4 Seriously Genius Disney World Hotel Hacks We Can't Believe We Didn't Think of Sooner

Disney World hotels are full of magic, but these four hacks are so smart, we can’t believe we didn’t figure them out sooner.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

Staying at a Disney World hotel can add to the magic of your vacation. With dozens of resorts to choose from, you are likely to find at least one that you love. But why not do some hacks to make your resort stay even better? I’ve been writing about Disney World for two years, and these Disney World hotel hacks are some of the best advice we can give you!

One of the smartest tricks is visiting Deluxe Resorts for dining or lounges, even if you’re staying at a Value or Moderate resort. You don’t need to book a $700-per-night room at the Grand Floridian to enjoy dinner at Narcoossee’s or a cocktail at Trader Sam’s in the Polynesian. Simply take the monorail, a Disney bus, or even a boat from the parks or Disney Springs to explore the fancier resorts. It’s a great way to soak in the luxury vibes without paying luxury prices.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Another underrated hack is using Marriott points to stay at the Swan and Dolphin Hotels. These resorts are technically on Disney property, but they’re run by Marriott, which means you can cash in points for your stay. The location is incredible, with walking distance to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and you still get access to perks like Early Theme Park Entry. If you’re a rewards member, this can be a huge money saver compared to booking a Disney Deluxe resort.

Swan and Dolphin

If you’re looking for value, Disney’s Pop Century Resort is one of the best choices in Disney World. While it costs just a little more than the All-Star Resorts, the difference is worth it for one reason: the Skyliner. Having direct access to this gondola system makes getting to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios a breeze, and it saves you tons of time compared to relying only on buses. Pop Century also has fun theming and solid food court options, making it one of the best bang-for-your-buck resorts on property.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Finally, one of the easiest ways to save money is to place a grocery order at your hotel before or during your trip. Having bottled water, granola bars, and snacks delivered to your room means you won’t be stuck paying $4 for a bottle of Dasani inside the parks. We love using Amazon Fresh delivery to our Disney resorts, and the small delivery fee is nothing compared to what you’ll spend buying water and snacks every day. This hack alone can save a family hundreds of dollars over the course of a vacation.