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Writer's pictureChristine Hunsicker, MD

Travel Hacking Walt Disney World

Updated: Nov 18, 2023



While optimizing earning points when paying cash for a Disney vacation is easy, finding good value on points redemptions for your Walt Disney World vacation is hard work. You can see my blog post on earning rewards here. Let's break the trip down into two categories: reward flights and reward hotel nights.



Reward Flights


When flying to Walt Disney World, there are 2 airport options: Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). MCO is the first choice as it's closer to Walt Disney World with a 25-minute 17-mile drive. In contrast, SFB is 43 miles and a 51-minute drive. I searched nonstop flights 8 months in advance from my home airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), to understand where the best values lie. I was surprised to find 2.5 cents per point redemptions (8,500 points) for 2 major airlines- United and American Airlines. You must book your flight through Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles Rewards to get this value on United Airlines. Neither American Express Membership Rewards nor Chase Ultimate Rewards are partnered with Turkish Airlines. BILT, Capital One, and Citi Rewards are partners of Turkish Airlines. For American Airlines, you can book directly with American if you have AAdvantage miles or transfer from BILT, American's only transfer partner. As I don't have major currency in any of these programs, I kept looking and spotted the option to book an American Flight through Iberia for only 500 more points. Iberia is a partner of BILT, American Express, and Chase. I wanted to compare this to Southwest Rewards, my go-to for domestic cash flights. The redemption value for Southwest was only around 1.1 cents per point. The cash price for Southwest was more than American and United as well. You should factor in the cost of adding baggage and selecting a seat with both United and American Airlines. I love Southwest as baggage is included and, while you may not get a preassigned seat, you have the option to select the best seats for your group after boarding.


We have a second smaller airport in Chicago, Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). While my preference for proximity and convenience is ORD, I wanted to see if MDW had any better point redemptions. The redemptions were similar, with nonstop flights to MCO coming in at 8,500 points on American Airlines. Again, you need to have AAdvantage Miles or transfer from BILT to book with rewards on American. For an additional 3,500 points, I could book an American Flight through Qantas. Qantas is a partner of American Express, Capital One, and Citi. This dropped the redemption value enough that I would pay cash.


Interestingly, when I switched to searching for nonstop flights 1 month in advance from ORD to MCO, cash prices dropped while the lowest point redemption remained the same. Because the cash prices for flights from Chicago to Orlando are typically quite affordable, I've seldom looked for point redemptions in the past. I use Google Flights to compare the best cash prices to the rewards redemptions. I've become a fan of PointsYeah to find my reward flights as it's fast and effective, and they have a free version. The paid version of PointsYeah adds the ability to add more alerts for rewards flights. (If you're interested in the paid version our affiliate link has a promo. PointsYeah) To utilize any flight search engine effectively, you need to know what it does and doesn't include. The most notable omission from Google Flights is Southwest. As for PointsYeah, the search includes AeroMexico Club Premier, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France / KLM Flying Blue, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, American Airlines AAdvantage, Avianca Lifemiles, Delta SkyMiles, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, Frontier Airlines Miles, Iberia Plus Avios, Jetblue TrueBlue, Qantas Points, Spirit Airlines Miles, SAS EuroBonus, Tap Miles & Go, Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles, United Airlines MileagePlus, Virgin Australia Velocity, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.


When I search for rewards flights, I always search one way and not roundtrip, which is the opposite of what I do for cash flights. The airline with the best reward value for one way will not necessarily be the best for the return trip. I look at all my departure airport options and arrival airport options. Now, for international travel, I would consider positioning myself at another airport before my overseas flight, but I would not consider this for domestic travel, except for Hawaii and Alaska. I utilize the search engines when I can to search multiple airlines at once and then branch out into the options not included in those search engines. It's always a good idea to familiarize yourself with searching each airlines rewards program.


If I can get a nonstop flight, I seldom take a connecting. I search for all the carriers with direct flights from the various combinations of departure and arrival airports- favoring the most convenient. ORD to MCO are my best options. If you google "ORD to MCO nonstop," Google will show you a calendar and list of direct flights. Toggle around between the dates and note the airlines with the direct flights. This is where to start your awards search. If you prefer to use a reward airline search engine, ensure you know if any of these airlines aren't included in that search. Next, search for award flights on those airlines independently. The hardest part of rewards travel is redemption, but you must learn how to redeem to use your travel rewards effectively.




Rewards Hotel Nights


To evaluate reward hotel options for a trip to Walt Disney World, I searched for hotel reward stays 8 months in advance and 1 month in advance. I looked for a basic room with 2 double/queen beds. I focused on non-Disney hotels on Disney property or adjacent to Disney property. The non-Disney Resorts are in the Epcot Area (Swan & Dolphin), Bonnett Creek Area, and Disney Springs Area.


Hotel Rewards Programs:

Marriott Bonvoy

Hilton Honors

Wyndham Rewards

World of Hyatt


Marriott Bonvoy


While Marriott isn't known for stellar redemption value, Marriott has a significant advantage regarding rewards bookings for Walt Disney World. Marriott has 3 hotels on Walt Disney World property, which receive most of the benefits of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort. The three hotels are Walt Disney World Dolphin, Walt Disney World Swan, and Walt Disney World Swan Reserve. These are the next best thing to staying at a Disney Resort.


Epcot Area


Benefits of these hotels:

Complimentary parking at theme parks

Early theme park entry and extended evening hours

Advanced dining reservations


Walt Disney World Dolphin

8 months in advance $348/night. 69,000 points/night 0.5 cents per point redemption value

1 month in advance $224/night 43,000 points/night 0.5 cents per point redemption value


Walt Disney World Swan

8 months $364 69,000 points 0.5 cents per point

1 month $268 47,000 points 0.6 cents per point


Walt Disney World Swan Reserve

8 months $392 64,000 points. 0.6 cents per point

1 month $336 84,000 points 0.4 cents per point



Bonnet Creek Area

While it doesn't have the same benefits as a Disney Resort, the JW Marriott Bonnett Creek is a popular hotel. While it isn't technically on Disney property, it sure feels like it is.


JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa

8 months $379 64,000 points 0.6 cents per point

1 month $362 65,000 points 0.6 cents per point


Unless you have points stuck in the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program, I would never redeem my rewards for less value than I can cash them out at, which is 1 cent per point. You'd be better off paying cashing and cashing out your points to cover the cost if necessary.



Hilton Honors


Bonnett Creek Area


Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

8 months in advance $206/night 65,000 points/night 0.3 cents per point in redemption value

1 month in advance $206/night 65,000 points/night 0.3 cents per point in redemption value


Waldorf Astoria Orlando

8 months $680 90,000 points 0.7 cents per point

1 month $493 90,000 points 0.5 cents per point


Disney Springs Area


DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando

8 months $195 51,000 points 0.4 cents per point

1 month $146 43,000 points 0.3 cents per point


Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace

8 months $214 60,000 points 0.4 cents per point

1 month $149 52,000 points 0.3 cents per point


Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista

8 months $194 59,000 points 0.3 cents per point

1 month $185 56,000 points 0.3 cents per point


Again, like Marriott, the redemption values aren't good for the Hilton Honors hotels. If you have points stuck in the Hilton Honors program, you might consider using them.



Wyndham Rewards


Bonnett Creek Area


Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek

8 months in advance $221/night 30,000 points/night 0.7 cents per point redemption value

1 month in advance $181/night 30,000 points/night 0.6 cents per point redemption value


Disney Springs Area


Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista

8 months $112/night 15,000 points 0.7 cents per point

1 month $77/night 15,000 points 0.5 cents per point


Wyndham Lake Buena Vista

8 months $138/night 30,000 points 0.5 cents per point

1 month $96/night 30,000 points 0.3 cents per point


Just like Marriott and Hilton, the value for rewards redemptions is poor for Wyndham as well.



World of Hyatt


The closest Hyatt property to Walt Disney World is the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort, located just outside the Disney Good Neighbor Hotel area by Disney Springs. The 2nd closest Hyatt property is the Hyatt Regency Orlando, a 12-minute drive from the Walt Disney World Resort. I would favor the proximity of the first resort, but I will go over both to compare. While no resort is on Disney Property, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is right next door, and World of Hyatt has the best value for rewards redemptions.


Disney Springs Adjacent


Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort

8 months in advance $349/night 15,000 points/night 2.3 cents per point redemption value

1 month in advance $406/night 18,000 points/night 2.2 cents per point redemption value


Not Disney Adjacent


Hyatt Regency Orlando

8 months $369/night 15,000 points 2.5 cents per point

1 month No availability


The clear winner for proximity and redemption value is the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort! So, if you want to get the most value for your rewards for a Walt Disney World Vacation, there are good redemptions with US Airlines and World of Hyatt.





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