Learn from my past experiences. Here are 10 mistakes to avoid making at Disney resorts:
- Not completing online check-in – You can check-in for your resort up to 60 days before your arrival date. You can select which type of room you prefer and when you arrive at the resort you can head to a special area of the Front Desk for your welcome packet and MagicBands saving you time!
- Not following instructions for direct-to-room check-in – Sometimes you don’t even have to go to the front desk! If you get a text from Disney that you are already checked-in and assigned your room number and you received your MagicBands in the mail, you can bypass the front desk and head straight to your room.
- Assuming you will get a room upgrade – Sometimes Disney will upgrade guests at check-in. This is a Magical Moment and not a given. Don’t automatically assume that you will be upgraded or you are sure to be disappointed.
- Picking the wrong area of the resort – When you complete your online check-in, you can select from multiple options within your resort such as floor level, location and even view. Pick the best options for your family but remember that it is not a given.
- Not checking out the restaurants – Dining at your resort is not only convenient but it also submerses you in the magic. Learn about the restaurant offerings at your resort before you go and book ADRs at any Table Service Restaurants that appeal to you.
- Not familiarizing yourself with transportation – Each resort has different transportation options. Look up your resort’s options before you travel. And on your arrival day, look for the bus, Monorail and boat stops so that when you head to the park you know where to go.
- Not checking the beds for personal belongings – It makes me so sad to hear of lost items in the bedding when it is changed. I’ve seen many stories where children have lost their loveys to the wash. Make sure before you leave that nothing is on the bed but bedding.
- Going to the front desk for check out – You don’t have to do anything on departure day at the front desk. Your receipt will be emailed to you. You can skip the desk all together and leisurely enjoy your last moments at the resort.
- Smoking outside your room – There are designated smoking areas at the resort as well as the parks. If you choose to smoke elsewhere, you could get in trouble. I wouldn’t risk it.
- Not getting in the pool – Each resort has a pretty awesome pool (or two…or four). Schedule some pool time into your trip if the weather permits. It’s a fun way to relax and unwind after a long day in the parks.
Learn more about the Walt Disney World Parks including attractions, secrets, tips and more. Plus my friends at Destinations in Florida can help you plan your perfect Walt Disney World vacation.
We plan to go straight from airport to magic kingdom. Will out magic bands work if we don’t go to the hotel first.
Yes, your magic bands work right away.
I like these tips and in fact was inspired to start my online check-in. However I was not given any resort room options as stated in number 4. Is this something only available to deluxe or moderate resorts (we are staying at All Star Sports), or possibly an option that is given closer to our arrival date?
It’s not readily apparent where to put your request. I remember it was a little drop down link but if you didn’t click it, you might not notice it. This is also true when making ADR’s. There is a link that brings up a drop down list of special requests such as allergies or wheelchair friendly.
As for the room, one of the best tips I’ve ever received is to ask for a corner room. This gives you a bit of extra square footage & believe me, it goes s long way! If you missed where to put it in, call Disney – their agents are always ready to help & have been great every time I’ve called.
Only thing I got was a drop down menu that gave me one choice for request #1 and request @2 – upper level. That was it. There was no link to anything. Made no sense, since if I chose “upper level” for my first choice, then I wouldn’t need to choose it for my second request.
One of the happiest places on earth. I’ve only been 5 times but can’t wait to go back. too bad it’s so expensive from Canada. My last trip was 2013, for my sister and I, over $3000 !! But that was for 10 days, flight, food, tickets, accommodations…. had a blast. Now I can’t wait to just go alone with my husband !!
I am from canada too. Check out the disney ticket offer for canadian residents. 25%off. Its a great deal. And they don’t expire until you active them. For 4 of us 6 day tickets it was 1114. So it would be cheaper for 2 and you can do a room and dining only package. You will have to call disney to get the rate but in tital for all of us to go for that long with tickets and food and room. Its only going to be 2828us.
Your tips are so helpful for everyone. Whether it’s for a rookie or veteran Disney resort stay.
We did online check-in and had the text with our room number that it was ready, however we still had to go to the front desk because our Magic Bands would not open the gates for us to get onto the property to access our room. Sometimes things happen, so just be aware that glitches exist in every system and roll with it. Fyi to all.
I had that happen too. I was told the gates will only open after you use your majicband on your door. Sure enough it worked every time. Just have to go to the main gate just the initial time that you drive up to your “home”
And walking around the grounds of your resort! They are fun and many are just beautiful!