food IS a theme park
Disney World hotels are supposed to be the “take a deep breath, kick off your shoes, and inhale the lobby scent” part of the vacation. You know, the oasis. The soft landing. The place where you refill your resort mug, dramatically flop onto the bed, and pretend you’re absolutely not going to mobile order a fourth snack before midnight.
Polynesian Village Resort pool
But as our readers reminded us, Disney World Resort hotels can also be the stage for some truly unhinged vacation moments.
If there’s one thing Disney World consistently gets right, it’s their hotels with the immersive theming, over-the-top details, and that unmistakable “Disney magic” you can feel the second you walk into the lobby.
All-Star Music Resort
From incredible pools to convenient perks, staying on property has always been part of what makes a Disney vacation so special. But lately, something has changed, and not for the better. Disney hotels go through refurbishments every year, but there’s one new trend that has taken over as rooms get refurbished.
There are so many perks when you choose to stay at a Disney World hotel — but sometimes those perks can go unnoticed.
Extended Evening Hours at Animal Kingdom
These underappreciated perks often include pretty sweet benefits like free transportation, free water park admission per person on your day of check-in (during select seasons), Early Theme Park Entry, and the ability to book Lighting Lanes 7 days in advance. These freebie perks are offered to all guests staying at Disney’s Value, Moderate, and Deluxe Resorts — but there’s one major perk offered specifically for Deluxe Resort guests that we need to remind you of…
Parking at Disney World can be a little complicated, and that sometimes applies to Disney’s hotels.
Disney’s BoardWalk
Fortunately, Disney hotels offer lots of perks, such as FREE parking for hotel guests and guests with Advance Dining Reservations! With that in mind, not just anyone can pull up to a Disney hotel and park — and there are some Disney World hotels that enforce that rule more so than others…
Here at DFB, we love telling you about our tried and true favorite restaurants at Disney World to help you find the best ones for your vacation.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
It might seem like a hassle to leave your Disney World park day behind to track down a restaurant at a hotel you’re not even staying at, but trust us, it can be SO worth it! Some of the absolute BEST dining spots in Disney World are actually hiding out at the resorts. With just a little extra time, you could be heading to one seriously delicious meal. So, we’re sharing our TOP Disney World hotel restaurants that are 100% worth the trip!
Let’s talk about something that can turn the final morning of your Disney World vacation from “relaxing send-off” to “uh…what just happened?”
Copper Creek 1 bedroom villa
Most Disney vacations end with a pretty predictable routine. You wake up, maybe squeeze in one last Mickey waffle, pack up your suitcase, and check out of your Disney World hotel. In theory, the process is easier than ever thanks to the My Disney Experience app. Mobile check-in and check-out mean you can skip the front desk entirely and head straight to your next destination. But lately, we’ve noticed a small (and honestly kind of awkward) issue popping up that you’ll definitely want to know about before your last day at a Disney World hotel.
Disney World just dropped a NEW discount that could help you save on your next vacation!
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
If you’re a Disney World Annual Passholder and are planning an upcoming Disney World trip, you can save up to 40% on your hotel stay — and we’ve got all the details you need to know below!
A Disney World hotel stay can be pricey, but Disney has just dropped some NEW discounts that could help you save some serious cash!
Caribbean Beach Resort
If you’re planning an upcoming Disney World trip, you can save up to 30% on your hotel stay — and we’ve got all the details you need to know below!
If you’ve stayed at a Disney World hotel, you probably love it for the immersive theming, great perks, delicious food, and that unbeatable Disney bubble feeling.
Disney’s Port Orleans — Riverside Resort
Whether you’re at a Value Resort with larger-than-life icons or a Deluxe with monorail access, Disney hotels are designed to keep the magic going long after you leave the parks. There are lots of reasons to love a Disney resort, and we talk about those a LOT. But there are also some not-so-magical things that go with staying at any resort. Let’s talk about the bed situation — specifically… the sheets.
Isn’t it frustrating when you visit Disney World, and things are closed? Yep, it seems like Disney World is just nothing but a sea of construction now, especially with all the construction happening in Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Even Disney World hotels are under construction, with some getting new lobbies and rooms.
Pool at Old Key West
However, regular closures for maintenance are also still happening at Disney World hotels, and that often means pool closures. Well, we’ve got a pool closure and water play area closure to warn you about.
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
