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Parks & Travel

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Walt Disney World® Resort Hotels

Updated
Disney Resorts Facts

Every step of a Walt Disney World® Resort experience tells a story. From the moment you check in, you’re surrounded by details that turn a vacation into an unforgettable journey, and every Resort has a different theme that leads to different sights, sounds, and sensations. We’ve picked 5 of our favorite fun facts about the Resorts that you can keep in mind when you’re looking for which one to book next . . . and what to explore when you get there!

Saratoga Springs Treehouse Villas

1. Stay Ten Feet off the Ground

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa has 60 three-bedroom Treehouse Villas, which sit amid forested glens, 10 feet above the ground. Located right next door to Disney Springs®, Guests can walk over or take a short shuttle ride . . . but complimentary boat rides will get you there in style with memorable scenery to go with all the shopping and dining options at Disney Springs®. And if you’re looking for a great place to eat, view our restaurant guide here!

 

Art of Animation Pool

2. Hear Characters’ Voices in the Pool

The Big Blue Pool at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is the largest swimming pool at Walt Disney World® Resort, measuring 11,859 square feet . . . and no, you’re not imagining things as you swim: this pool features underwater speakers playing music and messages from Nemo and Dory! These kinds of surprise appearances from classic characters make this a popular Resort for families with younger kids. Choose from Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo-themed suites and wake up fully in character!

 

Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna

3. View Wildlife Straight From Your Room

The 46-acre savanna around Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge serves as a home for more than 200 mammals and birds, including zebra, giraffe and marabou stork. Those are some seriously wild neighbors!

 

Disney Wilderness Lodge Stone Fireplace

4. Marvel at a Man-Made Fireplace of Ancient Earth

The stone fireplace inside Disney’s Wilderness Lodge stands 82-feet-tall and re-creates a 2-billion-year geological record of the Earth with colorful rock strata layers. Imagineers even added faux fossilized plants and animals to the layers to add to the realism. Sounds like a good backdrop for a family photo to us! Be sure to look for the Hidden Mickeys in the fireplace! And check out the recreational activities offered at the Lodge including the nearby Tri-Circle D Ranch where all of Walt Disney World® Resort’s horses hang out.

 

Boardwalk Inn Carousel

5. Discover Gorgeous Antiquities that Set the Scene

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas is home to numerous turn-of-the-century artifacts, including an authentic miniature carousel designed in the 1920s by premier carousel craftsman M.C. Illions. Too small to ride, but the perfect size to take a selfie with!

As a Disney® Visa® Cardmember, get even more out of your Disney Resort stay when you take advantage of your Cardmember perks at Walt Disney World Resort®! Book yourself a spa treatment and save 15% off the non-discounted price of any salon treatment valued at $45 or greater most days at participating locations.1 2 Shop for some extra souvenirs with 10% off select merchandise purchases at select locations.3 Treat the whole family to a guided tour with 15% off the non-discounted price of select guided tours like Disney’s Family Magic Tour, Backstage Tales and Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour.4 Get more of the Disney you love with Disney Rewards!

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NEW + EXCLUSIVE

For New Disney® Inspire Visa® Cardmembers

$600 OFFER

A $300 Disney Gift Card eGift upon approval + earn a $300 statement credit after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.12

Learn more
NEW + EXCLUSIVE

For New Disney® Inspire Visa® Cardmembers

$600 OFFER

A $300 Disney Gift Card eGift upon approval + earn a $300 statement credit after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.12

Learn more
NEW + EXCLUSIVE

For New Disney® Inspire Visa® Cardmembers

$600 OFFER

A $300 Disney Gift Card eGift upon approval + earn a $300 statement credit after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.12

Learn more

1Disney Theme Park & Resort Perks

Offers and offer elements including, but not limited to, participating locations and eligible items, are subject to availability and additional restrictions and exclusions, and may change or be canceled without notice. Must use a valid Disney Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card to receive special offers. Merchandise discount may not be available for certain items and at certain locations including Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World® Resort Operating Participant locations and any other locations or kiosks that are not owned or operated by the owners of the Disneyland® Resort or Walt Disney World® Resort. To receive a merchandise discount, you must mention the specific offer. For entry into the Disney Character Experience or Star Wars Character Experience Photo Opportunities, must present your valid Disney Visa Card. Not valid in combination with other offers, discounts, promotions or with any previous purchase. Minimum purchase and/or separate admission may be required. Offers are for personal use only and may not be transferred or resold. Chase is not responsible or liable for fulfillment of these Disney Theme Park and Resort perks.

2Spa and Salon Savings

Offers and offer elements including, but not limited to, participating services, are subject to availability and additional restrictions and exclusions, and may change or be canceled without notice. Must use your valid Disney Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card at time of purchase. Cardmember may use discount for self plus up to 3 Guests, provided the cardmember is present. There is no discount on any packages, children's services or upgrades. Reservations are recommended. For reservation information, call 1-407-WDW-SPAS. Discounts not valid 11/1/18–11/4/18, 12/25/18, 1/9/19–1/13/19, 2/21/19–2/24/19, 4/4/19–4/7/19, 4/21/19, 5/12/19, 7/4/19 and 9/2/19. Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult during spa treatments. Cancellation within 6 hours of appointment time will result in a charge for the full amount of the service booked. For your convenience, a 20% gratuity will be added to each spa service. Additional gratuities are at your discretion. Swimsuits are required at all wet relaxation areas including steam rooms and whirlpools. Not valid in combination with other offers, discounts, promotions or with any previous purchase.Following is a list of spas and salons that are included:Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

  • Senses—A Disney Spa LIC MM30134
  • Ivy Trellis Salon LIC CE9990677

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

  • Senses—A Disney Spa LIC MM31094

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge & Villas

  • Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center LIC MM30234

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

  • La Vida Health Club LIC MM30230
  • Casa de Belleza Salon LIC CE9991951

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

  • Salon by the Springs LIC CE10009080

Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts

  • Ship Shape Massage Salon Fitness LIC MM30232, LIC CE9991792
3Merchandise Savings at Disney Theme Parks & Resorts

Offer and offer elements including, but not limited to, participating locations and eligible items, are subject to availability and additional restrictions and exclusions, and may change or be canceled without notice. A $50 minimum pre-tax single transaction merchandise purchase is required to receive discount. Must use your valid Disney Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card as payment form and mention this offer. Discount is not valid on previous purchases or on purchases of the following: ticket media, Disney Gift Cards, Park Admission, Arcades, tobacco, alcohol, Outdoor Vending (e.g., in-Park balloon vendors, glow vendors), Add-a-Dollar (Wildlife Conservation Fund), postage stamps, rentals (e.g., strollers, ECVs), personalization, Disney PhotoPass® purchases (e.g., purchases through any application, website or onsite sales location), Memory Maker and Memory Maker One Day, select print packages, framed Disney Dollars, Artist Sketch Program, original or consignment art, select limited editions, select specialty items, purchase-with-purchase offers, newspapers/periodicals, books, videos, DVDs, CDs, sundries, pantry/prepared foods, digital/video/disposable cameras, film, consumer electronics, National branded fragrances, treatments and cosmetics, Lladró®, Swarovski® Crystal, Tiffany & Co.® Jewelry, select collectibles, handmade items, special orders, live auction artwork, select product launches, select premium branded items, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and Pirates League packages, phone, email or mail order purchases, shipping or taxes. Discount is not available at Cast Connection, Disney's Character Premiere, Disney's Character Warehouse or Walt Disney World® Resort Operating Participant locations and any other locations or kiosks that are not owned or operated by the owners of the Walt Disney World® Resort, except for Basin®, Basin White®, Chapel Hats (store and kiosk), Filthy Rich, Good Fortune Gifts and House of Good Fortune, House of Blues® Gear Shop, Joffrey's coffee/tea kiosks and Tea Traders Café by Joffrey's, kidsHeritage, Levi's®, Luxury of Time, Marrakesh Emporium Arts & Crafts, Sperry, Sugarboo & Co., and Volcom. Not valid in combination with other offers, discounts or promotions. Separate admission may be required. Discount is for personal use only and may not be transferred or used to purchase merchandise with the intent to resell the merchandise.

4Guided Tour Savings at Disney Parks

Offers and offer elements including, but not limited to, participating guided tours and recreation experiences, are subject to availability and additional restrictions and exclusions, and may change or be canceled without notice. Must use your valid Disney Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card at time of purchase. Most guided tours require separate Theme Park admission. Cardmember must participate in the guided tour or recreation experiences. Guided tours and recreation experiences can be booked for up to 10 total Guests (inclusive of the cardmember). Some guided tours and recreation experiences have age and other restrictions. Not valid in combination with other offers, discounts, promotions or with any previous purchase. Guided tour and recreation experience reservations are for personal use only and may not be transferred or resold.Following is a list of guided tours that are included:Magic Kingdom® Park

  • Disney's Family Magic Tour
  • Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour
  • Disney's The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour
  • Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour

Epcot®

  • Gardens of the World (offered seasonally)
  • The UnDISCOVERed Future World Tour
  • Epcot® Seas Adventures – Dolphins in Depth
  • Epcot® Seas Adventures – Aqua Tours
  • Epcot® Seas Adventures – DiveQuest
  • Behind the Seeds
  • World Showcase: DestiNations Discovered

Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park

  • Wild Africa Trek
  • Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience

Multiple Theme Parks, Backstage Areas and Resort Hotels

  • Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour
  • Ultimate Day for Young Families VIP Tour
  • Ultimate Day at Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival
  • Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour
  • Ultimate Night of Adventure VIP Tour
  • Backstage Magic
  • Disney's Holiday D-Lights Tour (offered seasonally)
  • Disney's Yuletide Fantasy (offered seasonally)
  • Wilderness Back Trail Adventure

Following is a list of recreation experiences that are included at Walt Disney World® Resort:

  • Carriage Rides at Disney's Port Orleans Resort and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
  • Horseback Trail Rides at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

Discounts are not available on the following tours at Walt Disney World® Resort: Premium VIP tours, programs exclusive to groups, group team building programs.

5$300 Disney Gift Card eGift with the Disney Inspire Visa Card

This product is not available to either (i) current cardmembers of this credit card, or (ii) previous cardmembers of this credit card who received a new cardmember bonus for this credit card within the last 24 months. Upon approval of your Disney Inspire Visa Card application, you will be sent your Disney Gift Card eGift via email within hours to any valid email address. The Disney Gift Card eGift can be used at select participating locations at Walt Disney World® Resort, Disneyland® Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Store locations in the U.S., DisneyStore.com, and Adventures by Disney®. Disney Gift Card eGifts are redeemable for goods and services at participating Disney locations. Disney Gift Card eGifts are not refundable or redeemable for cash unless required by law. Disney Gift Card eGifts are not for resale. Disney Gift Card eGifts are issued by, and represents a legal obligation solely of, Disney Gift Card Services, Inc. Lost, damaged or stolen Disney Gift Card eGifts may be replaced only if original email and complete card number are provided. For Disney Gift Card eGift balance inquiries, call 1-877-650-4327 or visit DisneyGiftCard.com. For complete terms and conditions (including arbitration agreement), visit DisneyGiftCard.com. The value of this offer or program may result in miscellaneous income received from Chase and we may be required to send you, and file with the IRS, a Form 1099-MISC (Miscellaneous Information) or Form 1042-S (Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding) for the year in which you participate and are awarded the benefits of the offer/program. You are responsible for any tax liability related to participating in the offer/program. Please consult your own tax advisor if you have any questions about how this could affect your taxes. Chase is not responsible for the provision of, or failure to provide, the stated benefits and services. All trademarks are property of their respective owners. If your account is not open for at least 6 months, Chase and Disney reserve the right to cancel the Disney Gift Card eGift.

6$300 Statement Credit with the Disney Inspire Visa Card

This product is not available to either (i) current cardmembers of this credit card, or (ii) previous cardmembers of this credit card who received a new cardmember bonus for this credit card within the last 24 months. Offers may vary and may not be available through all application methods when applying for the Disney Visa Credit Cards. In some instances, an application may require additional time to process. To qualify and receive your $300 statement credit, you must make Purchases totaling $1,000 or more during the first 3 months from account opening. ("Purchases" do not include balance transfers, cash advances, travelers checks, foreign currency, money orders, wire transfers or similar cash-like transactions, lottery tickets, casino gaming chips, race track wagers or similar betting transactions, any checks that access your account, interest, unauthorized or fraudulent charges, and fees of any kind, including an annual fee, if applicable.) To be eligible for this bonus offer, account must be open and not in default at the time of fulfillment. After qualifying, please allow up to 8 weeks for your credit to appear in your statement.

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