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When planning your magical Disney World vacation, every detail matters. From choosing the perfect resort to mapping out your park strategy, there’s a lot to consider. But have you ever thought about which day of the week is best to dedicate solely to your resort? In our experience, there is a specific day of the week that reigns supreme. Let’s dive in!
Why You Need a Resort Day
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of what day is the best, let’s talk about why you should even consider a resort day in the first place.
- Rest and Relaxation: Let’s face it, park days are exhausting. A resort day gives you time to recharge.
- Explore Your Home Away From Home: Disney resorts are attractions in themselves. A dedicated day allows you to fully appreciate the theming and amenities.
- Avoid Peak Park Crowds: Strategically planning a resort day can help you skip the busiest park days.
- Go Resort Hopping: When you stay on Disney property, you have access to every other resort. You just can’t use their pool. But on our last trip, we stayed at Pop Century and visited Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and Beach Club!
What Day of the Week Should You Explore Your Resort?
We’ve done the research and in our experience, Friday is by far the best day to explore your resort. This is because the parks can get really crowded on weekends, leaving the resort quite empty.
Lower Weekend Crowds
By Friday, everyone is either hopping over to Magic Kingdom or Epcot, leaving the resort less crowded. This means:
- Shorter lines at quick-service restaurants
- More available lounge chairs at the pool
- Less competition for prime spots at resort activities
The Perfect Mid-Vacation Break
By Friday, you’ve likely had a few park days under your belt. Here’s why it’s the ideal time for a resort breather:
- You’re familiar with the Disney rhythm but not yet ready to leave
- It breaks up your trip nicely, especially for week-long stays
- You’re refreshed for a final weekend park push
Transition Day Advantages
Friday often marks a transition for many guests. Here’s how you can benefit:
| Time of Day | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Morning | Enjoy a quieter resort as weekday guests check out |
| Afternoon | Nab prime pool spots before weekend guests arrive |
| Evening | Experience the start of weekend entertainment |
Friday’s Resort Day Advantages
Saving Friday for your resort day can offer several advantages which we’ve outlined below.
1. Perfect Crowd Balance
On Fridays, you’ll experience a sweet spot in terms of resort crowds:
- Weekday guests are checking out
- Weekend visitors haven’t fully arrived yet
- Result: Less competition for pool chairs, dining reservations, and recreational activities
2. Extended Resort Hours
Many Disney resorts offer extended hours on Fridays:
| Resort | Regular Closing Time | Friday Closing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Stormalong Bay (Yacht & Beach Club) | 8 PM | 10 PM |
| Lava Pool (Polynesian) | 9 PM | 11 PM |
| Big Blue Pool (Art of Animation) | 9 PM | 10 PM |
3. Special Friday Activities
Exclusive Friday offerings at various resorts:
- Yacht & Beach Club: Friday Night Magic Show at 7 PM
- Animal Kingdom Lodge: Friday African Wine Tasting at 4 PM
- Wilderness Lodge: Campfire on the Beach (Fridays only) at 7:30 PM
4. Dining Perks
Friday-specific dining advantages:
- Sanaa (Animal Kingdom Lodge): Friday lunch special – “Taste of Africa” sampler
- Geyser Point (Wilderness Lodge): Friday Fish Fry from 5 PM – 9 PM
- Trader Sam’s (Polynesian): Extended happy hour on Fridays (3 PM – 6 PM instead of 3 PM – 5 PM)
5. Transportation Benefits
- Disney Skyliner: Typically less crowded on Fridays as weekend park-goers haven’t arrived yet
- Resort boats: More frequent service on Fridays (every 15 minutes instead of 20)
- Bus service: Additional buses added on Friday afternoons to accommodate both departing and arriving guests
Maximizing Your Fantastic Friday Resort Day
To help you maximize your Friday at the resort, we’ve created a sample itinerary for you to follow.
Morning (9 AM – 12 PM)
- Sleep in until 9 AM (you’ve earned it after early park days!)
- Enjoy the breakfast buffet at your resort when it’s less crowded (10 AM is the sweet spot)
- Secure a prime pool spot before the weekend crowd arrives
Afternoon (12 PM – 5 PM)
- Participate in poolside activities (most resorts ramp up their offerings on Fridays)
- Try out the resort’s recreational offerings:
- Surrey bike rentals at BoardWalk (less wait time on Fridays)
- Fishing excursions at Fort Wilderness (additional Friday-only afternoon slots)
- Attend a resort-specific workshop:
- Art of Animation: Animation class at 2 PM (Fridays only)
- Grand Floridian: Culinary demonstration at 3 PM (Fridays only)
Evening (5 PM – 10 PM)
- Enjoy dinner at your resort’s signature restaurant (easier to get reservations on Fridays)
- Participate in evening activities:
- Movies Under the Stars (all resorts offer premium selections on Fridays)
- Electrical Water Pageant viewing (best spots available on Fridays due to lower crowds)
- Cap off the night with a leisurely stroll around your resort, taking in the scenery without the weekend hustle
Why Friday Trumps Other Days
- Monday-Thursday: Good for parks, but miss out on extended Friday resort hours and activities
- Saturday-Sunday: Peak crowds at resorts, harder-to-enjoy amenities
- Sunday: Good for arrival, but misses most Friday-specific perks
Final Thoughts
At Disney World, every day sprinkles a little pixie dust on your vacation. But when it comes to the perfect resort day, Friday stands out as the cream of the crop. It offers a beautiful blend of weekday calm and weekend excitement, making it the ideal day to fully appreciate the wonder of your Disney resort.
