How to Visit Disney for Less Using Points and Miles
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post..
A Disney trip can be expensive, but with the right points and miles strategy, you can enjoy Disneyland or Disney World for significantly less.
Whether you prefer Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, IHG, or Choice properties, there are fantastic options to book your stay near the parks using points.
Plus, Capital One Miles can help offset the cost of park tickets. Here’s how you can do it!
Disneyland: Best Points Hotel Options
Hyatt
The best part of Hyatt stays is their incredible point redemptions. Taxes and resort fees are included in award stays, saving you even more money. The best way to earn Hyatt points is by transferring them from Chase Ultimate Rewards to your free World of Hyatt loyalty account. Read Hyatt Stays on Points: The Best Cards to Use and How to Book for all the details.
- Hyatt House at Anaheim Resort – Free breakfast, guest laundry, and some rooms with a full kitchen.
- Hyatt Place at Anaheim Resort – Great value for points and includes free breakfast.
Marriott
Marriott offers free night certificates and a 5th-night-free perk when booking with points.
- Fairfield Anaheim Resort – Just a 7-minute walk from Disneyland, heated pool, and guest laundry.
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott Anaheim Maingate – Offers fireworks views, free breakfast, and full kitchen suites.
- Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort – Fireworks views, balconies, and guest laundry.
Hilton
Book 4 consecutive nights with points, and the 5th night is free. Many Hilton properties also include free breakfast with Hilton status.
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort – Free breakfast and a 10-minute walk to Disneyland.
IHG
When booking with points, get the 4th night free!
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Anaheim Resort – Free breakfast and guest laundry.
Choice
A great option if you transfer Citi ThankYou points at a 1:2 ratio to Choice.
- Cambria Hotel Anaheim Resort – Includes a water park, bunk bed rooms, and full kitchen suites.
Disney World: Best Points Hotel Options
If Disney World is on your family’s trip list, this strategy will help you book a stay at a Disney Deluxe Resort for a couple hundred dollars. This strategy is reliant on the current welcome offers being at or above the welcome offers mentioned below and availability for the amount of points you have.
Step-by-Step Plan for a Marriott Stay
- Player 1 opens an American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business card, meets the minimum spend, and earns 125,000 points.
- Player 1 refers Player 2 for their own card, earning 20,000 referral points.
- Player 2 opens an American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business card, meets the minimum spend, and earns 125,000 points.
- Players combine points into one account to book a stay with 270,000 points.
Book the Walt Disney World Dolphin
The Dolphin is a Marriott property that counts as a Disney Deluxe Resort, meaning you get on-property perks like:
- Early park entry (enter any Disney park 30 minutes before opening)
- Complimentary transportation to parks and Disney Springs
- Ability to book Lightning Lane passes starting at 7 a.m.
A 5-night stay in September costs about 195,000 points plus a $40/night resort fee. Since Marriott gives you the 5th night free on points bookings, your points stretch even further!
Using Capital One Miles to Offset Park Tickets
Once you’ve earned your Capital One Miles, the next step is redeeming them. Capital One Miles offer three main ways to redeem your rewards:
1. Travel Purchases
Use your miles to cover travel expenses such as:
- Airline tickets
- Hotel stays
- Train tickets
- Cruise costs
- Vacation rentals (like Vacasa)
- Theme park tickets (Disney, Universal, etc.)
You can also reimburse yourself for travel purchases you’ve already made using Capital One’s Purchase Eraser feature. This allows you to book flights or park tickets first and then use your miles later to pay them off. The key is ensuring your ticket purchase is coded as a travel expense rather than entertainment. You will need to use sites like Theme Park Frog or Get Away Today so the expense codes correctly. For even more details on how to earn and redeem, read my Complete Guide to Capital One Miles.
Final Thoughts
If Disneyland or Disney World is on your travel list, these strategies can help you stay for free (or nearly free) using points and miles. By leveraging hotel rewards and Capital One Miles, you can significantly reduce the cost of your Disney vacation while enjoying all the magic the parks have to offer!
Note: Support Points and Miles Teachers by using my affiliate links when booking your next adventure. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, but it helps me continue providing these valuable travel strategies. If you are ready to open a credit card, please email my at pointsandmilesteachers@gmail.com or send me a message on IG. Thank you!
Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
I found out about points and miles accidentally.
I was researching index funds and happened upon the points and miles community through creators who also post about budgets, financial independence, and investing.
Points and miles allowed those people to travel and work toward financial independence simultaneously.
Thank goodness I got started when I did. The past almost two years of travel have been something we will never forget.
Earning points and miles through credit cards is only a good choice if you have the financial discipline to use them, like cash/debit cards.
Since we started traveling with points and miles, we have had more money going into our investment and savings accounts than ever.
Now I'm excited to teach you!
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