Disney Resort Key

Food—Every resort has places to eat, such as food courts, cafés, fine dining, and room service. These are detailed in the dining sections of each resort’s information page later in the Staying in Style chapter. Details on the table-service restaurants begin on page 226 of the PassPorter Walt Disney World travel guide. If you are looking for snack food or groceries, each resort has a store that provides a small selection of food and drinks. No gum is sold on property. Special dietary requests can be made (see page 204).

Housekeeping Services—Almost every resort offers daily "mousekeeping" services and happily provides you with extra towels, pillows, and blankets upon request, as well as a hair dryer, iron, and ironing board. If you require extra toiletries, just ask for them. Note: Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resorts provide reduced housekeeping services to DVC members using points.

Ice and Soda—All resorts have ice machines within easy walking distance. Most, but not all, also have soda machines. The rule seems to be the more plush the resort, the harder it is to find a soda machine. If soda is important, pick some up before you arrive (it is cheaper anyway).

Information—Check the Walt Disney World Resort information channels on your in-room TV. These channels are available at every resort and offers a nice introduction for newcomers, plus a peek at what’s new for veterans. You can touch "0" on any resort phone for more information.

Laundry—Every resort has either coin-operated washers and dryers in a laundry room near the pool expect to pay 8 quarters/load) or a washer and dryer in your room. Tip: Old Key West, The Villas at Wilderness Lodge, and Beach Club Villas offer complimentary self-service laundry facilities (no coins needed). Laundry bags and laundry lists are also available in each room for same-day laundering service (though it is expensive). Tip: Store your dirty laundry in the laundry bags.

Lobby Concierge (formerly Guest Services)—Each resort has a Lobby Concierge desk where you can purchase park passes, make dining reservations, and find answers to just about any question. You can also connect to Lobby Concierge (and other Disney Services) through a button on your in-room phone.

Mail and Packages—Purchase stamps at Lobby Concierge and in many shops; mail can be dropped off at Lobby Concierge or placed in mailboxes. Federal Express also picks up and drops off packages here. A full-service post office is located at the Shoppes at Lake Buena Vista at 12133 Apopka-Vineland Road, about one mile north of the Crossroads Shopping Center.

Merchandise Delivery—Resort guests can have park and Downtown Disney purchases delivered free to their resort, usually by the next afternoon or the day after. Inquire before your purchase is rung up. Your package is delivered to your resort's gift shop for pick-up, not your room. (Includes Swan/Dolphin guests.)

Money—Cash, Disney Dollars and Gift Cards, travelers checks, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, Diner's Club, and JCB are accepted, as well as personal checks with proper ID. ATMs are located near the front desk. Make your room deposit over the phone or fax with the above credit cards or by mail with a credit card or check.

Parking—Secured, free, gated parking is available at all Dsney resorts. The deluxe resorts offer valet parking ($7/day, free to those with handicap parking permit/tags); Swan & Dolphin valet is $14/day. Show your resort ID or confirmation at the security gate--parking is reserved for resort guests and those using a resort's restaurants or recreation.

Pets—Pets are not allowed in the parks or resorts (except for a few campsites at Fort Wilderness) unless you travel with a companion (servie) anmal. Kennel fees are $6/day or $9/night per animal for Disney resort hotel guests ($11 per night for non-Disney resort hotel guests). Although the kennels are designed primarily for dogs and cats, they can also accommodate birds, ferrets, small rodents, rabbits, and non-venomous snacks. Pets in kennels must be walked two to three times per day by their owners.

Pools—Every Disney resort has at least one swimming pool. Hours of operation vary, but usually the “theme” pools close in the evenings while the “quiet” pools may stay open all night. Only guests staying at the resort can use it’s pool, though some resorts share pools and Disney Vacation Club members using their points have access to all but Stormalong Bay (Yacht & Beach Club) and the pool at Animal Kingdom Lodge (unless they are staying there.)

Recreation—Every resort has something to do, with many offering a wide variety of outdoor activities. Remember, even if your resort doesn’t offer what you’re looking for, you can visit another resort to use its recreational facilities (with the exception of swimming pools). Be sure to note the recreational hours upon arrival or by phoning ahead.

Refillable Mugs—Most resorts sell thermal mugs that can be refilled for free or at a reduced rate at your resort for the duration of your stay. If you drink a lot of soda, tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, these are a blessing—and they make fun souvenirs to take home. Mugs are about $12 and can generally be refilled on your own at a resort’s food court or snack shop. Note that a few resorts place mugs in your room upon arrival, but they are not free—if you use them, you will be charged. Mugs cannot be refilled at other resorts, and neither milk nor juice is a refill option unless it appears on the soda fountain.

Room Service—The deluxe resorts and some of the moderate resorts offer room service. Most resorts offer a pizza delivery service in the afternoon and evenings.

Security—Security at Disney has always been good, and since 9/11 security has visibly heightened. A gatehouse guards entry into every resort. If you arrive by car, plan to show your resort ID and photo ID and explain that you are checking in, dining, or using the resort's recreational facilities. All resorts have electronic locks which open with your resort ID, or a punched plastic key for added security. In addition, you can store small valuables in your in-room safe (most, though not all, rooms have them) or with the Front Desk.

Spa—This is Disney’s term for a hot tub. At least one spa is available at every resort but the All-Stars, Fort Wilderness, Polynesian, and Pop Century resorts. There are also traditional Spa facilities (massages and manicures) in some resorts.

Tax—Sales tax is 6.5% in Orange County (most of Walt Disney World) and 7% in Osceola County (Pop Century and some parts of All-Star Resorts); sales tax is charged on all purchases and lodging. An additional lodging tax is assessed on guest rooms: 6% in Orange County and 6% in Osceola County.

Telephones—All rooms have a phone and information on how to use it. Local and toll-free calls are 75 cents each, while long distance calls are the cost of the call plus a 50% surcharge. Ouch! Use a calling card or cell phone instead if possible. Incoming calls are free.

Transportation—Every resort offers complimentary transit to and from the parks via bus, boat, monorail, and/or pathway.

Wheelchairs—Wheelchairs can be borrowed from every Disney resort (inquire at Bell Services). A deposit may be required, and availability is limited. Motorized wheelchairs (ECVs) may be rented at the parks for in-park-only use. We recommend Care Medical (800-741-2282 -- http://www.caremedicalequipment.com) or Walker Mobility (888-726-6837 -- http://www.walkermobility.com). Both offer 24-hour rentals of wheelchairs and ECVs... and they'll deliver!