Isn’t staying at a Disney World hotel just the best?!
With all the amenities and immersion, it feels like there must be a little pixie dust at every turn. Disney definitely knows how to make your stay feel extra special. Speaking of amenities, we actually got to thinking about things that we could change about our hotels, and we wanted to get your thoughts on the matter. So we reached out to you to get your thoughts. Now, you definitely delivered. In fact, one particular comment stopped us in our tracks and had us thinking, “Wait a minute…where did this perk go?!”
As we were saying, initially we reached out to our followers on Facebook to ask: “What’s something you wish Disney World would CHANGE about their hotels?”
We had quite a few people leave their opinions in the comments! But one particular comment from our reader Heather stopped us in our tracks. What was her response? “Bring back the free pens!!! All I want is my Walt Disney World pen to carry from one vacation to the next.”
Hold on…the free pens are GONE?! Yep, we had to check. And after some digging, it turns out she’s absolutely right. Disney World hotels used to provide guests with those iconic complimentary pens, but now they no longer do.
The Pen Power!
Let’s take a minute to appreciate the magic of those little pens. They weren’t just any pens. These were your official Disney pens. You’d find them sitting on the hotel desk or bedside table, waiting to be tossed into your bag as a tiny but meaningful souvenir. Some of us (myself included) would even use them as a cute reminder of our trip whenever we needed to jot down something months later. Plus, they were perfect for showing off your Disney loyalty back at home or work.
It’s a small thing, but for Disney fans like us, it’s the little details that make the magic feel real. Now, well, it looks like those pens have officially vanished from our hotel rooms.
Another Perk Bites the Dust
While it might seem like a tiny, trivial loss (you might be thinking, “It’s just a pen!”), it’s really about the principle of it. We know that Disney is known for their over-the-top attention to detail. Every corner of the parks and resorts is designed to remind you that you’re somewhere special. While the big experiences like rides and parades are amazing, sometimes it’s the smaller touches, like those quirky free pens, that leave the longest-lasting memories.
Also, let’s not forget, this isn’t the only hotel perk we’ve seen disappear over the years. Gone are the days of free MagicBands for resort guests. It kind of feels like we’ve been seeing some slow but steady cuts to those “free” extras we all loved. Will Disney bring back these magical little touches, or are we going to have to kiss them goodbye for good? Only time will tell.
That was just a bit about a Disney World hotel perk that we only just found is missing, and now we want to find out from you what hotel perk you want back! Until then, keep it right here for all the latest Disney news! Also, follow us on Facebook to join in on the next discussion.
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What Disney World hotel perk do you want to come back? Let us know in the comments below!
beautiful gorgeous says
The silver cruise ship pens are not good. They must have a minimal amount of ink. It works for about 5 minutes. It’s a shame, expect better.
Barbare Sather says
My guess is they sell the pens now. Anything to gain a buck you know!
David says
Another missing perk….I am going to assume that Iger put disney in such a hole, with its 46 billion in debt and failing movies, they need to do whatever to make up that money.
However, I do not care about the magic bands, when I get to disney go to front desk and ask for a free card…do not know exact name but the credit card type.
Michael Vatter says
Just how greedy can the king rat get? The amount of Swag you used to get as a resort guest was amazing. And in the days of the MKC world plan and grand plan staying on the property was genuinely magic.
Now it’s merely ordinary with a luxe price tag.
naturaldisastergirl says
We will miss the pens too, but what we really miss is resort package delivery from the shops at the parks and Disney Springs. I am not normally one to complain about Disney increasing prices. They are not immune to increasing costs, and rising costs have been out of control the past few years. But what I do add my voice to is that not only are prices going up, you’re getting less for what you’re paying. That’s a double hit that is clearly out of touch with their customer base. Fastpass+ has become a paid service with reduced ability to plan in advance. Free perks like package delivery and pens are gone. There’s too much of a cost difference to stay on property vs. off for Disney to keep cutting perks for resort guests. Even though they are still selling them, and MagicBand+ is still somehwat new, I think Disney is trying to push people to use their own mobile devices even more instead of MBs, and therefore provide one less service, paid or not. The only perk left that really matters to us is the ability to make ADRs and LLRs a little more in advance of people staying elsewhere. It’s not enough of a perk for the cost difference, especially considering what you can get for the price off property. Extended evening hours are nice, if you’re not too exhausted yet, but when we visit, they’re rarely in effect.
Bernie Skoch says
I really don’t care about free cheapie pens. They don’t suit me anyhow.
The perk I was HOPING this article addressed is free to-your-resort park-purchased merchandise PACKAGE DELIVERY! That was SO nice!
We hate to schlepp merchandise through the parks, and I am certain we now buy less merchandise because of it. Isn’t WDC missing sales because other guests feel as we do?
Tom Welsh says
I don’t care about the pens. I would like the 180 ADR window to return, however.
Dave Williams says
Merchandise delivery to resort. This one has cut our spending way back, but I’d still like to see it return.
chris says
i agree. i miss the pens
Marla says
When we first came back to WDW in 1997 for our 25 th anniversary we would always find a balloon and a picture of Mickey in our room. It wasn’t a big thing but it said how much they valued you coming. Going for our 52 this month but we will only get a button
Buzz says
The pens have been gone for a long time. Prices continue to go up and amenities continue to go down. Yet, can you blame Disney, people are still paying the extreme prices. Have they started delivering your park purchases to the resort yet. That was something we enjoyed.
Lois Pierce says
The perk I miss the most is the free transfer of purchases from the parks to your resort. I have to admit that on my last trip, I probably bought less because I knew I’d have to carry it around all day. That’s an example of Disney cutting off their nose to spite their face!
Lucretia Kleinman says
I noticed on my last trip that there was no pen near the phone. How do you leave a pad of paper and no pen? Sometimes the hotel phone rings and I’ll need a pen to write something down!
Also, regarding the peanut butter and jelly packs that Disney was SELLING during the hurricane, when my family was there in 2001?? during Hurricane Charley they gave out FREE meals (I think they were chicken fingers, etc.). So I don’t agree with the people who say you shouldn’t expect free food. They were also very kind and generous about Vacation Points. They didn’t take extra points for the extra night stay.
Kevin Halpin says
Extended hours for all resorts not just deluxe
Magic express!!’
Stephanie says
I was just talking with my family that I want the merch delivery back! So we can happily shop in the parks without lugging it around all day.
Linda Yarnell says
It would be wonderful if Disney would again offer free delivery of packages from the parks and Disney Springs to the hotels.
Orlanna Keegan says
Package delivery from the theme parks to our resort PLEASE
Henry says
Next Disney will figure a way to charge for the special M<ikeyfide air you breathe at the parks.
Cinderella says
Lol, did not know about the free pens, but there was also the perk of a giftcard in lieu of Mouse Keeping–don’t know if you guys covered that one yet!!
Mary says
I want DAS to be available for all of us with disabilities. Physical disabilities, not just mental disabilities as they changed to in the Spring. I have been able to travel alone as long as I was able to use the DAS program. I just called and was told I no longer qualified. If I had a developmental disability such as Autism I would qualify. What??!!! What about those of us with physical disabilities?? Disney, you’re disappointing to those of us long time supporters.
Susan L Andrews says
Purchasing merch in the parks and having it magically appear in your resort gift shop was a huge reason I shopped. Who wants to drag a bag around all day? I know I made a decision to buy because of that. Not so much anymore.
Dottyanna says
Wowza! I never picked up a free pen all the many times I stayed at a Disney resort, so wasn’t even aware this was gone! I miss the free magic band that you got to choose in anticipation of your magical vacation. When it would arrive in the mail about two weeks before you left, it would get everyone extra excited! This is a piece of the Disney magic that no longer exists, along with Magical Express and Fast Pass. Now it is pay, pay, pay for all of these things, which is why we no longer stay on site. In fact, we don’t go nearly as much either. We now choose to experience our beautiful national parks and beaches more often than a trip to WDW.
Beth says
Should we start a petition to bring them back!?!
I miss the pens!
Those pens remind me of the trips I took as a kid, when you could also bring home all the Disney toiletries, shampoo, soap, etc
Those were the days!
janet winslow says
Package delivery from park to resorts airline check in at resort magical express , Free fast pass and please drop the fancy name making you think it is actually worth paying for. 1 hour extended magic hours for all resort guests morning and evening. Grocery delivery from Amazon Garden Grocer etc delivered to your hotel prior to your arrival and happy helpful castmembers!
Buzz says
Let’s also mention all the entertainment that has been cut from Epcot, the Citizens of Hollywood at Disney’s Hollywood Studios etc. and parades plus much more.
Cara says
More cuts, more nickle and diming guests. You know some Disney executives did this to squeeze a tiny bit more profit from guests with no regard whatsoever to what the reaction might be.
Disney ought to send their entire executive team to stay at Disney world for two weeks in a value resort with no car and a limited budget, and no lightning lanes either. Oh, and executives must remain incognito. No special treatment.
That might open a few eyes.
Kristy says
Our family of five visited Disney world every other year starting in 2005. It was our absolute favourite vacation destination! We flew from Canada, and thanks to the Magic Express, we could leave our car at the airport at home, and not have to worry about transportation for the next 10 days. It was perfect! And back then, we often had extra magic hours that would last 2-3 hours after closing (we once got to run around Magic Kingdom at 3am with an almost empty park and it was so magical!) We didn’t mind spending our money at Disney because they always made us feel welcome, valued, special, and safe.
We stopped going because we no longer feel that way. The biggest hit for us taking away the Magic Express. That was one of the biggest and most impressive perks for us. Then to ADD PAID PARKING at the resorts at the same time?? That was just utter greed. And the hits just kept coming. So know we vacation elsewhere. But we keep hoping that one day things might change for the better #wishfulthinking 😉