Where To Get Work Done At Walt Disney World
As much as we’d like a trip to Walt Disney World to be all play, sometimes the career gets in the way. After begrudgingly pulling out your laptop or tablet, you realize the last place you want to be is cooped up in your hotel room. Where else can you go to concentrate and get some work done?
Whether it be answering email or working remotely, here are some places to set up your make-shift office and get down to business (“to defeat…the Huns.” Name that film!).
The Supplies
If you know you’re going to be working throughout your trip, here are a few extras to consider bringing along for a more comfortable experience:
- A mouse for your laptop
- A stylus for your tablet/iPad
- A keyboard for your tablet
- Chargers for your devices
- A power strip
- Headphones
- Paper and pen (if you don’t have technology handy)
Business Centers
These centers aren’t just a small room with one computer and printer. They have it all. Need to fax or photocopy something? No problem. Want to create a business card or poster? Go ahead! These centers have postal service capabilities AND you can even notarize official documents.
Here is a list of resorts equipped with a business center:
- Yacht and Beach Club (They share one)
- BoardWalk Inn
- Contemporary
- Coronado Springs
- Grand Floridian
- Dolphin Hotel (found in lobby)
- Swan Hotel (lobby)
The Resorts
Each Disney resort has plenty of free space to choose from: It really just depends on how quiet you need your surroundings to be. If you can’t (or don’t want to) work in your room, try the balcony. Not there? The lobbies always have chairs and small coffee tables available. Here are some other places to look out for:
Value Resorts
If you’re an early bird, head over to the food courts. Grab the farthest table from the entrance and get straight to work!
Moderate Resorts
- River Roost Lounge*
Port Orleans – French Quarter:
- Scat Cat’s Club Lounge
- There are benches available outdoors should you want to work in one of the beautiful courtyards.
- Shutters – Sit outside and enjoy an appetizer and drink.
Coronado Springs Resort:
- Laguna Bar – Grab one of the lakeside tables and feel the breeze in your face while you catch up on business.
- Rix Lounge
Deluxe
- The lobby has lots of cozy chairs and lamps.
- Sit on your balcony or one of the public overlooks…although you may be interrupted by African wildlife.
- Tambu Lounge, although when ‘Ohana is open it gets crowded.
Grand Floridian:
- Lobby – It’s open and airy with beautiful piano music in the background.
- Mizner’s Lounge
- Territory Lounge
Yacht Club:
- The Crew’s Cup Lounge is a personal favorite of mine. The atmosphere is so cozy and the truffle fries are amazing!
Beach Club:
- Martha’s Vineyard Lounge
- Right outside the Beach Club Marketplace is outdoor seating. It’s very quiet and has tables and chair to enjoy.
- Solarium: Right across from the Marketplace.
BoardWalk Inn:
- Belle Vue Lounge
- Right outside of the lobby and the Belle Vue Lounge is a balcony with several chairs. Look up from your work every once in a while to see what’s going on on the BoardWalk.
Out and About
If you absolutely must get work done when you’re away from your resort, Disney offers wireless internet access at all the parks (including the water parks) and at Downtown Disney.
Looking for quiet places to concentrate whilst in the parks? Check out Bob Whitten’s top quiet spots here!
So where do you like to get your work done at WDW? Let me know in the comments!
*Most of the lounges can be used during the day, even if they aren’t open yet.
Thank you. I also am looking for a place at Universal as its our last day and I have to leave my room. Hoping to find something at Citywalk. Any thoughts?
Although not on Disney property, I liked the lobby/lounge area at Loews Royal Pacific. There was good wi-fi and plenty of quiet nooks. I found one for a couple hours in an otherwise empty alcove overlooking the pool area – very nice.
Why wouldn’t you just send your family to the pool, mini golf, Downtown Disney, the theme parks, or you know… any of the places in this post and just pull up a chair and do your work at the desk in your room? Where it’s going to be virtually silent and you won’t be the idiot taking up space at some of the busiest areas on property? You would be insane to go to Mizner’s when it’s operating with your laptop, and before they open – guess what? – they are going to be setting up for service.
I guess we can all surmise why TP is looking for new people.
I tend to work at Disney World prior to my family getting up for the day or when my smaller child is napping. I doubt “sending them to the pool” would go over well with my wife. None of these lounges set up the tables for service, so I’m not sure how I’m the idiot taking up space at some of the busiest (even when closed?) areas on property.
Trust me, if I’m in the bar when they’re open, I’m going to order something. Otherwise, they’ve never once even asked why I’m there.
Jon,
As I mentioned at the start of the article, this is a list of ideas for those who do not want to stay cooped up in their room.
While I appreciate your input, I encourage you to follow my amazing TP blogger colleagues as they may better suit your writing tastes.
Thanks for reading!
Angela
I agree with Brian and Angela. This is the sort of hard hitting, data driven investigative reporting that made Unofficial Guide and Touring Plans so popular. The itty bitty Disney Food Blog watermarked pictures are just the icing on the cake. And there’s no way this blog post could have been one sentence long, simply stating, “There are plenty of chairs in the lobby and at the lounges just off of them.”
Keep up the good work Angela!
Thank you for those kind words. Sometimes it feels like writing free content is a thankless job, so it’s nice to have people like you who understand what we do and truly appreciate it.
…wink wink, nudge nudge, James. 😉
Sam,
It’s the perfect place for me as I’m alone with my computer writing. I’m quiet as a mouse. 😉
Angela
The trouble is when people who are “working” sit at a table for a much longer time than a customer would usually be expected to be there. Doesn’t matter how quiet you are.
The last thing I want to put up with is THAT GUY at a lounge taking calls and recreating his office cubical in a nice bar area like the Poly.
Don’t be That Guy.
I am not a fan of people taking up tables in lounges or dining areas to work. It’s fine when the location is closed, but unless there is actual dining or drinking going on, the work should be relocated elsewhere. I have been in several of these locations when people who were looking to eat/drink were waiting for tables. Just my opinion.
Mulan!!