food IS a theme park
There are few things more exciting than the start of a Disney World vacation. The anticipation, the planning, and the travel all culminate with arrival at one of Disney’s hotels and enjoying all the perks that go along with them.
The Monorail INSIDE Contemporary Resort
However, there are a few things any guest checking in needs to keep in mind, especially when it comes to one of Disney’s newest – and most popular – resort perks.
Things are almost ALWAYS changing in Disney World! Lately, it feels like the parks are entirely new places thanks to updates like Villains Land, Piston Peak, Monsters Inc. Land, and more
Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle
Each week, it feels like Disney is constantly dropping new information, details, and more! That’s why we like to do a weekly wrap-up of the biggest news so you don’t miss a single thing. Let’s dive into this week’s latest and greatest Disney news.
There’s so much fun to be had this summer at Disney World, but fans of a couple of Disney World restaurants won’t be able to visit for a few months.
Yachtsman Steakhouse
While there will certainly be no shortage of FANTASTIC dining options all over Disney World, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney’s Yacht Club will both have some limitations due to scheduled restaurant refurbishments. We’re giving you the skinny on these closures and letting you know when you can expect them to reopen!
There are a lot of construction projects happening in Disney World right now. Magic Kingdom just got one updated ride, is about to reopen another updated ride, is getting a Cars expansion in Frontierland, and is getting a new Villains land. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is reimagining Animation Courtyard into The Walt Disney Studios, while also building a new Monsters, Inc. land. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is also getting a new land.
©Disney
But there’s even more construction than that going on. Disney World is also getting a brand new hotel, Lakeshore Lodge, and we now have a first look at what’s happening ON THE GROUND with construction on that hotel.
There are a lot of things Disney World does extremely well. Fireworks. Snacks. Turning “I’ll just browse the gift shop” into a minor financial event. What Disney World is not naturally built for is quiet. This is, after all, a vacation kingdom fueled by stroller traffic, mobile order panic, and one family of six somehow stopping in the exact center of every walkway like they’re filming a documentary about poor spatial awareness.
Magic Kingdom
So yes, if you’re an introvert, Disney World can be a lot. Not bad a lot, necessarily. Just… a lot. A parade of sounds, crowds, questions, decisions, heat, logistics, and strangers breathing with a level of confidence that feels, frankly, aggressive.
Which is exactly why your hotel matters.
These days, there’s construction going on all OVER Disney World.
Wilderness Lodge in Disney World
There are projects underway in all four parks to add new lands (like Villains Land and Tropical Americas), update attractions (like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster), and just conduct general maintenance. But we can’t forget about construction at the resorts! Recently, a new permit was filed for construction at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
There comes a moment in every Disney fan’s life when the hotel decision stops being about giant icons, splash pads, and whether a pool is playing pop music at a volume normally reserved for aircraft carriers. It becomes about knees. Sleep. Transit. Price. Dignity. Maybe a decent cup of coffee before 7AM.
And honestly? Fair.
Beach Club Resort
Walt Disney World has more than 25 Disney Resort hotels in the Disney Resorts Collection, which means there are plenty of ways to do this vacation wrong for your particular stage of life. For a lot of Disney fans in their 50s, the resorts they refuse to book are not “bad” hotels. They are just the ones that trigger the most Gen X response possible: absolutely not.
Where should you stay when you visit Disney World?
Holiday Inn Orlando in Disney Springs
Well, there are often two very different opinions, depending on who you ask. Many will tell you that you should stay at a Disney World hotel on-property so you can stay within the Disney bubble. However, some Disney World visitors prefer staying off-site to save money. Well, if you’re considering a stay at an off-site hotel, you might want to consider the Disney Springs area hotels, which have a lot of the same conveniences as a Disney-owned hotel. We’re going to give you a tour of one of those hotels right now, Holiday Inn Orlando.
Staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa — for many Disney fans — is the ULTIMATE must-do at least once during a Disney World vacation. If you’ve ever wondered what a stay is actually like, look no further — we’re spilling the tea.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
As one of Disney’s most luxurious hotels, the Grand Floridian can feel like an elusive bucket-list stay. Packed with Victorian-era theming and amenities and restaurants that are often considered world-class, this hotel can provide a Disney experience unlike anything else around the world. During one of our stays, we were able to enjoy the DVC resort studios (which boasts Mary Poppins theming), and there were some seriously impressive elements that have us itching to book another visit.
Disney World has some great hotels and they make it pretty sweet to stay there!
Grand Floridian Resort
Disney offers you perks for staying at their hotels, like Early Theme Park Entry, Extended Evening Hours, advanced Lightning Lane booking, and free water park tickets, just to name a few. There are also occasionally promotions you can participate in, like Free Dining, where Disney will add a Dining Plan to your package for no additional cost. Pretty great, huh? But it all comes with a price point. We know Disney resorts can be pricey, but we’re thinking that this upgrade to your resort is totally worth it!
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