There’s NO WAY that a smart traveler like you is gonna pass up on learning ALL the best-kept secrets you need to know about Disney World Hotels. So THAT’S why we’ve created this ULTIMATE list of Disney’s AWESOME hotel details that most people have never heard about!

We’ve never been one to gatekeep all the amazing secrets and tricks that go into a Disney World resort stay — and we sure aren’t going to start now! (Not when you’ve got an upcoming trip you need to plan ahead for! That would just be MEAN of us.)

So today, we’re gonna not only fill ya in on the BEST Disney World hotel activities resort-wide, but we’re also gonna tell ya about all of our favorite resort secrets, hidden gems, and Easter eggs hiding around the hotels, as well!

Smart Lockers

Ever had groceries or a package delivered to your Disney resort? Well, it’s now easier for guests to retrieve their items thanks to these smart lockers at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort! There are 45 lockers that range in size from small to large, and they’re all located right outside Melody Hall, near luggage services.

So how do these lockers work?

Select vendors are allowed to drop off groceries at those All-Star smart lockers for you, if you’d like them to. From there, if you used the online check in service via the My Disney Experience (MDE) app, you’ll receive an email notification when packages or grocery items have been delivered to the lockers, along with instructions on how to access your stuff.

If you order something that needs to be kept cold, there are refrigerated lockers available too (though those are subject to availability, so you may feel more comfortable just meeting the delivery person in the front lobby to pick up those perishables and get ‘em back to your room as quickly as possible).

Certain items (like alcoholic beverages) cannot be delivered to the lockers, so you’ll have no choice but to pick those items up in person – just a head’s up. And don’t forget that there is a $6+ fee to use these lockers, too – though prices are always subject to change. Didn’t use online check-in? No worries! You’ll still be able to pick up grocery orders from Bell Services (for, again, around a $6 fee).

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Fireworks In The Headboards

If you want a REAL Royal Treatment – with a moderate price tag – then you may wanna float on down to the bayous and get a room over at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside.

Just like any other Disney World resort, Port Orleans Riverside has a few different room types. You’ve got your standard, your pool view, your preferred room, your King Bed room. BUT unlike the other resorts, you’ve got ANOTHER option called The Royal Guest Room.

This is one of those rooms where a GRAND REVEAL is warranted. Some resorts, you open the door and you’re just like, “Cool. A bed and a bathroom.” But at a Royal Guest Room, you open the door and reveal portraits of Disney princesses hanging on the walls, Aladdin’s magic carpet sprawled out on the floor, Belle’s little footstool pup next to the TV, sinks with magic lamps, and – to REALLY hit it out of the ballpark – headboards that ACTUALLY light up with fireworks.

And the best part? These rooms are still set at a moderate price.

New Cabins

Saddle up, partners! We’re headed to the wilderness…. Fort Wilderness, that is. Those old log cabin-style rooms over yonder are GONE now. Imagineers have completely redesigned those rooms to become the Disney Vacation Club Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort (that ANYONE — even non-DVC members — are allowed to book).

These new cabin designs feature a sleek, modern interior, which Disney explained are “inspired by the resort’s idyllic setting, while also paying homage to the resort’s unique culture and heritage through the magic of Disney storytelling.” The cabins sleep up to six adults and feature one bedroom, one bathroom, a living room, a full kitchen, and a private patio. Some cabins are also dog-friendly.

We just love all the touches in these new cabins. The first loop of new cabins opened on July 1st, 2024, so book your stay now!

FULL TOUR: We Got an Exclusive Look at the NEW Fort Wilderness Cabins in Disney World!

Treehouses

What if you didn’t stay in a hotel at all? What if you stayed somewhere, instead, that you could brag about at your next high school reunion? The Treehouses at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort might be a good place to start!

Saratoga Springs often gets overlooked when it comes to the Disney World resort lineup, since it’s A) Very DVC-focused, and B) has outdated rooms. BUT those treehouses are NOT to be slept on. (Just… slept IN!) Saratoga’s treehouses aren’t exactly perched ON a tree, per se, but they are elevated so they’re AMONGST the treetops.

They’re also super spacious and can sleep up to 9 people – with three bedrooms, full kitchen, outdoor patio, and full living room areas.

Click HERE for our Complete Guide to Eating at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort!

Garden Suites

If you don’t mind the splurge, you can get a nice and private Garden Suite over at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.

The Garden Suite will place you in the EPCOT-area resorts (but, like, in the most quiet, peaceful way possible). For starters, there are only 14 Garden Suites available for you to book at the BoardWalk Inn. And these 14 suites might be connected to one another, but they’re also fenced off – so other guests can’t wander in-and-out all willy-nilly.

Not only will you have space away from other guests, but you’ll also have space to spread out from fellow members of your travel group.

The suites are two stories tall and include a full living room area (with a wraparound couch), multiple bathrooms (including one with a FULL-on jacuzzi tub on the second floor), a wet bar, and an upstairs loft (where you can play “Rapunzel, Rapunzel” and let down your hair).

FULL TOUR: The Hidden Disney World Hotel Suites That’ll Make Your Jaw DROP

A Part Of Old MGM Lives On

When you’re taking a dip over at The Boulder Ridge Cove Pool Area in the back of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, check out that vintage-looking mining equipment hanging out in this quarry-themed area.

For some of you long-time Disney-goers, this equipment might look familiar — and that’s because it used to be part of the now-defunct Studio Backlot Tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

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Starlight Safari

You can enjoy a nighttime activity out on the resort’s private savanna thanks to the Starlight Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge!

Since this hour-long experience takes place well after the sun goes down, guests will receive night vision goggles to spot the African wildlife that call the savanna home. Over 30 species reside at the Lodge including zebras, giraffes, gazelles, antelopes, flamingos, and more.

The Starlight Safari is offered twice nightly at 8:30PM and 10PM, and prices vary by date (but tend to cost around $75-$89 each.)

CLICK HERE for our full review with photos of the Starlight Safari!

A Mural Mistake?

If you’ve ever visited Disney’s Contemporary Resort, then there’s pretty much no way that you missed the GIGANTIC mural.

This area is known as the Grand Canyon Concourse, so the mural here was created to fit the name. It was designed by Mary Blair, the talented artist behind the concept art for many Disney films and the character designs for “it’s a small world.”

This is Blair’s largest mural ever, and it has been here since the resort first opened back in 1971. It’s made to look like a stylized interpretation of the Grand Canyon, complete with animals, foliage, and Native Americans. In her artwork, Mary Blair was paying homage to Southwest Native Americans, so she wanted to include one of their beliefs in her design. They believe that nothing made by man could ever be perfect since man is imperfect.

To reflect this belief in her mural, Blair included a 5-legged goat. It’s a reminder that human error exists and that people make mistakes in their artwork.

Do You Know the Real Reason Behind This Disney World Hotel “Mistake?”

Pool Parties

Pause that Marco Polo game! Disney’s got some OTHER poolside activities for you — like trivia games, bingo, water balloon tosses… you name it!

Pool activities will vary between resorts AND change up daily — so check your resort’s featured schedule of activities listed inside the lobby (OR ask a cast member at the front desk about the resort’s updated itinerary).

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Glass Slipper Photo Op

If you’ve ever wanted to get a photo with Cinderella’s glass slipper, you might be in luck!

There’s a Photo Pass area set up at Disney’s Grand Floridian with a colorful ombré backdrop and it sometimes offers a chance to pose with — you guessed it — the famous glass slipper!

Voyageurs’ Lounge

Planning on doing a little remote work while you’re away on vacay? The Voyageurs Lounge in Disney’s Riviera Resort might be the perfect place to get stuff done.

This stylish lounge reflects Walt Disney’s travels through Europe, including decor inspired by the books Walt Disney collected and his 1935 “Grand Tour” through the continent. So go ahead — work OR relax here while enjoying some snacks and beverages from the adjacent Le Petit Cafe.

A Real-Working Geyser

And we’re BACK at Wilderness Lodge (because there’s a LOT of details around THIS deluxe hotel that you’re NOT gonna want to miss)! If you follow the path behind the pool area — close to the lake — then you’ll eventually stumble upon Fire Rock Geyser, which is a 120-foot geyser that erupts hourly from 7am to 10pm.

THAR SHE BLOWS!

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Three Words: Tie Dye Cheesecake

No Pop Century expert would stay at the Pop Century hotel without enjoying its trademark tie-dye cheesecake dessert at least once! The psychedelic treat features tie-dyed cheesecake layered on top of red velvet cake.

While you might be expecting all kinds of flavors with all those multiple colors, the cheesecake here tastes like a regular ol’ super yummy cheesecake that pairs well with the flavoring of the red velvet cake.

Disney Food Recipe: Pop Century’s Tie-Dye Cheesecake

Pool Hopping… Sometimes.

Since we’re all friends here, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Okay, it’s not really a secret, but it is good information to know when you’re planning your trip. You can actually pool hop in Disney World — but only at specific hotels.

If you’re staying at Port Orleans — French Quarter, you’re welcome to spend some time lounging by the Doubloon Lagoon Pool, but you’re also welcome to visit Port Orleans — Riverside, where you’ll find Ol’ Man Island. It’s home to a large pool, a spa, a kiddie pool, a wading pool, and a short but fun water slide.

Just because you’re staying at a Value Resort doesn’t mean you don’t get some stellar perks — and if you have an upcoming trip planned for any of the three All-Star Resorts on property, you’re in luck. No matter which All-Star Resort you might be staying at (Sports, Music, or Movies) you can visit any of the All-Star pools!

At All-Star Music, there are the Calypso and Piano Pools, All-Star Movies has the Fantasia and Duck Pond Pools, and at All-Star Sports, you’ll find the Surfboard Bay and Grand Slam Pools.

(Unfortunately, this kind of value resort pool hopping is strictly for the All-Star value hotels ONLY, and not for any of the other value hotels. So if you stay at Pop Century OR Art of Animation instead, you’re gonna have to stick with the pools available at your own hotel. But, don’t worry – you definitely won’t be suffering any. The Pop Century Pools and Art of Animation pools are pretty awesome.)

And, if you’re staying at Disney’s Yacht Club OR Disney’s Beach Club Resorts, you’ll be able to hop between these pools, as well!
For those looking for some leisurely hangs, you can check out the Tidal, Admiral, and Dunes Cove Pools.

But the best pool at Yacht & Beach Club — and quite possibly all of Disney World — is Stormalong Bay.

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Brew Joffrey’s Coffee In Your Room

If you go up to a Joffrey’s kiosk and ask them for free coffee… the cast members are probably gonna give you a weird look. But you CAN make yourself a cup of complimentary Joffrey’s coffee when you stay in a Disney World hotel room.

Each room will have its own little coffee maker — complete with sugar, cream, and stirrers (and, of course, Joffrey’s coffee packets). Making yourself a cup of joe before you head out to the parks can help save you money on a morning java.

Coffee in Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts

Split Stays

Let’s say you really wanna spend the night in a room at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. BUT you also DON’T wanna spend money to stay there for an ENTIRE week. (Because, oh my gosh, it’s SO EXPENSIVE.)

You can always choose to do a “split stay,” and spend the FIRST half of your vacation at one of the Disney value resorts, then wrap up with a BANG over at a deluxe resort.

If you decide to go the split stay route, let Bell Services of your first resort know what’s up. That way, they can transfer your luggage over to your SECOND Disney World hotel, free of charge.

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Animal Spotting Guides

Whether you’re staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge or just swinging by for a visit (and a nice meal), you can pick up an Animal Spotting Guide at the front desk to help you identify the different animals hanging out on the resort’s personal savanna.

If you’re staying in a room at Animal Kingdom Lodge, there should be a spotting guide on the table, ready and waiting for you. (But, again, if you don’t see one, you can always pick one up in the lobby).

And even if you DON’T pick one of these spotting guides up, you can STILL watch the African animals out those GIANT windows of the resort.

Find our COMPLETE GUIDE TO EATING at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge HERE.

The Famous Nixon Speech

The Contemporary’s got QUITE the history to it. And not just Disney-specific history. AMERICAN history, too.

In 1973, after the events of Watergate, Richard Nixon delivered his famous ‘I am Not a Crook Speech’ in the Contemporary’s Ballroom of Americas. Of course, very shortly after that speech, Nixon did resign from the presidency for his actions. But those very famous words still live on in American history to this day.

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Take A Boat To Disney Springs

Resort guests at Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside, Old Key West Resort, and Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa may not have the convenience of the Skyliner and Monorail at their disposal, but they DO have the Sassagoula River Ferry Boat!

This open-air water taxi is a relaxing (and free) way to travel over to the Disney Springs shopping district.

And here’s the BEST part about it — you don’t HAVE to be a resort guest to use it! Even if you just wanted to hop on board to grab some beignets over at the French Quarter, ANYBODY is allowed to use these boats whenever they’re available.

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Character Wake-Up Calls

Let’s add a little extra magic to your morning routine, shall we? Instead of just using your phone’s alarm to help get you up and at ‘em, press the Wake-Up Call Button on the phone in your room when you first move into your Disney hotel so you can set up an early morning ring-a-ling from a super-special Disney friend!

You won’t be able to request a specific character, but in the past we’ve been greeted by popular characters like Mickey or Stitch.

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A GIANT Hidden Mickey From Up Above

The next time that you visit Disney’s Riviera Resort, look up! In the porte cochere (also known as the covered area in front of the resort where cars can pass through), you can spot a giant Hidden Mickey!

These modern-looking chandeliers have been cleverly placed to create that iconic Mickey shape when you look at it from the right angle.

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LOTS Of Trains

There’s a HIDDEN train room at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge! Before the Disneyland Railroad existed, there was the Carolwood Pacific Railroad — which was a small railway that Walt Disney built in his own Los Angeles backyard.

This room is named after that very railroad, and you’ll find train nods throughout — from trains in the decor to scale models of the very train that lived at Walt’s house. It’s a great spot for Disney history buffs to explore! You can find this room located inside the Boulder Ridge Villas, on the ground floor, just off the lobby.

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TWO Trader Sam’s Locations

Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is an ultra-popular immersive bar inside Disney’s Polynesian Village.

But because of its popularity, it also gets busy. PACKED, even, to the point where you might not be able to get on the walk-up waitlist at all. Now, your best bet for getting on the Grog Grotto waitlist is to show up at the bar before it opens for the day (which is typically at 3PM), BUT if you miss your window of opportunity, you can always opt for the SECOND Trader Sam’s location instead — Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace.

Tiki Terrace is a relaxed, outdoor lounge right outside Grog Grotto that features the same creative concoctions and food served inside the bar area. While Tiki Terrace may not have the level of interactive shenanigans that Grog Grotto has, you can still hear live music out here while sitting next to an outdoor waterfall to get more of that serene island vibe.

The Complete Guide to Eating at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Dinner AND A Show

Giddy-up, pardner, and get ready for a rootin’ tootin’ good time! The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Fort Wilderness is an extravaganza of food and entertainment for the whole family. Seriously, it’s hard not to have a good time here.

Located in Pioneer Hall, the setting is a huge barn complete with stage and musical numbers, and there are (literally!) buckets of food for the table to share serving up an all-you-care-to-enjoy meal of fried chicken (find the recipe here!), ribs, mashed potatoes, and unlimited draft beer, wine, and sangria for Guests 21 years of age or older. (Though word of warning, the sangria leaves something to be desired. So this is more of a “quantity over quality” sort of ordeal.)

There are typically three showtimes per evening for Hoop-Dee-Doo: 4PM, 6:15PM, and 8:30PM. Just remember — Fort Wilderness can take a while to get to. Take a gander at the bus and boat systems to be sure you have plenty of time to get to Fort Wilderness for your reservation. (And note that Disney recommends you arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled showtime.)

PHOTOS & VIDEOS: Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue

Gingerbread Displays

Wonderfully aromatic and gorgeous Gingerbread Displays can be found at SEVERAL Disney resorts around the holidays.

Typically, these gingerbread structures start popping up around the resort lobbies around mid-November and last until the beginning of January. So whether you’re staying as a guest at one of these resorts around that time of year – or you’re just a passer-byer who wanted to see what all the fuss was about – EVERYONE is welcome to check out the gingerbread displays and get into the holly-jolly spirit.

Check out the Grand Floridian’s Gingerbread House right here!

Boozy Drinks On-The-Go

Don’t have time for a sit-down meal at Beaches and Cream, over at the Beach Club? Then grab an ice cream treat on-the-go!

Beaches and Cream has a to-go window right outside the restaurant that serves a limited selection of icy treats — like Double Hand-Scooped Ice Cream, shakes, Mini (m-i-n-i) Mickey Sink Sundae, and (for all you adults out there) BOOZY concoctions, too!

These boozy drinks range from hard sodas, wines, beers, ciders, and — our favorite option — hard floats and shakes, too!

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Hotel Room Celebrations

If you’re celebrating something during your next Disney World vacay — like a birthday, graduation, or anniversary — you can add on a special delivery.

Magical Floral & Gifts partners with Florida Fresh Florals, LLC to provide premium gift deliveries to guests who are wanting to surprise their loved ones with a little extra “pizzazz” during their special day. All packages and floral items that you order from the website in advance will be delivered to the Front Desk of your hotel. From there, “Delivery of the package is coordinated between the front desk team and the guest.” You can also have these gifts delivered up to your room, but “you must be present” in order to make that happen.

Currently, there are a variety of gift baskets, balloon bouquets, and floral arrangements to choose from.

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SO MUCH African Artwork

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge features over 800 unique pieces of original art, which is one of the largest assemblages of African art outside of the continent of Africa! We’re talking paintings, sculptures, and artifacts that fill Animal Kingdom Lodge’s lobbies, hallways, and corridors.

And the largest piece featured in this collection? A 16-foot tall mask made by the Igbo people of Nigeria displayed in the main lobby!

Watch The Fireworks — Minus The Park Ticket!

You can actually see the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks show, Happily Ever After, without ever entering the park. (Okay, so TECHNICALLY you can only see the fireworks… not so much the castle projections. But, hey — beggars can’t be choosers.)

So where can you catch the show? A few different places around the resorts — specifically around the monorail hotels that include Disney’s Polynesian Village, Disney’s Grand Floridian, and Disney’s Contemporary. While you can always watch the fireworks for FREE over at the resorts beachsides or near the marinas, you can also catch a dinner and a show while dining at places like ‘Ohana at Polynesian Village or Narcoossee’s at the Grand Floridian. If you’re dining near showtime, be sure to ask for a table near a window for a good view! (Note: this strategy doesn’t always guarantee you a fireworks seat, but it doesn’t hurt to try!) The restaurants even dim the lights and play the fireworks soundtrack so you can listen along to the show, as well!

And for a guaranteed fireworks view, you can make reservations for California Grill over at the Contemporary Resort — which has a private outdoor balcony specifically for their guests to have a unique vantage point of the Magic Kingdom spectacular.

Don’t wanna pay an arm and a leg for Cali Grill’s prix-fixe menu? You might also be able to grab a walk-up seat for the restaurant’s bar (which will give you a limited menu of bites to choose from, but the same fireworks balcony privileges).

Watch the FULL Happily Ever After Fireworks Show in Magic Kingdom!

Become One With The Outdoors

When it comes to resort recreation, Fort Wilderness blows all other resorts out of the water. There’s SO much to do here, in fact, that you could fill a whole day at Fort Wilderness alone and never step outside the campgrounds. You can…

Take a dip at the Meadow Swimming pool. Join in on a FREE Chip N Dale Campfire Sing a Long. Learn archery over at the archery experience. Take a Horse Drawn Carriage/Wagon ride — or at very least say “howdy” to the equestrian crew over at Tri-Circle-D Ranch. Float down the river on a canoe or kayak. Glide along on a segway during the Wilderness Back Trail Adventure.

And SO MUCH MORE. (You hear that? It’s the call of the WILD, baby.)

Learn all about Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort here!

Shadow Boxes

If you haven’t had a chance to visit Disney’s Pop Century Resort, you might want to even if you’re not staying there — just to admire the shadow boxes filled with blasts from the past.

In keeping with this fun and colorful Value resort’s theme, the shadow boxes in the lobby include items reflecting music, television, fads, trends, gizmos and gadgets from the various decades, ranging from the 50s-90s.

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Poolside Cabanas

For some extra luxury while you’re lounging by the pool, you can always rent a cabana! They’re available (for an extra fee) for all resort guests over at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club.

While cabanas vary depending on their location, your cabana will more than likely have padded furniture, a TV, a ceiling fan, and a mini-fridge stocked with complimentary snacks and water.

To reserve a cabana before your trip, call (407) WDW-PLAY (or (407) 939-7529). Much like advance dining reservations, you can start booking poolside cabanas 60 days before the start of your trip. Word of warning — cabanas can be kinda steep (often ranging around $200+ for a full day rental).

But if you’re staying at Disney’s Art of Animation, there are free cabanas that you can grab (in first come, first served fashion) over at the Cozy Cone Pool. Your cabana here won’t have all the same plushy perks, but — hey — it’s complimentary! AND shaped like a giant traffic cone!

Click HERE to see the COMPLETE PHOTO TOUR featuring MANY more details of an Art of Animation Family Suite!

Another Low-Key Lounge

Located across from the Beach Club Marketplace at Beach Club Resort, The Solarium is a bright and airy room that has plenty of seating, a TV, and a generally serene atmosphere.

We’ve been known to come here just to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Disney scene. And since the EPCOT International Gateway entrance is just a short walk away, this is a great stop for if you need a little break from the park.

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Catch And Release Fishing

Private catch-and-release large-mouth bass fishing excursions are available to book at any of the Disney World resorts that have a marina. During this excursion, you’ll be provided with a guide, a rod and reel, tackle, artificial/live bait, and complimentary beverages. (Just don’t plan on bringing your own cooler — because those aren’t allowed on the boat).

To make reservations (and learn more about the pricing info), call 407-WDW-BASS (or 939-2277).

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Hit Up A Jazz Club

Scat Cat’s Club Lounge at Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter serves up drinks, beignets, and unique cajun cuisine. And to make this place even BETTER, on select evenings (typically Fridays through Sundays), you can listen to live jazz musicians while sipping on those specialty cocktails.

If you’re coming by French Quarter during the day, the lounge won’t be open (since Scat Cat’s Club Lounge is open from 5pm-midnight daily) — but you can also enjoy some Beignets from the Scat Cat’s Club Café, which is located right next door!

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A Tragic Band Break-Up

One of the world’s greatest bands officially called it quits on Disney World property. John Lennon told The Beatles in 1969 that he wanted out of the group — and Paul McCartney officially announced it to the public in 1970. It wasn’t until 1974, however, that the band officially signed the papers to end it all. So George and Paul signed in New York, Ringo in England, and John at none other than… the Polynesian Village — while on a family vacation.

He received the papers on Christmas Eve — with his witnesses including the Seven Seas Lagoon and Cinderella Castle.

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Sangria University

Sangria University is a special dining event that takes place at Three Bridges Bar and Grill, over at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Here, you can learn how to make your own sommelier-led spirit, while also taste-testing four house-made sangrias AND learning all about the history of this fruity cocktail that we’ve come to know and enjoy immensely.

(And, yes, this sangria IS way better than the Hoop Dee Doo Sangria. It’s just not… unlimited.)

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Laundry Day

Every Disney resort has self-service laundry facilities that you can use during your stay. So if you wanna pack lighter to avoid those wild baggage fees from the airlines, you can do that and STILL have clean clothes all vacation long. And what makes these laundry facilities even BETTER is that they’re not gonna cost you a whole lotta precious vacation time because you can sign up for text updates letting you know when your laundry is done!

Some resorts do charge a minimal fee (usually around $3 per load) to use the machines. And, if you don’t wind up bringing your own from home, soap and softener is usually available in the laundry facility vending machines for about $1 a pop. But what if you wanna do laundry in the peace and quiet of your own hotel room?

If you’re staying at a deluxe villa, you’ll have a washer and dryer there right in the room! These washer/dryer combos come with a single-serve box of detergent, but you can always grab more at your resort gift shop.

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Fitness Centers

After walking for miles and miles across a Disney theme park, you’ll be happy to know that you can go back to your resort and work out… again. Some of the resorts have fitness centers with equipment that can be used for free during your stay. And while hours will vary at each fitness club, some equipment (like the weights) may need to be put away at night. So if you’re looking to pump some iron, plan to do that earlier on rather than later in the evening.

You may also need your resort key to access the fitness center — so have your smartphone, MagicBand, or key card at-the-ready!

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Community Hall Rentals

Many of the DVC resorts feature Community Halls where you can hang out, play games, or kill time on a rainy day. Anyone staying at a resort with a community hall can take advantage of the board games, foosball, ping pong, and other complementary activities here — while other things (like DVD rentals) may come with a small fee for non-DVC members.

On top of all that, there’s always a schedule of activities taking place in the Community Halls, too. So be sure to check them out for crafts and games if you have some downtime at your resort.

A Food And Wine Festival OUTSIDE Of EPCOT

Now THIS is a hidden gem that all you food-lovers out there are gonna EAT UP… LITERALLY. Over at the EPCOT area Swan and Dolphin Hotels, you can experience the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic for a limited time each fall.

During this event, you’ll pay for a flat-rate ticket to eat and drink as MUCH as you want to while you’re there — with HUNDREDS of different specialty options to choose from.

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Movies Under the Stars

Every single Disney World resort — whether it be a value, moderate, or deluxe stay — has a complimentary Movie Under the Stars that families can attend each night out on the resort lawn or near the feature pool.

The film changes up every evening, so you never know what you’ll be watching next!

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The NANNY Chairs

In the lobby of the BoardWalk Inn, you’ll find the iconic (and downright terrifying) nanny chairs. These spooky-looking seats often sit on either side of the fireplace, and their faces will probably haunt your nightmares for the foreseeable future.

These types of chairs were originally designed for nannies to sit and take a break while children rode carousels, but now there are a few of them that call BoardWalk Inn home. And as a fun little bonus — if you look at the back of them, you’ll see that they’re each painted with a unique name.

Did You Know About These 9 Hidden Secrets in Disney World Hotels?

A Mardi Gras Jubilee

Laissez les bon temps rouler! There’s one place in Disney World where it’s Mardi Gras all year long… but on the actual day of Mardi Gras, the celebration amps up tenfold. Port Orleans Riverside AND French Quarter both celebrate Mardi Gras each year — though most of the party can be found on the French Quarter side.

During this past Mardi Gras holiday, Port Orleans activities and celebrations included:
The Port Orleans Mardi Gras Pargo Parade from 10AM to 11AM (which stretches across both resorts, but starts in Riverside around Building 80)
Mardi Gras Courtyard Crafts from 12PM to 4PM in the French Quarter courtyard
And a Mardi Gras Party from 5PM to 10PM — which also took place in the French Quarter courtyard (after all the crafting had wrapped up for the day).

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Table Service Foods To-Go

You might already be familiar with Mobile Order for the regular counter service spots around Disney World — but did you know that select table service restaurants at Disney World’s hotels (specifically) also offer a mobile order option that will let you take those items on the go?!

Spots like Sanaa, Steakhouse 71, and a handful of others will let you grab your favorite dishes and take them with you — meaning you can grab a meal from your one of your favorite sit-down locations and go enjoy it from the comfort of your room while watching reruns of Mickey Mouse cartoons.

Surrey Bike Rentals

Have you long dreamed of riding in a surrey with a fringe on top? No…? Well… maybe you will NOW! You can rent a surrey bike for two to four people at resorts like BoardWalk Inn, Old Key West Resort, Port Orleans — Riverside and French Quarter, and Saratoga Springs, too!

Now how’s THAT for getting around in style??

Take a Day Off During Your Walt Disney World Vacation

A Former Wave Machine

I know Polynesian Village has been getting a lot of attention lately, due to all the construction going on over there with the new DVC building (that’s slated to open later this year), but let’s take a quick look into the Polynesian Village’s past for just a second (because it’s actually pretty cool).

Back in the ye ol’ days, there used to be a wave machine installed in Seven Seas Lagoon that gave guests the chance to — get this — legit SURF on the lagoon. Buuuuut the wave machine worked a little too well, and the strong waves started to cause damage.

While it only lasted for about a year, you can still sign up for private surf lessons on Disney World property, over at Typhoon Lagoon!

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Hey, Disney!

Hey, Disney! is a bit of a controversial newer feature in the Disney World hotel rooms, but this virtual assistant works very similarly to an A-L-E-X-A.
So it’ll answer questions about Disney World, play Disney music and soundscapes, tell you Disney bedtime stories, and just be an all-around helpful tool if you want it to be.

But if you DON’T want it to be? Just turn it off! It’s got an off-button right there on the top of the device, which Disney encourages you to use if that makes you feel more comfortable during your stay.

Click HERE to learn MUCH more about “Hey, Disney!”

Stormalong Bay

Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts might share a feature pool between the two of ‘em, but — trust me — there’s a REASON. Stormalong Bay is MORE than just a pool. It’s practically a mini-water park — with over 3 acres of sunshine-y fun, featuring the highest Disney resort water slide (at 230 feet), a lazy river, 3 whirlpool spas, and a sand-bottom pool area!

WARNING! Stormalong Bay WILL BE CLOSING for an extended refurb from January 2025-June 2025. So if Stormalong Bay is a KEY REASON why you wanna book either of these hotels, make sure it’ll actually be OPEN when you’re planning on visiting. (Otherwise, you may wanna book a room someplace else.)

Click Here to Check Out the FULL List of Refurbishments Here!

Electrical Water Pageant

The Electrical Water Pageant is a 15 minute show that happens in Disney’s Seven Seas Lagoon, running nightly between 8:25 PM to 10:30 PM (though hours are subject to change) starting up right before Happily Ever After takes place. This light parade features a fun and quirky lineup of aquatic creatures, American Flags, and a catchy synthetic soundtrack.

You’ll find this parade passing by nightly through the Magic Kingdom resort area, right on past the waters in front of Polynesian Village, the Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness, the Contemporary Resort, and outside the entrance of Magic Kingdom park, too.

Bet You Didn’t Know You Could Do This Without a Disney World Park Ticket!

We always tend to say that the Disney World Hotels are just as big a part of the overall Disney World experience as the parks are — but NOW you know WHY that is!

Click here for an overview of ALL the Disney World hotels.

So now the question is… which Disney resort do YOU think has the BEST amenities and SECRETS? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to pick up our FREE guide to every Disney World Hotel, over at disneyfoodblog.com/hotels.