Why I Never Skip Resort Days at Disney: The Magic Outside the Parks
by Jenna Caron
Okay, confession time: I used to be that person who planned Disney trips like a military operation. Rope drop? Yes. Stack Lightning Lanes? Of course. Park hop until my feet are questioning all my life choices? Absolutely. And then, somewhere around my seventh cup of Joffrey’s and a meltdown in a bathroom stall near Space Mountain (we don’t need to talk about it), I discovered… the glory of resort days.
Resort days are the unsung heroes of Disney vacations. They’re the introverts of the itinerary — quiet, unbothered, not demanding attention but deeply essential. A resort day is that gentle reminder that Disney magic doesn’t only live inside the parks… it exists in the slow moments too.
The pools are some of the best-kept secrets at Disney. If you’ve never floated around Stormalong Bay, splashed at the Polynesian, or grabbed a spot in the shade at Riviera with a book you won’t actually read, you’re missing out. And don’t even get me started on the pool bars… Banana Cabana is such a hidden gem!
But beyond the lounging, resorts are full of tiny details people rush past — the music loops, the cast members who have the BEST stories, the activities you swear you’re too cool for (you’re not), and the random character appearances that somehow feel even more magical because they’re unexpected.
When I sit by the water at Port Orleans Riverside or walk the sandy beaches at Caribbean Beach at sunset, I get this wave of calm that reminds me why I love Disney so much. I think sometimes we get caught up in maximizing every minute, and we forget to actually experience the moments we’re maximizing.
So yes — take a resort day. Lean into the slow magic. Let Disney take care of you a little. Your trip will feel more balanced, your feet will forgive you, and your soul will thank you for choosing ✨rest✨ over chaos… just for one day.
