How to Use Marriott Bonvoy Points for Disney World
Planning a Disney World vacation can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to keep hotel costs under control. The good news? Marriott Bonvoy points can significantly reduce — or even eliminate — the cost of your Disney hotel stay when used strategically.
Below, we break down how Marriott Bonvoy works for Disney World, including how to earn points efficiently, maximize free night perks, and understand which Disney-area Marriott hotels can be booked with points — from on-property resorts like the Swan and Dolphin to nearby suites and Marriott Vacation Club villas.
Why Use Marriott Bonvoy Points for a Disney World Vacation?
Marriott Bonvoy is one of the most flexible hotel loyalty programs for Disney World trips because it offers:
- Multiple hotel options both on Disney property and nearby Disney World
- Suite-style accommodations for families who need space
- Free night certificates that can dramatically lower costs
- Fifth Night Free on award stays
- Point transfer options from major credit card programs
Unlike Disney-owned resorts, Marriott hotels let you combine points, free night certificates, and strategic credit card bonuses to reduce out-of-pocket costs while still staying close to the parks.
Marriott works especially well for:
- Families needing extra space
- Longer stays (5+ nights)
- People who want flexibility beyond Disney-owned hotels
How to Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points for Disney World
The fastest way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for a Disney trip is not hotel stays, but through co-branded credit card welcome bonuses combined with smart earning strategies.
Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card Welcome Bonuses
Marriott co-branded credit cards offer large welcome bonuses that can often cover multiple free hotel nights near Disney World.
Common card tiers include:
- Entry-level cards with lower annual fees and an annual free night
- Mid-tier cards with stronger earning and higher-value certificates
- Premium cards offering elite status and higher-value free night awards
Many travelers can earn enough points for a Disney area hotel stay within 2–3 months of opening a card.
Applying for Cards in the Right Order
If you plan to open more than one Marriott card, order matters — especially with American Express cards.
Starting with lower-tier cards before premium cards can preserve eligibility for multiple welcome bonuses. Couples or families can multiply results by using a “Person 2” strategy, where each adult applies separately and pools points and certificates.
Transfer Points From Other Programs
Marriott Bonvoy points can also be earned by transferring points from:
Transfers typically happen at a 1:1 ratio, allowing you to top off your Marriott balance when you’re close to booking a Disney area hotel. This flexibility makes Marriott especially useful if you earn points across multiple programs.
How to Maximize Marriott Bonvoy Points for Disney World Hotels
Earning points is only half the strategy. The real savings come from how you redeem them.
How Fifth Night Free Works on Marriott Award Stays
Marriott offers a Fifth Night Free benefit on award bookings.
That means:
- Book 5 consecutive nights with points
- Only pay points for 4 nights
Example:
A hotel costing 40,000 points per night would normally cost 200,000 points for 5 nights — but with this perk, it only costs 160,000 points.
To maximize value, plan trips paid with points in multiples of five nights whenever possible.
How Marriott Free Night Certificates Work for Disney Hotels
Free Night Certificates are one of the most powerful Marriott perks.
They are earned through:
- Annual credit card benefits
- Spending thresholds on certain co-branded Marriott cards
Each certificate has a point cap — but Marriott allows you to add points to increase its value. This means a lower-tier certificate can often be used at higher-end properties by topping it up with points.
Certificates work especially well when:
- Added to longer stays
- Combined with Fifth Night Free bookings
- Used strategically for peak pricing nights
How to Combine Points, Free Night Certificates, and the Person 2 Strategy
The biggest savings often come from stacking strategies, such as:
- Using points for a 5-night stay
- Adding free night certificates for extra nights
This approach is how many families book long Disney stays with little to no hotel cost. Once you’ve earned and maximized your points, the next step is choosing the right Marriott hotel near Disney World.
What Types of Marriott Hotels Can You Book Near Disney World?
Browse Marriott Hotels Near Disney World
Once you understand how Marriott Bonvoy points work for Disney World, the next step is choosing the right Marriott hotel for your trip style and budget. Marriott offers a wide range of options near Disney — from on-property resorts with Disney perks to nearby suites and villa-style accommodations.
Use the guides below to explore Marriott hotels near Disney World you can book with points:
- Top-Rated Marriott Hotels Near Disney World
- Marriott Hotels on Disney Property (Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve)
- Marriott Vacation Club Villas Near Disney World
Looking for specific hotel features?
While this guide focuses on Marriott Bonvoy hotels, some families prioritize amenities like traveling with pets or having free breakfast included. These cross-brand guides can help narrow your options:
Can You Really Get a Free Disney Hotel With Marriott Points?
Yes, in many cases absolutely. Many families earn enough points for multiple Disney-area hotel nights within 2–3 months using welcome bonuses alone. When combined with free night certificates and smart redemption strategies, it’s realistic to book a Disney hotel stay for free or very little out of pocket.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can I earn enough Marriott Bonvoy points for a Disney hotel?
Often within 2–3 months using credit card welcome bonuses.
Can I transfer Amex or Chase points to Marriott?
Yes — both transfer at a 1:1 ratio.
Does Fifth Night Free apply to free night certificates?
No — it applies only to point bookings, but certificates can be stacked on additional nights.
Do Marriott Vacation Club properties charge resort fees?
Most do not, making them appealing for longer stays.
Want to Stretch Your Disney Budget Even Further?
Hotel savings are just one piece of the Disney puzzle. Many families combine Marriott strategies with Disney Park tickets on points and cashback portals.
See our complete Disney Cashback Toolkit to learn how we stack points and cashback to save $600–$1,400 per year on Disney trips.
About Points to Magic
Points to Magic is a Disney travel strategy company that helps families save thousands on Disney vacations using credit card points and cashback systems.Our planning approach is informed by professional financial analysis and refined through real-world family travel testing to reduce cost, confusion, and overwhelm.
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