Digital Key—The My Disney Experience app will soon give us the ability to unlock our Disney resort hotel rooms using a digital key on our mobile devices. You'll also be able to use the app to unlock the hotel entrance gate and common area doors, such as pools, fitness centers, and club level lounges. You can even get the digital key without going to the front desk, meaning you can go directly to your room when it is ready. 

Disabled Access—All resorts offer accommodations and access for differently abled guests. For details and reservations, call Disney’s Special Requests Department at 407-939-7807 (voice) or 407-939-7670 (TTY). Be sure to ask that “Special Needs” be noted on your reservation. See page 29 for the number of barrier-free rooms at each resort.

Extra Magic Hours—Guests at Disney resorts and the Swan, Dolphin, and Shades of Green can enter the parks up to one hour earlier or stay two hours later. Resort-issued MagicBand or resort key card is required for entry, along with a valid admission. Only certain parks and attractions are open for Extra Magic Hours on any given day, however. The schedule changes from week to week (check http://www.disneyworld.com for the schedule during your visit), but here’s a sample Extra Magic Hour schedule:

Extra Magic Hour Attractions—You'll find a comprehensive list of attractions open during both morning and evening Extra Magic Hours at http://www.passporter.com/walt-disney-world/extra-magic-hours. Attractions are subject to change.

Food—Every resort has places to eat, such as food courts, cafes, fine dining, and room service. All resort eateries are noted in each resort’s dining section later in this chapter. Details on the table-service restaurants start on page 230. If you are looking for snacks or groceries, each resort has a store with a small selection of food and drinks. No gum is sold on property. Special dietary requests can be made (see page 228).

Housekeeping Services—Every Disney resort has daily “mousekeeping” services and will happily provide 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 that Disney is moving to refillable shampoo/soap dispensers by 2021 rather than individual toiletries in bottles.) For tipping suggestions, see page 36. Note: Disney’s Deluxe Villa Resorts provide reduced services to DVC members using their points.

Ice and Soda—All resorts have ice machines within easy walking distance. Most, but not all, also have soda machines with Coke products. The more plush the resort, the harder it is to find a soda machine. If soda is important, pick up some before you arrive (it’s cheaper anyway). Another option is to purchase a refillable souvenir mug (offered at most resorts) for free (or low-cost) refills of soda, coffee, tea, and cocoa at your resort—see page 36.

Information—Check the Walt Disney World information channels on your in-room TV. These channels are available at every resort and offer a nice introduction for newcomers, plus a peek at what’s new. You can touch “0” on any resort phone for more information. You can also speak with the cast members at the Lobby Concierge desk available at every Disney resort.