Laundry—Every resort has coinless machines in a laundry room near the pool (expect to pay at least $3/washer load and $3/dryer load, bring a credit card) or a washer and dryer in your room. If you use a Disney laundry room, check http://www.laundryview.com/disneyworld/ before you head over to see if there are available machines! Tip: Most of Disney’s Deluxe Villa resorts offer complimentary self-service laundry facilities (no coins needed). Laundry bags and forms are available in your resort room for pricey same-day service.

Lobby Concierge—Each resort has a Lobby Concierge desk near the registration desk where you can buy park passes, make dining reservations, and find answers.

Mail and Packages—Purchase stamps in the resort shops; mail can be dropped off at Lobby Concierge or placed in mailboxes. UPS and Federal Express also pick up packages, and all carriers can deliver to the resort (be sure to include guest name and arrival date). Please note that a $5/package charge may be charged to receive packages at your resort. The closest U.S. post office is at 601 Market St. in Celebration.

MagicBand—A high-tech wristband issued to guests that unlocks your hotel room door, acts as your park admission, checks you in at FastPass+ entrances, and connects your PhotoPass images. For details, see page 126.

Merchandise Delivery—Resort guests staying on Disney property can have park and Disney Springs 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 or front desk, not your room (unless you’re in concierge).

Money—Cash, Disney Gift Cards, traveler’s checks, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, Diner’s Club, JCB, Apple Pay, and Google Wallet are accepted. Disney Dollars are accepted, though you can no longer buy them. Personal checks are accepted only at the resort where you are a guest. ATMs are near the front desk. Make your room deposit over the phone, Internet, or fax with the above credit cards or by mail with a credit card or check.

Parking—Secured, free, gated parking lots are available at all Disney resorts. The deluxe resorts also offer valet ($25/day, free to those with handicap parking permit/tags) and, once paid, you can use valet parking for the entire day at any Disney resort that offers it (show your receipt). Swan & Dolphin valet is $28 + tax/day. Show your MagicBand, 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—see page 67) unless you travel with a companion (service) animal. You may board your pet for the day or overnight at the Best Friends Pet Care resort, located across from Port Orleans Resort. Daycare fees are $34–$89, while overnight boarding is $39–$81/night per animal for Disney resort hotel guests ($41–$89/night for non-Disney resort hotel guests). The pet resort can accommodate dogs, cats, and “pocket pets” (anything that’s not a dog, a cat, a primate, or venomous). Special features and upgrades include bedtime stories, private dog park, grooming, and more. Get details and make reservations at 877-4-WDW-PETS (877-493-9738) or http://wdw.bestfriendspetcare.com. We boarded our dog Hunter here in 2016 and highly recommend it!

Pools—Every Disney resort has at least one swimming pool. Hours vary, but usually the “themed” pools close in the evenings while the “leisure” pools may stay open all night. Only guests staying at a resort can use its pool (and your MagicBand will often be checked), though some resorts share pools and Disney Vacation Club members using their points have access to all but Stormalong Bay, Bay Cove Pool, and the pools at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Art of Animation (unless they are staying there).

Preferred Rooms—Disney’s value, moderate, and deluxe resorts offer preferred rooms with better locations and higher rates.

Recreation—Every resort has something to do, with many offering a wide variety of outdoor activities. You can visit another resort to use its recreational facilities (with the exception of swimming pools). Be sure to note the operating hours upon arrival or by phoning ahead.