Hey Disney planning friends! One of my favorite parts of staying at a Disney Resort hotel is that there’s so much more included in your stay than simply a place to sleep after a long park day. I think many of us get so focused on Lightning Lanes, dining reservations, and rope drop strategy that we sometimes forget to actually enjoy the resort we spent all that money booking in the first place. Over the years, I’ve noticed there are quite a few Disney Resort features that guests either completely forget about or never realize exist at all, and some of them can genuinely make your vacation feel calmer, easier, and even a little more magical.
One of the most underrated offerings at Disney Resort hotels has to be the nightly activities. Many resorts host complimentary Disney movie nights under the stars, often on the lawn or near the main pool area. I still love wandering past and seeing families curled up together watching a Disney classic after a busy park day. There are also campfires and marshmallow roasts offered at many resorts in the evenings, which somehow feel both nostalgic and relaxing at the same time. It’s one of those simple little experiences that kids absolutely adore, and it gives everyone a chance to slow down for a moment instead of racing from one reservation to the next.
Another feature I think guests forget to take advantage of is the quieter pool areas throughout the resorts. Everyone rushes toward the main themed pool, but some of the smaller pools scattered around Disney Resort hotels can feel like hidden gems. If you’ve ever needed a break from the noise, crowds, and splash-zone chaos of the feature pools, these calmer spots can be an absolute lifesaver. I’ve spent entire afternoons at quiet pools that felt practically empty compared to the main resort hub, and sometimes those peaceful little moments end up becoming some of the best parts of the trip.
Then there’s the convenience side of resort life, which I still think many guests underuse. Grocery delivery services to Disney Resorts have become such a smart way to save money, especially for families. Services like Instacart can deliver breakfast staples, snacks, drinks, and other essentials directly to your resort, where Bell Services can hold them for later pickup (charges apply). This is particularly helpful if you’re trying to avoid paying for expensive character breakfasts every morning or simply want easy grab-and-go snacks before heading to the parks. We’ve saved so much time and money over the years by having yogurt, fruit, cereal bars, and bottled water ready to go in the room each morning.
Disney also still offers some surprisingly helpful shopping conveniences that many guests overlook. If you’re buying larger souvenirs, fragile items, or simply trying to save precious suitcase space on the flight home, many merchandise locations throughout the parks can ship your purchases directly to your home for an additional fee. It’s such a helpful option when you inevitably fall in love with something oversized that absolutely will not fit in your luggage. (I know this one isn’t really a resort feature, but it does help keep things under control in your room!) And over at Disneyland Resort, some stores also offer package check services, allowing guests to leave purchases at designated locations and collect them later as they exit the park instead of carrying bags around all day long. Trust me, after a full day of attractions, snacks, and walking, not hauling multiple shopping bags through crowded pathways suddenly feels like one of Disney’s greatest luxuries.
And finally, don’t forget about Disney’s luggage assistance and storage services. Whether you arrive before your room is ready or have a late flight home after checkout, Bell Services can hold your luggage while you continue enjoying the parks or the resort. Sometimes it’s those smaller resort conveniences that quietly make a Disney vacation run much more smoothly, and once you start using them, it’s hard to imagine planning a trip without them.
