Three BIG Problems With the Disney World Hotels Right Now

We love the Disney World hotels, but we have to be honest: there are some problems that you could run into.

Staying on-property at Disney World has always come with a certain level of magic. But lately, that magic has come with a few more asterisks. Recently, Disney has quietly rolled out a handful of changes that are changing the resort experience. Whether you’re a seasoned annual passholder or planning your very first Disney resort stay, here are three big issues currently frustrating guests and what you need to know before your next trip.

1. You Need Your MagicBand, Phone, or Room Key for the Pool

For years, Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts has been the gold standard for “exclusive” pool access. Resort guests are issued a wristband and must scan a MagicBand or room key just to get past the gate. It made sense there, since that pool is shared between two resorts and is one of the most popular pools on property. But what was once a one-off policy at a single high-demand pool is now becoming much more common practice.

This pool wristband and key-scanning requirement has spread to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and most recently to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, where Cast Members are now stationed at the Doubloon Lagoon Pool checking for valid resort reservations before issuing wristbands. In practice, this means you’ll want to have your MagicBand, MagicMobile-enabled phone, or Key to the World card on hand every time you head to the pool — even for a quick dip. This new procedure is aimed at cutting down on non-resort guests sneaking in for a swim, but it also means one more thing to keep track of poolside.

2. New Resorts Are DVC

If you’ve been hoping for a brand-new, cheaper Disney hotel to open at Disney World, you’ve had a rough few years. The last several new-build resorts to open have all been Disney Vacation Club properties: Disney’s Riviera Resort, the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, and now the upcoming Disney Lakeshore Lodge, set to debut in 2027. While non-DVC-member guests can typically still book these resorts, DVC-heavy properties tend to carry steeper rack rates and fewer traditional hotel-style rooms, which has left plenty of fans feeling priced out.

It’s easy to understand Disney’s business reasons for choosing to build more DVC and Deluxe resorts over cheaper options like Value and Moderate resorts. But for everyday guests who don’t own DVC points and don’t want to buy in, the pattern is frustrating. Guests who want more budget-friendly options or who want that more “Disney” style of hotel that you would find at Value resorts are left without new options.

3. Mobile Ordering Restrictions for Magic Kingdom Resorts

Mobile Ordering is one of the most convenient perks of a Disney trip. Guests could place a Mobile Order using the My Disney Experience app and swing by to pick it up. However, it’s recently become a little more complicated at several Magic Kingdom-area resorts. Disney has added location-based restrictions to Mobile Order at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. If you try to place an order from too far away, the My Disney Experience app now returns a “You’re Too Far Away” message and asks you to move closer before trying again.

The good news is you can still walk up and order in person at any of these locations, and other Walt Disney World resorts (along with all four theme parks) remain unaffected for now. But if you’re staying at one of these Magic Kingdom resorts and were hoping to place a Mobile Order for lunch while you’re still off exploring the parks, you could run into some issues. This is one to watch, since Disney hasn’t officially confirmed the change, and it may expand to additional resorts in the future.

None of these changes are dealbreakers, but they’re worth knowing before you head down to Disney World. Things are constantly changing at Disney World, so be sure to stay tuned to AllEars.net as we bring you the latest Disney news.

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What do you think is a problem with the Disney World resorts right now? Tell us in the comments. 

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