Credit: DisneyWalt Disney World vacations continue getting more expensive, especially for guests who choose to stay at a Disney Resort hotel. Between rising room rates, higher food costs, and premium add-ons like Lightning Lane, many families are paying more than ever for the convenience of staying on property.
That growing price tag has also raised expectations. Guests don’t just expect a place to sleep. They expect an immersive resort experience that feels worth the premium.
Instead, some Disney fans believe the company has slowly scaled back the little luxuries that once made an onsite stay feel extra special. While Disney still offers beautifully themed hotels and plenty of amenities, there are several resort perks guests wish would finally make their way to the pools.
Here’s what’s still missing.
A Huge Part of the Resort Experience
Disney pools aren’t just places to cool off. They’re attractions in their own right.
Whether it’s the lava slide at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, or the giant character-themed pools at Disney’s Value resorts, guests often plan entire afternoons around relaxing poolside.
Florida’s heat is also one of the biggest reasons to stay at a Disney hotel rather than leave the property for the day.
Whether you’re staying at a Deluxe or Value resort, the pool can be a big part of your Disney vacation. However, it’s starting to feel a little behind the times in a few key areas. These are the four pool perks we wish Disney World hotels would implement.
Mobile Ordering Shortage
Mobile ordering is one of the biggest improvements Disney has introduced over the past several years.
The feature makes it faster to grab meals throughout the parks and resorts, allowing guests to skip long lines and spend more time enjoying their vacation.
So why can’t guests use that same convenience while relaxing by the pool?
Right now, they’re largely stuck doing things the old-fashioned way. A few Deluxe resorts offer limited poolside service, but that’s the exception rather than the rule. Even then, it isn’t integrated into the My Disney Experience app.
That feels like a missed opportunity.
Disney continues investing heavily in technology across its vacation experience, from Lightning Lane to mobile check-in. Adding poolside mobile ordering seems like an obvious next step that would save guests time while creating a more relaxing afternoon.
Value Resorts Still Lack Some Perks
Disney’s Value resorts do a fantastic job with theming.
Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, and Disney’s All-Star Resorts all deliver colorful environments that families love. They succeed in creating fun atmospheres without Deluxe-level pricing.
One thing they all lack, though, is a hot tub.
After walking 25,000 steps around Magic Kingdom, many guests would happily soak for a while before heading back to their room.
Hot tubs might not be everyone’s first choice during the hottest weeks of summer, but they become incredibly appealing during cooler evenings and throughout the fall and winter months. They’re also a nice escape for adults while children continue swimming nearby.
Currently, hot tubs remain exclusive to Disney’s Moderate and Deluxe resorts.
Budget-friendly doesn’t have to mean giving up every extra comfort. Even adding one hot tub to each Value resort would make many guests feel they’re getting more for the money they already spend.
Disney Pools Could Use This Upgrade
For a destination built around immersive vacations, Disney surprisingly doesn’t offer a single swim-up bar or café anywhere on property.
No one expects Disney World to become an all-inclusive resort. Still, being able to order a cold drink or quick snack without climbing out of the pool would be a welcome addition.
Instead, guests have to leave the water, dry off, stand in line, and hope their lounge chair remains available when they return.
Many tropical resorts have offered swim-up bars for years, making Disney’s absence even more noticeable.
The idea feels especially fitting at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, where the island atmosphere practically begs for a tropical drink served from inside the pool.
Sometimes the smallest conveniences create the greatest sense of luxury, and this feels like one Disney has overlooked.
Premium Prices Need Premium Features
Pool cabanas already cost a premium at several Disney resorts.
Guests booking one can enjoy comfortable seating, shade, televisions, fans, and complimentary snacks or beverages, depending on the location.
They’re certainly nice.
But they could be even better.
One luxury feature still missing is built-in cooling misters.
Many upscale resorts outside Disney include misting fans or discreet mist lines throughout private cabanas. Those systems make an enormous difference on hot afternoons by lowering temperatures enough to keep guests comfortable without constantly retreating indoors.
Considering Central Florida regularly sees temperatures above 95 degrees with intense humidity, cooling misters seem like the kind of feature guests would expect when paying premium cabana prices.
It’s a simple addition that could instantly make Disney’s most expensive pool rentals feel more luxurious.
Disney Still Gets Several Things Right
Even with room for improvement, Disney still deserves credit for several pool amenities guests appreciate.
Complimentary life jackets remain available at resort pools, making it easier for families with younger swimmers to enjoy the water safely without packing extra equipment.
Pool recreation teams also keep the atmosphere lively throughout the day with trivia contests, games, dance parties, and other activities that encourage families to participate together.
Another major benefit is that Disney heats its resort pools year-round, allowing guests to swim comfortably even during the cooler months when Central Florida temperatures dip.
Those touches continue to separate Disney’s hotels from many traditional vacation properties.
The Little Luxuries Still Matter
Disney has built its reputation on delivering memorable vacations filled with thoughtful details.
As hotel prices continue climbing, guests naturally expect those details to evolve alongside the cost of staying onsite.
Features like mobile poolside ordering, hot tubs at Value resorts, swim-up bars, and upgraded cabanas wouldn’t completely transform a Disney vacation. They would, however, make resort stays feel a little more special and a little more in line with today’s luxury travel expectations.
For many fans, that’s exactly the concern. They’re paying more every year while certain comforts remain absent. Disney’s resorts are still among the most immersive places to stay in Central Florida, but adding a few modern conveniences could go a long way toward reminding guests why they chose to stay on Disney property in the first place.
