem points and miles to cover the cost of your stay. However, there are several points properties adjacent to most major theme parks that combine the best of both worlds.
In my extensive experience visiting theme parks (almost too extensive, some may say), I've found that I most often turn to Marriott properties when I choose an off-site hotel. Here are my top reasons for why, along with a few of my favorite Marriotts near Disney and Universal theme parks.
Convenient locations
You might be surprised to learn that some off-property hotels are actually closer to the parks than their on-property counterparts. Because of its expansive size, this is particularly true at Walt Disney World.
The Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve hotels are within walking distance of two Disney World theme parks — Disney's Hollywood Studios and Epcot. Outside of the Magic Kingdom and BoardWalk resorts, even Disney's own hotels are not within walking distance of its theme parks.
As an added bonus, some rooms at the Swan and Dolphin hotels even have views of Disney's nightly fireworks shows.
Disneyland has a much smaller footprint than Disney World. All of Disneyland's on-site hotels are within easy walking distance of the parks – but thanks to its small size, so are several properties near the parks.
The Westin Anaheim Resort; Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance; JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort; and Fairfield Anaheim Resort are all a 10- to 15-minute walk from Disneyland's front gates.
Universal Studios Hollywood doesn't have any on-site hotels (yet), but the Sheraton Universal Hotel is just across the street from the walkway that leads to the parks. You can get to the main security entrance in 10 minutes or less and you don't have to deal with finding (or paying for) a parking spot.
Preferable pricing
I'm not telling you anything you don't know when I say that theme park hotels can carry a hefty price tag. Sure, you can snag the occasional Disney World hotel discount, but some of the Marriott properties near the parks have consistently lower pricing than you'll find on-site.
Take the Renaissance Orlando Resort & Spa, for example. This recently renovated Disney Springs hotel has rooms that range from $149 to $189 per night (plus a daily $45 resort fee). The hotel regularly runs special offers that can bring the nightly rate under $130. When redeeming points, you can expect to pay about 30,000 to 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Related: The best Disney Springs hotels with rates as low as $98
This resort's cash pricing is comparable to a Value Disney resort like Disney's All-Star Movies Resort or Disney's Pop Century Resort, where pricing averages between $125 and $200 per night. But the amenities and decor lean closer to a Moderate Disney resort, which you would pay at least $100 more per night for.
Theme park perks
There are certain benefits you can expect when you stay on-site at a theme park like Disney World. You can get into the parks before other guests, use free bus transportation to the parks (or park your car for free if you drive) and enjoy fun theming.
Related: Reasons to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort property
But you don't have to stay on the property to reap these same rewards.
Theme park transportation
Even the major points hotels that aren't within walking distance of a theme park typically offer complimentary transportation for their guests, just like you'd get if you were staying on-site.
In addition to being walkable to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, you can also utilize the Swan and Dolphin's water taxi to get to both parks or take the complimentary shuttle to get to Disney's other theme parks and Disney Springs.
Similarly, despite its walkability, the Sheraton Universal Hotel provides complimentary shuttle transportation to Universal Studios Hollywood. The shuttle picks up at the hotel's front door about every 15 minutes, which is more convenient than some off-site hotels that require you to make a reservation to use the shuttle.
Fun decor and theming
At theme parks like Disneyland, you can choose from hotels with classic Disney characters, like the Disneyland Hotel, or ones with nods to more modern films, like Pixar Place Hotel. The same is true for hotels in the surrounding area.
At the Fairfield Anaheim, guest rooms have large wall murals depicting iconic pieces of Disney history like Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Walt Disney Studios water tower.
One of my favorite features of the Sheraton Universal Hotel was the vintage photographs of Universal Studios Hollywood and the backlot film studio.
Even though these properties may not have extensive theming, the subtle touches help to keep you immersed in the experience. In addition to artwork, these properties typically have gift shops with licensed Disney or Universal merchandise and ticket desks with associates who can assist with theme park questions and ticket purchases.
Get a head start at the parks
Early entry is typically a perk reserved for on-site hotel guests, but the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels and the Disney Springs hotels are in a unique position of being considered official Disney World hotels when it comes to that benefit.
Related: A magical guide for how to plan a trip to Disney World
That means guests staying at the Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin or Swan Reserve or the Renaissance Orlando can enter any of Disney World's four theme parks 30 minutes prior to the posted opening time. This benefit can give you a huge advantage over guests who have to wait until the official opening time to start their day.
Family-friendly amenities
If you are planning a theme park vacation longer than two days, I usually advise taking a half day or full day away from the parks to rest and recharge. Even if you prefer to squeeze in as many rides as possible, you may have some extra time on your arrival or departure days to enjoy the resort amenities.
This is one area where Marriott properties really shine ... sometimes even brighter than official theme park hotels. The Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance has a kid-friendly water park that rivals that of any official Disneyland hotel, with waterslides, a pool and a splash playground.
Gaylord Palms' Cypress Springs water park is practically a theme park in and of itself. This 3-acre water park has seven waterslides, a fast-moving "action river," a massive splash playground, a surf simulator and two swimming pools.
Gaylord Palms offers a whole host of other family-friendly activities, including the brand's signature holiday event, "Ice!," a self-guided augmented reality scavenger hunt, and weekly fish and alligator feedings.
Down the road at the Orlando World Center Marriott, you can enjoy the three multirider waterslides and the lazy river at River Falls Water Park, chill out at the Falls Pool Oasis lagoon-style pool and splash pad during the day, and attend poolside movies, pool parties with real mermaids or watch a laser light show from the pool or the comfort of your balcony in the evening.
And the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa (also near Disney World) has two heated pools, a whirlpool, pool cabanas and an "Activity Garden" with minigolf, a rock wall, lawn games, fitness classes, and an indoor kids club.
Rewarding loyalty benefits
The best way to reap the rewards of staying at a Marriott property near a theme park is by joining the free Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. This allows you to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points when you stay with participating properties and take advantage of discounted rates, the ability to share points between family members, utilize mobile check-in and mobile key, and get your fifth night free on award stays.
While it's free to sign up for a Marriott Bonvoy membership, you get better perks as you move through the higher elite levels.
As a Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite member, you can get bonus points earnings, designated check-in lanes, a 2 p.m. late checkout (so you can squeeze in just a little more park time), room upgrades, welcome gifts and more. Those are things I've never gotten when staying at an official theme park hotel.
Room upgrades are dependent on availability, but I've been upgraded from a standard view room to an atrium view at Gaylord and from a standard room to one with a balcony overlooking the resort at the Walt Disney World Swan hotel.
Related: Best Marriott credit cards
You can fast-track your way to elite status with one of several credit cards that come with automatic Marriott Silver, Gold or Platinum elite status as a cardholder perk:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Automatic Gold Elite status (enrollment required).
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Automatic Platinum Elite status and 25 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: Automatic Gold Elite status and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees): Automatic Silver Elite status and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier. (Can earn Gold status after spending $35,000 on purchases each calendar year; terms apply.)
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (see rates and fees): Automatic Silver Elite status and 5 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card: Automatic Gold Elite status and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless comes with an annual 35,000-point certificate that can help to significantly reduce the cost of your hotel stay, and potentially even cover a night at a hotel like the Walt Disney World Swan.
The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy and the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful offer a 50,000-point certificate after you spend $15,000 in a cardmember year, which you could use to cover a night at a location like the JW Marriott Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa.
Bottom line
You have several options when deciding on a hotel for your next theme park vacation. Marriott is far from the only brand with hotels near theme parks or with some of the perks mentioned here.
But Marriott most impresses me with its properties near Disney and Universal parks. Marriott consistently delivers with its locations, amenities and benefits that make theme park trips even more exciting.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.