Magic Bands aren't getting enough mentions here. The debate about which version (or any version) of FastPass are best often lumps the Magic Bands in but it shouldn't. Both FastPass+ and MaxPass could use Magic Bands as their "media" or ticket. As a room key they are awesome, paying using them is simple and convenient, and not needing my park ticket or paper pass to get on a ride makes so much sense. They are provided as an included part of your stay but also offer upgrades for collectors. As a whole they work well and help Disney make money at the same time, this overlap doesn't often happen. My recent year of trips to
Disneyland left me missing the Magic Bands very much.
This is getting plenty of mentions but I'm adding my voice to the chorus, their efforts to accommodate guests with allergies is second to none. There's certainly room for some streamlining and integration but I don't know any other food service provider that does as well as Disney overall in this regard.
FREE resort-wide transportation that doesn't require that you've purchased anything. I seldom use the word "free" if I can use "included" instead but here it's actually true. If you can get to a Disney bus or Monorail, or Skyliner, or Boat you can ride it, you don't have to be a resort or park guest, you don't have to be parked in a lot, you don't have to have a dining reservation, it's just free. There may be flaws in each of those modes of transport or their upkeep but they are better than most municipalities' mass transit in this country.
They are slipping on this last one but I think they're still on the right side of the curve. The amount of experiences, services, features, and benefits included in the base prices of the tickets and resort stays is great. The price of staying at a resort includes outdoor movies, marshmallow roasting, crafts and other activities, great pools, "I'll leave off any adjective" WiFi, and other features. There's no resort fee to get all that while plenty of other lodging options out there claim that's what the resort fee is for and insist you pay it regardless of use. The parks are similar, once you're in you can do a lot without any extra fees. Photopass photographers (where they still exist) will take your photo with your own camera, character meets are included, there's no "premium" rides, and they allow you to bring food (that shouldn't be considered a perk but look elsewhere to see that it is). Only being able to participate or even view the lightsaber building for the price of buying one is a distinct bummer (Olivander's allows a good deal of viewers and doesn't even require the chosen person to purchase), the addition of parking fees for the resorts is lame (I don't drive while I'm there so in theory this saves me money compared to them hiking the hotel rate to get that revenue but it still rubs me the wrong way), there's a few other premium experiences that feel nickle and dime-ish but mostly they're on the right side of the "included in admission" curve I'd say. It'd be great if they could course correct and go back further into this world though.
