BREAKING NEWS: Disney World Ending Very Unpopular Extra Fee for Resort Guests

In a sign that returned CEO Bob Iger is serious about returning some of the Disney World magic that has been lost in the last few years, Disney announced today that a very unpopular extra fee for guests staying on Disney World property that many viewed as raw money grab is going away immediately. Full details below.

 

From Disney Desinations:

Enjoy complimentary self-parking when staying at a Disney Resort hotel

Beginning this evening, Jan. 10, overnight self-parking will once again be offered complimentary to guests staying at Disney Resort hotels at Walt Disney World. This is a Disney difference many of you have asked us to bring back, and we’re happy to reintroduce it to make your vacation a little easier and more affordable – whether you’re road tripping across the country, renting a car or vacationing as a local Florida resident. As a reminder, Disney Resort hotel guests also continue to receive complimentary standard parking at Walt Disney World theme parks, daily early theme park entry (with valid admission and a park reservation) and complimentary on-site transportation options such as buses, monorails and Disney Skyliner.

This is a big but welcome surprise. We hope this is the first of many reversals of recent policy decisions that have become increasingly guest unfriendly.

RELATED ARTICLE: 10 Things to Know Before You Go to Disney World Resorts

by Matt & Kim

We can’t say enough about the magic that unfolds within each of Disney World’s theme parks! From Magic Kingdom’s pixie dust experiences to Animal Kingdom’s respect for planet Earth – the parks really have it all. The best way, however, to keep that Disney bubble from popping is to stay at one of Disney’s 25+ resorts. Check out these ten things you’ll want to know BEFORE you go to a Disney Resort.

 

1 – Four “Categories”

Selecting which Disney Resort to stay at for your memorable vacation can be tricky. We are thankful, however, that Disney breaks down their resorts into categories that help those looking to stay within a particular price point. The four resort categories include Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villas – with Value being the lower end of cost per night. Staying at a Deluxe Villa means you’re closer to the parks and have greater amenities. Keep in mind – Disney commercials typically showcase their Deluxe category resorts, so it’s especially important to understand the categories, so if you decide to book a Value resort, you aren’t disappointed when you arrive. It doesn’t have all the luxury you see in the commercials!

2 – Room Types & Amenities

On top of the resort categories, Disney’s resorts have multiple room types to fit the variety of family sizes and needs. A campground site to set your tent up on that sleeps 10; a standard hotel room layout with a mini-fridge and microwave that sleeps 4; a 3-bedroom grand villa that has a full kitchen, dining room, and washer/dryer that sleeps 12; and even a bungalow over the water with your own personal hot tub that sleeps 8 – and EVERYTHING in between… there really is something for everyone! Ask yourself what your family needs in size and amenities before arriving only to find this isn’t what you were looking for.

3 – The Perks!

Editor’s Note: At this time, the Disney Dining Plan is unavailable, however, Disney has confirmed that it will return.

YES – the best part! Before arriving at your Disney Resort, you’ll definitely need to know all the perks you get being a Disney Resort Guest. A few of our absolute favorite perks include:

• Resort room charging privileges 
• 60-days PLUS 10-days of advanced dining reservations (vs. 60-days for non-resort guests)
• 30-minute early theme park entry at every park, every morning
• Extended Evening Theme Park Hours for Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels or Disney Deluxe Villas guests
• Ability to book Individual A la Carte Lightning Lane Attractions at 7:00 am (vs. park opening for non-resort guests)
• Disney Dining Plan purchasing ability
• Location, Location, Location… you never have to leave the Disney bubble!

You’ll definitely want to take advantage of these perks to their fullest – which for many of them, is well before you arrive at your Disney resort.

4 – Transportation Around WDW

You’ll want to plan and understand in advance how to get around Walt Disney World from your resort. Disney offers complimentary bus transportation to all theme parks, water parks, and even Disney Springs from all of their resorts. Some resorts also have boat, monorail, Disney Skyliner, or evening walking paths to and from these areas. Check all of this out in advance, so it’s one less thing to have to do when you arrive.

 

5 – Unexpected Fees

Editor’s Note: At this time, the Disney Dining Plan is not offered, but refillable mugs are still available.

We are spreadsheet people, so when it comes to our budget, we try to do our best to calculate all the costs, especially the unexpected ones. A few extra resort expenses you’ll want to budget for include things like resort/souvenir mugs that offer drink refills if you aren’t already on the Disney Dining Plan and “Mousekeeping”/Cast Member tip money.

6 – Online Check-In & Room Access

Skip the front desk all together with Disney’s Online Resort Check-in. Either download the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device or use go to MyDisneyExperience.com on the web. Follow the steps to link your resort room to your profile if it hasn’t already been done. Once this is complete, you can check-in online for your resort room well before your check-in date. On the day of arrival, Disney will send you a text message confirming that your room is ready and provide you with a room number. If your MagicBand (that Disney sends a couple of weeks before your arrival) is linked to your account or if you have your MDE App “Unlock Door” feature ready to go, you can enter your resort room – all without a stop at the front desk. AMAZING!

7 – Bag Drop / Package Delivery

Editor’s Note: At this time, package delivery is unavailable.

Let’s say you arrive early for a day in the park, before the official resort check-in time. No worries! You can drop by your resort and leave your luggage with concierges before check-in time begins if you’d like. Then when your room is ready, you can either swing by and pick up your luggage or have it delivered to your room. While this is a complimentary service for resort guests, you’ll still want to tip the Cast Member assisting with your bags. Go ahead and head out to the parks for some fun! On the flip side, if you are IN a park and don’t want to lug your purchases around with you all day, you can ask the Cast Members there to have your purchases delivered to your resort! This is a FANTASTIC benefit. The item(s) will go back to your resort for you to pick up at a later time.

8 – Special Resort Activities

Editor’s Note: At this time, certain resort activities are not available. 

Call ahead before your resort arrival to ask a Cast Member about Special Resort Activities taking place during your stay. From time to time, particularly during the holidays, Disney Resorts offer special activities not to be missed. Some resorts will have a morning yoga class, a resort 5k walk/run, or even a costume contest during Halloween. There always seems to be something fun happening! Not to mention, the standard resort activities like swimming, games by the pool, movies under the stars, and campfires!

9 – Resort Dining

Depending on the resort category, you may have more than one dining option to choose from at your Disney Resort. Let’s take Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, for example, which has over ten places to get food and/or drinks! Take full advantage of these restaurants and lounges that are likely easily accessible to your resort room. If you are interested in a table service restaurant, character dining experience, or a dinner show – be sure to make advanced dining reservations as some resort restaurants fill up rather quickly. Our very favorite Disney restaurants are located at the resorts!

10 – What is “DVC”?

We’ve heard this story time and time again. A family visits a Walt Disney World resort and falls in love with it. They decide they want to visit often and make it a yearly vacation. They start to notice the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Cast Members located at the resort and around the parks and begin to take note of all the “Welcome Home” signs. After chatting with a DVC Cast Member, they realize this form of Disney time-share is the right way to afford and stay at Disney time and time again. We personally lived this story ourselves! Do yourself a favor and explore DVC BEFORE arriving at your resort. If it’s of interest to you, chat with one of the DVC Cast Members upon arrival. If you decide to buy in – you never know what they may do to comp your current stay and/or move you into a DVC resort as part of your welcome package.

Your magical resort stay awaits, so happy planning in the meantime!