You know the many benefits of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, so now you have to decide, which resort is right for me! Here’s a guide to the Disney Resorts that should help you decide which is the BEST for you to make the most out of your magical vacation!
Disney categorizes their resorts in four categories: Value, Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villa. Here is a run down of what those categories mean so you can make the best decision on which category works for your family.
VALUE
This resort category is designed for those looking to travel on a budget with the most affordable pricing of the Disney categories.
Standard Room at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Rooms As noted above, these rooms typically open to the outside, except for Art of Animation. They typically feature one queen size bed, and one queen size pull down table-bed. Art of Animation is again the exception as it features two full-size Queen Beds or 1 King Bed. Art of Animation and All-Star Music both offer Family suites which feature a Kitchenette, two bathrooms and a private bedroom. The family suites sleep up to 6 and are a great option for larger families needing more space on a budget.
Big Blue Pool at Disney’s Art of Animation
Pool The resorts have large themed pools without waterslides, it is important to note Art of Animation does have the largest Disney Resort Pool at the Big Blue Pool, so while they may not have all the bells and whistles of the moderates or deluxe resorts, these pools are still incredibly themed and lots of fun. These resorts will not have a quiet/adult pool.
Disney 50th Anniversary Bus
Transportation All value resorts have Bus Transportation to all Walt Disney World Theme Parks, Water Parks and Disney Springs. Pop Century and Art of Animation also have access to the Disney Skyliner - a new form of transportation that takes guests to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
Everything Pop Food Court at Disney’s Pop Century
Dining Value resorts have Food Court style dining, which is cafeteria-style. The menu features American fare, and most offer Mickey Waffles for breakfast, while featuring burgers, pizza, salads and more for lunch and dinner. All have a central beverage station with the resort re-fillable mug offering, for coffee, teas and soft drinks.
King Triton at Disney’s Art of Animation
Theme Fun and larger-than-life decor is found at all of the Disney Value Resorts. Disney’s Art of Animation features a three-story tall King Triton(!!) as well as impressive characters from other Disney movies such as Cars, Lion King and Finding Nemo. All-Star Movies has an immersive pool featuring the dancing brooms from Fantasia as well as Sorcerer Mickey! There is no shortage of Disney fun at these properties.
*Imporant to Know: The All-Star Properties are very popular with Youth Groups and typically feature large groups traveling together. If you are coordinating a Youth Trip, I can help with group pricing and highly recommend these locations. If you are looking for a more tranquil trip without a lot of youth groups present, I would look at Art of Animation or Pop Century from the Value Resorts.
Value Resorts:
Disney’s Art of Animation
Disney’s Pop Century
Disney’s All-Star Movies
Disney’s All-Star Music
Disney’s All-Star Sports (re-opening March 31, 2022)
MODERATE
These resorts are perfect for families that are looking for more amenities than the Value resorts and not looking to pay Deluxe pricing. Moderate resorts will be slightly farther from the theme parks than select Deluxe properties, although Caribbean Beach is conveniently located on the Skyliner, and right next to Disney’s Riviera Resort (a Deluxe category).
Pirate Room at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Rooms Like the value resorts, these rooms typically open to the outside. Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs is set-up like a traditional hotel and rooms inside the Tower open to an indoor hallway. Most rooms sleep 4 guests, but some do feature an additional twin pull-down bed to accommodate a family of 5. Beds are two queen beds, and some rooms have a King bed available for an additional charge. Select resorts also offer themed rooms - A Pirate Room at Caribbean Beach, which features beds shaped like pirate ships! And the Royal Suite at Port Orleans, where you stay as a guest of Princess Tiana’s and enjoy a majestic setting!
Mardi-Gras Theme Pool at Disney’s Port Orleans, French Quarter
Pool These pools usually offer a large, themed pool that features additional water play options such as a splash park, water slide, whirlpool, kiddie pool, volleyball court and more! This will feel more like a “resort” than the value resorts, so if pool time is a priority, I would advise to look at a moderate over a value resort. Disney pools are incredible, and I do recommend at least one day spent relaxing by the pool!
Disney Skyliner at Caribbean Beach Resort
Transportation You will have more options to get around the Walt Disney World resort at a moderate resort, including bus transportation, Skyliner service (Caribbean Beach), Water Taxi to Disney Springs (Port Orleans) and even a Water Ferry to the Magic Kingdom (Cabins at Fort Wilderness).
Toledo at Coronado Springs
Dining There are more dining options available at the moderate resorts, offering both a quick-serve area and sit-down dining. Food options are more varied as well, featuring the cuisine from the Caribbean at Caribbean Beach, Cajun inspired cuisine at Port Orleans and a wide variety of options at Coronado Springs. These resorts all typically have a lounge area as well, just adding to the places you’re able to relax while on vacation.
Disney’s Port Orleans, Riverside
Theme The themes at the moderate resorts are a little more upscale than those offered at the value resorts. These resorts are very large, and most offer an internal bus system to get around and explore. They do feature a lake area for the most part as well, which adds to the beauty of the resort and also offers additional recreation like fishing and boating!
*Important to know: Coronado Springs is a large convention hotel that caters to a more mature crowd. There are a LOT of amenities at this resort, specifically when you stay at Gran Destino Tower, which feels like a Deluxe resort with moderate pricing.
Moderate Resorts:
Caribbean Beach Resort
Coronado Springs Resort
The Cabins at Fort Wilderness
Port Orleans - French Quarter
Port Orleans - Riverside
DELUXE
The Deluxe properties are the top-of-the-line accommodations at Walt Disney World. Here at these resorts you’ll find elegant themes, character dining, spas at select resorts and incredible locations! All immersed in that amazing Disney experience. These resorts are for best for guests looking for elegant and high-end accommodations.
Moana Themed Room at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Rooms These rooms will feature 2 Queen Size beds, some with a 5th twin size sleeper. Select rooms feature 1 King Beds. There are also luxurious suites if you are looking for something extra magical, some with Club Level access. Any level of luxury can be found at the Deluxe Resorts. Rooms are accessed from inside the resort, although select resorts have areas that require you to walk outside to (such as the Garden Wing at the Contemporary, or the Polynesian Resort)
Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club
Pool The pools at the deluxe resorts are going to be some of the best at all Disney World Resorts. Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club features a sand-bottom pool with a lazy river and incredibly fun waterslide! It’s like a mini-water park right at your resort! Deluxe resorts also offer kiddie pools and splash pads, quiet pools, whirlpools, volleyball courts and playgrounds - so there is always something to do around the resort on your days “off” from the parks!
Disney’s Monorail at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Transportation With the exception of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, these resorts all offer an additional mode of transportation to select theme parks beyond the bus service. The iconic Disney Monorail runs between The Grand Floridian, Disney’s Polynesian Village and Disney’s Contemporary resorts - offering a unique Disney experience and the ultimate convenience directly to Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Disney’s EPOCT. From Disney’s Grand Floridian and Disney’s Contemporary you can also walk right to the front gate of Disney’s Magic Kingdom! Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club and Disney’s Boardwalk also offer Water Ferry service to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Wilderness Lodge offers a Water Ferry directly to the Magic Kingdom. And Disney’s Riviera Resort is located on the Disney Skyliner. Like the moderate and value resorts, bus transportation is available at all deluxe resorts to select parks. An amazing perk of the deluxe resorts is their incredible location, directly in the middle of the magic!
Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Dining Select deluxe resorts offer unique character dining experiences right onsite! Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary allows you to dine with the Fab 5 characters for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Beyond the incredible character meals, world-famous chef’s are behind some of the iconic table service restaurants located at Disney’s deluxe resorts - so bring your appetite! If incredible meals are high on your list, consider a deluxe resort!
Spend two extra hours at Disney parks like EPCOT when you stay at a Deluxe Resort!
Extra Perks Yes, there are EXTRA perks for staying at a Deluxe Resort. Beyond the amazing amenities you can only find at a Disney deluxe resort like spas, valet parking, fitness centers, high-end shopping, salon services are more, you also get added perks at the Disney Parks. On select nights you are welcome to stay at select Disney theme parks for two hours longer than the park closes. This means more time for magic with lower wait times. A priceless perk for choosing a deluxe resort!
*Important to know: Club Level is highly sought after and has limited inventory. If this is something you would like to experience, be sure to book at least a year before you plan to travel for the most options!
Deluxe Resorts:
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
DELUXE VILLAS
These resorts are part of the Disney Vacation Club, Walt Disney World’s timeshare program. The properties are available to the general public, but first they are offered to DVC Members. These resorts are typically associated with a Deluxe Resort, however two stand along: Saratoga Springs and Old Key West. They offer the same amazing amenities as the Disney Deluxe resorts, the accommodations are studio and villa based. Room categories matter at the villas, and the breakdown of categories is below:
Disney’s Riviera Deluxe Studio
Deluxe Studio This room will offer a queen size bed, with a pulldown queen size bed, kitchenette, balcony and one bathroom. These sleep between 4 and 5 guests. This is a great option if you’d like to have a microwave in your room. Old Key West offers the largest Deluxe Studios with plenty of space to relax.
Master bedroom at Disney’s Grand Floridian Villas
One Bedroom Villa These rooms will sleep between 4 and 5 guests, and they offer a private bedroom, full kitchen and washer and dryer available in the room. Certain villas will have two bathrooms (Bay Lake Tower) while others will have a split bathroom to allow more than one person to get ready at the same time, which is hugely convenient when you are up early and heading off to the parks!
Living area at Old Key West
Two Bedroom Villa These rooms offer the same kitchen and washer and dryer inside the room; the added benefit is they have two private bedrooms. One bedroom will feature a King Size bed with a private bathroom and the second bedroom is usually two queen size beds with a bathroom. These sleep 8 - 9 people comfortably. Bay Lake Tower offers three full private bathrooms in their two bedroom villas - a huge perk for a larger family!
3 Bedroom Grand Villa at Disney’s Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary
3 Bedroom Grand Villas These sleep 12 people comfortably, with 3 private bedrooms! This is an excellent choice for a family reunion as it offers a full size dining table to enjoy meals around, full kitchen, living area and 3 or 4 bathrooms depending on the resort. Bay Lake Tower’s 3 bedroom Grand Villa is the largest and my favorite option for a large family reunion!
Bungalow on the Seven Seas Lagoon at Disney’s Polynesian
Bungalows Disney’s Polynesian Village offers Bungalows which are located right on the Seven Seas Lagoon in an area known as the Bora Bora Bungalows. These some of the most expensive rooms on Disney Property and have an incredibly Disney experience, with views of the Magic Kingdom and the Electrical Water Parade. Each Bungalow has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, full kitchen, dining room, living room, washer and dryer and it’s very own plunge pool!
Cabin at Disney’s Copper Creek
Copper Creek Cabins Another luxurious Disney experience can be found at Copper Creek located within Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. This property is a boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom, and located on the shores of Bay Lake. The Copper Creek Cabins and not your typical cabin, they are more very elegant accommodations featuring two bedrooms, an indoor fireplace, a screened-in porch and private hot tub. These incredibly themed cabins sleep up to 8 guests.
*Important to know: Villas are highly popular and sell out quickly! If you are interested in staying in a Villa be sure to reach out 11 months out from your time of travel.
Deluxe Villa Resorts:
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Copper Creek Cabins and Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Disney’s Boardwalk Villas
Disney’s Old Key West Resort (exclusive DVC resort, rooms open to outside)
Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows
Disney’s Riviera Resort (exclusive DVC resort)
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort (exclusive DVC resort, rooms open to outside)
The Villa’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
If you are interested in booking a Walt Disney World vacation, working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner is the best way to go! Middle of the Magic Travel is a team of 40+ Disney Vacation planners here to help you along the way! Start planning today!