How To Pull Off a Long Disney Weekend For Under $250
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Alright, so you’re itching to get back to a Disney World getaway, but if you’re like our family you head to the Mouse House at least twice a year, so we try to keep things budget-friendly. But what if I told you it’s possible to have the full Disney Bubble experience, stay in a suite, and still spend under $250 in lodging? Yep, you read that right. The secret? The Amex Hilton Aspire Card.
Here’s how we did it: we stayed at the DoubleTree Lake Buena Vista, which is just a half mile from Disney Springs, booked a suite, and still managed to score Early Entry privileges to the parks. All for a total of $240 for a three-night stay.
The Magic of the Amex Hilton Honors Aspire Card
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card is your golden ticket to perks that make even a spring break trip to Disney World feel like a breeze. Let me break it down for you:
Free Night Certificate: Every year, you get a free night certificate that you can use at participating Hilton properties. It’s perfect for a short getaway like this because if you’re staying at a very high-end property for only two nights it essentially cuts the price in half. Now, I wouldn’t often recommend using it on a hotel like this because you’re not making the most of the annual fee, but I had recently paid cash on our recent Hilton stays to try to build up points with this card. I would have used it at the Tokyo Conrad last summer, but instead, we used our 5th-night-free option. So, with this certificate expiring in three weeks, now was the time to pull the trigger. (So far my best use of this was a $795/night Conrad in NYC)
Resort Statement Credit: Aspire cardholders get up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually, for up to $400 back per year if they stay at a Hilton Resort. There aren’t, honestly, a ton around the Southeast, but there are a handful in Florida. So now a $220 night is $20.
Diamond Status: This little gem can give you access to all kinds of upgrades, like a suite. Plus, you get perks like late check-out and access to lounge areas when available. This hotel has suites as a base room - either a king or two queens so no upgrade needed. But Diamond does give you a food credit that covers breakfast since kids eat free. Plus they just treat you better as a Diamond member.
Note: This card does have a steep fee of $550/year, but it’s very easy to make this back with the free night and the Diamond upgrades.
Booking the Perfect Stay: DoubleTree Lake Buena Vista
We’ve stayed at the DoubleTree Lake Buena Vista more than half a dozen times now, and we just love it. It’s in a fantastic location—seconds away from Disney Springs and just a short shuttle ride to the parks- which they provide. Plus, it's super convenient for getting onto I-4, so if you want to escape the Disney madness for a bit, you're in the perfect spot. And here's why I keep coming back:
Great Location: You're right on Disney property but far enough away to avoid the tourist chaos. Plus, you’re super close to cheaper dining options around the Vineland area, which is blowing up with stores and restaurants.
Free Breakfast Credit: Every day, we got a Hilton dining credit for breakfast or snacks at the store or drinks etc. We usually grab something and eat in the car on the way to the parks.
Amazing Pool: When you need a break from all the Disney magic, the pool is there to give you that relaxation vibe. It’s rarely crowded.
Suites with Space: I booked a suite that came with a bedroom, living area, and even a little dining and kitchen area. The suites at this hotel are the standard room so you’ll get this with the free night certificate or with using points. It was way better than squeezing into a regular hotel room for a long weekend. Plus, it meant more space for the family to spread out and you can have up to 3 beds plus room for a Pack ‘n Play if you’re at that stage in your life.
The Perks of Staying at a Select Hotel on Disney Property: Early Entry
One of the best perks of staying at non-Disney hotels that are still on the property is the Early Entry privileges to the parks. That means you get into the park 30 minutes before the general public, which is a game-changer for beating the crowds and hitting the most popular rides first. If you’ve ever been stuck in the line for Space Mountain for an hour, you’ll need to take advantage of this. Here is a complete list of non-Disney-owned hotels that get this privilege.
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando
Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista
Four Seasons Resort Orlando
Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
Holiday Inn Orlando
Renaissance Orlando Resort and Spa
Shades of Green® on Walt Disney World Resort
Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista
The Breakdown of the Costs
Here’s the part where I know you’re going to say, “Wait, how is this even possible?” Well, keep your arms, hands and legs inside the car, because this is how it all shook out:
Night 1 & 2: We paid $440 for two nights in a suite (you can’t argue with that much space).
Night 3: We used our free night certificate for the third night, saving us $220.
After our stay: The $200 resort statement credit comes off your Amex bill almost immediately, but double-check your statement.
That’s a total of $240 for three nights, and that includes everything. Talk about a deal!
The Bottom Line
So, there you have it: Disney World, a suite, early park access, and plenty of perks for $240. If you’ve got the Amex Hilton Aspire Card tucked in your wallet, you’re basically sitting on a goldmine of travel hacks. Between the free night certificate, resort fee credit, and Diamond status, you can turn your Disney World trip from “ugh, this is expensive” to a “Great, Big, Beautiful Tomorrow.”
The beauty of this secret is that you can adjust it depending on your budget. We’ve stayed at both Bonnet Creek hotels - The Signia and the Waldorf Astoria and they’re fantastic locations. Use this same strategy and suddenly three nights at the Waldorf Astoria for $1,900 is cut in half to about $1,000.
Now if I only had some pixie dust for getting cheaper tickets to the Magic Kingdom? Well, I have that trick too, but that’s for another blog.
Want to unlock these perks for your next getaway? Click here to apply for the Amex Hilton Aspire Card and get started on your own budget-friendly luxury travel journey! ✨
