Disney World has been open for several months now post the pandemic related closures. While many Disney World hotels reopened last year or have reopened recently, quite a few hotel perks you might know and love from previous visits still haven’t returned!
Has Extra Magic Hours returned? What’s going on with laundry services? What things won’t you be able to take advantage of during your next stay at a Disney World resort? We’re breaking it down for you here today!
Here’s a look at all of the Disney World hotel perks that still haven’t returned:
Room Service
Room service has not returned to Disney World hotels, with some exceptions. Last year, we did see room service become available at select hotels, such as Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.
It’s always a good idea to ask and see if it’s available when you visit since things are changing rapidly in Disney World.
Minnie Van Service
This might not exactly fall under the category of “hotel perks” as it wasn’t exclusive to hotel guests, but many guests may have utilized Minnie Vans to get to and from their Disney World hotels.
As of yet, the service hasn’t returned to Disney World. You can, however, book your own independent trips around property through a rideshare service if you want, or you can rely on Disney transportation (or rent a car).
Merchandise Delivery to Your Hotel
Previously, guests could send their in-park merchandise purchases directly to their Disney World hotels so that they wouldn’t need to lug around all those souvenirs throughout their day in the parks.
Right now, however, that service is not available. But, Disney can ship the items you purchase straight to your home for an additional cost.
Extra Magic Hours
Extra Magic Hours were temporarily suspended when Disney World reopened and they have not yet returned. Extra Magic Hours used to give Disney World hotel guests early or late access to certain parks each day.
The Disney World website currently notes that as they continue to “manage attendance with health and safety top of mind, Extra Magic Hours will not return.”
On October 1st, Disney’s NEW Early Entry benefit will become available to hotel guests as part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations. Early Entry will allow guests to enter into any park of their choice up to 30 minutes early any day of the week. This benefit has not yet become available though.
Click here to learn more about Early Theme Park Entry!
Additionally, Extended Evening Hours will be available starting in October. This perk will give an additional two extra hours in select theme parks on select dates. However, unlike Early Theme Park Entry which will be available across all Disney World Resort hotel tiers, Extended Evening Hours will only be available for those staying at Deluxe Resorts.
Click here to learn more about Extended Evening Hours
Some Hotel Restaurants
Many restaurants in Disney World’s hotels have reopened. But, several spots are still closed, including some really popular, fan-favorite locations. For example, the following spots are still closed: Jiko — The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, 1900 Park Fare in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Storybook Dining at Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and more.
Several restaurants have reopened recently, however, so it’s possible that more reopenings are on the way, especially with the summer approaching and capacity continuing to be increased.
Click here to see what restaurants, rides, resorts, and experiences still haven’t reopened in Disney World.
Luggage Delivery and Airline Check-in Service
If you’ll be using Disney’s Magical Express (until it is discontinued in 2022) or otherwise flying into Disney World, you’ll need to keep in mind that right now luggage delivery and resort airline check-in service is not available.
Disney’s website specifically notes, “Guests who choose to use Disney’s Magical Express service will be responsible for picking up any of their checked luggage from the airport’s baggage claim area, so that it can be loaded onto the motorcoach to their Disney Resort hotel.”
They also note that upon your departure, you’ll need to make sure your luggage is with you and loaded onto the motorcoach.
Click here to read more about the service from Mears that will replace the Magical Express.
Housekeeping is Modified
Housekeeping is still available at Disney World’s hotels, but it is modified. Prior to your arrival, your room will undergo a thorough cleaning. During your actual stay, your room will get a light cleaning service every other day with things like the removal of trash and used towels, wiping and cleaning counter services, and vacuuming if needed.
That’s slightly different than the housekeeping you used to get every single day.
Bell Services Modifications
While Bell Services will still deliver your luggage to your room, they will not escort guests.
Deliveries, Shipping, and Celebrations
If you’re planning to have something delivered to your room, just keep in mind that deliveries can only be made to occupied rooms according to Disney’s online rules.
Disney’s website also notes that shipping services are temporarily unavailable. You’ll want to check your individual hotel, however, to see if that has been modified or changed at all as things can change very quickly.
If you were planning on purchasing a special gift basket or set of items from Disney Floral & Gifts, just be aware that Disney notes in-room celebration are currently not available. These are the unique options where your room can be decorated ahead of your arrival. You can, however, still purchase a number of other gift baskets or special items from Disney Floral & Gifts for your stay.
Dry Cleaning and Laundry
The self-service laundry facilities in Disney’s hotels are still available for guests to use, and guests can continue to use any washers or dryers that may be in their Disney Vacation Club villas.
But, dry-cleaning and valet laundry are temporarily unavailable.
Gyms
You can still get your exercise time in at the gyms available in the Disney World hotels, but the “instructor-led fitness classes are not available,” so that’s just something to keep in mind if those were your go-to experiences.
More Amenities and Experiences
There are also several other amenities and experiences at Disney’s hotels that aren’t available right now including:
- Campfires
- Character experiences, although we have seen some small, modified, distanced character appearances in the hotels
- Marina rentals
- Spas, salons and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Click here to see the 1 place in Disney World that is still offering royal makeovers!
Special Offerings
A number of special offerings guests used to be able to partake in from their Disney hotels are also unavailable, including:
- Fun runs
- Wonderland Tea Party at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Hula lessons at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- In-room childcare services
- Mermaid school
- Special classes and programs—including culinary, cultural and animal programs
But, not everything has disappeared from Disney’s hotels! You can still enjoy the restaurants that are open in the resorts (more and more of which seem to be reopening). The pools at the hotels are open and there are often a variety of activities offered near the pools or in other parts of the hotels for families to enjoy.
Disney is still showing movies under the stars at the hotels. And if you can book fishing excursions which depart from the resorts or go play at the hotel playground.
As the situation with COVID-19 continues to develop, capacity increases, and more changes are made, we could start to see more hotel perks and activities become available again. We’ll continue to keep an eye out for any changes and let you know what we find.
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When are you planning to visit Disney World next? Tell us in the comments!
So , basically they tell you ahead of time , many things aren’t open or up and running ,as of yet. So don’t complain when you get here about the price , you were told ahead of time. There have been no discounts just because amenities aren’t offered…..
One major perk I am waiting to return is the Disney Dining Plan. It was so much easier to budget a vacation there when I knew I had already paid for my meals and some snacks.
The only perk is Disney transportation, and they are on the verge of eliminating magical express and making us pay to ride a bus to the Disney property. Last time we were there, we waited over an hour for the magical express bus. All bus transportation on property was slow. Lines for skyliner are going to continue to be bothersome as capacity increases. It all begs the question, why stay on property?
Off sites purposely have no restraunts within walking distance. Shoddy shuttle service. Resort fees but no consistant shuttles to transpotation center. Use covid excuse to eliminate costs or to pass them on to you. Parking fees and parking fees at the parks. Hold ME buses to fill them up to cutdown on trips. Off sites are geared to make certain your utterly dependant on the hotel for any needs you have.
Your there to be shakendown for money. Thats what all of them do ! Shorten your stay and stay on property. They want tourists to pay for their losses in 2020. Control how much you will be taken for $$$$$$$