Disney fans, buckle up because there are some MAJOR hotel deals happening right now that could save you literally thousands of dollars on your summer Disney World vacation.
We’re talking up to 30% off Disney resorts PLUS a crazy Marriott credit card trick that gets you FREE nights at a hotel that’s basically ON Disney property. If you’re planning a trip for May through July, you need to read this entire article right now because these deals are legit and some of them are ending SOON.
Let’s be real about Disney hotel costs for a second. We’re talking $300-$700 PER NIGHT during summer at the nicer resorts. For a week-long stay, you could easily drop $2,000-$5,000 just on accommodations before you’ve even bought park tickets or eaten a single Mickey pretzel. That’s absolutely insane, which is why finding good hotel discounts isn’t just nice to have, it’s basically essential if you don’t want to take out a second mortgage for your vacation. When you can save 25-30% on rooms, we’re talking hundreds of dollars per night that can go toward better dining, souvenirs, or just keeping your credit card from melting. So yeah, hotel deals matter A LOT.
The “Wave 2” Summer Discount Everyone’s Talking About
Disney just released what they’re calling their “Wave 2” summer resort discount, and it’s offering up to 30% off rack rates for stays from May 1 through July 29, 2026. The discount tiers are kind of complicated because they vary based on which resort you pick and how long you’re staying, but here’s the breakdown:
For the FANCY deluxe resorts like Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, Yacht Club, and BoardWalk Inn, you get 30% off if you stay five or more nights and 25% off for shorter stays. These are the places that normally cost $500-$700 per night, so we’re talking $150-$210 off per night. That adds up FAST.
Mid-tier places like Polynesian Village, Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, and Port Orleans Riverside get you 25% off for longer stays and 20% off for shorter visits. These usually run $250-$450 per night, so still substantial savings.
The value resorts like Pop Century, Art of Animation, and the All-Star properties get smaller percentage discounts at 15-20% for extended stays and 10-15% for shorter trips. The percentages are lower, but these hotels are also cheaper to begin with at $150-$250 per night.
You have to book consecutive nights, make advance reservations, and you can’t stack this with other offers except the Kids Dining Plan. Pretty standard Disney discount restrictions.
But Wait, Is “Wave 2” Even Real?
Here’s where things get weird. Disney’s calling this “Wave 2” like it’s some brand new amazing offer, but honestly? This exact same discount was already available before. Like, literally the SAME discount structure was offered starting January 6th and it covered dates all the way through October. Then they ended that offer yesterday and today they’re announcing “Wave 2” which is actually FEWER dates because now it only goes through July instead of October.
That’s the opposite of how wave releases normally work. Usually Wave 2 means they’re ADDING more dates and opportunities, not taking them away. This feels more like Disney just rebranding the same deal while quietly reducing when you can use it. Previous versions also had early booking bonuses where you got an extra 5% off if you booked by certain dates, and this version doesn’t even have that.
So is “Wave 2” actually new? Questionable. Is it still a decent discount? Yeah, if the dates work for you. Just don’t get too excited about the “Wave 2” branding like it’s some exclusive second-wave opportunity when it’s really just the same offer with fewer dates.
The INSANE Marriott Credit Card Hack for Disney Hotels
Okay, here’s where things get really interesting. Did you know there’s a Marriott hotel literally ON Disney property that you can stay at using Marriott points? The Swan and Dolphin Resort sits right there within walking distance of EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, connects to Disney transportation, and gives you Early Theme Park Entry just like the official Disney hotels. But because it’s owned and operated by Marriott, you can use Marriott Bonvoy points and credit card offers to stay there.
Right now, Marriott has TWO credit card offers that are absolutely bonkers for Disney planning:
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card has NO annual fee and gives you TWO FREE NIGHTS after you spend $1,000 in the first three months. That’s it. Spend $1,000 on basically anything (except lottery tickets and casino chips), get two free nights at a hotel on Disney property. The card also earns up to 14X points at Marriott hotels, 2X points on groceries, rideshares, food delivery, and streaming, and 1X on everything else.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card has a $95 annual fee but gives you FIVE FREE NIGHTS after spending $3,000 in three months. Five. Free. Nights. At a Disney-area hotel. The earning rates are even better at up to 17X points at Marriott properties, 3X on the first $6,000 in groceries, gas, and dining each year, and 2X on everything else.
Let’s Do Some Quick Math on These Deals
So which option actually saves you the most money? It completely depends on your specific situation, but let’s run some scenarios:
If you’re planning to stay at a deluxe resort like the Grand Floridian for a week, the 30% Wave 2 discount on a $600/night room saves you $180 per night, which is $1,260 for seven nights. That’s MASSIVE.
But if you’re cool with staying at the Swan and Dolphin instead of a Disney-branded resort, the Marriott Boundless Card giving you five free nights (worth maybe $300-$400 each) could be $1,500-$2,000 in value minus the $95 annual fee. That potentially beats even the best Wave 2 discount depending on how you value those nights.
The “Buy 4, Get 2 Free” package that’s ending this weekend is a whole different animal because it bundles tickets with rooms, so the math gets even more complicated based on whether you already have tickets or annual passes.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. You’ve got to actually calculate what each option costs for YOUR specific dates, YOUR party size, and YOUR preferred resort.
Why the Swan and Dolphin Is Actually Amazing
Some Disney purists get weird about the Swan and Dolphin because it’s not a “real” Disney hotel, but honestly, that’s silly. The hotel is literally ON Disney property. You can walk to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. You get Early Theme Park Entry. You’re connected to Disney buses and boats. The only real difference is that it’s run by Marriott instead of Disney, which actually becomes an advantage when you can use Marriott points and credit card offers.
The theming isn’t as aggressively Disney as the official resorts, which some people love (it’s more sophisticated) and others don’t like (they want maximum Disney immersion). But functionally, it works basically the same as staying at a Disney deluxe resort for location and amenities.
If using Marriott points or credit card offers saves you $1,000+ compared to paying cash at a Disney resort, that trade-off seems pretty worth it unless you’re absolutely committed to staying in a Disney-branded property.
The Credit Card Thing Isn’t for Everyone
Before you rush to apply for Marriott cards, let’s be real about some considerations. Credit card applications ding your credit score temporarily. If you’re planning to apply for a mortgage or car loan soon, maybe hold off on new credit cards. Multiple applications in short periods can hurt your approval odds or credit limits.
The minimum spending requirements are $1,000 or $3,000 in three months. If you’re not naturally spending that much anyway, don’t buy random stuff just to hit the threshold because you’re defeating the purpose of saving money. But if you’ve got upcoming expenses like home repairs, big purchases, or regular monthly bills you can pay with the card, it’s pretty easy to hit those numbers organically.
The $95 annual fee on the Boundless Card matters if you’re not going to use the points for future travel. Five free nights worth $1,500-$2,000 minus $95 is still amazing value, but if you never use Marriott again after this trip, you’re potentially paying annual fees for nothing going forward unless you cancel the card.
What You Should Actually Do Right Now
If you’re planning a Disney World trip for May through July 2026, here’s your action plan:
- Calculate what the Wave 2 room-only discount would cost for your preferred resort and dates. Disney’s website or an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner can give you exact numbers.
- Compare that against the “Buy 4, Get 2 Free” package if it’s still available for your dates and you need tickets.
- Look at the Swan and Dolphin rates and figure out if the Marriott credit card offers would save you more money than the Disney discounts.
- If the Marriott route looks best and you’re comfortable with credit card applications, ACT FAST because that March 11th deadline is coming up.
- Don’t just assume the biggest percentage discount is the best deal. Do the actual math for YOUR situation.
Honestly, use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner if you don’t want to do all this math yourself. They’ll calculate everything for free and tell you which option saves you the most money based on your specific vacation parameters.
The Real Talk About Disney Hotel Pricing
Disney hotel costs are absolutely out of control, and everyone knows it. The fact that we’re celebrating 25-30% discounts shows how inflated rack rates have become. Even WITH these discounts, you’re still paying premium prices for accommodations that would cost a fraction at non-Disney hotels.
But if you’re committed to staying on property for the convenience, transportation, and Early Theme Park Entry, then finding the best available discount becomes essential. The difference between paying full price and using these promotions can literally be thousands of dollars for a week-long stay.
Disney knows exactly what they’re doing with these overlapping promotions and credit card partnerships. They’re making you do homework to figure out which deal actually saves you money, betting that most people will just book whatever’s convenient instead of doing the calculations. Don’t fall for that. Put in the work to compare options, or hire someone who will do it for you.
Your Deadline Reality Check
The March 11th deadline for Marriott credit cards is REAL and it’s coming up fast. If you think that route might work for you, start the application process NOW, not in a week when you’ve had more time to think about it. Credit card processing takes time, and waiting until March 10th to apply might mean missing the promotion entirely.
The Wave 2 Disney discount doesn’t have as tight a deadline for booking, but availability at popular resorts during summer gets eaten up quickly once discounts release. If you wait too long, your preferred resort might be sold out for your dates even though the discount technically exists.
The “Buy 4, Get 2 Free” package is ending this weekend, so if that’s your best option, you’ve got literally DAYS to book it before it disappears.
Don’t be that person who reads about amazing deals, thinks “I’ll look into that later,” and then misses every deadline and ends up paying full price. Make the time to evaluate your options RIGHT NOW, run the numbers, and book whatever gives you the best value before opportunities disappear. Your bank account will thank you when you’re not still paying off your Disney vacation six months after you get home.
