This page provides lots more details (listed in alphabetical order, for your convenience) about what to do before you arrive AND after you arrive for your vacation!  Note:  If you're willing to submit some comments about your visit to a Disney Resort, please fill out the Disney Resort Review Submission !

Banking  |  Bell Services  |  Cancellation Policy  |  Car Care  |  Cancellation Policy  |  Check In / Out Times  |  Church Services  |  Deposits  |  Dining  |  Disabilities  |  Discounts  |  Early Arrival  |  Express Check Out  |  Film Developing / Processing  |  First Aid  |  Gasoline  |  Gratuities  |  Groceries  |  Guest Services  |  Hairstyling  |  Housekeeping  |  Ice  |  Kid's Clubs  |  Laundry  |  Mail, Postage, Packages  |  Maintenance  |  Merchandise Delivery  |  Messages  |  Newspapers  |  Pets  |  Pools  |  Prices  |  Refillable Mugs  |  Resort Features Comparison  |  Resort "Hopping"  |  "Room Controller"  |  Room Rates  |  Security  |  Special Requests  |  Taxes  |  Telephone Issues  |  Television  |  Tours & Special Programs  |  Transportation, Walt Disney World  |  Valet Parking  |  Wake-Up Calls

Amenities

ATM

see Banking

Banking

Cashiers are available at the front desks of each resort 24 hours a day.  Suntrust Bank ATMs are also available in each lobby, as well as scattered throughout WDW.

Bell Services

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation policies vary depending on the package deal (if you booked with one) and the time out from your arrival date.  In general you will receive only a pro-rated refund if you cancel within a week of your scheduled arrival date.

Car Care

Check In / Out Times

Church Services

Deposits

You must put down a deposit on your room reservation within two weeks of making the reservation.  This includes one night's stay (including the 11 or 12% resort/ hotel tax).   When you make your reservation you'll be told the amount of the deposit.  You'll be given instructions with your confirmation for handling the paperwork.

Dining

Disabilities

Discounts

• Use of the Disney Club (formerly the Magic Kingdom Club) can provide up to 20% savings at some off-peak times of the year.
• Booking rooms at Disney's Welcome Center off I-75 in Ocala.  You may get a great last-minute deal or you might not.
• If you pay for your accommodations using American Express you may get some discount, but it is generally available only at the more expensive resorts.
• Annual Passholders can get some great deals on rooms, again depending on the time of year and subject to availability.

"If you are driving to WDW, you can get your room through the Disney welcome center in Ocala for a substantial discount. Part of the welcome center is a AAA travel center which gets allocated a certain number of rooms each day at a discount based on what is available at the resort. So if you happen to show up at the welcome center early enough you will probably find an available room at any of the "deluxe" hotels (the moderate and value hotels do not get any discounts - they are considered already "discounted" according to the folks at the welcome center). I have gotten rooms at the Grand Floridian, Fort Wilderness, and the Polynesian over the last 2 years using the Ocala welcome center at discounts of up to 45%. HOWEVER, I always visit during the least busy times of the year (early Dec, late Jan/Feb). Obviously if you will be visiting during a busier time of the year there will be less rooms available. But considering that between the GF, Poly, Contemporary, and WL there are 3500 or so rooms there is always a significant chance one will be available."

Early Arrival

If you arrive before your room is ready, Bell Services can store your luggage for you.  You can then pre-register (and obtain your resort IDs, which are actually your room keys too, and admission media) and begin your vacation!  Later in the afternoon you can call a phone number that you're given to get your room assignment so you can move in.

Express Check Out

Features

Film Developing / Processing

First Aid

Gasoline

Gratuities

Groceries

Guest Services

No matter what your need, it's unlikely that Guest Services at your resort can't help out.  Some typical areas that they can help deal with include:

• help with priority seating
• sales of park admission media
• handle general WDW inquiries or questions specific to the resort
• foreign currency exchange
• help with emergency situations such as unexpected car rental or repairs, shipping of gifts or flowers, providing directions or help with WDW transportation
• help arrange special parties or events
• provide information on your reservations for the Polynesian Luau, Mickey's Tropical Luau or the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review; area attractions outside of Walt Disney World; tours and other recreation

Hairstyling

Housekeeping

Ice

Kid's Clubs

Laundry

Meals

Mail, Postage, Packages

Maintenance

Messages

Merchandise Delivery

Newspapers

Pets

Pools

Note:  WDW guests are entitled to use the pool at their own resort only.   "Pool Hopping" (i.e. swimming at a pool located at a resort other than your own) is frowned upon.  In fact, often cast members will check resort IDs and evict interlopers when they are discovered.

Just for reference, here is a list of the prime swimming venues at Walt Disney World.   You may choose to consider this list when making your accommodations reservations (especially if your kids are particularly enamored by one of the themes):

Be aware that all of WDW's beaches are for sunbathing only.  Swimming is not permitted in any of the lakes, rivers, lagoons, or other natural bodies of water.

Prices

Refillable Mugs

The WDW resorts have a refillable mug program in which you can buy a souvenir mug that can be refilled at very low cost at the resort.  Check with Guest Services for more information.

Note: Refillable mugs are also available at Fantasia Gardens and WinterSummer Land Miniature Golf as well (now) at Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.

Resort Features Comparison

There are several categories of resorts. Links to specific resort descriptions are provided, from this page.

"Premium resorts"...are the most costly and offer the best of service and luxury. The premium resorts also have interior hallways, so the rooms are more isolated (i.e. less noisy) and generally have nicer views out of the windows (rather than looking out at the exterior hallway and it's pedestrian traffic). (A new premium resort to be located near Animal Kingdom, and based on an African Safari theme is planned for future opening.)

	Concierge Level	Room Service	Restau- rants	Pool & Water Recre- ation	Kids Programs	Baby- sitting	Health Club	Spa	Mono- rail resort
Animal Kingdom Lodge			3						no
Grand Floridian Resort and Spa			6
Yacht Club Resort			5					no	no
Beach Club Resort	no		5					no	no
Boardwalk Inn			5 (on the board- walk)					no	no
Contemporary Resort			4					no
Polynesian Resort			4				at GFRS	at GFRS
Wilderness Lodge	no		3				no	no	no

"Home-Away-From-Home Resorts"... may include facilities for cooking and generally provide much more spaciousness than the typical hotel room.

	Bed- rooms	Sleeps	Room Service	Restau- rants	Pools	Kids Programs	Baby- sitting	Health Club	Grocery Market	Water Recre- ation
Fort Wilderness Homes			no	4				no
One-Bedroom Wilderness Home	1	6
Boardwalk Villas Resort				5 (on the board- walk)
Studio	1	Up to 4
One & Two Bedroom Villas	1 & 2	Up to 8
Grand Villas	3	Up to 12
Old Key West Resort			Limited	3
Studio	1	Up to 4
One & Two Bedroom Villas	1 & 2	Up to 8
Grand Villas	3	Up to 12
The Villas at the Disney Institute			no	2
Bungalows	1	Up to 4
One & Two Bedroom Townhomes	1 & 2	Up to 6
Treehouse Villas	3	Up to 6
Fairway Villas	2	Up to 8
Grand Vista Homes	2 & 3	Up to 8
Wilderness Lodge Villas			Limited	3
Studio	1	Up to 4
One & Two Bedroom Villas	1 & 2	Up to 8

"Moderate Resorts"...have extensive themeing, but are less formal than the premium resorts. They have fewer services and less extensive restaurant facilities, and have exterior hallways (which means a bit more noise in the room, and window vistas that are less thrilling than the premium resorts, and -- unless your curtains are drawn -- a bit less private).

	Sleeps	Child's Trundle Bed Available	Pools	Restau- rants	Food Court	Water Recre- ation	Health Club	Room Service
Coronado Springs Resort	Up to 4	no		1				Limited
Caribbean Beach Resort	Up to 4	no		1			no	Limited
Port Orleans Resort French Quarter	Up to 4	no		1			no	Limited
Port Orleans Resort Riverside	Up to 4	(sleeps 5 with trundle bed)		1			no	Limited

"Value Resorts"...are much less expensive than the other resorts. The trade off is that they have smaller rooms, and have much fewer meal and service options than the more costly resorts have. The All Stars Movie Resort is planned to open in 1999.

	Sleeps	Pools	Restau- rants	Food Court	Water Recre- ation	Health Club	Room Service
All Star Sports, Music, and Movies Resorts	Up to 4		no		no	no	Limited

....while Fort Wilderness Campground offers that alternative to the folks that like to "rough it"...or just prefer to spend their money less lavishly.

	Sleeps	Pools	Restau- rants	Food Court	Water Recreation	Health Club	Room Service
Fort Wilderness Campground	Varies		3			Yeah, right.

Resort "Hopping"

If you choose to stay at more than one WDW resort during your vacation, you can make arrangements to have Bell Services move your luggage for you.  Make these arrangements at check-in and confirm them when you check-out.  Be prepared for your luggage to move slowly.

"Room Controller"

"Five days before your arrival your reservation will show up in the computer system at the Disney hotel you are registered for. Call the hotel directly and ask for the "Rooms Controller" in the "Front Office". These are the people who actually do the rooms assignments. If you talk nicely to them, they may give you specifically what you are asking for. This will work at all the hotels."

 I've personally done this several times and I've been very happy with the results.

Room Rates

Just for reference, here is a list of typical rack rates (that means non- discounted room rates) at each of the Walt Disney World resort hotels.   These prices were published as of October, 2001 and WDW tends to keep a set of room rates for an entire calendar year, so these tables will certainly give you an idea of the comparative prices between resorts on property.

The dates for value, regular, and peak seasons vary from resort to resort.

A whole ton of legalese goes with this chart... Rates are always subject to availability (and some nights may already be sold out).  Length-of-stay requirements may apply (in other words, Disney may require you to buy a package deal - over the Christmas Holidays for example).  All prices are subject to change without notice.  Prices do not include taxes (6% State Florida Sales Tax, 11-12% county resort tax).

Discounts on rooms are sometimes available through the Disney Club, AAA, American Express card holders and for annual pass holders.

Security

The security at each WDW resort is much greater now than just a few years ago.  When you drive up to your resort, you'll be stopped at a security checkpoint where you'll need to identify yourself either as an incoming (to register) guest, or as a current guest of that or another WDW resort.  If you have your confirmation paperwork ready, you might be waved through quickly.  If not, and depending on the guard's mood, he/she may go through the motions of assuring that you are indeed a guest by checking with the front desk.

After check-in you can use your resort ID to swipe your way through the card reader and avoid the slow-down.

Also, be aware that almost every room at WDW has a small room safes.  If you have extremely valuable items, though, you may want to deposit them at the front desk (where a very secure safe is available).

Special Requests

If you do decide to stay at a Disney resort, I recommend the following:

• Ask for a room close to a bus stop. We've done this ever since our first trip, and it pays off handsomely. If I have any advice about what room to get at a Disney resort....this is the most important (especially at the moderately-priced resorts).
• If you're interested in the themed pools at the resort in which you'll be staying, you can ask for a room near the pool, too. Of course, you'll have to prioritize your bus stop vs. pool proximity preferences.
• Go ahead and stay in a room labeled "parking lot view". The room will not be noticeably different that the "garden view" rooms, it will cost less, and noise is not too much of a concern.
• Each resort, in my experience, has at least one area that is a great compromise between the different requirements. The Jamaica area at the Caribbean Beach Resort, for example, has several rooms that are quite close to a bus stop and are equally close to one of the smaller village pools. Jamaica is also located right next to a causeway that connects up with "Parrot Cay Island", the children's play area, and on to "Olde Port Royale", the themed pool, shopping, and food court area. Another example is the Magnolia Bend buildings at Port Orleans Resort Riverside. Those rooms are also close to the bus stop, area pool, and directly across the mill pond (and accessible by foot) from the recreation, pool, shopping, and restaurant area at that resort.
• Don't hesitate to list your preferences to the cast member that takes your reservation. By explaining your needs and desires, you can work with the Disney folks to determine a location at the resort at which you will be staying that suits your fancy.
• One final comment, Disney will NOT guarantee any particular room or request. Preferences are met as best as can be done, but Disney will not make promises that they, themselves, know they might not be able to keep. A little patience on your part can help the situation, though. If a room that meets your list of requirements will be available later in the day, you may consider accepting a delayed check-in. You can still get your park passes and start your vacation, but your room will not be available until a few hours later. You might even decide to suggest that another room might be available later in the day...by expressing a willingness to wait, the cast member might be able to give you what you'd like.

Other things you can/should arrange when you make your reservation include:

• cribs
• roll-away beds
• refrigerator rental
• specially-equipped rooms
• preference for king-sized bed

Of course, the number of special requests that are made for any given check-in day is huge! The Disney folks do their best to meet your requests, but you can help yourself, too, by following these guidelines:

• Be general: the less specific the better chance you have of getting what you want.
• Don’t have too many requirements. There are only a certain amount of rooms with everything you ask – if any at all – and many folks are asking for the same thing.
• Check in as early in the day as possible. Most times your requests are put on your file, although a room is not assigned. If you check in early there is a better chance that what you ask for is available.
• KNOW WHY YOU ARE REQUESTING SOMETHING. Too often, when a specific request is not available, the front desk cast member will ask why you made that request so they can find something similar, only to find that the guest does not know other than he was told to do so by his travel agent or was given the suggestion by a friend or some online source. Without a specific reason for your request, it will be correspondingly difficult to justify meeting it.

Taxes

Believe it or not, the tax rates at the resorts vary across Walt Disney World.  In all cases, the state sales tax is 6% and the state resort tax is 5%.  However, in Osceola County (the Southern part of WDW), there's an additional 1% county sales tax.  What that boils down to is this:

• The All Star Resorts have a resort tax of 5%, and a combined sales tax of 7%.  Your room, then, will be taxed at 12% and purchases (sundries and souvenirs) will be taxed at 7%.
• Purchases at the Wide World of Sports would also be hit with the 7% sales tax.
• All other WDW resorts and retail locations have a resort tax of 5% and a sales tax of 6%.  Your room, then, at any other WDW resort, will be taxed at 11% and purchases at 6%.
• If you stay offsite, just keep in mind that you'll be hit with that slightly higher rate if you stay in Osceola County (along SR-192, Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway)

Telephone Issues

The cost of any local call at any WDW resort is $.75 per call (DVC members get a bit of a break at the DVC resorts.)

All calls (Kissimmee, Orlando, etc.) require the full area code.  The charges for long distance calls are $1.55 for the first minute and $.30 for each additional minute. Disney adds a 50% surcharge on top of that so it ends up being $2.32 for the first minute and $.45 cents for each additional minute.

Here is a warning to visitors that are staying at the Northern-most WDW resorts (including Old Key West Resort, Port Orleans Resort, and the Villas at the Disney Institute):  Kissimmee telephone numbers are long distance.

Television

The television station offerings at the WDW resorts are not very extensive, but you're not there to watch TV anyway, right?  You will find the basic lineup of typical channels plus The Disney Channel (of course) as well as the Walt Disney World Network which broadcasts an ongoing infomercial of everything that's going on at WDW.  That's usually the first thing we turn to when we check in, just to get some atmosphere and hype while we lug in the suitcases and settle in.  Depending on how mother nature is treating you, you may find the weather channel valuable for your trip.

Tipping

see Gratuities

Tours & Special Programs

Transportation, Walt Disney World

Valet Parking

Valet Parking is available at each of the premium WDW resorts.  The service used to be free (at those resorts) to all WDW resort guests, but that perk was removed in the Fall of 2001.  If you're used to enjoying that service at no cost, be prepared for the new price tag (which is typically around $6.00, but may vary from resort to resort).  It is still customary to tip when your car is retrieved for you.

Note that Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members still do get free valet parking service at all DVC resorts (but NOT at the other premium WDW resorts.)

Valuables

Wake-Up Calls

Wheelchairs

see Disabilities

Service Cutbacks in the World

Trip Planning Guide Home

Intro & References

Phone Directory

Planning Your Trip

Accommodations

Primer

Parks

Everything Else in WDW

When the Trip is Done
Information on scrapbooking album services and supplies

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