Are you getting ready for your upcoming trip to Disney World?
If you’re planning on staying on property, we’ve gotta talk because there are a couple of need-to-know secrets about Disney World hotels that you should read right now!
As we were saying, if you’ve just nailed your Disney World hotel booking, there are some things you should know before checking in. Let’s dive right in!
Split Stay? No Problem — Bell Services Has You Covered!
Disney knows how exhausting it can be packing up after just one or two nights, especially if you’re bouncing between hotels during a split stay. So here’s the “secret”: Bell Services will transport your luggage from one resort to another for free!
That’s right, you don’t have to worry about lugging your suitcases around the property or calling an Uber just to switch hotels. Just drop your bags off at Bell Services, and they’ll do the rest. Just keep in mind though that your bags might take a few hours to arrive at the new resort, so pack anything you need in a day bag.
Swan and Dolphin: Disney Vibes with Marriott Perks
If you didn’t know, the Swan and Dolphin hotels are on Disney World property, but they’re operated by Marriott. This means you get the best of both worlds — both Disney perks and Marriott Bonvoy rewards!
Staying at either of these resorts gives you access to Early Theme Park Entry, which gets you into the theme parks 30 minutes before the general public. You’ll also get access to Extended Evening Hours, just like Disney-operated resorts. Plus, if you’re a Marriott Bonvoy member, you can rack up those points or redeem them for your stay. Who doesn’t love a good hotel rewards program, am I right?
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Even Deluxe Hotels Have the Same Cheap Toilet Paper
Okay, let’s talk about one of the less “magical” aspects of Disney World hotels — the toilet paper. So, even though you might be shelling out for a deluxe resort experience, you’ll still find that thin, scratchy, one-ply TP in your bathroom.
Whether you’re staying at the Grand Floridian or an All-Star Resort, prepare yourself. If you’re picky about your bathroom essentials, you might want to consider bringing your own or making a quick trip to a nearby store.
No Pool Hopping
If you’re thinking about taking a dip in another resort’s pool (because let’s face it, some of them are spectacular), just know that pool hopping is not allowed unless you’re staying at a resort with shared pool privileges (like Beach Club and Yacht Club).
Every hotel keeps an eye on who’s coming in, and you’ll likely be asked for your MagicBand or room key to verify you’re a guest. Stick to your hotel’s pool unless you want to risk an awkward “excuse me, you’re not on the guest list” situation.
Views Aren’t Always What You Think They Are
Here’s a big one — just because you book a certain “view” doesn’t mean you’ll have that “picture-perfect” panorama. For example, you might pay extra for a “theme park view” at Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary, only to find that your “view” is a sliver of Magic Kingdom peeking from the side of your balcony.
Similarly, the “preferred view” at Disney’s Riviera Resort might be a “grand” sight of the Skyliner or Caribbean Beach Resort, instead of the fireworks at EPCOT. So, the moral of the story is to not get too hung up on the labels when booking a room. You’ll be surprised how even a standard view can sometimes offer better sights!
There you have it. Those are just a couple of need-to-know secrets about Disney World hotels. Now, we need to hear from your! Drop a comment below and in the meantime, stay tuned to AllEars for all your Disney World news!
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What are your favorite Disney World hotel secrets? Share them with us in the comments!
Counter service options. Value and moderate resorts seem to have large food courts with several stations and options, where Deluxe have the bare minimum in the way of counter service. Just something to keep in mind when planning.
The hotel view advice is spot on. Found out that in order to have that great theme park view at BLT, your room also faces the busy parking lot with the theme park in the distance.