food IS a theme park
Disney Springs has evolved a lot over the years, from the original Marketplace era through Pleasure Island and Downtown Disney to the present-day shopping district.
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That evolution continues today, and that’s leading to some new procedures for guests to be aware of.
Are you already planning a Disney World trip for 2027 and are wondering if you should stay on Disney World property? We totally understand what a big decision that can be!
Wilderness Lodge Hotel
Staying at a hotel on Disney World property can be so incredibly magical and can sometimes make your trip easier. You’ve got free transportation to and from your hotel and the parks and Disney Springs, you’re surrounded by Disney magic constantly throughout your trip, and many guests feel that, by staying on property, they fully step away from the stress of the world for a few days. However, it’s EXPENSIVE, even if you’re staying at one of the Value Resorts, and you may be weighing whether the perks of staying on property are worth the cost. To help you decide, here’s a rundown of ALL the hotel perks we know you can get in 2027!
While Disney World is best known for world-class attractions, food, and hotels, the heart and soul of the resort has always been — and will always be — its Cast Members. They make the magic after all.
Cast Members
According to the Cast Members on our team, there are multiple things the former CMs on our team wish guests would know BEFORE their next trip to the “Most Magical Place on Earth.
When it comes to Disney World rides, there are a lot of things experts do… and many more that they NEVER do.
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From listening to Cast Members and following safety instructions to keeping belongings in check and maintaining proper ride etiquette, if you do these things, you’re a gold star Disney guest as far as we’re concerned.
Given the sheer scope of Walt Disney World and the overwhelming amount of guests they deal with, it’s no surprise that Cast Members have encountered their fair share of bizarre experiences over the years.
Cast Members
From celebrity sightings and the difficulty of maneuvering the maze of the Magic Kingdom’s Utilidors to bizarre encounters with guests, each of these stories exemplifies the kinds of things Cast Members deal with on a daily basis.
Disney World’s Hotel Cast Members are renowned for their excellent customer service and helpful disposition. However, just under the surface, there are some things they’re often biting their tongues to stop from saying.
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From dining to luggage to check-in and check-out issues, Disney Hotel Cast Members are often dealing with situations that they have no control over, though some guests simply ignore that. These are some of the thoughts running through their heads.
Planning a Disney World vacation without staying on property? You might want to rethink that strategy.
Early Entry at EPCOT
Booking a Disney resort hotel isn’t just about convenience (though that’s definitely a bonus). It’s about unlocking a whole roster of exclusive perks that can seriously upgrade your vacation experience. From getting into the parks before everyone else to scoring those impossible-to-get dining reservations, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about Disney World hotel perks for 2026.
EPCOT’s World Showcase has long been one of the most popular areas in any Disney theme park, thanks to its pavilions recreating the charms of several countries around the world with architecture, design, souvenirs, and, of course, food!
Italy
One of the most popular pavilions is the one themed after Italy, which features Venetian, Florentine, and Roman architecture, including recreations of St Mark’s Campanile, the La Gemma Elegante shop representing a replica of the Doge’s Palace, and other hallmarks of Italian architecture, such as the Columns of San Marco and San Todaro, the Ponte della Pagli. In addition, the pavilion’s Neptune Fountain is reminiscent of Rome’s Trevi Fountain. With all that being said, what do Italian guests actually think of the pavilion, and what rules do they follow? Well, we asked around.
Hotel stays have been a part of Walt Disney World from the very beginning, and guests staying on property in 2026 are going to have a slew of perks available to them.
Skyliner
These perks range from extra time in the parks and early Lightning Lane bookings to theme park transportation and baggage transport. However, not every perk is available to guests at every tier of Disney hotels.
To many, the holiday season is the “most wonderful time of the year,” and when it comes to Walt Disney World, the most important time of day during that period is 4:00 PM. See, for guests at the Magic Kingdom during November and December, that’s the definitive time of their day. It’s when guests attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party can begin entering the park, and when guests without party tickets need to start wrapping up their day.
Decorations during the day
I’ve been visiting Walt Disney World for 30+ years, and learned that lesson the hard way back in 2009. That year, I was in Florida with several friends when we decided on a whim to visit Walt Disney World during a free day, and chose the Magic Kingdom without looking at the park’s schedule. We purchased our tickets at a kiosk in the lobby of our off-property hotel (this was in the nascent smartphone era, so not everything was handled online) and arrived at the Magic Kingdom around 10:00 AM… only to discover that it was a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party day, and that the park would be closing to regular day guests at 6:00 PM. In other words, when 4:00 PM rolled around, we needed to start wrapping up our day and rushing to fit in any final attractions. Womp Womp.
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
