Eleven Fantastic Reasons to Stay in a Disney Hotel

As a Disney fan, you understand that your vacation should come with some magic.

You’ve heard that Disney resorts will dazzle you with their immaculate theming and other amenities. Well, you’ve heard right.

Today, I’d like to tell you what it’s like to stay in a Disney hotel.

The Magic Bus

When you book a hotel reservation at Walt Disney World in 2021, you receive Magical Express service for free.

What’s that, and why am I mentioning it about a Disney hotel?

With Magical Express, you can leave your worries behind the instant you arrive at Orlando International Airport.

A Disney bus, the proverbial Magical Express, will be waiting to take you straight to your hotel.

Within minutes of your touching down in Orlando, you’ll already feel like you’re at Disney.

The Easiest Check-In

Disney management was already trending in this direction before the pandemic, but it’s all-in now.

You can and should skip the check-in desk at the lobby when you arrive at your resort.

Using My Disney Experience, you can perform online check-in. This step will save you aggravation and start your vacation immediately.

You don’t have to waste time in the lobby getting a key and verifying that your guest information is correct.

Disney will connect your Magic Band to your My Disney Experience account, allowing it to unlock your hotel door.

For those who don’t buy Magic Bands, My Disney Experience also comes with a digital key that unlocks your room door too.

A Fragrant Lobby

Disney utilizes something called a Smellitzer machine to manipulate your senses.

Whenever you enter a hotel, you’ll notice a fragrant scent. The smell is more robust at some resorts than others, which is by design.

At Disney’s Beach Club Resort, you’ll sniff a refreshing aroma that will vaguely remind you of walking on the beach.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort comes with a heady concoction that will send you on a tour of the islands.

The fragrances from hotel lobbies are so popular that candlemakers sell variations. Then, customers like me buy them obsessively.

A Stunning Room

First, let me alleviate your worries during the pandemic. Disney rooms come with safety precautions that will protect you completely.

The instant you enter your hotel room, you cannot help but notice how clean and safe it appears. Even the remote control comes in a protective plastic wrap.

Of course, you’ll notice something else when you enter your room. It’s spacious and gorgeous.

Rooms come with one or two beds and generally include efficient layouts.

Many of them are 300 square feet or larger in size, giving you plenty of room to maneuver.

You’ll find useful amenities like safes, luggage seats, and sitting areas/sofas in your room, too.

Disney resort hotel rooms qualify as the finest in the theme park industry. They’re the gold standard.

Rooms with a View

In some rooms, you’ll notice an outside deck or patio. This area usually overlooks some of the stunning sights at the various Disney resorts.

Of course, some rooms come with a better view than others.

To wit, guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge can book a room overlooking one of the savannahs.

Yes, you can drink your morning coffee or sip some afternoon tea while you watch the animals play.

At Disney’s Contemporary Resort, some rooms overlook Bay Lake while others include a breathtaking view of Magic Kingdom.

That’s right. As you go to sleep at night, you can gaze at Cinderella Castle, aglow with its after-dark illumination.

Generally, rooms with a view cost a bit more, but you’ll never regret spending the money. They’re definitely worth the price.

Disney Touches

Of course, you don’t need to look outside your room to appreciate the Disney touches.

You’ll find plenty of Disney reminders inside the hotel room. Most of the artwork hearkens back to memorable moments from Disney films.

Sometimes, designers have themed the furniture around specific movies.

For instance, some rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort include pull-out beds. Lilo & Stitch artwork adorns the headboard area.

At Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, many of your favorite nature-based Disney characters inspire the color schemes and sometimes even appear in the prints.

In fact, Disney even throws in some surprises for the attentive. Plenty of Disney hotel rooms include Hidden Mickeys.

If you look carefully, you will recognize Mickey Mouse’s three-circles design lurking on the floors, ceilings, and walls.

Hotel maids even arrange some clean towels as Hidden Mickeys!

Free Transportation

When you evaluate Walt Disney World-area hotels, you’ll notice that many list transportation to and from the theme parks.

You should remain wary of these listings for two reasons. One, they may not be free, which is the same as having a hidden hotel tax.

Two, they may only ship you to and from the parks at set times each day.

Some hotels only include transportation twice a day, meaning you’re at the park all day no matter what.

Disney resorts work differently. You’ll find buses running to and from the parks all day. Oh, and that’s not all.

At or near Disney resorts, you’ll find other transportation options, too.

Boats, monorails, and gondolas will all take you to and from the parks. And yes, they’re totally free to use!

Amazing Logistics

Speaking of transportation, you won’t even need it at some Disney hotels!

When you reach your resort, you can’t help but notice its proximity to a theme park.

At hotels like the Contemporary and Beach Club, you’re only a five-to-ten-minute walk from Magic Kingdom or EPCOT.

Disney constructed these hotels specifically to take advantage of their unique logistics.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is only a short bus ride from Disney’s Animal Kingdom, too.

As you debate hotels, pay attention to the logistics. You’ll love having a short trip to and from the parks. It’ll allow you to leave and re-enter as desired.

Speaking of which…

Themed Pools

Hey, if you’re not going to spend all your time inside the parks, you’ll hang out at the hotel more.

Disney officials encourage this practice, as it keeps park crowds under control. So, you’ll discover plenty to do at the hotel.

For me, the most important amenity is the pool, as I’m a sunbather and swimmer.

Well, Imagineers have absolutely crushed it with their pool designs.

Some hotel pools look like sea serpent’s lairs, abandoned forts, and Mayan pyramids.

The massive one at Beach Club is a de facto water park, too.

Disney pools are among the best you’ll ever use at hotels.

Delicious Restaurants

Sure, you can dine at the parks or Disney Springs. Disney’s BoardWalk offers sneaky-good cuisine, too.

However, many of my best meals at Walt Disney World happened at the hotels.

Restaurants like ‘Ohana, 1900 Park Fare, and Boma aren’t even open right now, and I feel like I’m missing my friends.

Even with those places closed, hotel guests can eat at California Grill, Grand Floridian Café, Beaches & Cream, and Kona Café.

Quick Service restaurants are even better during the pandemic, as many of them participate in the Mobile Ordering program.

When you’re a few minutes away from your hotel, you can use My Disney Experience to pick your meal.

Then, you can grab your food on your way to your hotel room. Deliciousness shouldn’t be this convenient!

Entertaining Amenities

I already listed the most popular amenity, swimming at the pools. However, you’ll find plenty more to do at Disney resorts.

I mean, the options border on ridiculous. The sheer volume of them will blow your mind.

You can ride in jalopies or play water sports on the lakes or watch movies under the stars.

Some Disney hotels host morning yoga sessions, while others offer children’s activities (read: babysitting) and arts and crafts tutorials.

Summarizing, staying at a Disney hotel is like having the best vacation of your life.

You should never consider spending the night anywhere but at Disney during your trip.

To book your trip, speak to an agent at MickeyTravels to ensure the best possible price at the Disney hotel of your dreams!

Feature Image: Disney

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