You’re Staying at Disney. What Do You Need to Know?

Your Walt Disney World vacation is just around the corner, and you’re counting down the days!

We’ve all been there and know the joy of this exciting time. You probably have questions, though.

Photo: Playbuzz.com

So, you’re staying at Walt Disney World. Here’s what you need to know.

What Do You Need to Know about Check-In?

Disney vacations work much differently than just a few years ago.

Historically, you started your vacation at the front desk, where a Cast Member would hand you your Key to the World card.

Lounge area

This card unlocks your hotel room door, proves admission at theme parks, and pays for goods and services.

Some guests still use them, but they’re no longer necessary. You can probably guess why.

During the 2010s, Disney introduced MagicBands, wearable devices that performed the same duties.

Since the MagicBand goes on your wrist, you’re less likely to lose it than a card key. And it’s also more convenient.

You don’t need to comb through your wallet searching for your Key to the World, a familiar feeling for old-time Disney fans.

Nowadays, your MagicBand is all you need to get in your room…and you don’t even need it.

Image: Disney

Thanks to My Disney Experience, your phone can perform almost all the same tasks as MagicBands or a Key to the World card.

Thus, you have no need to stop at the front desk, and you don’t require a Key to the World during your visit, either.

Photo: verdemedia.com

You are fully within your rights to ask for one, though. Some guests prefer having these cards.

Such folks claim that MagicBands and smartphones have let them down too often, which hasn’t been my experience at all.

Photo: Disney

I think you’ll be fine with just your phone, but I’d still recommend a MagicBand since they’re so fun.

The other piece of check-in advice I’ll give you is to check My Disney Experience for updates.

Photo: Disney

You should do this before your trip and again on a couple of mornings during your visit.

Disney’s newest app functionality typically requires the latest software version.

About Hotel Delivery

During your hotel visit, you can have items delivered to where you’re staying.

A few years ago, Disney changed the policy a bit. So, you cannot have items delivered directly to your room now.

Photo: Wikimedia

Well, you can, but it’ll cost you a $6 delivery fee. Basically, Disney implemented a new system for security purposes.

Management understandably didn’t want strangers visiting hotel rooms regularly.

So, the new rules require services like Instacart and DoorDash to deliver items to Bell Services.

You can either meet the delivery person in this area or pick up your items at Bell Services free of charge.

Photo: Wikimedia

If you want the items sent to your room, Bell Services will do that for a $6 fee. And a tip is expected as well.

Still, this isn’t a bad deal for you, as some items like cases of bottled water will more than pay for themselves.

Serious Eats

During a recent Disney visit, I did this, having bottled water waiting for me at my arrival.

The pick-up process was painful, and I paid Costco like $5 for a case as opposed to $4 for each water at Disney.

Hotel grocery delivery is an excellent way to stretch your vacation budget.

About Laundry

Touring Plans

You should know that laundromats are available at various Disney hotels.

These services aren’t free to use, but the system is quite advanced.

Port Orleans

At most laundromats, you can even pull up a video to check whether your laundry has finished washing/drying.

So, that makes the process efficient and cost-effective.

istock

You’ll buy a small box of detergent and maybe dryer sheets at a vending machine.

Disney has made the process painless, which I appreciate as someone prone to spills.

You should also know that some Disney Villas and other hotel suites have washer/dryer units in the rooms.

If you plan to do a lot of laundry during your trip, that amenity may prove valuable to you.

About Meeting Characters

Photo: Disney

Recently, Disney added a new feature at many of its resorts.

You’ll find signage indicating that characters will appear at your hotel.

The sign says “Character Experiences.” When you see it, you should ask a Cast Member about details.

Generally speaking, costumed Cast Members will appear a couple of times a week at scheduled times.

Photo: Disney

So, you can find out when and where they’ll be, and you may even learn which characters will appear.

In my experience, hotel character encounters are among the most magical moments at Disney. I highly recommend them.

Photo: Disney

When you notice a Character Experiences sign, you should plan your day around this greeting.

About Pets

WDW magazine

A handful of Disney hotels allow pets, which makes these my favorite places to stay.

Alas, Disney prefers dogs to cats, as they’re a bit easier when it comes to leavings.

Disney understandably doesn’t want its expensive hotel rooms smelling like a litter box.

So, you’ll find areas where you can walk your puppy, pick up after them, and dispose of their waste.

Disney

When you stay at these hotels, Disney will charge you $50 a night for clean-up, which is a fair price to pay to vacation with your puppy.

To learn more about Disney pet policies, I’d strongly encourage you to speak with a MickeyTravels agent.

These Diamond Earmarked Authorized Disney Vacation Planners know more about Disney’s pet rules than anyone else.

Since their services are entirely free, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by talking to them about pets.

MIckeyTravels

By the way, if you’re a cat owner like me, Best Friends Pet Hotel on the Disney campus is an exceptional option.

About the Pools

Historically, Disney allowed Pool Hopping, which meant that you could stay at one resort but swim in a pool at a different one.

However, I’ll warn you that this practice is no longer allowed.

As Walt Disney World grew in popularity, Disney tried to protect the guest experience for everyone.

A few years ago, Disney changed the rules at its pools to make them exclusive to guests staying onsite.

That’s why many Disney hotels use gated security systems at the pools now.

Basically, your MagicBand works as a key to the pool area.

This policy makes sure that whenever you want to swim at your hotel, you won’t experience overcrowding.

About Security

Disney’s Contemporary Resort Garden Wing Rooms

Due to a tragic incident at a non-Disney hotel a few years ago, management implemented a new security system.

For your protection, Disney now checks every occupied hotel room once daily.

Standard Room at Grand Floridian

This process protects you from the risk of someone booking a hotel room for nefarious purposes.

So, when you stay at Disney, you know that you’re totally safe because Cast Members are dutifully looking for security risks.

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